Rain riding

[rugercharger]

hi spyder owners. i have a question riding during down pours with the spyder. my experience has been with my previous "2" wheelers. i had no problem at all riding in torrential downpours on two wheels. so to the experienced spyder travelers how is the "3" wheeler in the rain when it is coming down. i ask this because of the third wheel in the middle which would put it right between the two tracks in the road. any hydro planing? just want to know what to expect.
thanks

 

[bigbadbrucie]

I had a bad case of hydroplaning a couple of years ago. I was riding on stock kenda’s. I have since switched to Vredestein fronts. Still have kenda on the rear. Can’t honestly comment on how much difference this makes. jmho wtfdik!

 

[Motorcycledave]

hi spyder owners. i have a question riding during down pours with the spyder. my experience has been with my previous "2" wheelers. i had no problem at all riding in torrential downpours on two wheels. so to the experienced spyder travelers how is the "3" wheeler in the rain when it is coming down. i ask this because of the third wheel in the middle which would put it right between the two tracks in the road. any hydro planing? just want to know what to expect.

Riding in super bad rain is never a good idea, I always pulled off or under an overpass if caught in the rain.
I would much rather never hydroplane but if I do I would prefer it to be on 3 wheels not two wheels.
just be aware that your rear tire is running in all the crap that drips out of cars and trucks in the center of the lane
so it will be slippery......

 

[glennm]

I too had an issue a few weeks back. 90 miles on highways in constant rain without issue until I hit very uneven back roads near my Daughter's place. Rear wheel spun and Spydey danced a jig then did again all within about 200 hundred yards. 3 new tires (Hankook) on it now but too soon to know how much better it will be. I was doing 45 maybe 50 mph at the time. Definitely put the wind up me and lucky there were no other vehicles around.

 

[JayBros]

Volume of rain, type and condition of rear tire, and speed determine when and if you will hydroplane. Exceed one or more of the factors and you will do so. BTDT; it isn't a good feeling and sure as hell will get your attention. Do it once and you won't forget the factors. First and foremost, slow down.

 

[glennm]

Volume of rain, type and condition of rear tire, and speed determine when and if you will hydroplane. Exceed one or more of the factors and you will do so. BTDT; it isn't a good feeling and sure as hell will get your attention. Do it once and you won't forget the factors. First and foremost, slow down.

Yep I reckon another 10+ mph off the speed would have made a big difference. That would put me down to around 35 in a 60 zone. Have to watch out for anyone up your rear as well. Tires were getting down but very legal.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Yep I reckon another 10+ mph off the speed would have made a big difference. That would put me down to around 35 in a 60 zone. Have to watch out for anyone up your rear as well. Tires were getting down but very legal.

Tire science - your two wheeler did better because of the smaller tire contact patch ( honestly ) .... the Spyders have a lot of tire/road contact because #1. the tires are a lot wider and #2. there are three of them ..... good news is the VSS will help you to control the bike and let you know you should slow down. Even $ 2,000 racing tires will hydroplane when they exceed their speed limit. I also suggest riding to the right in your lane ) as safely possible..... the center of the lane is more likely to get all the oil & anti-freeze drips from all the vehicles that use the road .... Be especially careful as you approach TOLL booths if you encounter them, the lane center is hyper slippery. To help counter the hydro-planning is your tires PSI , if you still have Kenda's they really should not be lowered ( they need higher PSI to keep the tire /wheel BEAD intact ) .... however any auto tire on a Spyder has more traction ( wet or dry ) is the PSI are in the 16-17 for front and 17-19 rear. ( and I'm not guessing about these amounts ) ...... good luck, slow down in the wet and stay safe ..... Mike :thumbup:

 

[canamjhb]

The only way to reduce/eliminate hydroplaning is to slow down. You are riding what is commonly called a three point hydroplane. Wide flat surfaces front and rear. This configuration is exactly what makes hydroplanes so fast. Riding on top of the water with little resistance. Tire type, condition, and air pressure can have some effect. But none of that will matter if you are going too fast. Just slow down..... Jim

 

[bigbadbrucie]

.... good news is the VSS will help you to control the bike and let you know you should slow down...... good luck, slow down in the wet and stay safe ..... Mike :thumbup:

Yes, the VSS will certainly let you know, and if you’ve never experienced the VSS, it seems like it’s calling you a dumbass, which I suppose I was......going too fast, heavy grooves in the pavement from all the HEAVY truck traffic.....coming down hill in heavy rain, and then...WHAM....VSS kicked in. Didn’t know what the. Beejesus was happening. So it slowed me down and the hydroplaning stoped, sooooooo I speeded up (I wanted to get to my hotel and out of this) and.....well ........
Lets just say Thank You to BRP and the VSS. I learned!!!

 

[Bfromla]

The only way to reduce/eliminate hydroplaning is to slow down. You are riding what is commonly called a three point hydroplane. Wide flat surfaces front and rear. This configuration is exactly what makes hydroplanes so fast. Riding on top of the water with little resistance. Tire type, condition, and air pressure can have some effect. But none of that will matter if you are going too fast. Just slow down..... Jim

:lecturef_smilie::firstplace::2thumbs: Indeed even then ruts can get you something quick. Thankfully the VSS is there & will remind you what is too fast:lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie:opcorn: pay attention & behave accordingly.

 

[Stache]

Rode 340 km yesterday in what could charitably be described as heavy rain. Had to get home for work today. Me on my RTL, spouse on her Ryker. Stops every 100km or so for hot tea, and fuel. The machines had no problem with it and, as long as we kept the speed down and drove responsibly, neither did we.

Driving in weather is more about knowing your own limitations, and trusting the machinery, than anything else.

 

[Mikey]

You have to drive the conditions, slow down, if it don't feel right stop!!!

 

[Pandy]

Our first long trip with our roadster was summer of 2011. Enroute,and less than 20 miles from Mammoth Cave,in the dark, a microburst had me depending on the fog lines to see where we were in the lane. I slowed down considerably, just wanted to get to our room after a long day. There were vehicles blowing by me throwing up curtains of water, akin to waves. On that day, and every time after, in torrential downpours that I decided to motor on through, Pyder has never offered to hydroplane. Yes, tires and all that, but speed,in my experience, was the greatest factor.
For my .02 let the machine do what it was designed to do, and keep the link between right hand and brain active.
David

 

[MONK]

Slow down, turn the 4 ways on, get off on some decent skinny roads (where most are going a little bit slower). Check the weather forecast/radar. Could be you're on the edge of a storm and will drive out of it in a few miles. If you're driving INTO the storm, stop and take a break. Driving in bad weather is VERY tiring, even if you don't realize it. (I used to be a long distance truck driver and know this from experience.)

 

[ARtraveler]

My experience with hydroplaning. Did it two times back in Alaska (2010 ish). Two things will make it happen. Riding over 50-55 mph. Going through puddles over one inch deep.

On the first incident, my Spyder did a 360. Lucky no other traffic hurt me. No incidents since.

Today, for the first time, rode 50 plus miles in a gentle rain. Slowed down to 45 (others did too), and did not push it on the curves. No slip sliding or feelings like we were going to lose it. Tried to avoid wet puddles. The F3L with the low windshield worked pretty well. Did get some sprinkles on my face plate, but the bandana keep it mostly clear with the occasional wipe. Legs, arms, and hands did not get wet.

Very heavy rain where vision is impaired, I pull over and wait it out. Not worth getting killed over.