[Kawasushi]

Ahh im so fucking nervous to ride in the rain, advice? What gear do you use to ride in the rain, any essentials for rain riding? Haha

 

[Topaz]

^^ LOL. Riding in the rain is so tense. I like it.

Just ride as you know, but slower, much slower until you gain confidence. Your number one brake is still the front one, but I use the rear brake too when it's raining.

For me, there is some kind of 'mind warm up'.When it starts to rain, I get nervous and slow down, then, bit by bit, I regain confidence as I start to feel the bike in the rain.

On the track, when turning, I try to hang off more and lean the bike less.

On the street, when taking a turn, I keep my butt in the center, as I always do, but I put more pressure on the foot pegs, as If I were to raise my butt but I don't raise it. I keep my butt touching the seat but with less pressure on it. That kind of puts me in a more 'aware' position and I get a better feeling of the bike.

I try to get the right attitude. It's just water. Go slower, leave more space for braking, and make more miles. The more you ride on the rain, the more you get used to it.

As for the gear, nothing special. I have a regular rain jacket and rain paints. Those that you can get on an outdoors store. I wear them over my leather riding gear (pants and jacket)
If it really pours, I get a bit wet, but nothing serious.

For the feet, I have a pair of neoprene boot covers that I bought once for the mountain bike. They keep my feet dry, but they make me loose the feeling of the gears, which I don't like. So if I'm using regular shoes (rare), I put them on so I don't get wet. But when I'm on my riding boots (usually), I either get my feet wet, or I put a plastic bag over my sock but under my boot, so my boots get wet but my feet not.

The helmet keeps my head dry. The pin lock keeps the fog off. On may older helmet I used to get the visor fogged, so I had to open it a bit to clear out.

My hands, the just get wet.

One day I'll buy racing rain gear.

 

[Kawasushi]

Yeah i want to get real rain gear, gortext blahblah. But i dont even have a full set of regular gear yet. And since its gonna be summer soon, and im in florida.... there is only 1 real option i see for a jacket and its an icon jacket, 3/4 meshed out in the front, with armor in it (i forget the name of the jacket). I have a bad feeling my feet are to wide for any real riding boots, as i cant even get boots wide enough for my construction job. (I always blow out the sides of my boots because my foots to wide, and i already buy a wide size work boot). As far as riding pants go, ha. Im a bigger guy with an akward pant leg size and a big waist. Hands? According to rev zilla size chart and how to measure hands im around a 4 or 5xl glove

 

[fizzel]

Riding in the rain is tricky. Your legs and feet are the best out riggers. Use them for ballast and for stabilizing in corners plus you can use your feet to judge road conditions especially when turning in. Rain gear is important. Nothing to extreme but durable. Over gloves or liners plus. Wet, cold hands makes conditions worse and you really need to concentrate. Bottom line, easy does it. Waiting it out is best but if you can't you may find riding in the rain has a zen of it's own. Peace

 

[SaskBrah]

Riding in the rain is tricky. Your legs and feet are the best out riggers. Use them for ballast and for stabilizing in corners plus you can use your feet to judge road conditions especially when turning in. Rain gear is important. Nothing to extreme but durable. Over gloves or liners plus. Wet, cold hands makes conditions worse and you really need to concentrate. Bottom line, easy does it. Waiting it out is best but if you can't you may find riding in the rain has a zen of it's own. Peace

I'm not entirely sure what you're suggesting to do with your feet? Back when I had my ninja 600 nearly 10 years ago I got caught up in some pretty wicked rain storms out on the highway. I basically road as normal just a bit slower and more carefully while freezing my ass off(I didn't have any rain gear at all). The more I think about it, I feel I should should get a nice little tail bag and some basic rain gear would be one of the first things to get stashed in there.

 

[Heavyweight]

Watch out for stops like at redlights or signs, cars and trucks leak oil and the road can be like ice.

 

[rde09]

These are all very good advice. I have one addition, well maybe two. The road is the slickest during the first few minutes of rain. The oils in the road float on top of the rainwater and migrate to your tires, thereby causing you a loss of traction. The second item is watch for the painted lines on the road, very dangerous when wet (if the abrasive material has worn out of the paint stripe or was never installed during the application of the stripe, see video below).
I have stowed away very small rainsuits that are just peva or vinyl with snaps (some have zippers) from something like walmart, Amazon, kmart and they worked well for a few rides before they failed (they are very compact & cheap {would probably fit under the pillion seat in the storage slot}, but at least you have something before you can invest a little more in rain gear).
https://www.amazon.com/Stansport-Peva-Rainsuit/dp/B00EHBV4EO/ref=pd_day0_468_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00EHBV4EO&pd_rd_r=RC3KZP4F9ADEBXG5P3A8&pd_rd_w=UZZkg&pd_rd_wg=zD0rg&refRID=RC3KZP4F9ADEBXG5P3A8

My rain gear presently is Frogtoggs rain suit of gore tex, which worked well until I went through the waterfall at Chattanooga TN during the "Big Ride". I did have a small amount of moisture wick into my jacket and t-shirt. I don't know of any rain suit or haven't found it yet, that would have stopped the migration of rainwater during that rainstorm/waterfall of rain.

 

[Topaz]

I have one addition, well maybe two. The road is the slickest during the first few minutes of rain. The oils in the road float on top of the rainwater and migrate to your tires, thereby causing you a loss of traction. The second item is watch for the painted lines on the road, very dangerous when wet (if the abrasive material has worn out of the paint stripe or was never installed during the application of the stripe, see video below).

+1 on these two advises. Painted lines are so tricky when wet. And the road is very slippery when it starts to rain or when the rain is very light and doesn't get to 'wash' the road.

When you are at a stop, you can feel with the sole of your boot how slippery the road is.

Also, the center of the lane is usually dirtier because there ends up all the fluids coming out of car engines. I prefer to ride on any side of the lane. But this applies to dry road as well.


I'm in South Florida. I rarely get cold on the bike, even when soaking wet. But the summer, oh the summer, I melt on top of that thing covered on leathers. Riding season here is all year long, but the summer is not the best.

 

[Kawasushi]

+1 on these two advises. Painted lines are so tricky when wet. And the road is very slippery when it starts to rain or when the rain is very light and doesn't get to 'wash' the road.

When you are at a stop, you can feel with the sole of your boot how slippery the road is.

Also, the center of the lane is usually dirtier because there ends up all the fluids coming out of car engines. I prefer to ride on any side of the lane. But this applies to dry road as well.


I'm in South Florida. I rarely get cold on the bike, even when soaking wet. But the summer, oh the summer, I melt on top of that thing covered on leathers. Riding season here is all year long, but the summer is not the best.

Im in s florida too.
Im looking at this mostly mesh icon jacket, might buy it this month, i want better protection than just a tshirt lol. I mean, i wear a long sleeve high vis one!

 

[rde09]

+1 on these two advises. Painted lines are so tricky when wet. And the road is very slippery when it starts to rain or when the rain is very light and doesn't get to 'wash' the road.

When you are at a stop, you can feel with the sole of your boot how slippery the road is.

Also, the center of the lane is usually dirtier because there ends up all the fluids coming out of car engines. I prefer to ride on any side of the lane. But this applies to dry road as well.


I'm in South Florida. I rarely get cold on the bike, even when soaking wet. But the summer, oh the summer, I melt on top of that thing covered on leathers. Riding season here is all year long, but the summer is not the best.

+1 in the north after the spring thaw, there could exist issues with sand on the road which would potentially cause traction issues. (Usually gone after a few rain storms)
I know of one area locally that there is an issue there in a few turns, just slow down and don't press hard into a turn with sand present.

All advice given to help the younger riders stay safe...


@Kawasushi, The mesh jacket with impact protectors at the elbows, shoulders, and back is a great addition to any riding gear wardrobe for warmer weather. I saw a bad wreck years ago where a guy went down in a curve with only a t-shirt and jeans, talk about road rash for days, wouldn't want to see any of our fellow Ninja riders suffer that.
I have a Fieldsheer and Joe Rocket mesh jackets that were both given to me as gifts (i had no say in the choice of brands). I haven't tried the Icon, but I would imagine it is some of the best out there.

 

[Rider2112]

I have a Dainese textile jacket that I absolutely love. Breathes incredibly well, has back protector pocket as well as basic armor, and also has a SUPER thin waterproof zipout liner. Its so thin I could probably fit it under the rear seat if I really wanted to..

As for an alternative, I just ordered one of these the other day:

HAMLIN HOODY BLACK | Quality Motorcycle Clothing and Accessories

I can report back when it shows up on Monday, I wanted something casual for the occasional shorter / non-aggressive ride as well. Anything more than short trip though, I'll still be wearing the Dainese mesh or leather..

 

[Chappy]

Took my riding test in the rain and we just went very slow with ample space between me and whatever was around me. Also be a bit more aware of traffic and brake earlier, there's no shame in being a slow rider when the weather is horrible.

 

[rde09]

Nice hoodie

I have a Dainese textile jacket that I absolutely love. Breathes incredibly well, has back protector pocket as well as basic armor, and also has a SUPER thin waterproof zipout liner. Its so thin I could probably fit it under the rear seat if I really wanted to..

As for an alternative, I just ordered one of these the other day:

HAMLIN HOODY BLACK | Quality Motorcycle Clothing and Accessories

I can report back when it shows up on Monday, I wanted something casual for the occasional shorter / non-aggressive ride as well. Anything more than short trip though, I'll still be wearing the Dainese mesh or leather..

I agree a nice looking hoody, but I looked for a US dealer and they were all sold out. There is a British online company for 197.00 usd it can be shipped to your door.https://www.urbanrider.co.uk/merlin-hamlin-kevlar-lined-hoody-black.html

 

[Rider2112]

Revzilla is carrying them, but only got one shipment in so far, and I think I may have gotten the last one. They are hoping to have more in this month, but by mid June at the latest. $149 and $159 depending on which you want with free shipping.

I wanted this one, but still on preorder and I'm admittedly impatient.. If I like the one I ordered enough I just may snag it anyway when they come in:

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/merlin-brampton-kevlar-hoody

I agree a nice looking hoody, but I looked for a US dealer and they were all sold out. There is a British online company for 197.00 usd it can be shipped to your door.https://www.urbanrider.co.uk/merlin-hamlin-kevlar-lined-hoody-black.html

 

[fizzel]

Feet are pretty sensitive and can give feedback from uneven surface conditions. Legs and feet can stabilize in corners and can act as counterweights against the shearing force of cross winds since rain is often accompanied by that bugger. I'm not suggesting that one ride with less dangling it's just that experience has taught me that a body is just as much a part of a bike as anything else and can be used as such. Peace

 

[Topaz]

^^ +1

Put pressure on the foot pegs.
Step and on the foot pegs with the ball of the feet.
Be ready to get the inner foot off and step on the ground on a low speed rear wheel slide.

Search on youtube 'Twist of the wrist II' and watch it several times. Great stuff. And free.

 

[mad_mardigen]

Throttle control and less aggressive on the brakes

 

[pwalo]

I was going to say that the best thing you can do about riding in the rain is to get lots of practice, but I would imagine that's not really an option where you are.


Over here in Kiwiland we get to do a lot of riding in the rain. And the wind.


As others have said it's just about relaxing and using gentle inputs for acceleration and braking.


There is usually a decent amount of grip in the wet on most road surfaces. Ok, avoid road markings and manhole covers as much as you can, and watch out for shiny patches, but as long as you're smooth and relaxed you should be ok.

 

[Kiwi Rider]

Over here in Kiwiland we get to do a lot of riding in the rain. And the wind.

Your not wrong there!

I got caught out at my last race meet. Rain was forecast for the afternoon sessions, there had been a few skiffs, and the organizers had declared the meeting 'wet'.
I tried to get an advantage by leaving my slicks on and hope it would hold off. WRONG!
As we were sitting on the dummy grid it started raining... :storm:
But it was too late by then. I went into the first corner tentatively (or so I thought) but next thing it was all on with the front end trying to swap positions with the back end and both wheels without grip so i didnt know which one I was trying to save or even if I was Arthur or Martha!
Luckily I didn't take anyone out, that would have been worse than me falling off all by myself.

Lesson learnt - dont try and be too clever! :redface:

ps. I did manage to complete the race in the vertical (ish) position surprisingly.

 

[rde09]

twist of the wrist part 2

^^ +1

Put pressure on the foot pegs.
Step and on the foot pegs with the ball of the feet.
Be ready to get the inner foot off and step on the ground on a low speed rear wheel slide.

Search on youtube 'Twist of the wrist II' and watch it several times. Great stuff. And free.

I have already posted a link to it on this forum in another thread, but here it is again: