Wet riding freaks me out

[Shakey]

Next is the Revs and gearing. I was taught to go one gear lower in the wet than in the dry and to roll on the throttle very gently so the bend is negotiated with a little bit of power to the back wheel. This forces the tread to grip through the water to the road surface rather than just roll over it. I'd been riding for about 5 years before I was taught this technique and it totally transformed not only my riding but also my confidence and thus enjoyment in the wet weather.

It does, just very occasionally, rain in England

Interesting note there Shakey. I have always geared up to avoid overpowering the back tire. I grew up on dirt bikes and we always geared down for curves so we had the juice to powerslide the back end to whip backend of the bike through the curve. Like most others here smooth is the key for me so that is why I've always kept the revs as low as possible to keep from squirting the backend out from under me. Sounds like I have a new wet ride experiment ot undertake.

I should also have mentioned that going to a lower gear allows you to use the engine to decelerate too so as long as you have your speed right going into the bend you can stay off the brakes. You certainly wouldn't want to powerslide the back wheel so the throttle input should be just enough for a very gentle acceleration as you go around. VERY!

Have fun experimenting

[PrinceBooger]

Boy, can I relate to your apphehension! Having learned to road ride in Miami, Florida, I only knew "urban" enviroments. in 1986 a buddy of mine (BMW R90S) talked me into trailering up to the Blueridge Parkway and have a mountain riding weekend. Wow, did that change my perspective! We arrived to misty, rainy weather to start with and I remember looking at him and saying, "you want to go riding out in this?". He said, "we didn't drive 900 miles to be sitting in a motel room". He knew where he was going, I followed. I remember following him and backing off to my comfort level and watching him pull away from me. I decided that if he could lean his bike as far as he was, I should be able to follow (this was before the modern, wider, radial tires we have now). Smoothness of handling inputs, smoothness of throttle and brake application are everything. Complete your speed adjustment (braking) before you lean in as well. I would also run 1 gear higher than I would be using on a dry road.

I would recommend going out with another riding buddy who may have honed their wet-riding skills beyond your own and "follow" them. Watch those highway off ramps! They can be fun to bend when they are dry, but they see a high volume of vehicles that may not be completely oil and water-tight and their being wet should be taken with respect of that fact.

Now, your Conti Road Attacks. They were my preferred tire on my previous 02', RT. I do have utmost confidence in them! I rode up Blood Mountain (129) to Blairsville Ga. with the Conti's in pouring rain on my RT once and I was passing the "cages" in the 2-lane sections (including turns) using the advice I am giving you. I arrived to the B&B where my wife was waiting for me and she, knowing Blood Mountain, asked if I came back on it. I had the biggest smile I could give. Of course! Great Bike, great tires, and use all of what you have learned and good sense!

[Stef.]

All very valid points!
I agree with websterize, watch the other drivers very carefully. The other day I suddenly drove right into a rain storm which appeared literally from nowhere within seconds. The driver in front of me slammed on the brakes and came to a stand still for no particular other reason than the rain, and that on the motorway!
Just take it easy and drive slowly.
Stef.

[Patch]

A technique I read about and have tried is ... when the visor get covered with rain turning your head from side to side (maybe 20 degrees) gives the wind a sharp angle on the drops on the visor and pushes or clears the drops from ones vision. Works good unless in a heavy rain.

Robert

I agree with the advice... and i've been in the rain since picking up my bike last Saturday! Freaked me out a bit as i had "new-tire-fear" as well. I was fretting over the formula: new bike, new tires, crazy rain and 100+ hp.

This is my first ride with a windscreen (stock sport-screen) and i had accidentally stumbled upon the advice above... i was used to the wind clearing my face shield and on my ride home i couldnt see! Duh! turn your head, dummy i thought to myselfa nd i'll be damned it worked!

[Anyname]

My wet weather phobia concerns the wide reflective strips that the DOT paints on the road at intersections. I can feel my tires slip when I pass over a wet one. Gotta love that safety equipment. Angled railroad crossings can get exiting as well.

[bimmerguy]

Dude, force yourself to go riding in the rain.
All the tips above are right on, but new tech tires have a hard center section and grippy sides.
The front tire makes a drier spot for the rear tire to ride in.
I prefer metzler sport tech tires, i avoid dunlop and brigstones{bad experiences}
The tires will still warm up and get more grip even in the wet after a while.
Ck youtube for motogp in the rain, they do 170 in the wet.
Relax, breathe, easy on the controls.
Newtons law, things in motion tend to remain in motion, feel what the bike is doing and go with it.
I too was scared:
I rode from Dallas to Houston for prison ministry.
While down south, and ice storm hit Dallas and headed south.
We packed up and headed North. 35 degrees with freezing rain.
I thought : if they can stay up, so can I.
When we pulled over , the front of bike and helmet was covered with a sheet of ice, and I had not gone down, just slipped alot.
After that ride the rain is a blast with full face helmet, it's like you are riding in a bubble.