Can I just ride like normal on wet roads?

Question

I know about road paint. Cos i crashed on that once. ouch. But can i just ride like normal if the roads are wet?. Cos all the other motorcyclists are and it seems like I am the only one obeying the Granny inside and slowing right down.

I have normal tyres. They are year around tyres. My tread is good. What do you think? Shall i pick it up a little?

Answer 1

Your tyres will be fine, whenever you go for a ride you should always give the tyres a chance to warm up (approximately 10 minutes of normal road riding) before you go for it. However, you should only pick it up when you feel confident, there is no need to force it.

The techniques required for riding in the wet will improve your dry riding skills, all your actions will need to be smooth and progressive – braking, cornering, accelerating – none of these are done on their own, they become a series of transitions of one action. The only real difference will be that you will need to use more rear brake in the wet, and that you have to calibrate your brain to recognise potential problems, for example, wet leaves from overhanging trees will offer less grip than tarmac.

Answer 2

The best advice I ever received on riding a motorcycle is'Ride your own ride." That means, forget what others are doing. Ride at your own pace, within your own capabilities and comfort level. Rain riding can be fun, but it more hazardous in almost every way. You vision, your visibility, braking, cornering, acceleration, all of it. Be careful.  

Answer 3

The road is the most slickest in the first 30 mins of any type of rain.  Rain loosens up oil, grime and other junk and makes road pretty darn slick.  I would give yourself enough room between cars or other motorcycles.  Ride smart, and always with a helmet.

Answer 4

if you want to risk it, then yesss, but i would stay with the caution side just to be safe, i like to keep my skin free of boo-boo's

Answer 5

avoid the center of the lane, that is where cars leave their leaking oil.  and it like ice when wet

Answer 6

You got 2 contact patches, one breaks loose your most likely gonna wipe out on a wet road. The question is would you rather hydroplane at 55 mph or 75mph and fall down? You will be very lucky to live if you fall off at 75 mph or lucky to have only a few broken ribs, arms, legs, skin scraped off your *** down to the bone (nasty but happened to my uncle in the rain when riding about 80mph, he's lucky to be alive, after his stupid decision to drive that fast) . You have a good chance at 50-55mph, broken rib, and an arm, could be a little worse depending on the fall.

Answer 7

No there is a thing called hydroplaning motorcycles do it. As well as cars. where there is a thin layer of water under the tires. And the faster you go the more water is under your tires. Causing stopping distances longer if you need to stop quick.  

Answer 8

you need to allow for much more time to stop and turn but unless you're making sharp turns or slamming on your brakes, you should be fine.

Answer 9

One thing i never do on wet roads is lean to far over when going around a bend, you have less traction, i always go slower on bends.

Answer 10

You should reduce your speed in turns if you normally ride fast. Also avoid the center of the lane as vehicle with oil leaks deposit oil more oil and grease in these areas. The most important factor to consider is increased stopping distance on wet roadways for both your vehicle and other drivers. Give yourself more space. Remember, just you might see other riders taking chances, but you also hear about other riders crashing!

Answer 11

You should ride the way you see fit for the conditions. Obviously, you need to be more careful on wet [slippery] surfaces.

Answer 12

Definitely slow down on corners when it's wet out. Also, if it hasn't rained for a while, say more than a month, it's going to be really slick from all the oil that hasn't been washed off the road the first few days it does rain. same goes for the first time it rains on a newly paved stretch of road.