Fort Worth Motorcycle Riders

This weekend reminded me that no matter how much you try to avoid it, at some point every rider is likely to face riding in the rain. I think it would be productive to have a thread, in which everybody shares some of their experience with riding in the rain, including tips on what to do and what to avoid. Let's try and keep this thread on-topic so that it can serve as a future resource to other riders.

As somebody who regularly commutes and tours on a bike, I've managed to log quite a few rain miles. The key aspect in any situation that involves wet asphalt is to be very smooth with every input you give into the bike: smooth throttle control, smooth shifting, smooth braking, and smooth leaning. Get your braking done while your completely upright, reduce your lean angle, and accelerate later and more slowly out of a turn than you would in dry conditions. Avoid seams and sealer like the plague, as the traction there can be virtually nonexistent. If you have to cross them, try to do so as perpendicularly as possible. Be loose on the handlebar and allow the bike to work its way out of any wobbles or small slides.

I learned that my tires and my brakes perform better in the rain than I thought they would. Like most any other situation, keep your cool (don't panic), and be smooth with application and pressure. I scared the crap out of myself learning that lesson.

Those few more knowledgeable than I, would this be a safe statement; Today's super sport tyres are yesterday's moto GP rain tyres?

What do you do with the rain on the helmet (visor)? I always hate that because it doesn't run off (like it has rainX on it) and I don't have wipers on my visor either. Having the water beads and road dirt on the visor, makes it difficult to ride safely since I can't see clearly.

Speed up?

Telomere wrote:What do you do with the rain on the helmet (visor)? I always hate that because it doesn't run off (like it has rainX on it) and I don't have wipers on my visor either. Having the water beads and road dirt on the visor, makes it difficult to ride safely since I can't see clearly.

I pick my head up into the wind then turn my head left then right, if I get the wind hitting it just right it blows the rain off my visor. My waterproof gloves have a "windshield squeegee" on the length of the thumb for wiping the visor.

Your waterproof gloves do me NO good.

Telomere wrote:Your waterproof gloves do me NO good.

See my previous note about turning your head in the wind.

I also turn my head, but it really only works above 35 mph. Below that and the water dips don't move.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Rain-X on outside only.

IF you have to replace your shield once in a while (and I never have had to do so), it's a small price to pay for visibility when you need it most.

Telomere wrote:What do you do with the rain on the helmet (visor)?

I have yet to find a good solution to that problem. I've tried a number of water repellant products, but none of them worked particularly well. I usually just end up wiping it off with my hand, but that is also mediocre at best. I'm all ears about a better way to keep the water flowing off your visor.

Terry may be right about using Rain-X. I'll give that a shot.

The Plastic-X stuff works OK, but doesn't bead as well as Rain-X. My problem with Rain-X is that you apply once, and spend the next 15 minutes buffing the streaks and such out.

Telomere wrote:What do you do with the rain on the helmet (visor)? I always hate that because it doesn't run off (like it has rainX on it) and I don't have wipers on my visor either. Having the water beads and road dirt on the visor, makes it difficult to ride safely since I can't see clearly.

1. Clean your visor before you go out in the rain, or stop and clean it if it starts raining on you. This is the biggest thing you can do for visibility.

2. Put some kind of water repellent on it. There's stuff made for plastic that I forget the name of, but Rain-X works IF YOU USE IT RARELY. It'll fog your shield permanently if you use it all the time, but I've put a half dozen applications on a clear shield and not seen any harm.

3. Get used to imperfect vision in the rain. It's just a fact of life. Give it 15 minutes and you probably won't notice the rain drops anymore if you've done steps 1 and 2 above.

Be aware of hydroplaning, it can happen really easily on a bike. Had it happen once as I was pulling back into my lane after passing a semi, not a pleasant feeling.

Rhino wrote:

Telomere wrote:What do you do with the rain on the helmet (visor)? I always hate that because it doesn't run off (like it has rainX on it) and I don't have wipers on my visor either. Having the water beads and road dirt on the visor, makes it difficult to ride safely since I can't see clearly.

2. ...but Rain-X works IF YOU USE IT RARELY. It'll fog your shield permanently if you use it all the time, but I've put a half dozen applications on a clear shield and not seen any harm.

For the record, I've used this stuff a lot on Arai shields and have never had this problem.

Any tips about gear? I've never ridden in rain, but plan on going out tomorrow just to test the gear. I have a first gear jacket, pants with liners, HJC helmet and waterproof bilt leather boots. Does water typically get in the helmet, and does it help to wear a balaklava to repel water near the neck?

I hear you loud and clear on being extra smooth in all operations, and my visor has been treated with Rain-X. Other than that, I really have no idea what to expect.

Holy thread revival batman! I like your style!!! Hmmmm, actually hot summer time down poor is pretty nice to ride in, but yea i hate the rain and have some close calls with it. With that said just keep some more distance and generally speaking the center lane is slicker due to oil build up.

today might be a good day for practicing those rain skills

Be sure you know how to swim before attempting today.

I rode back from Kerrville this morning so I should be an expert. I'm not, just recently experienced. I use a visor on my visor, though technically it's called a "Super-Visor", Today I noticed that it seems to provide a benefit in the rain as well as for the sun. The water seemed to bead up below the 1/4 inch "shadow" of the visor, so in the 1/4 inch strip I could see fairly well. The mist from other vehicles was still a problem until I got by them. The Super-Visor isn't for everyone as it pretty much makes you resemble a Star Wars Storm Trooper at best, or at worst (and in my case) a dork.