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
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.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
+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.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).
Im in s florida too.+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)+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.
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.htmlI 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
Your not wrong there!Over here in Kiwiland we get to do a lot of riding in the rain. And the wind.
I have already posted a link to it on this forum in another thread, but here it is again:^^ +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.