A question for my fellow Bad Weather Riders

[ChevyFazer]

Obviously as we bad weather bikers have no fear for most weather I had a question arise today riding, it was a good steady rain and I was riding along this old stretch of asphalt that had more tar snakes down each side then the tar snake factory it's self! Normally this wouldn't be an issue as I would just ride in the middle, well this being a very well traveled road the grease stripe is well more like a grease pit. You can literally see the sheen of the oil standing on top of it while riding. I really can't seem to notice better traction on either the stripes or the snakes, both seem to be slicker than a harpooned hippo on a banana tree!!! This isn't one of those take another route, or just wait for the rain to pass type deals, for one there is no other route and two I kind of enjoy riding in the rain from time to time as long as its not coming down a frog strangler and I can't see 5ft in front of me so you won't see me pulling off any under passes any time soon. So my question is if you had to ride on one or the other which one would you rather ride on?

 

[VEGASRIDER]

I really can't tell you which spot is better, but you should definately keep your speed down if it's that slippery.

Both times that I have hit the pavement it was with less than ideal conditions and it had nothing to do with any vehicles, bike just slid out underneath me.

Be prepared because the risk factor is very high. But it's a risk I was and willing to take.

 

[motojoe122]

I was in the same situation a few months ago...I just had to get out and ride, rain or not. Either one would work for me, however, one might make a few more diamonds. Just keep in mind, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst:thumbup:

 

[ChevyFazer]

Oh yeah speed goes down and I also try to drop a gear to have better engine braking vs using the rear brake, plus as always ATGATT. As bad as the grease stripe is on this particular stretch of road I'm leaning towards it being able to give better traction then the snakes if I were put in a bad situation.

 

[tejkowskit]

If it had Been raining for a while I would choose the center as the rain may wash much of the grime away, but if it just started raining I would pick the snakes because at least there wouldn't be road grime collecting on my tires

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Riding in the rain is tricky. You either need to be out in front so that you don't get caught in the wash from the traffic that's in front of you, or you either fall way back. But then when you create a gap to get away from the wash, another vehicle end up occupying that gap, and you seem like you end going more backwards than forward.

 

[red06]

this is a good question , since i dont ride on that road i can not comment on it.
put it in high gear , slow down , and easy on the throttle,
use the front brake as the rear wheel locks up easy when its slick

 

[hk_fz6_05]

interesting question - I've been wondering that same thing myself (seeing as how it rains more or less all the time here I've entirely given up trying to stay out of the wet).
So far I've been going with the tar snakes mostly because the middle greasepit also tends to be raised slightly if the road's worn and I *really* don't fancy the feeling of suddenly sliding sideways off it because the incline's suddenly changed or something similarly ridiculous.

Would be interesting with more feedback tho.

 

[RJ2112]

If at all possible, I would stick with keeping my tires in the tracks made by other vehicles. The tires of those other road users will tend to 'scrub' the pavement, and offer the most likely traction available.

If you are the sole party on the road, I'd still be thinking of using the tire tracks; but I would also be looking at where the puddles are forming, trash in culverts, loose leaves, mud, paint stripes, and those grease spots.

As others have said, the first 30 minutes after it starts to rain are the worst for traction. Once the roads are rinsed off, traction is very nearly the same as with dry pavement. If you have decent tires!

 

[04fizzer]

I would stick to the left tire track. The crown in the road will "help" the crud in the middle of the lane run off to the right, adding to more oil and crap on the outside track than the inside.

 

[ebster1085]

Without being in that particular situation, I cant really tell you which part of the lane I would rather choose, but I can agree with the sentiment above that when riding in rain I usually try to follow the tire tracks of the cagers ahead of me. Those parts of the road tend to be free of standing water and are also scrubbed of most oils and chemicals that can tend to collect in the middle of the lane.

That being said, I always avoid riding in the rain unless I absolutely have to. We put ourselves at increased risk riding in good weather, why compound that with bad weather conditions?

 

[ChevyFazer]

I'm going to try and take a picture of just how bad these tar snakes are on this section of road, it's not just one snake down each side it's about 5 or 6 that cross cross and cover almost the entire side, so when it's wet it's almost as bad as driving on a painted surface that goes on for about 5 miles, yes riding in the tire tracks helps but these things are bad. At least the center doesn't make the bike want to follow any lines. For the most part I try to avoid riding there if is wet but if I'm already out and it starts to rain sometimes it's unavoidable.

 

[banjoboy]

It all depends on the road; are there 2 (Or more?) lanes each direction, or a 2 lane hwy? how much "crown" is there?
The center of the road is greasier, but tar snakes are pretty slick when wet & cold. I'd position myself depending on other traffic; if it's a 2 lane hwy, I'd prolly be in the right tire track more depending on on-coming traffic?
I wouldn't commit myself to any part of the lane; keep an open mind, and keep the most distance from the cages, but also try to position yourself where you're most visible too.
Also RELAX!!!! To survive rain ride'in ya got to relax, and be smooth. :thumbup:
Rain riding is fun! :rockon:

 

[ChevyFazer]

It all depends on the road; are there 2 (Or more?) lanes each direction, or a 2 lane hwy? how much "crown" is there?
The center of the road is greasier, but tar snakes are pretty slick when wet & cold. I'd position myself depending on other traffic; if it's a 2 lane hwy, I'd prolly be in the right tire track more depending on on-coming traffic?
I wouldn't commit myself to any part of the lane; keep an open mind, and keep the most distance from the cages, but also try to position yourself where you're most visible too.
Also RELAX!!!! To survive rain ride'in ya got to relax, and be smooth. :thumbup:
Rain riding is fun! :rockon:

It's a 4 lane divided highway with a big grass median, both lanes are pretty much identical, and the crown is very little to almost non existing in some spots. For the most part thats what I've been doing when it's raining and I have to ride this stretch, kinda bounce around trying to keep in the "best" spot to be in. And talking about relaxing, I'll admit I was a little nervous riding in the rain the first time on this bike vs riding in the rain on my old vstrom, coming off a dual sport made for stuff like that vs a streetfighter, but after getting caught in the rain a few times last year on it I realized that the fz actually has better traction in the wet then the dl, mainly because of the tires I suppose. So now I actually kind of enjoy it every once in a while, plus the looks and comments I get from others are priceless!!! I always knew how slick this one spot was and always use extra caution when I'm there, I just figured I'd ask to see if anyone else has a similar spot they ride in and what they do more or less.

 

[GTPAddict]

If at all possible, I would stick with keeping my tires in the tracks made by other vehicles. The tires of those other road users will tend to 'scrub' the pavement, and offer the most likely traction available.

X2, if possible. I'd choose the tar snakes over the oily center for the same reason as tejkowskit, the oil/grease buildup on your tires. I also run a HIGHER gear to avoid engine braking slowing the rear tire down too fast and causing a slide.