Wet roads and new rider
Discussion
Hi guys
I'm after a little bit of advice.
I've been riding my Husqvarna Svartpilen 125cc for a few months now, typically favouring dry weather but the UK summer put a stop to this, so I put my big boy pants on and have been riding in the wet.
Unlike when I was learning how to drive in the wet, riding in the wet scares the s
te out of me. I just don't at all feel confident to find how much grip I have, thus making me tense up which ultimately makes the situation worse. I just can't seem to get into a rhythm and I want to work on this before I have my MOD1 and 2 in September.
Is this just a case of practice makes perfect? Or is there something I'm missing? What did you guys do to achieve wet weather greatness?
Annoyingly I rarely see any other bikes out when it's wet, so I can't even follow someone to get more of a gist of what to do.
Thanks
NG
I'm after a little bit of advice.
I've been riding my Husqvarna Svartpilen 125cc for a few months now, typically favouring dry weather but the UK summer put a stop to this, so I put my big boy pants on and have been riding in the wet.
Unlike when I was learning how to drive in the wet, riding in the wet scares the s
te out of me. I just don't at all feel confident to find how much grip I have, thus making me tense up which ultimately makes the situation worse. I just can't seem to get into a rhythm and I want to work on this before I have my MOD1 and 2 in September. Is this just a case of practice makes perfect? Or is there something I'm missing? What did you guys do to achieve wet weather greatness?
Annoyingly I rarely see any other bikes out when it's wet, so I can't even follow someone to get more of a gist of what to do.
Thanks
NG
Networkgeek said:
Hi guys
I'm after a little bit of advice.
I've been riding my Husqvarna Svartpilen 125cc for a few months now, typically favouring dry weather but the UK summer put a stop to this, so I put my big boy pants on and have been riding in the wet.
Unlike when I was learning how to drive in the wet, riding in the wet scares the ste out of me. I just don't at all feel confident to find how much grip I have, thus making me tense up which ultimately makes the situation worse. I just can't seem to get into a rhythm and I want to work on this before I have my MOD1 and 2 in September.
Is this just a case of practice makes perfect? Or is there something I'm missing? What did you guys do to achieve wet weather greatness?
Annoyingly I rarely see any other bikes out when it's wet, so I can't even follow someone to get more of a gist of what to do.
Thanks
NG
The main thing to do is relax and build in to it. I know exactly what you mean by tensing up and all that does is make you miss the bend! Unless you're really going for it you are unlikely to reach the limit of your tyres so just find a rhythm by starting slow and building. But, watch our for diesel, that will have you off in a non-second. It's quite easy to spot in the wet and avoid it at all costs!!I'm after a little bit of advice.
I've been riding my Husqvarna Svartpilen 125cc for a few months now, typically favouring dry weather but the UK summer put a stop to this, so I put my big boy pants on and have been riding in the wet.
Unlike when I was learning how to drive in the wet, riding in the wet scares the s
te out of me. I just don't at all feel confident to find how much grip I have, thus making me tense up which ultimately makes the situation worse. I just can't seem to get into a rhythm and I want to work on this before I have my MOD1 and 2 in September. Is this just a case of practice makes perfect? Or is there something I'm missing? What did you guys do to achieve wet weather greatness?
Annoyingly I rarely see any other bikes out when it's wet, so I can't even follow someone to get more of a gist of what to do.
Thanks
NG
Gixer968CS said:
The main thing to do is relax and build in to it. I know exactly what you mean by tensing up and all that does is make you miss the bend! Unless you're really going for it you are unlikely to reach the limit of your tyres so just find a rhythm by starting slow and building. But, watch our for diesel, that will have you off in a non-second. It's quite easy to spot in the wet and avoid it at all costs!!
This! ... and, most importantly, look where you want to go, not at the tarmac 10ft in front of you. Not much to add, and my riding days are long gone.
Decent tyres help.
Grip reduces vastly in the wet over:
Metal plates (manhole covers),
White lines,
Diesel spills (these are very much a thing of the past)
In my early days, I was very much ‘steering’ the bike in the wet, rather than the natural leaning action. That makes you even more tense. The thing is to get the experience of wet riding, I rode to work everyday, for 18+ months, whatever the weather. Don’t forget to have decent wet weather gear. I recall getting soaked around the neck, in my feet, and down at my crotch where the rainwater always used to drip down to. Mine was an 18 mile commute.
Decent tyres help.
Grip reduces vastly in the wet over:
Metal plates (manhole covers),
White lines,
Diesel spills (these are very much a thing of the past)
In my early days, I was very much ‘steering’ the bike in the wet, rather than the natural leaning action. That makes you even more tense. The thing is to get the experience of wet riding, I rode to work everyday, for 18+ months, whatever the weather. Don’t forget to have decent wet weather gear. I recall getting soaked around the neck, in my feet, and down at my crotch where the rainwater always used to drip down to. Mine was an 18 mile commute.
Relax, don't grip the bars, don't slouch, use your core and legs to hold you on the bike. Look where you want to go, not at a hazard, google target fixation. You can accelerate and stop very well in the wet, there's more grip than you think. Don't lean over on metalwork like drain covers or solid white lines.
Tyres ? Don't buy cheap tyres and make sure they're not too old - 5 years max.
You'll get to enjoy it in the end, the bike will move around a bit, the tyres will slide a little bit over white lines, potholes, drain covers, but it will feel more than it is, the tyre is probably only sliding for 6" but initially it will feel like 3 feet.
Tyres ? Don't buy cheap tyres and make sure they're not too old - 5 years max.
You'll get to enjoy it in the end, the bike will move around a bit, the tyres will slide a little bit over white lines, potholes, drain covers, but it will feel more than it is, the tyre is probably only sliding for 6" but initially it will feel like 3 feet.
As you've noted yourself being tense is the worst thing you can do whether it be riding in wet, approaching a corner a little hot,, or being on a loose surface. So the biggest thing is to relax that death grip. Keeps elbows bent and do the chicken dance now and then if you feel yourself tensing up - also try to loosen your hands on the bars if you notice you are death gripping.
Grip wise you have tons more in the wet than you think. Just avoid the usual manhole covers (on bends, on a straight don't sweat it too much!) ditto for paint and watch out for the tell tale rainbows of diesel.
If you do feel the rear slip slide a touch don't panic or grip or go tense you'll make it worse - the bike will recover these tiny slips.
Concentrate on doing all your braking or engine breaking done before the corner (even more so than usual) then hold a positive throttle through the turn - a dead/zero throttle in a bend is not good practice.
Grip wise you have tons more in the wet than you think. Just avoid the usual manhole covers (on bends, on a straight don't sweat it too much!) ditto for paint and watch out for the tell tale rainbows of diesel.
If you do feel the rear slip slide a touch don't panic or grip or go tense you'll make it worse - the bike will recover these tiny slips.
Concentrate on doing all your braking or engine breaking done before the corner (even more so than usual) then hold a positive throttle through the turn - a dead/zero throttle in a bend is not good practice.
Thanks for all the advice chaps.
Interesting some of you mention diesel spills being rare these days. The other evening I was out for a ride when I came across a road that one unlucky bd had a massive fuel leak. Thankfully I could smell the diesel before I could see it and immediately backed off. The whole road had a trail of diesel for a good mile, but no sign of the vehicle. Anyway, I pulled over to report it to the police.
It sounds like I’ll need to get out in the wet some more to practice. My bike is only 2 years old with 1.5k miles, so the tyres are in good shape (ignore the chicken strips please
). I do try to relax, set the bike up for the corner in advance, but I must admit, I’m no where near as relaxed as I am in dry weather. Hopefully this will come with time.
I do try my best to avoid manhole covers, but I’ve not noticed while driving the amount of these things in ridiculous places. They’re a new obsession for me, I’m constantly looking for them while riding or driving.
NG
Interesting some of you mention diesel spills being rare these days. The other evening I was out for a ride when I came across a road that one unlucky b
d had a massive fuel leak. Thankfully I could smell the diesel before I could see it and immediately backed off. The whole road had a trail of diesel for a good mile, but no sign of the vehicle. Anyway, I pulled over to report it to the police.It sounds like I’ll need to get out in the wet some more to practice. My bike is only 2 years old with 1.5k miles, so the tyres are in good shape (ignore the chicken strips please
). I do try to relax, set the bike up for the corner in advance, but I must admit, I’m no where near as relaxed as I am in dry weather. Hopefully this will come with time. I do try my best to avoid manhole covers, but I’ve not noticed while driving the amount of these things in ridiculous places. They’re a new obsession for me, I’m constantly looking for them while riding or driving.
NG
When I got my first bike I only rode in the dry but when the bike went in for its first service I rained. They gave me a courtesy bike (E5?) At first I was really cautious but started to enjoy it…a bit too much and had the front wheel slide on a roundabout. No idea how I didn’t drop it.
I did a track day at Brands Indy when I pissed it down all day. It was actually good experience as you had to be much smoother than usual.
My main beef about riding in the rain is getting wet. I got caught out in a thunder storm and got soaked. I was going a two day ride out and when I put my gear on the next day it was still wet. That wasn’t much fun.
I did a track day at Brands Indy when I pissed it down all day. It was actually good experience as you had to be much smoother than usual.
My main beef about riding in the rain is getting wet. I got caught out in a thunder storm and got soaked. I was going a two day ride out and when I put my gear on the next day it was still wet. That wasn’t much fun.
Just because a bikes tyres are new doesn't mean they're any good.
The worst wet weather tyres I can remember were Maxxis Supermax fitted to a K1300. That is until last week when it rained and I was on my Strom with the OEM Bridgestone a41...... I was riding painfully slow as I'd lost the back end 3 times. Absolutely horrendously bad in the rain. Lost it more that day than on any other tyre in 17 years of riding.
The next day in more pissing rain on my CBF500 with new this year Dunlop Roadsmart 4s? I was thrashing it without a care in the world!
The next thing is look as far ahead as you can and be smooth
The worst wet weather tyres I can remember were Maxxis Supermax fitted to a K1300. That is until last week when it rained and I was on my Strom with the OEM Bridgestone a41...... I was riding painfully slow as I'd lost the back end 3 times. Absolutely horrendously bad in the rain. Lost it more that day than on any other tyre in 17 years of riding.
The next day in more pissing rain on my CBF500 with new this year Dunlop Roadsmart 4s? I was thrashing it without a care in the world!
The next thing is look as far ahead as you can and be smooth
This is worth doing, they’ll improve your technique, which will improve your confidence
https://superbikeschool.co.uk/
https://superbikeschool.co.uk/
I had Michelin Road 6 tyres fitted recently, apparently some of the best for wet weather. However, during the ride back from the tyre place, it pissed down with rain. New, unscrubbed tyres in the wet is not pleasant - I simply had zero confidence & crawled round corners slower than a lorry!!
Completely understand the OP's issue as I'm a fair weather rider too - not much to add to the other posts re diesel/manhole covers etc.
Is there a bike course one can do similar to the car skid pan experiences offered by Goodwood etc? https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/driving-experi...
Completely understand the OP's issue as I'm a fair weather rider too - not much to add to the other posts re diesel/manhole covers etc.
Is there a bike course one can do similar to the car skid pan experiences offered by Goodwood etc? https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/driving-experi...
Before we go down the rabbit hole of what tyres are the best I'd just say you are over thinking it. Your not riding a Ducati V4 where the use of power may get you in trouble it's a 125, so just ride sensibly.
Relax, make sure that you have the right kit on and are not damp and miserable, give yourself and other road users a bit more space, no grabby grabby of the front brake and it should all be fine.
Relax, make sure that you have the right kit on and are not damp and miserable, give yourself and other road users a bit more space, no grabby grabby of the front brake and it should all be fine.
Firstly, we've all been there.... what you are experiencing is something every rider goes through and possibly still does. I don't like riding in the wet and as such I still can get tense occassionally.
As everyone has said - relax, it's harder than it sounds, but try and not grip your bars, lock your shoulders, breathe normally and feel loose on the bike. Obviously you have to adjust your riding style, this will mean to not rush the corners, so roll off the gas earlier let the bike settle into the corner, this will also have the effect of less braking which will mean less weight on the front wheel, and also reduce your trail braking.
You could apply a bit of rear brake to compensate for the lack of front brake, but again this will be something you need to figure out.
Always look through the corner, your bike will generally go where you look, don't focus on potholes, manhole covers 10ft in front of you, you should be spotting them further up the road if you're looking where you are going.
And accelerating, just be less aggressive when cracking the throttle, probably not a biggy on a 125, but it's all relative, as soon as you're upright you should be able to open the throttle normally as you're on the fat bit of the tyre.
Finally, make sure you get some heat in your tyres for a few miles before you crack on, you'll be amazed how much grip tyres have these days, but don't underestimate a cold tyre in the wet.
As everyone has said - relax, it's harder than it sounds, but try and not grip your bars, lock your shoulders, breathe normally and feel loose on the bike. Obviously you have to adjust your riding style, this will mean to not rush the corners, so roll off the gas earlier let the bike settle into the corner, this will also have the effect of less braking which will mean less weight on the front wheel, and also reduce your trail braking.
You could apply a bit of rear brake to compensate for the lack of front brake, but again this will be something you need to figure out.
Always look through the corner, your bike will generally go where you look, don't focus on potholes, manhole covers 10ft in front of you, you should be spotting them further up the road if you're looking where you are going.
And accelerating, just be less aggressive when cracking the throttle, probably not a biggy on a 125, but it's all relative, as soon as you're upright you should be able to open the throttle normally as you're on the fat bit of the tyre.
Finally, make sure you get some heat in your tyres for a few miles before you crack on, you'll be amazed how much grip tyres have these days, but don't underestimate a cold tyre in the wet.
gareth h said:
This is worth doing, they’ll improve your technique, which will improve your confidence
https://superbikeschool.co.uk/
I'd suggest i2i. https://superbikeschool.co.uk/
https://i2imca.com
Go on some long rides in the rain
I regularly won't ride in the rain for ages, then it will rain and like you I get overly cautious to start with, then get more and more confident as I ride along
I'm regularly riding on the road (between lanes) on enduro tyres, it's surprising how much grip they give, let alone road tyres
I regularly won't ride in the rain for ages, then it will rain and like you I get overly cautious to start with, then get more and more confident as I ride along
I'm regularly riding on the road (between lanes) on enduro tyres, it's surprising how much grip they give, let alone road tyres
I find riding in the wet really helps to sharpen your skills. I'm really not a fan of it but we all get caught out and so it's an important skill to perfect.
As said above, relax a bit and let the bike / tyres do the work. Gentle throttle / brake inputs and avoid using too low a gear on roundabouts / sharp bends.
I find the roads the most slippy when it isn't raining but it recently has done so all the crap sits on the surface. In torrential rain they're being constantly washed and as long as you're on decent rubber you will calve through the standing water.
As said above, relax a bit and let the bike / tyres do the work. Gentle throttle / brake inputs and avoid using too low a gear on roundabouts / sharp bends.
I find the roads the most slippy when it isn't raining but it recently has done so all the crap sits on the surface. In torrential rain they're being constantly washed and as long as you're on decent rubber you will calve through the standing water.
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