Six Secrets to Riding in the Rain by David L. Hough

[Motofool]

Some tips for riding in the rain, written by David L. Hough, author of "Proficient Motorcycling" book (highly recommended).

http://www.soundrider.com/current/13...ainRiding.aspx

[LNasty]

That is some good reading, but I still get nervous going into curves on the interstate while its raining. Definitely makes you clintch the ol' turd cutter

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by LNasty

That is some good reading, but I still get nervous going into curves on the interstate while its raining..............

Nothing to worry about: the lateral loads on the tires for those roads and legal speeds are way below the capability of your tires on wet clean pavement.

However, having to emergency brake in those conditions may be spooky if you have not practiced many times before (rainy days + parking lot practice + releasing-reapplying the lever as soon as a skid starts).

This is possible with regular street tires, showing that there is still around 80% of dry grip:

Link to original page on YouTube.

[LNasty]

crazy video, didn't think anything like that was possible in the rain

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by LNasty

crazy video, didn't think anything like that was possible in the rain

Only street-legal sports/touring tires are allowed for these competitions; no warmers.

Normally, we have much more grip that what our mind makes us believe; however, you cannot go that extreme if you get caught in a storm while keeping regular tire's pressure.

Tire's pressures for Moto Gymkhana are a lot lower than for road use: riders in Japan reduce pressures by about 20~30% from the manufacturers recommended settings so that their tires get hot very quickly.

[LNasty]

I do my best to keep tires at recommended pressure, my front is still the stock IRC with a little over 9000k on it. It's hard as a rock and just waiting for enough money to get a new tire. i think that I always have the crappiness of this tire in my mind when I ride, wet or dry.

[eddiekay]

David Hough knows his stuff.
I'd add tar strips to the obvious list of enemies....the ones that cross the direction of travel can be surprising but not dangerous while the ones that run parallel to direction sem to always slip you sideways even when dry. We have roads around here that look like pin striped suits.

[ally99]

Originally Posted by Motofool

Some tips for riding in the rain, written by David L. Hough, author of "Proficient Motorcycling" book (highly recommended).

http://www.soundrider.com/current/13...ainRiding.aspx

Best. Book. Ever. Hell, I'm probably due to reread it.

Originally Posted by Motofool

However, having to emergency brake in those conditions may be spooky if you have not practiced many times before (rainy days + parking lot practice + releasing-reapplying the lever as soon as a skid starts).

Yeah, good point. I don't particularly choose to ride when it's raining, but to pointedly go out in the rain simply to practice in a parking lot? Want to or not, I should totally do this! Good idea Hernan. I always hate rainy track days, but they really are an opportunity to practice the art of being smooooooth. How's this for smooth on a wet track?

[ally99]

Originally Posted by eddiekay

David Hough knows his stuff.
I'd add tar strips to the obvious list of enemies....the ones that cross the direction of travel can be surprising but not dangerous while the ones that run parallel to direction sem to always slip you sideways even when dry. We have roads around here that look like pin striped suits.

You're not kidding! The strips that run parallel to the travel direction can be disconcerting if you're not loose on the bars. I encounter several of these on my commute to and from work each day, a couple of them being on a slight curve. No matter how dry it is outside, my rear always slips out a bit. I've started kind of enjoying it, but seriously, it can make your ass pucker a bit the first few times.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by ally99

How's this for smooth on a wet track?

And the moment after that pic was taken.... ?

[ally99]

Exactly. I'm not a big fan of rainy track days.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by ally99

Exactly. I'm not a big fan of rainy track days.

You realize it rains on average about 114 days per year in north Florida right?

[JohnnyBravo]

Great read... I don't like the rain

Rains waaay to many days in north Florida

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

Great read... I don't like the rain

Rains waaay to many days in north Florida

the gators love it


personally I would prefer a wet track day over a dry one, especially if I were driving instead of riding but for either. wet roads force you to be smooth and to slow down a bit. by taking away the edge of actively trying to get the fastest possible lap times I would be able to focus more on practicing my technique, particularly throttle control and braking. you learn more when you aren't pushing the envelope than you do when you are. wet roads also diminish grip levels so if you're in a car you can casually practice driving beyond the limits of your tires (i.e. sliding just a little through each corner, not enough to take you off the line but just enough to break traction and practice controlling an intentional break in traction)

[Motofool]

Fixing link of post #1:
http://www.soundrider.com/archive/sa...ainRiding.aspx