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RIDING IN THE RAIN
Reprinted (stole) from the wonderful WOTI web site 01-30-2007
1) If it hasn't rained for a while and I'm on the highway, when
it
starts I get off the road, under a bridge, or somewhere for a
few
minutes to let the oil rise & run off. Sometimes, you can see
the
rainbows on the surface.
2) ANY time it's raining and I'm on surface streets, I stay
further
away from the center of my lane than usual. Look down and behold
the
oil rainbows.
3) In a heavy rain on the highway, I can see better while on the
bike
than while in a car. The water clears from the faceplate better
than
it does from a windshield, and the point of focus is further
away
from where the drops collect. When my faceplate starts to
collect
too much water, I stand up on the pegs a bit to get the helmet
out of
the fairing's bubble and into the wind blast; the faceplate
clears
right off.
4) On the highway in rain, remember that hydroplaning is
dependent on
speed and slow down. Remember, too, that as water seeks its
level,
you won't be able to see the dips in the road's surface except
by
noting the spray and bobs of the vehicle in front of you.
5) Sit up straight and keep a relaxed grip on the bars. No
sudden
inputs; this means increasing your following distance as a panic
swerve will not really be available to you.
6) Around these parts, in the summer we get isolated
thunderstorms in
the afternoons. In a car, I tend to pull over and wait the
fifteen
minutes for them to pass. On the bike, I tend to slow down,
watch my
lane position, and keep moving. I'm out of them in less than
five
minutes, and now I have evaporative cooling to make me feel
better
than the 100 degree air does.
7) In a long, slow soaker, put your rainsuit's hood on before
you put
the helmet on. This will keep that annoying drip from going down
your neck and back. It makes a huge difference in comfort.
That's all I've got for now.
MMe
--
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"The problem with a 500 mile ride is.... what to do with the
rest of
the afternoon."
-- IndyWinger
Reply to riding in the rain 01-30-2007 WOTI
> I would like to ask a favor if I may. I am the editor of our
CMA chapter
> newsletter and I would like to write an article about "Rain
Riding". I
> would like to glean some insight and wisdom from the greater
WOTI
> membership about your experiences in the RAIN. I have a few
thoughts but
> not enough to write an article about it. <snip>
> Nightwing (Jim)
If you've successfully ridden in rain, you probably have more
insights that
you think.
MMe in this thread has left a trail of sound advice as a
starting point,from the obvious (don't ride in the center track!) to the
not-so-obvious(stay relaxed). I think my riding style in the rain is
encapsulated by the
words "vigilant and relaxed." While trying to be extra alert,
scaning
extra carefully, watching the road surface for any anomalies, it
is so easy
to tense up the muscles in your torso and tighten your grip on
the
handlebars. This can exaggerate your intended steering input and
can lead
to unintended sudden or aggressive steering maneuvers, which
would be
exactly what you don't want on rainy pavement. Furthermore,
muscular
tension in your hands and body will radically diminish the
tactile input thebike is automatically and constantly trying to give you about
roadconditions and your environment. You might miss something really
important!
Of course, with all this, you will slow down as necessary to a
speed whereall your steering and braking inputs can be done like you're
riding in abarrel of molasses.
Lighten your grip on the bike, tighten your mental grip on the
surroundings.
--
Jim Beachy
97 SE (Black Satin), 06 Escapade SE
GWRRA, HRCA, WOTI
IBA: SS1000 4/98, BBG1500 4/98, SS2000 5/01, 50CC Quest 5/01
Guardian Whale, Northern Virginia / DC
Th
Take care - John b
'83 GL1100A - '06 Aspen Camper
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