[xBhp Universal Thread]: Riding in Rain

[L.P.]

I was riding around in the rain we had in Delhi. I thought when it had been difficult for me to ride, it would have been the same for many more Rider's.
Also i saw a person just getting Skid in front of me and i had to Dodge him and save my own skin..

For riding in the rain here are some thoughts that can help:

Lights: Keep your Parking lights ON or on Low Beam.

Ride slow : After or In the rain, when usually road gets wet, the Firction, Traction diminishes.. So it is advisable to ride slow and steady to get a better control on it and if anything happens you get time to correct it!

Braking: It is advisable to use Engine braking during rains, and ifyou are to use the brakes ,Be Gentle on Brakes,as harsh braking may lock up the wheels,and cause them to skid.

Road grip : If your tyre is old, or you are facing big issues with road grip, a temporary solution is to lower the tyre pressure slightly (5-6 psi will do) to get better grip till you can replace the tyre.

Clear vision : If your helmet visor does not have anti-fog capabilities, then you should keep it open slightly to maintain the best vision possible. If you still have issues, wear a balaclava and open the visor fully. The balaclava will ease the pain caused by rain drops while riding at high speeds.
If you have got any kind of Wax polish, Apply a very thin Coat of it!

Take off the glasses : Specs can also cause vision problems. In most cases, you vision will improve if you take them off.

Wear Rain Protective Stuffs : Covering up your arms and legs is a good idea as it prevents the rain drops from hitting the body directly. High speed raindrops are painful. You can use rain Coat's etc..
Also, keep some polythenes with you,keep your valuables in that polythene along with a DRY Handkercheif!

Wear gloves : You wet hands can lose grip on the handlebars. Wear gloves to make sure you retain control of the bike.

Watch out for hail-storms : Look for shelter at the first sign of a hail-storm, and not a tree on the side of the road. For hail-storms, you need a strong structure to protect you and your bike. It should be wide enough to prevent any harm from any direction. Petrol pumps are a good place or any concrete structure will probably be fine.

Maintain distance from the vehicle in front : Not only will it help you brake effectively, it will also minimize the dirt spray on your helmet and clothes.

Toll : If you are riding on way that has got a toll booth,instead of Currency note,use COINS.

Rain protectors : I've seen people riding air-cooled bikes with a large cardboard just in front of the engine to prevent their trousers from getting dirty. This can harm the engine. Carry the 'work bag' if arriving clean is important.

IF you are riding to WORK in Rain:

Rain Coats: The best option to save you.

Carry a bag : You rode to work, you can't roam around wet and dirty all day. So keep some Clothes, A pair of undergarments,and a COMB, by which you can get dressed back into a human being,bychanging in the washroom!

Leave early : Try to start early from home if it raining,because the traffic gets slow..


I know this is not complete, But please feel free to input more to complete it!
Happy Riding !!
Cheers
LP

[ken cool]

Topic Approved

[bhavnish_kamboj]

Toll : If you are riding on way that has got a toll booth,instead of Currency note,use COINS.

Thanks for the nice info L.P. But I didn't get the meaning why to use coins not the currency note

[moeed]

Nice tips there buddy!

Thanks for the nice info L.P. But I didn't get the meaning why to use coins not the currency note

Because the currency notes will get wet in the rain.

[L.P.]

Topic Approved

Thanks Ken Da, for the Fast Approval..
I wasn't expecting it that Fast.

Thanks for the nice info L.P. But I didn't get the meaning why to use coins not the currency note

Nice tips there buddy!

Because the currency notes will get wet in the rain.

...

[kaynmantis]

Nice info, though kind of late in the season as monsoon is over at least in Mumbai.

I always reach my destination completly dry in pouring rain as I have a good rain wear and rain boots. Ironically I sometimes reach my destination quiet wet when I misread rain and the weather is dry, I get wet due to sweat . My rain wear does not have breathing apparatus .

The most irritating condition I find are light intermittent showers where the roads is wet mixed with dirt. Not only the road is slippery in these condition but also these dirty water vapours thrown out by other vehicles really mess up with the visor. So I always keep a piece of cloth handy to wipe my visor. Once it showers steadly, the condition becomes better as the road becomes cleaner even though its wet and the visor is constantly cleaned with fresh rainfall.

I don't know about proper riding rain wear you get abroad. But the one I get here are certainly not designed for riding. Especially the pants. When you sit astride the bike, the bottom of the pant will ride up higher than my ankle length boots. Even though my boots are full water proof, water seeps inside from this exposed part so....I made myself a water proof..'something'.. to cover this up using my spare rain jacket's arms. I cut the arms, put elastics on both ends, and hey presto..I got a leg warmer..or sort of . Its crude, but I always reach my destination dry and happy.

Anyone interested can try this next monsoon.

[mithun]

Take off the glasses : Specs can also cause vision problems. In most cases, you vision will improve if you take them off.

How can one remove the spectacles if the person is having vision problem like myopia ?

[L.P.]

How can one remove the spectacles if the person is having vision problem like myopia ?

Only If in case the power isn't too much!

[pali]

Thanks Ken Da, for the Fast Approval..
I wasn't expecting it that Fast.

rofl literally!!

[athulbenoy]

Dont like

Hey guys i dont like driving when it sraining because i am afraid that my bike gets skid

[bluejoy]

May I suggest a couple of points which I have experienced while biking
Especially for Bangalore rains:
Find a shelter ASAP when it starts raining cos
1)
2) Wind speed is pretty high when you are riding with a not so heavy bike.
(I use a Honda Aviator in Bangalore..: D)
Watch out for the speed Breakers; be double slow while you are negotiating with it.
As Most of them features attached puddles, might be a bit deep for all we know last thing we need is to have a fall in the slippery surface.
Generally
1) Avoid cornering, take it easy on the corners on a rainy day as the traction reduces significantly.
2) Leave your headlights on; as it not only provides more visibility, it alerts others about your presence as well.
3) Carry yellow colored driving glasses, I have heard that they are better in rainy and misty conditions than shades and clear glasses.

[princesirohi]

May I suggest a couple of points which I have experienced while biking
Especially for Bangalore rains:
Find a shelter ASAP when it starts raining cos
1)
2) Wind speed is pretty high when you are riding with a not so heavy bike.
(I use a Honda Aviator in Bangalore..: D)
Watch out for the speed Breakers; be double slow while you are negotiating with it.
As Most of them features attached puddles, might be a bit deep for all we know last thing we need is to have a fall in the slippery surface.
Generally
1) Avoid cornering, take it easy on the corners on a rainy day as the traction reduces significantly.
2) Leave your headlights on; as it not only provides more visibility, it alerts others about your presence as well.
3) Carry yellow colored driving glasses, I have heard that they are better in rainy and misty conditions than shades and clear glasses.

the topic of this thread is "riding in rains" ....and the first thing you suggested is.......find a shelter and stop......... i was like

if you have stopped-> you are not "riding in rains"

if you are wearing those "yellow colored glasses" inside helmet, they wont help, and if you are wearing it without helmet, still they won't help.

[mulli84]

The first thing I do is switch off the mobile and put it in my jacket. I never much stop when it rains. I like to be in rain unless I get to shivering point.

[bluejoy]

@princesirohi : My Bad ...

[bluejoy]

Tips for riding in the rain

Here are the ten things you should know about riding in the wet.
1. Is your bike ready?

If your bike is relatively new, then most often, it is ready. You do need to check two or three things. First, see that your chain is well-lubed. Chains take quite the bashing in the wet because the wet is also dirty, lubed is protected. Second, check your tyres. They should have enough tread as well as enough grip. Standard tyre pressures work best. Under inflation may feel better but it will hasten aquaplaning too.
2. Are you ready?

I prefer cheap all-plastic rain suits that last one season to more expensive suits that last one or two seasons. I ensure the rain jacket is big enough to go on top of my riding jacket and that the pants come down to the ankles. Brighter colours are better than darker or neutral shades for visibility. This is also a good time to opt for a new, unscratched, clear helmet visor.
3. How much grip do you have?4. Are all your lights working?

They should be and you should run your parking lamps right through the season, even in the daylight. On extra-murky days, use the head lamp as well. Being seen is a big deal when it comes to being safe and the rains make this harder to do.
6. Be smooth

Sudden inputs break traction. Learn to be smoother with the throttle, brakes as well as steering. Learn this well, because it works in the dry as well, and makes you faster overall.
7. Use your body

All of us feel more confident when we are upright, correct? In the rains, turn your shoulders into the corner and lean forward and down through corners. It makes the bike sit up on to a fatter part of the tyre. You can help further by pushing down on the outer footpeg.
8. Be steady through standing water10. Keep your distanceTips for riding in the rain - Overdrive )