Wet weather riding - advice?
Discussion
As I've mentioned in another thread I'm off to France next week for 5 days touring seeing the d-day sights.
Weather forecast looks pretty dire with rain every day and I'm a life long "summer only" rider who stayed indoors when it even looked like it might rain !
I've bought wet weather gear (Richa 2 piece over suit) to go over my leather jacket, Daytona water proof boots and gloves, but no experience of riding/touring in bad weather.
We are staying in a large apartment (camping would be plain miserable) so that'll help with space to hang up cloths to dry etc.
Happy to listen to any tips or advice about touring/riding in these conditions and how to look after the bike and riding gear. I do have a large plastic sheet I can throw over the bike each night (1260 Multistrada) if its worth the effort ?
Cheers
Weather forecast looks pretty dire with rain every day and I'm a life long "summer only" rider who stayed indoors when it even looked like it might rain !
I've bought wet weather gear (Richa 2 piece over suit) to go over my leather jacket, Daytona water proof boots and gloves, but no experience of riding/touring in bad weather.
We are staying in a large apartment (camping would be plain miserable) so that'll help with space to hang up cloths to dry etc.
Happy to listen to any tips or advice about touring/riding in these conditions and how to look after the bike and riding gear. I do have a large plastic sheet I can throw over the bike each night (1260 Multistrada) if its worth the effort ?
Cheers
Just be relaxed and don't tense up, if you feel yourself getting nervous and not at ease pull over when it is safe to do so and have a rest. Your tyres will grip better ithan you think in wet conditions, keep your head up and look out for standing water and keep your distance from other vehicles so that you have room for evasive action if necessary.
Don't overthink it, the worst thing about riding in the wet is finding out your waterproofs are not actually waterproof !
At least you have somewhere to hang your gear to dry out, a few years ago we were pushing on in the rain so that we wouldn't miss the return ferry to Hull, the ride was alright but 4 large blokes in one cabin full of wet gear was a pain.
Don't overthink it, the worst thing about riding in the wet is finding out your waterproofs are not actually waterproof !
At least you have somewhere to hang your gear to dry out, a few years ago we were pushing on in the rain so that we wouldn't miss the return ferry to Hull, the ride was alright but 4 large blokes in one cabin full of wet gear was a pain.
put an old tea towel in the top box easily accessible to dry each hand before you put it in the glove
no point in having waterproof gloves to find you have soaked then inside with wet hands when filling for petrol etc
otherwise, don't worry grip does not diminish that much but the mind thinks it does so you'll be fine
crack on have a great time
you'll get to love the wet Labrador smell ... ooooh odour wet dog
no point in having waterproof gloves to find you have soaked then inside with wet hands when filling for petrol etc
otherwise, don't worry grip does not diminish that much but the mind thinks it does so you'll be fine
crack on have a great time
you'll get to love the wet Labrador smell ... ooooh odour wet dog
I know it's not the macho thing to do, but use the bike's rain mode.
Trust the bike's ABS and traction control, although I bet you never activate either, modern sport touring tyres have plenty of wet grip.
At some stage your waterproofs will give up and you'll get wet nads! It's horrible, but try not to blub.
Stuffing wet boots with newspaper overnight is a good way to dry them out.
Take spare gloves an grap some latex or garage freebie gloves, wearing them under wet gloves help alleviate the misery.
Let the bike get wet, it can cope with it, you can clean it when you get back.
So stop fretting and enjoy the holiday. A wet day on the bike is still better than a dry day in the office.
Trust the bike's ABS and traction control, although I bet you never activate either, modern sport touring tyres have plenty of wet grip.
At some stage your waterproofs will give up and you'll get wet nads! It's horrible, but try not to blub.
Stuffing wet boots with newspaper overnight is a good way to dry them out.
Take spare gloves an grap some latex or garage freebie gloves, wearing them under wet gloves help alleviate the misery.
Let the bike get wet, it can cope with it, you can clean it when you get back.
So stop fretting and enjoy the holiday. A wet day on the bike is still better than a dry day in the office.
Sidecar Man said:
Worth taking one of these. 
Like every one says just be more gentle with all the controls. Smooth is key. Pair of latex gloves under your gloves..
Dry chain lube? Surely you need to take wet or all weather lube?Like every one says just be more gentle with all the controls. Smooth is key. Pair of latex gloves under your gloves..
As for riding in the rain.. RainX your visor/lights is helpful for viability. Have some common sense and enjoy. As somebody already said. A wet day on the bike is better than a dry day in the office.
Vision is the main thing for me riding in the rain.
Make sure your visor is freshly Rain-X'd before you start your trip. I think most gloves come with a rubber / silicon strip on the left forefinger to wipe water off the visor, if your current gloves don't have this, buy a pair that does.
Cracking the visor open can let rain get onto the inside of the visor - having a properly installed pinlock can reduce the need to crack the visor, so I'd also make sure that's sorted.
If you're mainly riding in daylight, which you probably will be given the time year, then rain is less of a problem, but riding in a combination of rain and darkness can be stressful if you've got oncoming headlights refracting off a wet visor.
Make sure your visor is freshly Rain-X'd before you start your trip. I think most gloves come with a rubber / silicon strip on the left forefinger to wipe water off the visor, if your current gloves don't have this, buy a pair that does.
Cracking the visor open can let rain get onto the inside of the visor - having a properly installed pinlock can reduce the need to crack the visor, so I'd also make sure that's sorted.
If you're mainly riding in daylight, which you probably will be given the time year, then rain is less of a problem, but riding in a combination of rain and darkness can be stressful if you've got oncoming headlights refracting off a wet visor.
Cheers for the advise so far.
My old manager (who's toured all over Europe) recommended a cheap bike cover for weather protection over night and security, so I've ordered one up.
Latex gloves, that's a good shout, I've got these at work plus I'll take an old towel in the top box for drying hands.
My old manager (who's toured all over Europe) recommended a cheap bike cover for weather protection over night and security, so I've ordered one up.
Latex gloves, that's a good shout, I've got these at work plus I'll take an old towel in the top box for drying hands.
BlackG7R said:
All I'd say is slow down, and try and keep the bike more upright through the bends. Do all your braking whilst the bike is upright, and be smoother and more progressive on the controls.
Doesn't matter what gear you've got, you're getting wet.
Agreed. I commuted all year round, back in my yoof - 18 miles each way. Nothing stopped the rain getting in at the neck, boots, and crotch (seemed to run down the tank), and hands. The bike was open though, no screen or fairing. I always had a change of clothes at the office. I had an waterproof jacket, and over-trousers. The jacket was OK, but I guess trousers and gloves would be better now, and neck better ‘sealed’. I never came off, dropped, or crashed the bikes over two years commuting. I got my only ever (2) speeding tickets back then. Doesn't matter what gear you've got, you're getting wet.
Allow plenty of distance to the vehicle in front in rain, and pull off the road if it gets really bad. Ensure you have an appropriately good set of tyres before you leave.
Good luck. Enjoy!
I've never owned any proper bike kit, always thought that if I needed to dress up for the conditions I'd rather not go, or take the car. Then of course, being a bit stubborn and a slow learner... I tended to go anyway and just get wet. As you can imagine, in forty years of riding the U.K. and Europe, I've got wet a lot...
Anyway, the getting wet has never really been a problem - uncomfortable at times, and the cold gets wearing. The only real problem has been not being able to see - and once your vision goes, you're a bit f*cked. I've always had an open face lid and glasses. I'd imagine you'll have a full face with some form of mist prevention. As mentioned, Rain-X and Fog-X is a good idea (I use both on my old cars) and mates recommend Pinlock. Keep your vision, maintain your safe braking distances and ride smoothly, and you'll be fine.
Anyway, the getting wet has never really been a problem - uncomfortable at times, and the cold gets wearing. The only real problem has been not being able to see - and once your vision goes, you're a bit f*cked. I've always had an open face lid and glasses. I'd imagine you'll have a full face with some form of mist prevention. As mentioned, Rain-X and Fog-X is a good idea (I use both on my old cars) and mates recommend Pinlock. Keep your vision, maintain your safe braking distances and ride smoothly, and you'll be fine.
) gear correctly fitted and done up will keep the rain on the outside, and you dry on the insideCambs_Stuart said:
Also keep an eye out for any diesel spills....
But generally you'll have more grip than you think.
Yep - that’s nice you’ve got in “the zone” I’ve found wet riding to be surprisingly enjoyable and you can press on. But generally you'll have more grip than you think.
I’ve found that just using summer gloves with heated grips can he better than bulky waterproof jobs. Take a few pairs.
BlackG7R said:
All I'd say is slow down, and try and keep the bike more upright through the bends.
Hmmm, I would have thought consciously trying to keep the bike upright would contribute to the dreaded "stiffness" which makes it less likely you'll ride confidently and risk failing to make a turn. The amount of lean required for a certain corner/speed combo doesn't change in wet or dry.What I would suggest is leaning the bike but keeping yourself upright. Puts more of the weight straight downwards rather than relying on lateral grip which is in shorter supply in the wet.
I’d be more concerned about clothing than the bike or reduced availability of traction. Being wet makes you cold and uncomfortable. Cold and uncomfortable makes you less safe.
If you don’t ride in the rain often, you don’t know what your clothing can or can’t do.
I’d buy an additional set of cheap waterproofs you can wear inside your other gear, incase you find it isn’t as waterproof as you think. Think about where and when you put on or take off gear - it’s easy to be dry, but then get wet because you don’t take care when removing gear and water runs where it shouldn’t.
Bring a plastic bag to put your passport in. Bring a spare pair of gloves.
If you don’t ride in the rain often, you don’t know what your clothing can or can’t do.
I’d buy an additional set of cheap waterproofs you can wear inside your other gear, incase you find it isn’t as waterproof as you think. Think about where and when you put on or take off gear - it’s easy to be dry, but then get wet because you don’t take care when removing gear and water runs where it shouldn’t.
Bring a plastic bag to put your passport in. Bring a spare pair of gloves.
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