Looking for tips for the rain

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vladmech · #1 Post by **vladmech** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:18 pm

Hey all, so quick back story: My car's not starting, probably the alternator, but regardless it's not starting and I can't get it fixed right now. This leaves me with just my bike to get to work, and with it being winter and all there is a good chance I will end up having to ride in the rain one of these days.

I was just hoping people could chime in and offer a bit of advice for any specific do's and do nots for riding in the rain.

#2 Post by **fireguzzi** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:25 pm

Make more space between you and the car in front of you. Wear rain gear or your gonna be cold and wet and it could slow your reaction time down and just be plain distracting. Be smoother with braking and accelerating. Don't dress in all flat black and ride with the headlight off.

vladmech · #3 Post by **vladmech** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:28 pm

I wear a bright yellow jacket, but normally carry a backpack holding my work clothes. Do you think it would be a good idea to get some of the reflective tape and put nice pretty patterns on the backpack?

#4 Post by **fireguzzi** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:30 pm

Sure wouldn't hurt.

Gunslinger · #5 Post by **Gunslinger** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:32 pm

Be super careful when crossing over painted lines, especially when going around curves. They can be slicker than snot when it rains. Also watch for anything metal like grates and manhole covers. You can ride over them, just be aware of it and try to keep perpendicular to the surface. I think the biggest thing is to not rush to your destination. Let the impatient drivers go around you, it's not worth the added risk.

jstark47 · #6 Post by **jstark47** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:54 pm

Reduce your cornering speeds, this allows you to use less lean angle. Don't ride for the first half hour after the rain starts, especially if it hasn't rained in a while - allows time for the accumulated oil & stuff to wash away.

Reflective tape is always a good idea unless you only ride on bright sunny days. In NJ, by law we have to have reflective tape on our helmets - at least 4 square inches on each side.

sapaul · #7 Post by **sapaul** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:14 pm

Make sure you have some way of clearing your visor, if you cannot see, it just gets more dangerous. Some guys use C thru on the visor. Wear a buff over nose and mouth to stop steaming from the inside.

Brackstone · #8 Post by **Brackstone** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:07 pm

Watch out for tar snakes!

JC Viper · #9 Post by **JC Viper** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:08 am

Brackstone wrote:Watch out for tar snakes!

Snakes on a Lane!

Make sure your tires are good, tread depth wise and also sometimes tires don't hold up so well in the wet after a certain amount of mileage so don't be too aggressive when riding in the rain.

A tip given to me a while back was to put the balls of my feel on the pegs to get a good feel of how much traction I have. Also use more front brake and tap the rear a bit for stopping. Get some decent riding pants, it really sucks to have water soak your underwear.

Brackstone · #10 Post by **Brackstone** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:12 am

JC Viper wrote:
Brackstone wrote:Watch out for tar snakes!
Snakes on a Lane!

lawl