The Wet - How Far Can You Go??

[Big Andy]

Hi All

I am pretty inexperienced, I would be very interested in opinions about how far a bike (1200gs) can be pushed in the wet compared to the dry, just how much of a difference should it make to your speed going round a corner, bearing in mind that I am unlikely to be scraping pegs even in the dry. I do realize that this is a very difficult question to answer, however your own experience of your own bike would be helpful.

Thanks

Andy

 

[Le singe]

You'll only know the limit when you've gone past it!

 

[Ben]

How far can you go?

Well first observation is 'further than most people think'. In other words relax about the tyres suddenly loosing grip. The keyword being relax!

The 'basics' are to ride much more smoothly, brake with more anticipation and 'feel', and go easy when changing down.

Avoid manholes and white lines more studiously than normal.

For normal riding, the wet need hardly slow you up.

But certainly forget the hero stuff.

Also, your'e unlikely to stay dry for ever, and so you may get cold and fatigued.

How far can you go?

Far enough!

Ben

 

[schnauzer]

my personal experiences with my GS1150 Adv lead me to one conclusion.... its nack all to do with the bike and mainly to do with the tyres you get with it/ fit later. Mine came fitted with Michelin t66's which slid alarmingly in the wet at the slightest provocation, I've since fitted tourances as recommended by my fellow tossers which are far far better and mean that the bike can be ridden with a more relaxed sphincter in wet conditions

 

[The Nutter]

I don't know about most of you out there, but when it rains I may as well be riding a moped.

I am sure that any bike I've owned is far more capable of what I feel I can throw at it, but the one thing I have noticed since buying my 1200GS is the incredible surefooted feeling I get in the wet/cold. The Tourance tyres never give me cause for concern and the power delivery of the bike is confidence inspiring, though I find it surges a little when rolling off the throttle.

I will be covering about 1200 miles ariound Scotland this weekend with the wife, most of this will no doubt be covered in wet weather and fully loaded with luggage.

If anyone has helpful tips about suspension/tyre settings or anything else that will make the trip go without mishap, then I will be grateful to hear them.

 

[MATKAT]

IAM training

for a start improve your riding enormously by joining your local IAM group, then you will learn to ride much quicker and safer and smoother.
You do have a lot more grip than you think, even in the wet !! Remember the nature of modern tyres is because of the shape of road tyres the least grip is when the bike is upright !!! The further you lean the more grip you have as there is more contact with tyre to road this applies to the wet as well as dry to a degree.............of course the problem is that if you lean over to far in the wet the tyres will eventually lose adhesion...........so, just get the training to ride much more smoother

 

[CoolCarbon]

I will be covering about 1200 miles ariound Scotland this weekend with the wife

Anywhere we should be avoiding then.......

Seriously though........if you are passing through Perth-ish let us know...

CC

 

[clerici]

Clean roads that are wet can give tremendous grip but the key word is "clean".

The light shower after a dry spell releases all the rubber/oil/crap and often results in a very slippery surface.

At this time of year the local farmers are creating (unsigned) damp muddy slicks that are awful.

So back to basics:
- think about the weather before setting off
- good observation (manholes, white lines, shiny bits of tarmc etc)
- the surface condition can - will - change during the ride so stay focussed
- be aware of the temperature (its going to be sub-zero tonight)
- flooded roads can be fun in the dark!
- relax, be smooth, stay warm - its still more fun than sitting in a car

 

[Wraithwrider]

I've always found that when I think I'm being a wus and try harder in the wet I get a slide, reminding myself I had it about right anyway.

I find long journeys in the rain good for developing the feel required.

Also there's wet and wet, i.e. new rain on diesel & rubber vs raining all day and roads washed clean type of wet.

If in doubt take it easy

 

[riverking]

I agree with all thats been said above, and you certainly have more grip than you think BUT...
There is one factor that doesn't change, speed pretty much determines the resulting damage, and its one of the things under your control (single vehicle obviously).
imho
Steve

 

[Big Andy]

Thanks Guys

Thanks for all the feedback. As I said I am inexperienced on a bike, however in a car I feel completely in control to the point of if on a track going round a bend fast I would know exactly when I was on the edge just before going to break traction and be able to control it easily on "the edge". On a bike I have no such feelings,indeed on the few occasions I have felt the back let go a little I nearly shit myself, perhaps I am just to old and scared to learn, bearing in mind I don`t want the pain and expence of getting it wrong, you can`t fall of a car. Anyone know any good trackdays or courses that would help?

Thanks Again

Andy

 

[andy1200]

In the wet, smooth and careful is what you need. And, as above, watch out for metal covers, white lines and cats eyes.

And total prats in cages ...

 

[laughingBob]

I'd been riding for 26 years on all types of surface, in all types of weather, both on and off road all over the world, including some competition and thought I was pretty competent rider, until last year when I was lucky enough to complete the police advanced solo course. The limiting factor in the wet wasn't so much the tyre grip, but visibility through the visor.

I'd always believed in the old saying 'There's no substitute for experiance' and there is some truth in it, but if a rider has been dong something wrong or has been lacking confidence in a certain area for along time, their unlikely to be able to change or improve their riding without further training.

If your inexperianced get further training now, rather than leaving it for 26 years like I did. Having had the training, as you gain experiance you'll be heading in the right direction. Either join your local IAM or do one of the courses aligned to the various manufacturers.

 

[Schtum]

Re: Thanks Guys

Anyone know any good trackdays or courses that would help?

Anything at Knockhill, because it's pretty much guaranteed to rain. It pissed down when I did the Ron Haslam school there three years ago. I was quite disappointed at the time because I'd been wanting to learn to push harder and get the bike moving around a bit more.

Having said that I must have learned something. Some time later I was interested to find that I could just discern the front wheel on my VFR beginning to aquaplane when cranked over at about 85 mph in the pissing wet coming up the A7. Now if anyone else said that I might well think it was bullshit, but it's true....honest

My 1200 should be delivered in a couple of weeks. We should arrange to go out for a ride in the wet Andy.

 

[Big Andy]

Re: Re: Thanks Guys

My 1200 should be delivered in a couple of weeks. We should arrange to go out for a ride in the wet Andy. [/B][/QUOTE]


I`d love to Mike give me a call on mobile 07974975576, would like to talk to you about bandler also.

Andy

 

[JayGee]

Re: IAM training

for a start improve your riding enormously by joining your local IAM group, then you will learn to ride much quicker and safer and smoother.
You do have a lot more grip than you think, even in the wet !! Remember the nature of modern tyres is because of the shape of road tyres the least grip is when the bike is upright !!! The further you lean the more grip you have as there is more contact with tyre to road this applies to the wet as well as dry to a degree.............of course the problem is that if you lean over to far in the wet the tyres will eventually lose adhesion...........so, just get the training to ride much more smoother

Couldn't agree more, I learnt more from this and just following other better riders in the group.
In the wet you do have quite a lot of grip and with most bikes/tyres you will get the odd twitch from the back as a sort of warning that you don't want to try going much further. The trick is smoooooth and relaxed riding will feel much better in the wet, as soon as your arms tense-up it feels like the bikes about to slip away from under you.
Oh, and don't roll-off mid bend but maintain a smooth steady pace through the bend.
As the man said try a local IAM or ROSPA group, they'll usually give you a taster before you commit yourself.
OH and don't take too much notice of people like me- anonimous know-it-alls on forums, trust your own instincts and stay in one piece.

 

[Big Lee]

My 2p worth, stay relaxed & don`t be scared of working the bike as this will warm the tyres up & so will give them more grip. The more you ride in the wet the more confidence you`ll get.
enjoy it & do the IAM course cos it is good even if you only learn 1 thing