Quote:
Originally Posted by Stitchawl
You sound like my mother... 
Rain generally isn't a problem for motorcycles. We use different tires than cars use. It's actually much easier to skid on wet surfaces in a car than on a motorcycle. They were probably more worried about you! I ride almost every day of the year here in Japan, missing only a day or two if it snows. And it rains here a lot. I NEVER ride without having my rain suit in my saddle bags.
The rubber used to make motorcycle tires is more 'sticky' than the material used for car tires. And the tread of a motorcycle tire isn't for traction as it is on a car. It's to channel the water out from under the tires to keep from hydroplaneing. As long as the bike tire tread is OK, there is little danger of skidding in the rain. In fact, in 40+ years of motorcycle touring, I can't remember EVER skidding on wet surfaces (except for the painted white lines in Japan! I think they mix their paint with KY Jelly! When they get wet, it's a wild ride!)
Just give the bikers room. They will be OK. Honest.
Stitchawl |
But mud on the tires will put you down. That's what did it for me; I came off a wet muddy dirt road onto asphalt and hit the throttle. Next thing I knew I was eating asphalt!
Road rash SUX!
