Prospective Rider No More

[NoCage]

I probably dissuaded a potential rider from getting in the sport. He’s been talking about bikes and which one to get, etc… and knows that I’ve been commuting daily on my FJR. Thursday it had been drizzling all day after several days of no rain. I know how slick the roads can be before the 1st hard rain, but I’ll pay more attention to that bit of advice the next time. We live on the same end of town, and Thursday he happened to be following me out from work. I’m leaning left while turning onto the road out of our campus and hit a slick spot… it felt like both tires lost traction and the bike drifted sideways for about a half a lane. I didn’t go down but did pinch some vinyl. I looked back right after the slide and saw nothing obvious. A block later is the entrance to the freeway, and traffic is backed up due to rush hour. After getting on the freeway, I’m in the middle lane of 3 lanes, stopped, blinker on looking to merge left. The left lane opens up, do a head check, I’m over. A few cars further and a butt-hole cage pulls over into my lane with no signal, mirror or head check. I did a careful swerve (the 1st incident still fresh in my mind) but she got to within 1 foot of me… more pinched vinyl… less than a mile from first vinyl-pinching incident. Those of you that commute (and some that don’t) have these experiences every so often, I’m sure. But, to have 2 of these happen so close together, and when the prospective rider happens to be behind me, is rare. The next day he confirmed seeing the side-slide and my looking back, and the ***-wipe cager almost side-swipe me. He has stopped talking about getting a street bike. Maybe that's a good thing. I always encourage saftey to existing riders when the opportunity arises, but I'm worried about encouraging newbies, only to hear/read about their get-off shortly thereafter. Other opinions on this?

 

[XJRGUY]

If it rains, looks like rain, rain is even mentioned, the FJR stays home and I take one of my cars to work.

 

[radman]

If it rains, looks like rain, rain is even mentioned, the FJR stays home and I take one of my cars to work.

Ditto. It's crazy enough with good vision and traction. As far as the newbie, maybe just as well. But what he observed is a rarity, and would not have dissuaded me in my yout from gettin a scoot, but kids nowadays are *******....

 

[twowheelnut]

If it rains, looks like rain, rain is even mentioned, the FJR stays home and I take one of my cars to work.

Ditto. Same for horse poop!

 

[dcarver]

Rain? Depends upon where you live. I have a great daily ride, mostly 2-lane back road to the 4 lane (2 each way) hi-way. Rain doesn't bother me in those conditions e.g. little car traffic, no stop and go, etc.

Used to commute in So Cal in the rain (only had the bike) and it just sucked.

Location, location, location.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I ride in the rain, but I often change plans based on what is happening.

In Sacramento, it simply does not rain in the summer. Therefore, the first rain of winter results in about 5 months of caked on oils and fluids floating around. I don't tide in the first rain...and not in the first couple of rains if the first rains aren't big enough.

I try to never ride within the first hour or two (depending on downflow) of a rain. This is the time when the slick stuff is the worst. Even if I'm at work and their is a hockey game on soon, I'll have my wife record the game on the digi-recorder and wait it out for a bit if the rain just started.

Then, I'm really careful. I have to say that the new tyres (can you tell I ride Avon) are good with wet, I never even come close to pushing...I take it very, very slowly in turns in the wet.

All that said, and I'm sure others may chime in with ideas, I enjoy riding in the rain. I figure it is a trouble free wash of my gear and I just love the smells, sounds etc.

 

[Getsum]

I've ridden in the rain and hate it. I can deal with the cold and I take handle being wet, but I really hate being cold and wet. I watch the weather and avoid it when possible but then there are the times when you get stuck in it. I’ve also been commuting daily on it and it does keep me on my toes. I’ve been waking up about 30 minutes earlier than normal just because I don’t want to be in a rush or caught in the rush and so far it’s been working out well. Today was nice because it’s a holiday for some people and traffic was extra light.

Stay safe man.

 

[radman]

I think the main jist of the "ride in the rain" idea concerned commuting. I don't mind rain as part of a trip, but commuting is hairy enough sunny, dry, and middle of the week. Add rain on a Monday AM or Friday PM commute and Evil Knievel wouldn't survive the trip around here. :bigeyes:

 

[Just Plain Dave]

If you "pinch vinyl" too often, an "O" ring replacement may be in order to prevent leakage of whatever processed product it is retaining. :haha:

 

[XLR8]

I probably dissuaded a potential rider from getting in the sport.  He’s been talking about bikes and which one to get, etc… and knows that I’ve been commuting daily on my FJR.  Thursday it had been drizzling all day after several days of no rain.  I know how slick the roads can be before the 1st hard rain, but I’ll pay more attention to that bit of advice the next time.  We live on the same end of town, and Thursday he happened to be following me out from work.  I’m leaning left while turning onto the road out of our campus and hit a slick spot… it felt like both tires lost traction and the bike drifted sideways for about a half a lane.  I didn’t go down but did pinch some vinyl.  I looked back right after the slide and saw nothing obvious.  A block later is the entrance to the freeway, and traffic is backed up due to rush hour.  After getting on the freeway, I’m in the middle lane of 3 lanes, stopped, blinker on looking to merge left.  The left lane opens up, do a head check, I’m over.  A few cars further and a butt-hole cage pulls over into my lane with no signal, mirror or head check.  I did a careful swerve (the 1st incident still fresh in my mind) but she got to within 1 foot of me… more pinched vinyl… less than a mile from first vinyl-pinching incident.  Those of you that commute (and some that don’t) have these experiences every so often, I’m sure.  But, to have 2 of these happen so close together, and when the prospective rider happens to be behind me, is rare.  The next day he confirmed seeing the side-slide and my looking back, and the ***-wipe cager almost side-swipe me.  He has stopped talking about getting a street bike.  Maybe that's a good thing.  I always encourage saftey to existing riders when the opportunity arises, but I'm worried about encouraging newbies, only to hear/read about their get-off shortly thereafter.  Other opinions on this?

Well, you manage the risk and accept it for what it is or you don't. It's that simple. If the dude wants a bike then he should get one but perhaps seeing the risk involved first hand was enough to make him rethink?

I rarely set out in the rain and I hardly ever ride at night. Those are two of some of the parameters I ride by. It just isn't worth it to me but for some it is.

-r

 

[BBIII]

Are there any rider classes that help you with riding in adverse conditions?

I've been riding for 20 years, in sunny So Cal, and now almost 8 years in NorCal, but always for pleasure only when the temp was above 60 degrees. Now that I have the FJR, and the price of gas is way up, I am commuting during all times of the day including the dark times (night).

Do any of the MSF or other accredited motorycle safety classes train you to ride in wet conditions? With ABS?

Got any simple helpful remarks like "stay off the front brake" other than just don't do it?

Thanks,

BB III

 

[weekend rider]

:clap: That is why we live in the good ol USA to be able to make choices.choices, and more choices. For me if it is there I will ride in it if not not a big deal. Just stay extra careful and make your trip short as possible. When I go on a trip I temd to stay out of the rain and dropdown and ride the edge of the storm in my direction of travel.

At the same time what about fog?

Now that is real scary for me. But, I got the boys bike running for him over a year ago and when he moved back to the Sacramento area I showed him how to ride in the fog and rain . Now that was scary, it was me, dave and his cousin. all three went for a nice foggy ride at Xmas time. Now he Knows and can handle it with a better understanding of riding in unforgiven conditions. The best advice I gace him was to stay home and wait.

B) B) B) weekend rider

 

[madmike2]

Are there any rider classes that help you with riding in adverse conditions?

Weelllllllll, get a cheap dirt bike and go ride in the mud. You will learn a lot about balance and the dynamics of riding with less than stellar traction (and have a bunch of fun). Uhm, you will get cold, wet and dirty, but you'll grin for a week.

Earlier this year we were on a group ride and entering a parking lot, uh, hastily, my front wheel went through some sand or a tar snake (it doesn't matter which) and stepped out. I wish I could tell you I was prepared, identified the issue beforehand and was ready to correct, but :dribble: . The rider behind me, who saw the whole event, said, "You've got some dirt bike experience. Anyone else would have lost it."

While I'm not sure about that, I will say that my automatic reflexes saved the day...much as yours did on your 1/2 lane slide. If you're going to ride in slop (I do ride in the rain, sometimes) there is only one way to get relatively safe experience....in the dirt.

 

[gr8eyes]

Several of us FJR riders did a Reg Pridmore Class at Barber 2 years ago. It rained hard for 4 hours. When we all came in from the 1st 20min session he said alot of us looked hesitant out on the track. Duh. I know I did. He then explained you have 85% of the available traction in the wet, that you do in the dry. As the day progressed the speeds picked up and I was amazed at how fast you could go in the rain. At one time when I glanced down at the space between the tank and my crotch the water was 4 inches deep, it rained that hard.

Glenn

 

[yanktar]

I did my years of riding rain or shine. I know how to do it safely, but I still hate it. Now, I have to be caught in the rain...I don't ride on days rain is expected. I have a 35 mile trip each way on Jersey highways and bi-ways. People here are pretty aggressive and inattentive. Then there are the local out of state drivers--NY, Pa and Conn who are FAR worse. They've cracked down on the semis--not too long ago 1 out of 5 drove like a lunatic, tail-gating at 80, weaving--all with a 40' box. Now I see far less of that.

But with all that, dealing with rain (especially in the dark on the way home) is not my definition of fun riding.

 

[Shane Stump]

I have ridden my GL1800/A in more rain than I care for, but I travel a LOT between Texas & Lousiana and it is ALWAYS raining in LA!

The best advice is to just slow down, be careful, and enjoy yourself !

Best Regards,

Shane

 

[Warpdrv]

The Day I bought my FJR, I went down to Chicago to get it from Milwaukee, about 1.5 hours... I knew before I left that I had a window opertunity to not hit rain on the way back... but because the dealer was screwing around gettin the paperwork and having the bike prepped for me.. they took too long.... when I was on my way home I was about 1/2 way back and it started to drizzle, then I pulled over and grabbed my rain gear, it started pouring, and I was riding at 70mph with semi's and cagers that couldn't see... Im glad I prepared for the rain, and was the first downpour I had experienced !

I didn't have a problem, and was glad to have experienced riding in the hard rain...

I made sure I scrubbed the new tires up pretty well before I hit the rain...

Id rather not ride in the rain, but its nice to have experience if you have no choice !!!

 

[Geezer]

I don't let the rain keep me from riding, even during the morning commute. I don't like to be cold so I put on an extra layer of clothes and the rain gear if it looks like I'll be geting wet. I also ride much slower in the wet. A lot slower than necessary. That's a habit that I've developed as I've gotten older. In fact I'm afraid that I may be over careful on wet roads and that can be more dangerous than just relaxing and enjoying the ride. I'm working on that. Even after 30 yerars riding I still develop bad habits and then have to learn how to get out of them.

 

[RadioHowie]

Rain? What rain!

Some of you FJR-exclusive riders need to hop on a bike without a windshield and full fairing and do some rain riding. I think you may have forgotten how nasty it can be.

I've been caught in the rain twice now without raingear since I brought my '04 home and with the exception of the top of my head and the tips of my feet, I stayed perfectly dry tucked in behind the plastic in a full downpour.

Hop on a nekkid like a ZRX and you'll soon remember how wet one can get in a very short distance.

I think someone should start a new topic "How Often DON'T you ride?"

My car stays parked 24/7. I ride my ZRX or FJR come rain or shine, but I'll have to admit, if there's rain in the forecast, I don't pick the car over the bikes...I pick the FJR over the ZRX.