She kept me safe again

[Wooster]

Well I finally had my first real close call this weekend. I took a 7 hour trip to upstate NY to see the family. On the way back Monday I was driving in a light rain and was coming off the interstate heading down the off ramp when my brakes locked up. Like I said, the road was wet, tires were hot and I just braked as usual using both the front and rear and next thing I know the bike just keeps going all the way to the bottom of the exit and right through the red traffic light and intersection. Hell I must have hydroplaned 15 yards or so. I thank God there were no cars coming in either direction or I would have been in trouble.

I've got limited riding experience and even less so in the rain so I was surprised I was able to keep it upright. Needless to say the lesson learned is to slow down much earlier on exit ramps in the rain and if you do lock the brakes up, just hang on for the ride. I'm rewarding my bike this week with a nice fresh oil change for keeping me upright

 

[MNGreg]

Glad to hear that your bike, and especially you, made it through that cheek clencher safely!!

I need to try to venture out in progressively light to heavier rain for that same reason. I have only about 50-75 of my 4700 miles now in the rain.. try to avoid it whenever I can. Need to learn how to deal with it so I am not so scared of riding in the rain.

 

[Anthony]

Well I finally had my first real close call this weekend. I took a 7 hour trip to upstate NY to see the family. On the way back Monday I was driving in a light rain and was coming off the interstate heading down the off ramp when my brakes locked up. Like I said, the road was wet, tires were hot and I just braked as usual using both the front and rear and next thing I know the bike just keeps going all the way to the bottom of the exit and right through the red traffic light and intersection. Hell I must have hydroplaned 15 yards or so. I thank God there were no cars coming in either direction or I would have been in trouble.

I've got limited riding experience and even less so in the rain so I was surprised I was able to keep it upright. Needless to say the lesson learned is to slow down much earlier on exit ramps in the rain and if you do lock the brakes up, just hang on for the ride. I'm rewarding my bike this week with a nice fresh oil change for keeping me upright

"quick stop" drills can also be helpful. Sometimes I bs around a wet parking lot to skid the tires at low speeds for practice.

 

[DavidB455]

You'd only ride about 50 days a year in Glasgow, Scotland if you worried about the rain, sleet and snow and the temperature. Your right, just practice, I have ridden my XJ6 in downpours and it still stays right way up if your not harsh on it.

 

[Perdurable]

close call man!!!
thank god no cars were plowing through the intersection

screw the rain
if it’s going to sprinkle I won’t ride my bike...no fun

 

[Superzoom]

Glad you're OK and kept her upright. That's some pretty good skill.

I'm guessing you weren't really hydroplaning, but were instead sliding on all the oil that accumulated at every stoplight. Rain makes that stuff super slippery. As a rule, you want to ride super smooth in the rain, but it's just after it's started raining that the road is supposed to be most slippery, before the stuff on the road has been washed away.

 

[BKP]

Did you consider engine braking?

In questionable weather (or questionable surfaces) I use a combination front/rear and engine braking... heavy on the engine braking. It's become muscle memory, and it will help to keep you from locking up...

Oh... and by the way... *very* glad to hear that intersection turned out to be benign... and you're fine... li'l angel sitting on your shoulder on Monday...

 

[JT]

I am always extremely hesitant to even cross puddles in clear weather. I don’t know the numbers but just imagine how much friction loss there is between your tire and the road surface. and even if that wasn’t as major of a factor you also have the chance of hydroplaning.

glad you’re okay and did not have to lay her down.

 

[CtrlAltDl]

I'm guessing you weren't really hydroplaning, but were instead sliding on all the oil that accumulated at every stoplight. Rain makes that stuff super slippery. As a rule, you want to ride super smooth in the rain, but it's just after it's started raining that the road is supposed to be most slippery, before the stuff on the road has been washed away.

I agree, I ride nearly 100 days a year in the rain and I've yet to experience hydroplaning. I find that motorcycles "cut" through the water better than most other vehicles.

In the rain, you need to stay out of the center of the lane (super slick). Treat the roads as if you are driving in snow and every corner is covered in ice. Just be super smooth with the brakes and engine braking. Give your self the extra space, and remember do all your braking before any turns.

 

[linkgt]

I agree, I ride nearly 100 days a year in the rain and I've yet to experience hydroplaning. I find that motorcycles "cut" through the water better than most other vehicles.

In the rain, you need to stay out of the center of the lane (super slick). Treat the roads as if you are driving in snow and every corner is covered in ice. Just be super smooth with the brakes and engine braking. Give your self the extra space, and remember do all your braking before any turns.

This. I rode in a REALLY bad downpour last month on the expressway.. Kept my cool and was surprised how well it performed. I have Michelin Pilot Road 3 tires which are supposed to be a lot better for rain, so not sure if that had to do with it. No hydroplaning, brakes locking up, etc. I slow down a lot on exits too because I had VERY close call with my cager going on an exit ramp once( I went in a bit too fast, brakes locked up an the car spun.. luckily no cars around)...

 

[Wooster]

Glad you're OK and kept her upright. That's some pretty good skill.

I'm guessing you weren't really hydroplaning, but were instead sliding on all the oil that accumulated at every stoplight. Rain makes that stuff super slippery. As a rule, you want to ride super smooth in the rain, but it's just after it's started raining that the road is supposed to be most slippery, before the stuff on the road has been washed away.

The more I think about it, you're probably right. Chances are it was probably more to do with the oil on the wet road than actual hydroplaning because it was only a light rain and there weren't any big puddles. But then again after sliding for for what felt like 15-20 yards, you'd think the tires would eventually get their grip again. Hell I basically had to do a Fred Flinstone and put my feet down to stop. I don't know, bottom line is I just hit that exit too fast. Leason learned. Oh yeah and she got her fresh oil change today as her reward. Some nice new Honda HP4 semi synthetic oil and K&N filter

 

[Superzoom]

The more I think about it, you're probably right. Chances are it was probably more to do with the oil on the wet road than actual hydroplaning because it was only a light rain and there weren't any big puddles. But then again after sliding for for what felt like 15-20 yards, you'd think the tires would eventually get their grip again. Hell I basically had to do a Fred Flinstone and put my feet down to stop. I don't know, bottom line is I just hit that exit too fast. Leason learned. Oh yeah and she got her fresh oil change today as her reward. Some nice new Honda HP4 semi synthetic oil and K&N filter

Well, again, I'm glad you made it out safe!

I myself have found my rear tire sliding out sideways once when I gave my bike throttle in a light rain. I was changing lanes.

 

[jocampo]

Did you consider engine braking?

In questionable weather (or questionable surfaces) I use a combination front/rear and engine braking... heavy on the engine braking. It's become muscle memory, and it will help to keep you from locking up...

Oh... and by the way... *very* glad to hear that intersection turned out to be benign... and you're fine... li'l angel sitting on your shoulder on Monday...

True.

I even do that with my Speed6, which is manual shift.

 

[buzzbomb]

Did you consider engine braking?

In questionable weather (or questionable surfaces) I use a combination front/rear and engine braking... heavy on the engine braking. It's become muscle memory, and it will help to keep you from locking up...

Oh... and by the way... *very* glad to hear that intersection turned out to be benign... and you're fine... li'l angel sitting on your shoulder on Monday...

Engine braking on a slick surface is bad. It can very easily cause your back tire to lose traction. The jury's going to be out forever as to whether one should use more front or rear brake in that situation. Personally, when the surface is slick I come on with the rear brake first and balance with the front.

Regardless of braking philosophy on a slick surface - engine braking on a slick surface is bad.