Riding On Wet Surfaces

[9tda1dr]

I'm under 150 miles as a Spyder owner and was wondering how well the Spyder handles on wet surfaces. For sake of my "broad question," I'm talking about riding on improved, level roads during conventional precipitation (e.g. not a down pour, but a "normal" rainfall).

If so inclined, comment on other types of precipitation as well (during and after).

I thought about going out to a nearby parking lot (with approval, and all of the safety related issues addressed) following a conventional rain and just practice stopping and swerving. No, I haven't completed the Spyder recommended training (per the manual). What I have been doing is riding short distances on the backroads where I live (little to no traffic, but plenty of curves and straight roads; no traffic lights).

Thanks to all in advance.

Jack

[SPYD3R]

SAFETY FIRST.....
our SPYD3Rs have relatively no issues on damp to water running on the road surfaces... keep your speed down, and be aware that a lot of throttle is NOT A GOOD IDEA... you need to TEST yourself... during rain, find an empty parking lot, and play with your new toy... you'll soon find out that these will hydro-plane and the rear tire WILL break loose.... keep in mind that there is not a lot of weight back there...
learn about your ride, and enjoy it...
Dan P
SPYD3R

[Chupaca]

now-a-days tires come into play. Many have changed to other brands. I do ryde Kendas and they do well. Just give it time for the rain to wash off the surface goop before you get to going to fast. Really same safety you use in your car with the added fact you are out there.... getting rained on....

[AeroPilot]

As we are into our second significant snowfall of the season and as eloquently conveyed by Trooper Lewis, the Secret to driving on slick roads..

https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoSta...6355953072229/

[Deer Slayer]

SAFETY FIRST.....
our YD3Rs have relatively no issues on damp to water running on the road surfaces... keep your speed down, and be aware that a lot of throttle is NOT A GOOD IDEA... you need to TEST yourself... during rain, find an empty parking lot, and play with your new toy... you'll soon find out that these will hydro-plane and the rear tire WILL break loose.... keep in mind that there is not a lot of weight back there...
learn about your ride, and enjoy it...
Dan P
SPYD3R

Amen on hydroplane! However, one must learn to ryde on wet roads. Take it slow and easy. I rode half way across Tennessee last May. And today I rode on snow packed roads. Lit all the lights and went to limp mode!
Nanny may never speak to me again. And fore ya'll start, I did not ryde on a salty road.

[9tda1dr]

As we are into our second significant snowfall of the season and as eloquently conveyed by Trooper Lewis, the Secret to driving on slick roads..

https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoSta...6355953072229/

Loved the video; shared in on my FB page. THANKS.

[WackyDan]

With the stock Kendas you will hydroplane the rear. Done it many times... even a couple on purpose. Sypder is fairly predictable when hydroplaning the rear as long as the fronts stay planted. I've only had one very bad experience hitting some standing water at speed and got lucky... But without having done it many times before, I might have done something in a panic and been unlucky.

I've also had the fronts hydroplane which is more of a consider. You get different feedback from the spyder when that happens.

Since I made the switch years ago to quality car tires, I haven't hydroplaned at all under the same conditions.

As for wet traction, your tires will dictate that. Some feel a bit greasy on wet roads when starting from a dead stop and you can spin them up easily. The one I have now is perhaps the best tire I've had (not made anymore) and it sticks really well even in wet conditions.

So... As someone who has done a lot of spyder riding in the rain and some bad storms at that, the Spyder handles it pretty much like any other vehicle. You can vastly improve on that by changing out the Kendas when they are ready to be replaced with some cars tires that are good tires (some people buy the car tires as they are cheaper - I suggest you buy the right tire which may be only $20 more). Ride or drive your spyder with the same wet weather caution you would your car and you'll be fine.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

If you now have car tires .... I highly recommend 21 psi ( cold )(For rear tire ) .... Car tires are meant to carry a much heavier load and rated as such .... So to get the SIPES to work at their optimum this lower pressure is necessary .... Mike

[blacklightning]

And today I rode on snow packed roads. Lit all the lights and went to limp mode!
Nanny may never speak to me again. And fore ya'll start, I did not ryde on a salty road.

You need to live closer to me. I posted on my local facebook spyder group about riding today, but no one took me up on the idea.
But really, the salt is already down in my area, and I wouldn't do that to my baby.

[HayRog]

As we are into our second significant snowfall of the season and as eloquently conveyed by Trooper Lewis, the Secret to driving on slick roads..

https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoSta...6355953072229/

LOL
As soon as he said "secret" I knew ....

[Oldmanzues]

As we are into our second significant snowfall of the season and as eloquently conveyed by Trooper Lewis, the Secret to driving on slick roads..

https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoSta...6355953072229/

The "hidden truth" is revealed here

[Bob Denman]

Rain happens...
Just slow down, and you'll be fine!

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Don't be shocked when, if you hydroplane unexpectedly, you feel and see cruise control suddenly disengage. Nanny is quick to turn of CC when the tires start slipping around or spinning loosely.

[dlby]

With a passenger on Ive went through quite a bit of all types of rain & wind. Pretty impressed with the rt! Even better since yokahama s drive rear tyre.
Rode wings & lots of HD before that. Wind & rain not even close to feeling as safe.
But I love em all

I love R&R put another dime in the jukebox baby!

[Bob Denman]

I see that a lot of folks are cautioning you strongly about the potential for hydroplaning...
IF YOU SIMPLY SLOW DOWN: nothing bad will happen to you.

It's that simple!

There's virtually no vehicle and tire combination, that is 100% guaranteed to never "walk on water"...
You just have to do your part.

[oldguyinTX]

Did anyone else notice that the image in the video was reversed? Look at his left side - right side on your screen - and you can see that his name tag "Lewis" is reversed.

[murphybrown]

Yes, I've experienced hydroplaning....simple solution...slooooow down. But I have also discovered that road surfaces can contribute to hydroplaning....for example WYOMING roads are realllllly slick....many times I'm on WY rainy roads and slowed down...cross onto Montana roads and no issue can kick the throttle up. So for me I never put all my eggs in one basket...If it's raining...after I gear up (delicate flower that I am!! )...I get a feel for the road surface...but only on rare occasions am I in such a rush that I'm not willing to slow to the conditions. Having ryding even when it is raining. Remember the show SINGING IN THE RAIN? I take on that attitude...

[cognaccruiser]

Hydroplaning can happen and speed will be a one big factor in determining that BUT I don't think you should become paranoid about it. If I was not experienced on riding the Spyder and other 2 wheeled touring bikes and read this thread, I might get overly concerned.
Yes, slow down some and get a feel for your Spyder in the rain but don't be terrified that at any moment you might start to hydroplane cause you won't enjoy your ryde very much. Just take it easy.
There are things that can be factored in. The amount of tread on your tires have can factor into it so if you are on new tires you will be a little less likely than on older worn tires regardless of the brand.
Particularly in areas that don't get much rain or after any prolonged dry spell, the roads will get a coating of dust and oil/grease. If the rain is light and/or has just started, these roads will be far worse than after it has rained for a while and the oily coating has washed off so keep that in mind.
Watch out for standing water and puddles. Hitting those too fast can cause problems so if you see that coming ease off the throttle and try to slow a little if you can.
Another thing is that because our Spyders have 3 tracks instead of 1 for bikes and 2 for other vehicles you are constantly dealing with watching all 3 but that usually means that your rear wheel is on a bit of a center crown. That crown is usually the oiliest. Many roads end up with ruts caused by 2 track traffic and that is where your 2 front tires will be and they can, if deep enough, collect water. I usually in rain try to move just a little right or left of the tracks to avoid the heaviest pooling. I don't obsess over any of this but just try to make it a little less likely to have a problem.
Mostly just do what you are doing and get experience in the rain. It has never stopped most of us from our travels.
Enjoy your new Spyder.

Gary

[dieselengine9]

I had made 1 long trip in the rain and got caught in 1 downpour that I wasn't expecting (got drenched before I could find a place to stop and get out the rain gear lol)

My RS handled better than I expected. If you slow down and watch what you're doing you'll be fine.

Try to get your gear on before it rains though lol

[Bob Denman]

Keep your "eyes on the skies".

[Bob Denman]

Learning To Ride In The Rain.jpg

[AeroPilot]

and I have been afraid to get "down" on the brakes on wet and slick roadways. So far the Spyder has given me better confidence in wet conditions, and I am glad to have nanny there to keep me in line should one of the three wheels start slipping and not equal the others' rpms. I've usually felt this when the lane tracks start filling with water on older "furrowed" roads, and just another reminder to SLOW down. Overall, the driver protection from the elements and nanny along with the three wheels makes for a better ryde even in the rain!

[9tda1dr]

I really appreciate all the good advice. The overall agreement was SLOW DOWN and that's what I'll do.

Thanks again!

Jack

[DJFaninTN]

I really appreciate all the good advice. The overall agreement was SLOW DOWN and that's what I'll do.

Thanks again!

Jack

and don't forget to wave to all the two wheelers who are pulled over and waiting for the rain to quit ..

[ARtraveler]

The Spyder will hydroplane--if you open up the proper gateways. There is at least a half page in the manual giving all the warnings including not to operate the Spyder in snow conditions.

Driving through any standing water in inch deep or more and at a speed of over 50 mph will both kick it in. I have had this happen to me twice in 130,000 miles. Nanny, saved my bacon both times. It was a big wake up when it happened on the highway at 65 mph for the first time.

Alaska is one of the few states that allows the use of studded tires. The downside is that they cut channels in the asphalt and the whole highway needs to be re-paved every three years or so or the channels fill will rain every time it happens. With major budgetary issues this last season--there was very little repaving.