PhatVR6 i have to say i really enjoy riding in the rain and there are loads of hints and tips you will pick up. I have to say that riding in the rain improves you riding ability ten fold.
My preference is for a two piece Hein Gericke water proofs that live under my seat and can he put on over my leathers, i always keep two platics supermarket bags and a pair of latex gloves under there too. Because if you get to work with wet goves and boots you can cover your feet and hands for the ride home and still wear the wet gear.
Wet weather riding....
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burty
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I used to commute in all weathers, in my experience Tyres make a big difference in the wet. Tyre Performance in the very cold are another learning experience. My Michelin's are excellent in both, it's why I won't use Bridgestones any more. Also many Roads tend to get much more slippery in the summer rain than in the winter.
As for wet weather gear, waterproof textile gear is the most versatile for a long commute as it does away with the need to carry additional waterproofs, and that "shall I/shan't I" stop decision when it starts raining. IME Goretex is the best, and normally guaranteed for 5 years, but can be expensive. I've bought cheaper but it never lasts. I have HG voyager trous, and a HG GTX (I think) jacket, Oxtar boots plus Waterproof 3 season gloves ALL are Goretex. I got sick of wet hands when it rained in the summer, which it does a lot when you commute, hence the gloves .
That said, I still like to ride in leathers and so for that I carry a waterproof oversuit, under the seat. Sometimes with a spare pair of gloves. I can get that in the standard TRX seat, but it's got more storage than many bikes. I have a one piece oversuit, but I absolutely hate it, and would rather get wet - I find that putting it on is a pain - works up a real sweat in the summer, and I can never get comfortable. I now opt for a two piece. I find that a camping type mac-in-a-sack in XL, is much cheaper than bike specific waterproofs, packs much smaller, and works just as well. Trousers can be bike specific or camping - they are the same essentially, so long as they go on over your boots.
One thing to remember when buying: Go for function over form - no bugger gives a toss what you look like when it's chucking it down with rain, car driver's limited observational skills go out of the window when it's raining anyway.
The other things to remember is, can you store it/carry it, and can you put it on over your leathers with your helmet on under a motorway bridge. If you can't don't bother.
Another use for the two carrier bags is to put them over your boots when putting waterproofs on - it helps no end.
As for wet weather gear, waterproof textile gear is the most versatile for a long commute as it does away with the need to carry additional waterproofs, and that "shall I/shan't I" stop decision when it starts raining. IME Goretex is the best, and normally guaranteed for 5 years, but can be expensive. I've bought cheaper but it never lasts. I have HG voyager trous, and a HG GTX (I think) jacket, Oxtar boots plus Waterproof 3 season gloves ALL are Goretex. I got sick of wet hands when it rained in the summer, which it does a lot when you commute, hence the gloves .
That said, I still like to ride in leathers and so for that I carry a waterproof oversuit, under the seat. Sometimes with a spare pair of gloves. I can get that in the standard TRX seat, but it's got more storage than many bikes. I have a one piece oversuit, but I absolutely hate it, and would rather get wet - I find that putting it on is a pain - works up a real sweat in the summer, and I can never get comfortable. I now opt for a two piece. I find that a camping type mac-in-a-sack in XL, is much cheaper than bike specific waterproofs, packs much smaller, and works just as well. Trousers can be bike specific or camping - they are the same essentially, so long as they go on over your boots.
One thing to remember when buying: Go for function over form - no bugger gives a toss what you look like when it's chucking it down with rain, car driver's limited observational skills go out of the window when it's raining anyway.
The other things to remember is, can you store it/carry it, and can you put it on over your leathers with your helmet on under a motorway bridge. If you can't don't bother.
Another use for the two carrier bags is to put them over your boots when putting waterproofs on - it helps no end.
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PhatVR6
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HolerTogni
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Hi Phat!PhatVR6 wrote:Tyres are Bridgestone Battlax 020's. They were brand new this summer.
Before my Michelins I also drove the 020 and were quite content with that in the rain (but the Pilot Power is way better).
Maybe at the moment of the wheel spin you were on a Diesel puddle
Spilled Diesel with (and without!!) rain on it is slippery as hell
So far non-slipping greetings from Munich!
Nothing against four cylinders:
Renault Trafic (TRiXie-Taxi) and
TRX 850 & Racetrack-TRiXie
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PhatVR6