I'm not sure high viz wil save us if the driver doesn't even pay attention. .. I had a bus climb the pavement next to me in pouring rain ... he obviously saw me too late or wasn't paying attention. . I had bright yellow rain suit and my Strobes were on... so if anyone can say they not scared in the rain.. obviously works from home seriously tho. Never lose respect for the bike. Also there are 2 types of riders those who have fallen and those still to fall.
We can do as much as we can to be visible, but in the end we still need to ride as if we are invisible and do the best we can to dodge and sidestep the idiots that are on our roads.
You could be driving a car or huge truck and you will still get idiots that don't see you.
Scared of driving in the rain, yes I am petrified of the idea, I still have to experience it and I know that even if my plans have plans, that theory is very different from reality.
My brother in law said to me, that when it rains, you ride like the first time you climbed on a bike, very careful, very slow and trust nothing.
Today it looks like I will get my first experience riding in the rain, will let you know how much of a nervous wreck I became after riding in the rain.
I swear, it is written in the clouds "Calling all drivers, drive like idiots, no one will notice!", because the moment it rains, all the idiots come out.
Riding in the rain is a necessary evil. After all the rain riding I have done (which includes a 250 km deluge from Bloem to JHB on my way back from PE last year December) I am still not 'comfortable' in the rain.
The additional concentration required when riding in the rain leaves me drained. Riding slower does help to an extent but poor visibility, the extra attention to other vehicles required (3 drops of rain makes people stoopid) and less grip makes things tough. Add the discomfort of being wet (irrespective of how good your gear is you will have a wet spot somewhere) and miserable and it is hell....
This said though I will always prefer taking my bike to sitting in traffic... Take it slow, add more distance between yourself and other vehicles, and DON'T go near the painted lines..
Don't just grab the frontbrake levers in an emergency .. quick touch and release to allow weight transfer to front wheel then squeeze as needed - look up and not at your instruments .... and PRAY
also do random tests , ie going home and it starts to rain , test your brakes where it's safe to do so .. a lonely road , you will never know the limits of the brakes unless you test them and rather do this occasionally than when it's an emergency and you never tried the emergency procedure.
Hi cpor94. Try loosening the retaining bolts in the catch for the back seat once you have it open and let it shift a bit. I had the same problem, but it is much easier now.
Started the trip home, looking all spiffy in my High Visibility Rain Suit. The only rain I got to experience was inside my gear ( with sweat), to find that the rain had come and gone before I got anywhere, then after I parked the bike at home, 10 minutes later, the rain started up again.
Haha! Been there when I started riding years back. One tends to become an excellent weather reader after a few tries! However, if not, there is always a bridge / petrol station / canopy somewhere for a quick stop to put on the rain gear...
yo , yo yo ... so i er learnt something new today about the NC.. it's got a 14L tank
there is was riding home , fuel gauge is flashing at me , but i figure lemmie try to get to 400km as i was only at 380km. and i fill up at 13L so maybe i can get to 400km
riding along when power cut out
so i coasted along and then started the bike and rode till it died again
yeah , i learnt it's not a good idea got to a caltex so i'm all good
but the bike is now sluggish / or am i just imagining it ? anyways i'll try it again on wednesday and see if it still feels sluggish or if i am feeling sluggish and mislik!!
moral of the story - don't test the range unless you have a bottle of petrol in the ftrunk thanks for listening
I must also be doing something wrong, my absolute highest was 320km on the way back from Swaziland last year. I was too worried to carry on. Gauge usually starts flashing at around 260km and I go until somewhere near 300km before I fill it again.
The gauge starts flashing when you have 3l left, and then starts to count how much of that 3l you have used. At least that's what my 750 does. I have ridden max 360km before filling and then put in 12l.