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Post by halosfan06 on Sept 12, 2008 9:54:44 GMT -5
I got the scoot in June. I live in CA where it rarely rains. I am trying to plan for the winter when it will eventually rain a little bit. Now I have to decide if I should ride the scoot in the rain or make it difficult on the wife by driving her to and from work and trading cars with family members.
What is it like riding a scoot in the rain? They told us in the MSF that braking/acceleration is affected slightly while cornering is affected drastically. Would it be comparable to riding on a tiny bit of sand or more like a greased cookie sheet where I can't stay in the vertical? Suggestions from those who've actually ridden in the rain before...
;D
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Scooter Moran
Junior Dawg
Traveling the globe at 30 mph, weather permitting!
Posts: 6
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Post by Scooter Moran on Sept 12, 2008 12:37:48 GMT -5
In New England the weather can be unpredictable, especially at this time of year. I've been through three surprise rains storms and here's what I do.
Braking will be more challenging. Go easy on the brakes and gradually build pressure until you stop. Cornering is the trickiest part. I tend to "creep" thru the corners. Sometimes the cars behind will get a little agitated, but at least I'm still vertical! It becomes second nature after a while. If in doubt, slow down!
Hope this helps.
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Post by harrywr2 on Sept 12, 2008 13:06:46 GMT -5
I live in Seattle...riding in the rain is just a fact of life. I wear a 3/4 helmet...anything over 35 MPH and rain hurts.
I've not noticed any real difference in normal braking. I'm sure I would if I had to stop quick.
As far as turns I just take it easy....no hard leans.
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Post by jayhawk on Sept 12, 2008 14:05:16 GMT -5
Be overly careful. I was out in mild sprinkles last night - not a lot, but the sprinkles were large...at 40 mph they stung (I wear a 3/4 helmet with shield) on my neck and lower jaw.
One big issue in places that don't get that much rain is that oil and grime build up, get wet, and then are as slick as snot. Corner very, very slowly and don't be surprised if you brake too hard you might physically slide on the oily surface a bit (so brake early).
You can buy nice emergency ponchos as Target and Walmart for about $7 bucks (not the cheap, clear ones, but the heavier duty colored ones...mine is blue) and they will fit easily in your underseat storage (they fold up exceptionally small and flat) and are great for unexpected rain.
Eric
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Post by pukame2 on Sept 13, 2008 21:57:25 GMT -5
Again, when it rains, I start home. When it rains, and I'm at home, I just plan on staying there and play with my computer.
I've a healthy respect for the slippery wet roads, so I ride slowly and safely whenever, and just enjoy riding another day.
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Post by spacecowboy on Sept 21, 2008 20:21:02 GMT -5
Those of us who yse scooters as our sole transport, dress appropriately, brake earlier, go slower, and try to be as visible as possible.
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Post by leo on Sept 22, 2008 1:11:33 GMT -5
What is it like riding a scoot in the rain? i wouldn't know, i've never ridden in the rain. my scoot will probably just lay down and die if i did. even right after it rains is no good for my scoot. maybe about 5 blocks and it will drown out. |
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Post by clown on Sept 25, 2008 8:19:01 GMT -5
I have been caught 2 times where I had to ride in the rain and at speed. Each time I had to keep pace with traffic at 45 or more and I can tell you it was scary. I was protected with full helmet and rain suit, but the roads are like patches of ice. In NW Ohio they patch blacktop roads with a very smooth patch material, especially the big cracks. This stuff is slippery! I could feel the tires slipping sideways (roads are mounded for rain run off) but because these patches are small I never went down, just scared the H out of me. I avoid wet roads as much as possible and take the cage if I think it may rain.
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Post by maxximo on Sept 30, 2008 3:07:03 GMT -5
I live in Oregon. where it rains 6months in a year. I have already dropped my scooter once white ridding in the rain. afterward I have decided not to ride in the rain ever again. so I check the weather every day. if its more than 20% chance of precipitation, I take the cage.
my butt is still sore from dropping it 2 weeks ago.
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Post by brickstore on Sept 30, 2008 7:31:52 GMT -5
I've gotten caught a couple of times. I usually try to take the cage if I think it might rain at all, but sometimes you just get stuck in it. I had NO problems braking or cornering. That said, I was riding much more carefully than normal.
I normally ride very carefully, but when I get caught in the rain I accelerate more slowly, I take turns MUCH slower (I'm hesitant to lean very far in the rain) and I brake really early. It's not like riding on ice or anything, you just have more of a chance of slipping.
Try to stay out of the right side of the lane. Roads are sloped down to the right, so the rain washes all of the debris, grease, and other crap onto the right side of the road. Interestingly, during rainy periods, most flat tires happen on the right side, cause that's where the crap is.
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Post by silver250ccbullet on Sept 30, 2008 14:31:50 GMT -5
IMO Rain isnt too difficult to get around in. What I cant stand is going 60mph when its raining (even just a little bit) and it feels like someone is opening up an aresnal of BB guns on you.
Just be careful cornering....slow down. Also when braking, brakes will be wet so give yourself some more distance.
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Post by brickstore on Sept 30, 2008 15:22:43 GMT -5
luckily armored jackets and full face helmets protect against many types of natural bullets  |
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Post by gottascoot on Oct 3, 2008 22:04:36 GMT -5
Watch out for man hole covers in curves, steel plates where work is underway and red brick roads-----WOW-----
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Post by anhoa on Oct 17, 2008 11:29:27 GMT -5
Things to AVOID in rain.
1. Pot holes and drain covers. (Slippery When Wet)
2. Center of the lane (oil from cars)
3. White/Yellow lane marker (SWW)
4. Tree leaves/branches (SWW)
5. Tailgate
6. Fast in turn
7. Split/share lane
8. Scream/Spit inside of your helmet shield.
9. Look/follow Chicks in another car.
10. Cops (they think your're nuts)
Anymore???
Anhoa
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Post by choirguy on Oct 23, 2008 13:38:14 GMT -5
Like another member, I live in the Seattle area. Even the weather people can't predict when it'll rain here. A commitment to scooting in Seattle is a commitment to riding in the rain! A Harley friend of mine told me to never worry about ticking off a cager because you're on two wheels. Always assume your brakes will respond slower and give yourself plenty of distance between you and everything. And because you should be going slower, give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination.
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Post by reborn on Mar 19, 2009 5:25:32 GMT -5
I've ridden in the rain every late winter spring. I just want to get out as soon as I can. Just be careful in the turns and braking. Better to get there late than dead.
God Bless.
Phil
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Post by spacecowboy on Mar 22, 2009 22:30:49 GMT -5
And if you have a CVT you can let that do some slowing down for you.
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Post by scootin4lyfe on Jun 8, 2009 18:25:36 GMT -5
I think I been caught in the rain twice now...Once while on the highway and once in town. As so many others have said, it hurts!!!! Other then that just give yourself plenty of time because even if you drive perfect in the rain, how many idiots in cars do you see in the ditch when the littlest rain starts? Those are the ones you gotta watch for, cause they will be the ones not only hurting themselves, but others as well.
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Post by titanrider2008 on Jun 9, 2009 20:45:08 GMT -5
I sometimes, well actually most of the time ride my scooter to work. The weather here in So. Ohio is very changable, if you don't like it wait 5 or 10 minutes and it will change. I've been caught in the rain, (actually a severe thunderstorm) once. I had a rain jacket and had on my open face helmet, the rain felt like sand hitting me in the face an by the time I got home I was drenched. But I still had fun riding. ;D ;D ;D
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Post by pensacolascoot on Jun 10, 2009 21:28:55 GMT -5
Things to AVOID in rain. Here's 2 more a) The white crosswalk markers. b) The oil in the road in California...after 7 mos. of no rain, the oil floats to the surface. Park your ride in the garage and don't ride. 1. Pot holes and drain covers. (Slippery When Wet) 2. Center of the lane (oil from cars) 3. White/Yellow lane marker (SWW) 4. Tree leaves/branches (SWW) 5. Tailgate 6. Fast in turn 7. Split/share lane 8. Scream/Spit inside of your helmet shield. 9. Look/follow Chicks in another car. 10. Cops (they think your're nuts) Anymore??? Anhoa |
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Post by scootermichael on Jul 11, 2009 10:17:43 GMT -5
I know this much about riding the scooter in the rain... Its not something I would plan to do.. I have been caught in the rain twice now on my scooter and both times with no rain gear... I have fixed that problem with cheap rain gear... I have a half helment and goggles, the rain does hurt very much when it hits your face at 35 mph or higher... Be extra careful about stopping and turning and look further than you normally do.. I've learned in the few months I have been scooting now that cars don't care about two wheelers.. So give yourself the extra cushion... It may just save your skin..
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Post by Chi Makwa on Aug 7, 2009 3:53:04 GMT -5
The advice I've read here so far seems fairly intuitive, though quite important. But what I'd like to know is whether anyone can tell me how to learn to handle my scoot in a skid -- safely. In a car it's a simple matter of going to an empty, slippery parking lot or a frozen lake and just going nuts. (The frozen lake thing is almost a rite of passage for Minnesota teenagers learning to drive a car.) But I can't see doing that on two wheels.
Any suggestions? I want to learn this skill before I need to use it in an emergency. Is that possible?
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Post by phaze on Aug 8, 2009 22:49:44 GMT -5
you want to learn how to control a skid? once the back end comes around your going down brace for impact? use just enough brake then let off and do it again while hoping for the best? this is what it looks like on a m/c, it would look very similar if your on your scoot, and this is driving from sun into a sun shower, so you can see i pull over to save my phone lol www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnfknoV9wOk |
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Post by zion89 on Sept 20, 2009 12:06:56 GMT -5
Yeah i live in Costa Rica wich is like raining 70% of the time, i use my scoot as my sole transport and riding in the rain has become like a must know for me. I had fell 2 times, the first in plain road when a MF just went crasy and entered my lane and it was a crash (no thks) or brake and fell then step up (that went fairly well). luckily im still alive lol, the second was giving a ride to my gf and in a turn she went crasy and the scoot went unstable since she was moving a lot so poof but nothing happened lol.
There's some simple things u have to do.
1. Take a lot more space betwen you and everything, cause if u have to brake fast, u cant since the scoot just continue even if u brake to a full, the best is to take ur space and brake very early and gradually or ur gonna french kiss the road (that if ur wise enough to not use the helmet i hope ur more intelligent than that XD).
2. As i said, brake early and gradually, dont ever ever brake at full or ur gonna fell, or ur scoot will go ahead till u hit something.
3. Have some rain gear even if its the cheap. the drops at medium speeds becomes like a BB gun fight.
4. If possible go alone no friends with u or the scoot will be extra unstable by the weight plus the road slippery makes it H dangerous, just do it if u must and u have exp controlling ur scoot if it goes berserk lol.
5. If u not have to go out and its raining, stay at home, better not to feel the murphy's law in action lol.
6. Be sure ur visible and beware other drivers since most ppl in cars dont bother in measuring the brake space in rain so maybe u brake but the creep behind u werent so carefull and poof ur at the hospital lol.
so guess thats it, i put this tips since i already have like 2 years exp in rainy driving so i can tell ITS SCARY lol
hope this helps a bit
greetings zion89
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Post by choirguy on Sept 23, 2009 12:25:00 GMT -5
Like harrywr2, I lvie in the Seattle area. A commitment to scooting here is a commitment to riding in the rain. Throttle back a little, don't take risks, and watch those turns (more upright than leaning). Oh and wear Gore-Tex. It'll keep you dry for the whole ride and you won't be reluctant to go out when it does rain. Be safe and have fun.
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Post by harrywr2 on Sept 23, 2009 13:41:52 GMT -5
The advice I've read here so far seems fairly intuitive, though quite important. But what I'd like to know is whether anyone can tell me how to learn to handle my scoot in a skid -- safely. Bicycle Physics... privon.com/archives/school/20033/seminar/bicycles.pdfIn order to keep the wheels centered under the bike one must constantly steer. The is the primary reason a moving bike stays up right...you are constantly steering in order to keep the wheels under the center of mass of the bike. (Cornering introduces other forces) If the front wheel is locked up you can no longer steer...and you are going to fall down and get a booboo. If you want to practice riding on less then perfect road conditions I suggest a poorly maintained gravel road or parking lot. Riders with dirt bike experience are significantly underrepresented in accident statistics. |
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Post by G-Bo on Sept 27, 2009 1:00:56 GMT -5
Great post. Riding in the rain makes me really nervous, but I've only been riding since 6/15/09. My first rain was a doozy-hail, 60 mph winds, and I was on the HOV lane. I had my rain jacket on and full helmet. Slowed to 40 mph(minimum speed posted) until I could get off. My advice is if you can avoid it, that's best. If you can't.. 1. 3/4 helmet minimum and check your scoot out prior to ensure your tires are at proper PSI. You need that traction to the road. 2. Rain Gear to cover top and bottom. Most of our scoots have space to keep these on-scoot. Consider it part of the emergency road kit. 3. I don't mind using my hazard lights in the rain. Helps to increase visibility. 4. Brake early and double your distance away from other vehicles if you can. 5. Prepare to stop and gradually apply brakes. 6. Take those turns slowly. Most of us scooterists have 10-12 inch rims, so we have less rubber contacting the road. 7. Find somewhere to pull into(car wash, garage) if it's going to be awhile. 8. Use the old fashion hand-turn signals to increase your visibility. 9. Enjoy a warm cup of chicken noodle when you get home....just for sentimental purpose.  |
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