Some think sportsbike riders are just fair-weather nobbers, who run for cover when it rains.

This is true. (In my case)

Most sportsbikes put out at least 400bhp per ton, including rider. Its no fun in the wet, and as bikes cost loads to get pretty again when they fall over, whats the point?

Subaru's are fast, wet or dry.

Bikes are MUCH faster in the dry. AND its worth the wait - every time.

Thats why we do it :-)



[Edited by .justin. - 9/6/2003 8:17:25 PM]

No need for all the factions.

Plastic rockets, tourers, 'Wings, Jap-cruisers, Super-motos, trailies, Beemers, Pans, Retro's, street-fighters even scooters, they've all got two wheels, they're all great fun.

End of.

Who says riding in the rain is no fun.

With gortex clothing and thermal liners and heated grips, even down to minus 5 I get where I want warm and dry. Below minus 5 my hands do get a bit cold but until it gets below minus 10 it is not too bad.

As for grip, its all to do with distribution of load. Having a very small contact patch actual helps in the wet as you get better traction. Look at rally cars, the slippery it gets the narrower the tyres they fit. All you need to do is make no sudden changes in either power deliver or direction and you can still get your knee down even when it is pissing down with rain.

And for the record, my bike develops 550 bhp per ton.

The bottom line is that I would rather take the bike regardless of the weather than sit in a traffic jam in the car.

Home to work is 40 Miles of mainly 70 MPH roads and takes 45 minutes on the bike door to door. The car takes 90 to 120 minutes depending on traffic and the train takes over 120 minutes and that is if they bother to run.

as above - nothing wrong with riding in the rain...so long as you're 'properly dressed' and know what you're doing in the wet.

not everyone's cup of tea though, I accept, but its only water after all...and the bike won't suffer so long as you look after it.

I agree - I like riding in the rain from time to time - it's a different kind of fun and with modern kit, I never get cold or wet. If you ride properly, you don't really have to change your riding style at all, you just have to feed things in a little slower. You can't put the bike away for a whole winter, it's far too long!!! :D:D

BTW, any Sports bike will have at least 600bhp/tonne (mine has 680 and a GSXR1000 880 :eek::eek::D:D:D ) and even a "slow" heavy tourer like a Pan still has 360bhp/tonne!!!! :D:D:D

Matt :)

Yes you can quite happily ride in the rain - but I prefer to be in a warm car. Grip is available but not as much as in the dry. The bigger problems come when emergency movements are needed. Then the precautions you mention are not available and it is much more dangerous.

Overall I still ride in the rain sometimes but generally choose not to. Also for me the winter is more about the dark mornings - my commute is at 5-30/6am and it is now getting too dark - I dont like riding in the dark. I am sure you all love it though, which obviously means I'm not a real Biker etc etc

Totally agree with revitt - currently do 15k miles a year all year commuting on a bike and given the correct clothing etc is no problem at all, currently feel that I will never go back to a car.

I have to admit though my 135bhp V-twin only comes out on sunny days but the 100bhp VFR has been on ice/snow on a number of occaisions.

My old MY99 was quick ......for a car but you always hit traffic and the not superbike fast VFR is as quick as a new 911 turbo (recently tested by my goodself) accelerating from 45mph - 130mph so bikes rule !!

Currently have a new Pan European today and as was said earlier the bike is irrelevant, I am having a ball on it.

I dont like riding in the dark. I am sure you all love it though, which obviously means I'm not a real Biker etc etcThat's right Trigger, you ARE NOT a REAL biker ;););):p:p:D:D

Seriously though, I don't like riding in the dark either as you have to ride too slow because the lack of good vision. I'd rather ride in the wet any day.

Matt :)

I ride a supersports bike and I wouldn't go out in the rain given the choice, Why ? I don't like getting wet simple. If I'm out on the bike and the skys open up, I accept it put on my wets and carry on. My last drenching was on an advanced training day at the end of July near Reading and I rode back to Swindon on the M4 in torrential rain and standing water in all 3 lanes (I was cruising between 80-100). It didn't slow me down but given the choice i'd rather do that in the confines of my car.
I've been riding long enough now to make a decision on when I like to ride and not and the ones who come up with the dopey 'oh your not a real biker' comments are just talking out of their @rse, and are most likely looking through rose tinted glasses at the GT250/Superdream type bike they had on L- Plates 20+ years ago (Ride a new Supersports bike and it will open your eyes;)).

I do ride through the winter normally though but will probably stop when they grit the roads as it makes such a mess of the ally.

Yeah well I have always rode bikes and either drive the thing all year round or don't bother, you're not real men!!!!!!



Hello to my hero MEGA

I tend to ride the bikes not drive them (subtle difference)

Fair-weather rider and proud of it :p:D

I'd be a (mainly) fair weather rider.....if I still had a bike. :rolleyes: :(

Quote - "I've been riding long enough now to make a decision on when I like to ride and not and the ones who come up with the dopey 'oh your not a real biker' comments are just talking out of their @rse"

Would that be like the dopey ZX6 riders labeling CBR6 riders 'pipe and slippers brigade' then Ash? ;):D

FWIW, I ride all year round in all weathers (I do 16K miles per year on the bike) but if I get the choice I'll take the car if it's raining. Most pillock car drivers have enough difficulty seeing you in broad daylight let alone when the wipers are going and the windows are steamed up.

Would that be like the dopey ZX6 riders labeling CBR6 riders 'pipe and slippers brigade' then Ash?

I take it your not a regular member of the www.cbr600.org.uk (http://www.morrisdancing.org)website then Steve ?

don't make a point of going out on the bike in the rain, but won't be bothered if i get caught in a down pour..

Much more fun in the dry and less risk of throwing your pride and joy down the road when some tosser in a tin box pulls out in front of you..

Er, no!

pmsl @ Steve :D

Heres the real link (http://www.cbr600.org.uk) They have 600 or so members, so theres always something going on, but a fair few of them have registered with the www.mcnninjas.co.uk (http://www.mcnninjas.co.uk) as we have done with them. This CBR/Ninja banter between the two sites has a long history and shouldn't be read into too deeply.

I've served my time commuting on bikes when I was younger and still don't mind riding in the rain, it's a good excuse to practice being smooth and controlled. But bugger doing it every day while I don't have to, it sucks.

Best thing to do.... is buy a bike for the dry ;)..

.. and a scooby for when it p's it down :)

Jza

....exactly what I did!!!:)

I think it's what a lot of us did - but not necessarily for the same reasons....;):):D

I used to like riding my R6 in the rain as it lets you spin the rear in relative safety, but i don't recommend riding in -6 temps especially on a R6 as they suffer badly from carb icing in those temps lol.