How far can you lean over in the Rain ?

I'm less confident with my new Diablo Stradas than I was with my Dunlops in the wet, possibly a confidence thing but I do feel it slipping a smidgen more.

I've been riding for over 30 years but only really enjoyed, or not been sh*t scared, going out in the rain since I've got the SV. Some of that comes from moving to the Midlands from Surrey. The traffic density is less so you have a chance to ride more smoothly and not keep having to brake. Also I always travel two-up so have a bit more weight on the rear tyre so the back brake is very effective. The worst things, IMO, are roundabouts. They are liable to be covered in slippery stuff and idiots still insist on pulling out in front of you. Went out last Sunday to Matlock in the pouring rain and overtook quite a few bikes who were pussyfooting about. I think you should just allow a lot more braking distance, travel in a lower gear, and try and ignore the fact it's raining. Oh I've got diablos on mine. Seem pretty good.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by 21QUEST

Down changes I use the slipping clutch method(as I do in the dry really).Prefer that to blipping

Explain please?

Originally Posted by Stu

Explain please?

Blipping - as you're slowing down, yank your wrist a little to get engine speed to equal road speed, and push the lever down, pop, into gear. I've done it on the CG, wouldn't do it on the SV, even the CG reacted like a bull at a rodeo when it was done wrong.

Clutch slip - the normal, mortal way.

No, blipping is normal. Really.


.

Most of this depends on the amount of rain. A wet road with half decent tyres lean angles are fine within head banging knee down limits anyway. Then Stuff a downpour into the equasion and the whole thing changes. I

ts been said before that the wet roads will accentuate the differring road surfaces and that's completely valid. Another point is that water runs down hill (not rocket science right) so you have to be more aware of puddles at the bottom of hills.

Oh and if its raining the angle of lean will be dictated by visability, hence the difference between wet riding and a downpour.

Sorry if this sound common sense but as somone who's ridden the best part of 8K miles in 5 months in dry conditions, a persistant storm on the M4 when you have the bike booked in for it service 20 miles away really does illustrate the above.

Hope this helps

Bottom line, gotta be smoother on a wet road. That includes throttle, steering and using the brakes (50% each remember )

Originally Posted by Exi

I'm less confident with my new Diablo Stradas than I was with my Dunlops in the wet, possibly a confidence thing but I do feel it slipping a smidgen more.

Sure I saw you the other week in Callander. Yours unfaired?

BTW - I have stradas on and I've been out in the wet loads of times. 1 squillion times better than the stock 220s which slid in all weathers.

Originally Posted by jonboy

No, blipping is normal. Really.

Me thought so too. I like blipping, I like blipping, I like blipping cause I like to blip