RiDE Magazine (not a Porno)

Wonda-Boy

Latest issue has a couple of sections dedicated to wet weather riding (braking, throttle etc) do's and dont's and how to maintain the bike in winter months. So I taught it would be fitting to stick it up for anyone new to biking or wants a few tips from the pro's.

Also a good read on how to keep the battery in tip top condition....worth the read this month.;)

Green ZZR1400 on the cover.

Mr Sheen!

I will read yours when your finished . . .

Please Kill Me

I always like RiDE magazine as a bike mag. No bull****, just bike stuff, bike gear tested in the real world and bikes tested on the roads, not a track.

As for riding in the rain, there are loads of tips including....

"Like most other things in life, braking in the wet is straightforward if you plan ahead.

The first part of the plan is to practice applying the brakes on a traffic-free stretch of road with a consistent road surface.

Start out slowly, focussing on the front brake and building up the lever pressure gradually so that you get more and more of a feel for the power of your brakes and the feel of the tyre on the road.

When a tyre is getting close to skidding it loses speed rapidly before lock up.

If you are focussed on your braking you'll feel it in your hands and all you've got to do is release lever pressure and the tyre will speed up and you'll continue to slow down in control.

And the great thing about the wet is that although the ultimate limit is earlier, the zone when it starts to break away is wider so you've got more time to react.

But that doesn't mean you can ride up close to other vehicles because the fact is they can stop harder than you can and if you don't leave plenty of room ahead you could be picking your bike up off the floor, so make sure you plan to have plenty of distance between you and other vehicles.

Be smoother too, as sudden changes of input will unsettle your bike and make it harder for you to keep that vital feel for what's happening under your backside.

When you are braking more smoothly and gently in the wet that will bring your rear brake into play more as there’s less weight transfer, so get a feel for that too, making sure the pedal is positioned just under the sole of your boot."

But don't forget, we're not just riding in the rain, but in the dark too. Tips on night-riding?

According to numerous studies, the number one cause for motorcycle accidents — day or night — is drivers who failed to see the motorcyclist they turned in front of. At night however, the risks are even higher on a motorcycle because not only is the visibility of the other drivers hindered, but yours as the rider is as well. Fortunately, there are a number of tricks and techniques for riding at night that will increase your chances of arriving at your destination safely.

Let’s start with the gear. While your black jacket-and-pant combo may look stylish during the day, at night you will blend into the darkness like a chameleon in the wild. Wearing bright gear will not only guarantee that other drivers will see you, but will without question increase your presence on the road. Simply wearing a fluorescent yellow jacket won’t exactly cut it either; you will additionally want to make sure that the jacket has a sufficient amount of reflective piping and fabric. It is important to also consider wearing a helmet, pants or gloves that are also bright in color and feature reflective fabric. Making yourself even more visible on the road can be accomplished by applying reflective tape to visible areas of your motorcycle — such as the wheels or fairings.

While the major concern at night is making sure other drivers see you clearly, another concern is with making sure you see clearly. This means that the dark shield you were sporting on your last day-ride should be swapped out for a clear one — and one that is scratch free, as one with scuffs can distort the light. If you’d rather pass on the shield swaps, you can also look into the new transitional faceshields that many helmet manufacturers are now offering which transition from smoke to clear as the sun’s light fades away.

On the road, it’s fair to say that your motorcycle’s lights are your next saving grace. That said, prior to taking off on any night ride — or any ride for that matter — double check to make certain your headlights, taillights, brake light, and turn signals are all working properly. At night especially, your brake light and turn signals are your way of forewarning other drivers of your intentions; attempting to ride without either light functioning properly puts you at risk, both from other drivers and law enforcement. Aftermarket brake light and headlight bulbs are an option too if you are looking to increase your presence on the road at night. Be wary though of bulbs and set-ups (such as HIDs) that can be both detrimental to your electrical system and illegal (non DOT approved).

Aside from increasing your presence on the road, it is extremely important that at night you adapt your riding and increase your awareness. On poorly lit sections of road especially, the best option is to ride slower than you would during the day, as that will give you more time to react to any hazards on the road. This is especially the case if you find yourself on a section of road that you have not ridden before, as you can’t be sure of what you’ll find around the next corner.

Another important thing to remember the next time you find yourself cruising down the road late at night is to increase your following distance. While just one or two seconds following distance is normally optimum, try giving the car or bike in front of you a three- to four-second gap.

In order to get a better view of the road ahead you can also use the light from the headlights of the car in front of you; just be careful to avoid tailgating and leave optimum amount of room to make necessary avoidance maneuvers. Also, if you find yourself in a lane or section of road that is poorly lit, don’t be afraid to make a lane change or put yourself in an area where you will be better seen by others on the road. And although this is a hotly debated subject, we recommend running with your high beam on, so long as you are not following anyone and there is no oncoming traffic. Doing so will give you a much better field of view.

Although a distraction at times, the headlights, taillights and brake lights of the cars on the road can be a great aid to you at night as they give you an indication of what the driver up front is doing or what hazards you may be coming up on. If you see a car’s headlights bounce up and down for instance, that is usually a good indication that there is a bump in the road; slow down or change your position in the road accordingly. Additionally, be sure to pay attention to the brake lights and turn signals of the cars around you so that you are aware of the driver’s intentions to slow, stop or change lanes. Also, scan the road for headlights peeking out from side streets or driveways; a driver looking to pull out onto the road may not see you and could possibly pull in front of you. Slowing down to a speed that allows quick action is the best option until you can be certain the driver has spotted you.

The bottom line is that night riding can be dangerous. But in time, you will find that riding at night can offer a totally different experience on a motorcycle. Prepare yourself by wearing the proper gear, making yourself more visible and increasing your awareness and you will better enjoy the experience, and in a safer fashion.