What do I need to know about riding in the Rain

[rishardh]

Riding my XB9s on a one week tour. Any advise about riding in the rain? I do not ride my bike when rain is in the forecast and know very little except to slow it down a couple of notches.

 

[treyflee]

Slow down.
And GOOD rain gear that keeps you dry makes it much better. Sitting in wet pants all da after getting wet to suck real fast.

 

[strmvt]

BE CAREFUL ride with your highbeam on for sure and watch it slowing down don't grab a handful of brakes and keep your distance from cars in front of you and watch for any road repairs that use tar to fill cracks in the road surface those are like ice when it rains other then that just be careful have two sets of gloves one for rain preferably waterproof and a set for dry

 

[delta one]

keep your tires in the tracks of the cars ahead of you, the center of the lane will get very slick because of the oil that builds up there

 

[delta one]

shifting your head left to right like you are head checking/looking at your blind spot, will clear your visor of any water on it.

rain-x is not for plastic but some shops have products that are, catcrap is great for defogging the inside.

 

[upthemaiden]

When it starts raining get off the bike and give it 15 minutes or so before you keep riding. When I used to ride in the rain I'd just keep going when it started and never had any problems, but that's supposed to be the worst of it because all the oil that's laying on the surface will be washing off in the first few minutes.

Otherwise like everyone else said, get some decent gear, doesn't have to be anything too fancy, just has to keep you dry. I used to have waterproof boots and loved them. Never really worried about my hands. If you can find good water proof gloves then that's great, but I never had any that were that great so I'd just go without.

 

[07Bolt]

spray some extra lube on all exposed bolts and cables/plugs; bring extra pair gloves,socks. they will catch most of the water in long periods of rain.

 

[dave_xb12r]

Try not to lean. Use 70-30 braking.

 

[kalifornia]

find the nearest Cheetahs, seriously. you'll thank me later

 

[anrkizm95]

watch out for any painted lines center lines,cross walk lines,stop light lines.if your not use to them in the rain they can put you on your ass fast.

 

[taylor]

go as fast as you can everwhere.

 

[buellet proof]

make sure you are not turning a corner over a man hole. Its like ice when wet.

 

[vanson1200r]

Be SMOOTH like a freshly shorn Vajayjay. Keep your head and eyes up and give plenty of following distance. If you lock your rear brake, keep it locked until you stop and if you lock the front, release and re-apply pressure to the lever again. Squeeze, dont grab. Try to breath straight down so not to fog your visor.

 

[theend1467]

taylor you made me laugh, thanks for that.

 

[fishgutz]

Put a set of Michelin Pilot Road 2CT tires. Great wet traction.
Two piece MC rain suit bright color with heat resistant material on the back of the legs. Don't buy a cheap all purpose rain suit. It will melt.

 

[Mike Van V]

This is probably too late...but...

1. Stay away from the center (grease line) of the road
2. lightly ride the front and rear brake every now and again to help keep the pads warm
3. don't lean too far in corners
4. Don't worry about hydroplaining (won't happen!)
5. Stay off the painted lines as much as possible
6. Use an "anti-fog" product inside the face shield
7. Use the rear brake more than you normaly would
8. Don't panic
9. Wear good rain gear

Mike

 

[delta one]

Put a set of Michelin Pilot Road 2CT tires. Great wet traction.

that's the truth!!!

 

[BuddhaBuell]

7. Use the rear brake more than you normaly would

I respectively disagree..
under the best of conditions I only lightly feather my rear brake with my foot, it takes very little to lock up the rear imho so when its wet I use it sparingly..
[smirk]

 

[crxtasy169]

Icon rain gear is the only one I have found that does not leak the rest are crap!

 

[brightbuell]

Do not use your front brake in a turn. Your front end can slide out from under you very fast. If your going straight you dont have to fear your rear brake. Its a controlled skid. I do it all the time just for fun and controll practice. Try it some time, just jam on your rear brake only while going straight and let up after a little skid. Oce you do this a few time you can start to understand how to exicute a controlled skid.