Riding in the rain - Revision history

Bokonon at 17:44, 18 October 2011

2011-10-18T17:44:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:44, 18 October 2011
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	*Road oils rising to surface when rain first starts		*Road oils rising to surface when rain first starts
	*Manhole covers, painted lines, steel grates and railroad tracks		*Manhole covers, painted lines, steel grates and railroad tracks
	*Puddles in the slow lanes (near the gutters)
	*Reduced visibility (for you ''and'' other vehicles)		*Reduced visibility (for you ''and'' other vehicles)
	*Hypothermia (cold weather and/or long trips)		*Hypothermia (cold weather and/or long trips)
			*Puddles: in the slow lanes (near the gutters) and elsewhere (can hide potholes)

	Other stuff:		Other stuff:

Bokonon: /* Bike operation */

2011-10-18T04:58:01Z

Bike operation

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:58, 18 October 2011
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	==Bike operation==		==Bike operation==

	Have the bike in a lower gear for corners (but don’t bog the engine). This provides more linear throttle control, for improved throttle steering and front/rear weight distribution control. The key is to have the bike in whatever gear will allow the motor to work at an rpm that ~~allows for~~ the most even and linear delivery of power to the rear wheel.		Keep the bike in whatever gear will allow the motor to work at an rpm that provides the most even and linear delivery of power to the rear wheel. No bogging the engine, no quick revving. This provides more linear throttle control, for improved throttle steering and front/rear weight distribution control.

	Minimize shifting while riding contiguous corners. Use smooth roll up and roll down, keeping the engine in its sweet spot and minimizing instantaneous tire loading.		Minimize shifting while riding contiguous corners. Use smooth roll up and roll down, keeping the engine in its sweet spot and minimizing instantaneous tire loading.

Bokonon at 14:03, 17 October 2011

2011-10-17T14:03:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:03, 17 October 2011
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	Things to definitely watch out for:		Things to definitely watch out for:

	*Greatly increased stopping distance ~~- If you lock the brake(s) and one of the tires slides, you'll go down.~~		*Greatly increased stopping distance
	*Road oils rising to surface when rain first starts		*Road oils rising to surface when rain first starts
	*Manhole covers, painted lines, steel grates and railroad tracks		*Manhole covers, painted lines, steel grates and railroad tracks

Bokonon: /* Line selection */

2011-10-17T07:11:02Z

Line selection

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:11, 17 October 2011
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	Regularly scan well ahead to identify road obstacles (such as rocks, branches, or wet leaves) early enough to have time to adjust accordingly. Also scan road surfaces just ahead of you for previously undetected “gotchas”.		Regularly scan well ahead to identify road obstacles (such as rocks, branches, or wet leaves) early enough to have time to adjust accordingly. Also scan road surfaces just ahead of you for previously undetected “gotchas”.

	Never fight physics. Immediately upon sensing the slightest of tire slippage while cornering, give physics what it wants by allowing the bike's line to drift slightly outward - just enough for that extra energy to release. The moment the tire regains ~~1-to-1~~ grip, return to focusing on keeping the bike on a slightly adjusted version of the original target line.		Never fight physics. Immediately upon sensing the slightest of tire slippage while cornering, give physics what it wants by allowing the bike's line to drift slightly outward - just enough for that extra energy to release. The moment the tire regains grip, return to focusing on keeping the bike on a slightly adjusted version of the original target line.

	==Bike setup==		==Bike setup==

Bokonon: /* Braking */

2011-10-17T07:07:12Z

Braking

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:07, 17 October 2011
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	==Braking==		==Braking==

	Do all actual slowing-down braking while the bike is straight up and down (no [[Trail Braking\|trail braking).		Do all actual slowing-down braking while the bike is straight up and down (no [[Trail Braking\|trail braking]]).

	Be 100% off the front brake before turning into corners.		Be 100% off the front brake before turning into corners.

Bokonon: /* Bike and body positioning */

2011-10-17T07:05:17Z

Bike and body positioning

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:05, 17 October 2011
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	Keep the bike as vertical as possible while cornering. Use less bike lean angle by getting your body position shifted an exaggerated amount off the inside for turns. Only do this if you already know how in the dry. [[Shifting body weight for a turn\|Practice]]. Despite some body shifting off the bike, keep your shoulders square with the handlebars while making steering inputs.		Keep the bike as vertical as possible while cornering. Use less bike lean angle by getting your body position shifted an exaggerated amount off the inside for turns. Only do this if you already know how in the dry. [[Shifting body weight for a turn\|Practice]]. Despite some body shifting off the bike, keep your shoulders square with the handlebars while making steering inputs.

	Position your inside shoulder low and pointed to the inside of the turn, stretching forward and inward towards the desired target for corner exit. Consciously position your outside forearm and elbow up high ([http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Spies "Ben Spies style]") for better steering control during cornering.		Position your inside shoulder low and pointed to the inside of the turn, stretching forward and inward towards the desired target for corner exit. Consciously position your outside forearm and elbow up high ([http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Spies "Ben Spies style"]) for better steering control during cornering.

	[[image: Ben_Spies_Sears_Point_2005.jpg\|150px]]		[[image: Ben_Spies_Sears_Point_2005.jpg\|150px]]

Bokonon: /* Bike and body positioning */

2011-10-17T07:04:28Z

Bike and body positioning

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:04, 17 October 2011
Line 54:		Line 54:
	Keep the bike as vertical as possible while cornering. Use less bike lean angle by getting your body position shifted an exaggerated amount off the inside for turns. Only do this if you already know how in the dry. [[Shifting body weight for a turn\|Practice]]. Despite some body shifting off the bike, keep your shoulders square with the handlebars while making steering inputs.		Keep the bike as vertical as possible while cornering. Use less bike lean angle by getting your body position shifted an exaggerated amount off the inside for turns. Only do this if you already know how in the dry. [[Shifting body weight for a turn\|Practice]]. Despite some body shifting off the bike, keep your shoulders square with the handlebars while making steering inputs.

	Position your inside shoulder low and pointed to the inside of the turn, stretching forward and inward towards the desired target for corner exit. Consciously position your outside forearm and elbow up high (~~i.e.~~ [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Spies "Ben Spies style]"), for better steering control during cornering.		Position your inside shoulder low and pointed to the inside of the turn, stretching forward and inward towards the desired target for corner exit. Consciously position your outside forearm and elbow up high ([http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Spies "Ben Spies style]") for better steering control during cornering.

	[[image: Ben_Spies_Sears_Point_2005.jpg\|150px]]		[[image: Ben_Spies_Sears_Point_2005.jpg\|150px]]

Bokonon at 07:00, 17 October 2011

2011-10-17T07:00:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:00, 17 October 2011
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	*Reduced visibility (for you ''and'' other vehicles)		*Reduced visibility (for you ''and'' other vehicles)
	*Hypothermia (cold weather and/or long trips)		*Hypothermia (cold weather and/or long trips)
	*Replace your tires in a timely manner (rain or no rain)

	~~Pick a rainy Saturday and go to an empty parking lot. Practice turning, leaning, and (very) slow (rear wheel) skids.~~		Other stuff:

	See these articles for helmet-related rain tips:		*Replace your tires in a timely manner (rain or no rain)
			*Get some [[Rain gear]]
			*See these articles for helmet-related rain tips:

	:[[Helmet Hints & Tips]]		:[[Helmet Hints & Tips]]
	:[[Defogging the visor]]		:[[Defogging the visor]]

			Pick a rainy Saturday and go to an empty parking lot. Practice turning, leaning, and (very) slow (rear wheel) skids.

	==Bike control inputs==		==Bike control inputs==

Bokonon: /* Bike control inputs */

2011-10-17T06:51:27Z

Bike control inputs

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:51, 17 October 2011
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	Avoid a “death grip” on the bars, keeping your hands consciously loose and relaxed at all times. Think of your grips as if you’re holding a marshmallow.		Avoid a “death grip” on the bars, keeping your hands consciously loose and relaxed at all times. Think of your grips as if you’re holding a marshmallow.

	~~====~~While Cornering~~====~~		While Cornering:

	* Support 90% of your weight with your legs (your butt should be just skimming the seat) via your feet on the footpegs. Done properly, a day of riding hard in the rain will leave your thigh muscles aching the next day.		* Support 90% of your weight with your legs (your butt should be just skimming the seat) via your feet on the footpegs. Done properly, a day of riding hard in the rain will leave your thigh muscles aching the next day.

Bokonon at 06:50, 17 October 2011

2011-10-17T06:50:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:50, 17 October 2011
Line 8:		Line 8:
	Things to definitely watch out for:		Things to definitely watch out for:

	*Greatly increased stopping distance (~~do not want to risk a lockup~~, ~~obviously)~~		*Greatly increased stopping distance - If you lock the brake(s) and one of the tires slides, you'll go down.
	*Road oils rising to surface (when rain first starts)		*Road oils rising to surface when rain first starts
	*Manhole covers, painted lines, steel grates and railroad tracks		*Manhole covers, painted lines, steel grates and railroad tracks
	*Puddles in the slow lanes (near the gutters)		*Puddles in the slow lanes (near the gutters)
	*Reduced visibility (~~watch out~~ for ~~the cages~~)		*Reduced visibility (for you ''and'' other vehicles)
	*Hypothermia (cold weather and/or long trips)		*Hypothermia (cold weather and/or long trips)
	*Replace tires in a timely manner (~~should be done regardless of~~ rain).		*Replace your tires in a timely manner (rain or no rain)

	Pick a rainy Saturday and go to an empty parking lot. Practice turning, leaning, and (very) slow (rear wheel) skids.		Pick a rainy Saturday and go to an empty parking lot. Practice turning, leaning, and (very) slow (rear wheel) skids.