Singin in the rain...

[PhredValk]

I'm asking this in the Tech forum because it involves tires, safety and how far one can push a bike in the rain.

On my trip east this summer I rode for two days in the rain. Some light rain, some harder, several times with standing water in the ruts of the hi way. I don't have much experience riding in the rain, and most of it on strait roads, which pose no real problems. North of Lake Superior the two lane hi way has a limit of 90KPH, around 60MPH and actually a very good road, repair wise. Most of the traffic is tractor trailers, and the road is mostly long sweepers and up and down hills. One side a considerable drop, the other a sheer wall blasted out of the red granite of the Canadian Shield.

I had new tires; D404 rear bias tire on the front, Falken Ziex ZE-512 205/65R-16 car tire on the back. This is not about car or bias tires, just riding in inclement weather. I was terrified going around curves on this unfamiliar road, slowing to 40MPH or less on many curves as I had no idea how tight the curve was or what my tires would do to hold on to the road, especially if it was also downhill. Thankfully the truck drivers had the patience to follow me and not push; pros, all of them.

As I said, I have no real experience riding in these conditions. Experience comes from doing, but doing involves knowledge from more experienced riders and their advice on how to get along in these conditions.

I would like to hear from the long time riders. Could I have kept up to the speed limit here?  Just how far could or should I trust my bike and tires? On multi-day rides I would like to be able to ride in any conditions that present themselves. Please help me, and others in my situation, be better riders and go safely into that wet night.
Fred.

[Bone]

When I bought my 98 Tourer I did something I had never done before. The first rainy day (not sprinkles) I checked the air pressure in the OEM Dunlops and went for a ride. I wanted to experience the rain on roads I knew and be able to leave traffic and know another route. I was very impressed with the bike.
Since then I changed to a CT rear and D404 front's on the front. Each change I have went out in the rain and played in the rain, I can't sing . The wet weather handling improved with both tire changes. Been cross country twice and I never worry about traction on roads I haven't traveled if I travel at the traffics speed.

[Michvalk]

Rule of thumb for me is 5 under the speed I feel comfortable at. If you push past the envelope your gonna test your riding gear. The more experience you have riding in the rain, the more comfortable you will be. And I never push on unfamiliar roads

[fudgie]

Ride what your comfortable with doing.

When I went to Metzlers over oem flops, I noticed a huge wet weather stability differance. It was like night and day. Metz did well. Now with CT its even better.

We only slow down due to visibility, not cause of the rain. Unless its a twisty road.

[chrise2469]

I've done a bit of riding in the wet. Here are a few things.

In the rain the first 30min or so are the most dangerous.  The rain lifts all the oil and crud up and makes it slicker.  You don't want to be draggen' pegs at this time.  Until the rainbow film is gone slow down or stop for gas and adjust your rain gear.

If your not sure of the road, slow down, 70KM/hr is a bit slow for me but if that's what you feel safe at do it.  Just remember to pull over when you can to let the back log of vehicles behind you pass.

The bigggest problem is the standing water in the wheel ruts.  For y'all down USA ways, the wheel ruts can be an inch deep on some of bad stretches of the national higways.  Several problems come from the standing water first would be hydroplaning.  I haven't done it on a bike yet and don't want to try it.  I will scan well ahead and usually position myself to the far right of the lane.  The disadvantage to this is it puts the bike near the shoulder and the debris field that collects there. It also reduces reaction room if there is no paved shoulder.  The advantage is it gets you out of the  splash.

The other rut issue is when being passed esp on a two lane.  The splash from some ruts can be huge.  Like somebody throwing a 5 gallon pail of water at you speed.  If you not expecting it, it can be surprising and painful.  The far right position moves you away from the splash but you also loose lane domination.

Wear good rain gear to maximize your comfort, cold and wet means your likely distracted and that's when mistakes happen.

The tires do a good job of clearing the rain away, I stick with the advisory speed limits on the signs but will slow down an extra 5Km/h for curves to allow greater reaction and braking time.  

Speaking of braking, remember that it's worse in the rain.  If your on the brakes hard watch out for front wheel lock up, just release and reengage.  Use the front brake just be aware that it could happen.  

Rain riding just takes practice to build up your confidence.  Hope this helps you and ride safe.

[old2soon]

All good suggestions. The most critical time is the first 20 mins half an hour after the rain starts. When you are around home and it's raining get out in it and practice on roads your familiar with. When the rain first starts getting off the highway may not be an option. If thats the case slow down some and get a feel for it. Course the harder it rains the quicker the crud washes off. The more you ride in the rain the better off you'll be. Just like anything a human does-the more you practice the better you get at it. In all weather conditions RIDE SAFE.

[NITRO]

I think the car tire on back helps a lot. I was riding two-up in West Virginia a couple of years ago just after rain and broke the rear tire loose a few times coming out of corners. Since switching to the GYTT I've not experienced this. Also, riding lots of highway miles in the rain, I've never had any issues with traction while maintaining or exceeding the speed limit. I run out of visibility long before traction.

[BigEagle]

+1 on the GYTT. We ride in the rain more than I'd like here in BC, Canada. I've got a Metz up front and the GYTT on the rear. It's a perfect match for wet weather riding.

[Gear Jammer]

Despite the lack of rain here for months, Houston has more than it's share of rainy days.  I've found the bike will usually handle more than I'm willing to throw at it.  I too run a Darkside and an Avon front tire.

[gordonv]

I, like you are, am afraid of the rain. Not from experience, but from YEARS of people saying how bad it is from a MC to be riding in it. Yes, it's not a 4 wheeled vehicle, and yes it is dangerous, but it's not THAT bad. It was just like how worried I was when I first started ridding on the road when I took up MC riding again. But I came to the point that I couldn't worry about EVERYONE on the road trying to kill me on my bike. I just had to get over it and enjoy the ride, but be aware all the time. The same with the wet roads, you must be aware. Ruts, puddles, traffic and worse, the wet tar snakes.

This is also what I found for riding in the rain. Last year, on the BC Valhalla rider, we hit thunder heads, we all pulled over and started putting rain gear on before the rain. I already had it on, and a couple of riders headed out, and since I thought I would be riding slow, I took off also. After 1 min, I lost them, and in 2 hours, never saw them again. We where pushing hard in the rain. 10-20 Km over the speed limit, in the corners. I knew they could do it, so as long as I could take them right, I should be able to do it too. This little trip showed me what an experienced rider could do with the Valk in the rain, and I was impressed.

However, on my ride back, alone, I took the exact same corners at the posted speed limit. At no time, either driving fast, or slow, did I feel unsafe. My apprehension of riding in the rain was still there, but it changed to confidence the longer I was at it, but it comes back every time I run into rain on another ride.

You need to drive with confidence, but within your own means. If you feel it's unsafe, then it is, slow down, or get off the road if you feel it's only a tempory rain. Or get off the hwy, and get onto some slower side streets. It always comes back to you.

[John Schmidt]

First and foremost, when riding in the rain wear a helmet with a face shield. It's absolutely foolish to try running in the rain while it's stinging your face and eyes. I read a report some years ago for bikers, it will cut your visual range over 50% without a face shield, even with a windshield. The w/s doesn't keep if out of your eyes as a good friend of mine learned coming back from Johnson City about five years ago. All he could do was watch my tail/turn running lights and as long as they were horizontal, he knew I was upright. For his sake, I stopped under the first overpass. He told me when I got more than about 35-40 yds. ahead he lost me due to the rain in his face.

Just my opinion....and a bit of experience.
As for where and how to run, the other posts are correct re. the first 30 min. or so, that's when the oil is most noticeable on the surface(in Florida we call it Black Ice). In any case, don't ride in the center of any lane, you'll notice the road is always darker there from oil residue from the traffic so you really shouldn't ride there even in dry weather. As for traction, the c/t is known for better grip in rain....before you buy be sure to read up on the ratings of a tire you're interested in. Not all are good in rain. As for Metz bike tires, they're known even in racing circles as having some of the best grip in rain. I happen to run a Metz on the front and a Bridgestone G-009 c/t in back; 205x60/16. My setup holds quite well, but I do slow down. No reason to run hard in wet weather....or dry for that matter. Over 60 yrs. of riding and the only road rash ever received was when my bicycle steering stem broke.   

[PhredValk]

Thanks for all of your replies, and please keep them coming.

The Falken is rated for rain, and I'll admit I was more worried about the front tire. I wear a 3/4 helmet with visor on the hi way, with a headset installed to wire to the stereo in rainy and windy conditions when the tunes get hard to hear. Usually the visor is up, as I wear goggles, transitions based on shatterproof lexan I got from a bike shop here in town. In the rain I drop the visor, as rain drops 3" away from your eyes are a lot easier to see around than drops 3/4" away on the goggles. At night I put the goggles away and use the shield as my glasses are not shatter resistant. I have duct tape on the bottom 3" of the visor for riding into the sun (a tip you can all use). As the visor gets drop heavy, I stand up on the pegs to put my face in the wind over the wind shield and it clears quickly for better visibility.

The issue for me is should I be able to ride at posted speed on wet roads. I do ride in my comfort zone, but am sure the bike and tires can do just fine at speed. I don't want to ride scared if the bike can do it, but don't want to keep going faster untill I find the point of no return. I feel experienced riders can help me with this by relaying their experiences and expertise. Thanks again,
Fred.

[fudgie]

I havent wore a face shield in a few years. Found it to be worse in the rain. It would hold the rain drops and I would be constantly wiping the shield. Glasses and a bandana over the face works well for us. Sometimes no bandana. My oem shield was great in the rain. The b'wing does pretty well now. We got caught in tornado rain in May. Just glasses on. Cant see out the shield but looked over it. Clear view.
Helmet is nice to pull your rain gear hood up under it to keep rain from rolling down your back. We do that most of the time east of the Mississipi if we travel. West of the MS, just rain jacket, and glasses. Plus you can suck water out of the bandana while its raining. 

[fudgie]

The issue for me is should I be able to ride at posted speed on wet roads. I do ride in my comfort zone, but am sure the bike and tires can do just fine at speed. I don't want to ride scared if the bike can do it, but don't want to keep going faster untill I find the point of no return. I feel experienced riders can help me with this by relaying their experiences and expertise. Thanks again,
Fred.

You answered it.  Only you know what your comfortable with doing. That should be all that matters.

I'm not good in twisties as I once was. The speed that is. Maybe due to the lack of them here. Once I get going tho, its all good.

[The Anvil]

First and foremost, when riding in the rain wear a helmet with a face shield. It's absolutely foolish to try running in the rain while it's stinging your face and eyes. I

I went and bought a flip-down shield for my 1/2 helmet for that very reason. It's like nails to the face at anything approaching 45mph and you simply can't concentrate in those conditions.

[BigEagle]

Back in the early 1980's I worked for Peninsula Motorcycle Couriers in the San Francisco Bay Area and a good deal of the time I was riding in the rain.  I found the best thing for me was a full face helmet with the visor just cracked open to keep the fogging down while I did my best to direct my breathing out the bottom of the helmet.  At speeds I would turn my head to let the wind blow the water off the visor one way or the other.  I did this for years and after a while riding in the rain just became a part of biking.  It's even more so up here in BC, Canada, but now I prefer just my glasses with a neoprene mask with my 1/2 helmet.

[Oss]

+1 on opening the face shield on the full face a bit to eliminate fogging

If my half helmet is on, being tall I just stick my head way up  and the rain clears off my prescription MC glasses.

It does sting at speed with the half helmet on but when the temp is over 90 I am willing to deal with it
One other thing I will do is the 4 way flashers go on when the visibility drops

If I am going to pull off it will be usually at an exit as trucks and cars have been known to slam into vehicles on the shoulder

The hardest thing for me is always figuring when the downpour is about to start  Putting on rain clothes once soaking wet is pointless   like a screen door on a submarine

[YoungPUP]

+1 on the full face, but I prefer closed, my HJC cl15 does a good job of defogging itself if moving. I also swear by rainx washer solvent. Put some on a microfiber and clean the shield with it. Did 2.5 hrs in Downpour rain this spring with a fullface and raingear ( no windshield on the valk yet) and had no problems til the other guys that were in the group couldnt see anymore due to just using glasses. My biggest thing is find a GOOD pair of water proof gloves. I've got severalpair that are about as waterproof as paper. even though they claim otherwise. Am currently using a pair of kayaking gloves. Very nice. Cold fingers make for a Crappy ride.

[OldOneEye]

The club I am in http://www.meetup.com/twin-cities-motorcycle-club/ went through a real sky blacking rain storm this Saturday. you can see pictures and my video on that web site. 
click on:
George Memorial Ride (Wildlife Adventure Ride)

I run a Goodyear on my rear and I felt fine riding, just had to dodge all the Harley bikes that were pulling over.

too bad my video recorder wrote over the rain vid that I had  but it did keep a few snap shots that you will see.