What's the deal with riding in the rain?

I am planning on taking a solo trip from San Francisco to Vancouver on Friday. I think it will probably take three days. Unfortunately, there is a chance of rain on a couple of those days in Oregon and Washington. I have ridden in the rain around town, but have succesfully avoided it on long trips so far. My question is: how dangerous is it to ride on a road like 101 (that's pretty twisty) if is wet? Any input would be appreciated.


Thanks,

Mel

 

Mel, your planned ride up 101 shouldn't be too bad, even in the rain, as long as
you have the right rain gear. That includes a good rain suit, waterproof gloves,
rubber over-boots, or at least treated leather boots.
It's better to have rubber over-boots on and keep your leather boots dry, rather than getting them wet at all.
That's the same plan for your gloves.
Leather doesn't do as good a job as rubber.
I like to ride with a rain hood on my head so that water coming down from the
helmet doesn't come down my back.
Treating your face shield (visor) with some kind of anti-fog material is also a good idea.
Sometimes riding with the visor up just a little tiny bit will help from getting fogged up.
Having something to wipe off the outside of your visor is also handy to have.
When riding in rain one of the hidden hazards is going too fast over large puddles
and hydroplaning (on top of the water). If that happens usually the best thing
to do is keep a steady throttle and stay away from the brakes.
Relax (if possible) and don't do any hard fast steering.
Hydroplaning on a motorcycle can be a very religious experience .
Don't ride too close behind 18 wheelers, and be careful when passing them
because the spray from these large trucks can be blinding.
During the daytime I would keep the high beams on, unless you are following
close behind a car.
Be careful on curves if there are leaves on the road and remember that
white lanes and signs on the road can be a little slippery.
If I had to make a choice between rain and heavy winds I would take rain.
If both happen at the same time, then I would say it's time for a nice restaurant and motel stop.
Perhaps our friends in England might have some additional rain suggestions.
Have a nice trip . . .

 

I tend to get nervous as crap at high lean angles in the rain, but if you're riding on a properly maintained bike at more or less legal speeds it won't bite you unless you, as Bob mentioned, hit some leaves or slide on the road paint. Yes, the lines on the road are SLICK.
I'm not nearly experienced enough to comment on sport riding in the rain, though.

 

If it hasn't rained for awhile, that first rain can bring up oil and stuff in the center strip...

All of these hazards are mitigated by you just slowing down some.

If you aren't hydroplaning like BP described, I've found the worst part of rain the loud noise of the face shield, sting of the first big drops if I don't have rain gear on yet, and eventually the first uncomfortable trickles of water that get to my skin.

On your visor if rain or fog builds up it is more dangerous than the water on the road since it gets harder to see the road and the stuff on it :biggrin: A rain glove that has some type of "squeege" on it to wipe your face shield is nice. I have found Rain-X helps to get the stuff to bead. You might try a good pretreatment and have a pack of the wipes.

Taking a break if it gets to be too bad beats the heck out of pushing through, getting tired, and making an error in judgement. Besides, won't it be nice and sunny in Monterey and Laguna Seca? Maybe the folks you'll go meet want to see the MotoGP race Sat. instead? (go Haydens :first

 

The majority of my rain experience comes from riding the track. First off let me tell that as long as you are on a grooved tire and not a slick, there is a SURPRISINGLY large amount of traction available in the wet. That being said, the street is a completely different animal. Oil, coolant and various other road debris tend to make it an interesting affair.

I think great advice has already been given but my .02 is DO NOT let yourself tense up. This holds true when dry also. When you're holding the bars with a death grip and have your whole body tense, the bike can't do what it needs to do without fighting you also.

Best of all, if you get spooked, take a break and let yourself calm down. Rain adventures can be fun although challenging.

 

Good tires, Good rain gear, level head, No problem. I rode 300+ miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway in October in rain, fog, and wind. The only time traction was questionable was with leaves on the ground as earlier stated, but I don't think that should be a problem for you this time of year. Just take the pace down a notch and you'll have a good time, just do your best to stay dry, wet = cold = tired = lack of control. Be safe and enjoy your ride!

www.soundrider.com/archive/safety-skills/rain_riding.htm
www.virginiawind.com/tips/rain.asp

 

I was a year round rider in the UK for many years and you have been given some very good advice, one thing that has not been mentioned is add cold weather to mix and really enjoy your riding at that point.

I once rode in freezing rain, and I was about 20 miles from home so I did not want to stop, but I was very poor had crappy rain gear, and my ankle froze to the point I could not move it. I had to grab the wet suit and physically lift my knee to change gear, I was in so much pain I cried all the way home.
So if it gets that bad take it from me pull over.

 

Just relax, slow down a little, and have fun. After the first 15 or 20 minutes you'll gain confidence and still enjoy the ride. Just be sure the cagers from behind can see you. Up front you have a very bright light but, not out back. In a very foggy rain I'll turn my 4-way flashers on.

 

Thanks for all of your advice. I am too excited about riding up 101 to not go at this point. I will definitely take it easy if I come across some rain, and I think getting some sort of pre-treatment for my visor is good idea. I'll let you guys know how it goes when I get back.

Thanks again,

Mel

 

I got a little thing that goes on my thumb, over my glove that is a little windshield wiper. That thing is worth it's weight in gold during a rain. It came from Aerostitch for about $5.00 + shipping.

 

Well Now, thats all good advise there guys, thing is, it's really not raining up here all that much, Yea an occasional scattered shower here and there, you might come across a ten minute burst. Sad to see the whole west coast is in a frump right now, it even has it as a chance of rain at Laguna. I Talked with some friends that had the chance to ride down there, they stopped in SF last night and saw no rain on the way down, Mist on the coast in places nothing in the way to have you put rain gear on. So if you get the time, stop by, call or what ever, be neat to meet another vfr member from here. pm me for more contact info if interested.

 

Only thing I would add is if you ride in rain for any length of time no matter how good your gear is you will get wet. In itself not a big problem but it can mean that you get cold. Cold messes with your judgement so if you find yourself getting cold stop and warm up. Otherwise rain is not a big problem, my record is 200 miles in heavy rain, enough to have me pouring water out of my boots when I stopped for gas, just take it easy and use your head. Besides the coast is rarely actually that wet, it just seems it.

 

You are going to love that ride. When we went cross country in 94' oh my god I am that old, we did it reverse from Vancouver to San Fran.

These guys have you covered, just slow down and dont hang on too tight, relax as much as you can. Even hydroplaning won't make you crash unless you are trying to brake hard or turn suddenly, just realize you need more following distance and braking distance and enjoy the challenge!

After you live a few times you will be a much more confident rider knowing nothing can stop you besides snow/freezing rain! Oregon was one of the most beautiful rides in the country.

 

As most things are covered already have added two suggestions:

1) If you can afford it get quality Cordura Goretex Jacket, Pants, gloves, Boots have found they are worth their weight in gold when the weather is most foul.

2) Hang off your bike a bit around corners.

Even if cornering slower than you would in the dry, this will keep your bike closer to Upright when cornering lessening the chance of a slide.

 

Tires, tires, tires. Was in SF last year, same time as you. Most notable were the cable car lines- watch em', dude. Good tires will save you. That and the gray stuff between your ears.

 

Made it back alive

So, I did end up having to ride for two days in the rain while on the coast of Oregon and Washington. I was a little hesistant at first, but what you guys said about having more traction than you realize to totally true. After about an hour or so, I felt very comfortable. One thing stupid I did was not bring waterproof boots or wool socks. I had to stop off at a Walmart and buy some Smartwool. All in all though, one hell of a trip. I had never done 2000 solo miles before, felt real good to roll up to the house still in one piece at the end of that.

Thanks for all of your suggestions.

Mel

 

Thanks for the update Mel Glad you made it. Now you get to clean up all year gear---forgot to tell you about that part :wink:

 

I forgot to suggest boot covers, sorry. I got a set of very thin nylon boot covers which take up almost no room in your pack. They have been waterproof for long periods of time. They are open on the bottom so you don't have to walk on them and wear them out, and come up to the knee.

 

I just finished a 9000km trip - in which it rained heavily for several days. My recent experience concerning rain is as follows:
1. buy a pair of light rubber electrical gloves to fit over your motorcycle gloves. If you can't find those - rubber gloves for dishwashing will do. This will keep your gloves DRY - and you'll want that for the next day's riding.
2. be aware of the mist/spray from large trucks. I found this to be the most bothersome on the highway. More so than rain.
3. find a good anti-fogger spray for your helmet shield and use it.
4. if your boots leak - use shower caps (yes - the cheap ones from motels) over your socks and under your boots. Just don't let your buddies see this one - or dare I say - you slip them on in public. (Been there - done that). If shower caps are unavailable - large ziploc bags work as well.
5. Be aware that most "all in one" rain gear/motorcycle wear can leak at the crotch/zipper area. A separate rain suit that fits over your motorcycle suit - works extremely well in heavy rain and you avoid that wet crotch/zipper area.
6. dyed leather jackets and pants can "run" when wet. Use the over-suit rain gear over any leather products.

I hope that helps.