Riding In Winter? - Page 4

flashthebiker · 10-07-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thro

There's generally a lot more grip than you realise, so don't be scared

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+ 1, it really is surprising. Just don't find out how much (or little) grip you have by accident! Be smooth.

Oh and yeah, lots of drivers ability to travel anywhere near the speed limit on the freeway dissolves like a disprin in the rain...

Diesal · 10-07-2008, 08:45 PM

Something Alert told me that I chant in my head when caught out in the rain... smooth. Was terrified by the shit season (yes, i'll admit it), particuarly being on a GPX which changed lanes with as much as a glimpse of our gusts, but was really the best way to get over it. You don't have much choice when you're caught in it and you tend to negotiate the weather pretty quickly. And splittin in the rain when you're all fogged up?

I now have a cage, but use it as little as possible and often regret the days when I take it to work.

Rockstar · 10-07-2008, 10:06 PM

I Can't really ride to work in winter. This is due to traveling to work early and the abundance of Kangaroos I see (sometimes don't see) in the dark. Come day light savings Its cool the sun Has been up enough and the roo population has already been hit or they have fucked off. I don't mind the cold or rain but huge wind gusts piss me off.

HPM · 10-07-2008, 11:52 PM

Bit of rainx on the visor cures the fogs, split and your're at work in the happy knowledge that you would have pissed of at least 4-6 cagers on the way in!

andyr6 · 11-07-2008, 02:28 AM

kudos to your all that ride in the rain, not for me. just the plain cleaning hassles everyday and the some of the sheer ridiculous drivers of perth whos skill dissappears as soon as the windscreen fogs up and swerve around hoping to find the lane. im not goin out like that. bring back the sunshine

D34N0 · 11-07-2008, 05:24 AM

On Roller's recommendation I fitted an Oxford 'Ultra Clear' last night after I bought it from the EXTREMELY!!!! helpful guys at Causeway KTM & Ducati (I'm not being sarcastic, they were extremely helpful and I would highly recommend them).

Well this morning was friggin great!! Wet, slight drizzle, gusty as, but I COULD SEE!! What a great ride in.

Thanks Roller and thanks also HPM, I'll try some of that RainX on the outside. I believe it's good for water dispersion.

Roller · 11-07-2008, 02:10 PM

Glad to help D, I also rode in this morning to work in the great weather we are having and as andyr6 said it's unbelievable how the driving skills of some of these Perth drivers dive when it gets a bit wet and fog up there windscreens.
But at the same time I agree with the statement HPM said I was satisfied within myself in the knowledge that some of the cage drivers would have been pissed at me for splitting past them.

Tenchi · 11-07-2008, 11:24 PM

All I have to say is don't come to Seattle if you can't ride in the rain. It rains a lot here.

--Tenchi
Enjoying the best 2 weeks of summer before the rain comes back

EDIT: Oh yeah, and Seatlte people can't drive in the rain either. Which is strange since it rains 2/3 of the year.

Graelin · 12-07-2008, 06:26 AM

Wind!

In NZ you needed to also look at the terrain such as small hillocks and make sure you were ready for the gusts that come between them or you will change lanes, made you very observant.

One ride during training for traffic police saw us go over the Rimutukas Range and the weather closed in. Only experienced riders were to ride back, the less experienced got to travel by car.
I came up to one corner and saw the rain was going horizontal down the valley. Clicked down into first gear on the Yamaha 500 twin and opened her up as I hit the wind.

It would not accelerate in first gear was so strong!!!

The instructor in the car following said that last time they did this in similar wind the rider had left it in a higher gear, he nearly ran over him with the car because the bike stopped dead in front of him.

That was some wind that day.

Graelin

Yak · 12-07-2008, 07:32 PM

I try to ride as much as possible. If it's pissing down I won't bother. My last fews km are down in a low lying area and it's about 5-10 deg colder everytime. Only got summer gloves and can never feel my fingers when I get off the bike.

But with my eyes watering and snot running out my nose I'm still smiling as I get off the bike.