Rain Question

[BradT]

So I was on Highway 401 today (in the car) and it was pouring, and I was passing a transport, and those tires were spraying so much that you could not see anything not even the road, for the whole length of the truck and trailer.

 

SO THE QUESTION IS. If you were on the bike DO you pass quickly ? Drop back and hope he pulls off ? OR What would you do ???

 

Rhonda and I were discussing this and not sure what I would have done, as it was bad enough in the car. MOst likely I would have backed away, but I would have hated to follow that Truck.

 

 

BRad

[The Crimson Knight]

I would have to say back off. Or I would at least... Rain is already adding numbers to the big saftey equation.

 

If you have that much water, not only is it going to distract you but how can you even see well enough to make a good judgement on passing? Then there is the traction problem in the rain accel and decel...

 

naw... I would back off.. even pull over for a few to get some distance.

 

On a side note, if I ever have to pass a semi / transport / tractor-trailor when it's not raining I ALWAYS haul ass. Even if i'm not having to cross the yellow line...

 

I'm not next to them any longer than I have to be. My main concern is a blown tire or debris coming at me. Think about it 14 - 18 - 22 tires, maybe more. ONE of them is bound to shoot up something at you and heaven forbid that one of those treads decide to come off. Larger peices can weigh big time lbs / kgs and at 50+ mph probably take you right off the bike... not for me, no sir!

[VTirelli]

That happened to me a few times. I usually back way off the trucks, they're usually moving right along anyway. Problem I have is when one of them passes ME...then the spray makes it interesting.

[The Crimson Knight]

That happened to me a few times. I usually back way off the trucks, they're usually moving right along anyway. Problem I have is when one of them passes ME...then the spray makes it interesting.

 

Ya, that is a problem. Not much you can do at that point but back off.

[Marcarl]

Stay away from them,,gets the bike all dirty.

Better yet, stay off the majors in heavy rain. If you back of from one truck, the next one will get ya, you just can't get away from them.

[Eugene]

Stay away from them,,gets the bike all dirty.

Better yet, stay off the majors in heavy rain. If you back of from one truck, the next one will get ya, you just can't get away from them.

 

ESPECIALLY on the 401 - many, many trucks!

[Brake Pad]

If its an area I know, I go to secondary roads, put when traveling the highways, I slow down and move to the right, and when I can safly get off I do.

[Guest Dandy1]

I think everyone has the same idea of backing off. Those semi trucks are usually driving way to fast to try to stay ahead of when the roads are wet. I do whatever is neccessary to stay away from those 18 tire bombs wether its dry or not. If I can't stay ahead of them then I back off and let'em go. If you have ever seen one of those tires explode it will scare the heck out of you and could kill you if you are next to one! Ride safe, Danny

[V7Goose]

No, I do not back off. I will not follow any truck longer than forced to by the traffic. In any weather. It is especially bad with wet roads due to the spray - nasty vis and nasty bike! I pass, maybe a little faster than normal, but I do not "haul ass" either. With reduced visibility, that is a bigger invitation to an accident than following!!!!! If I can find an acceptable speed that keeps me in a good spot ahead of the nearest truck, I'll settle in there, if not, I'll keep at a higher speed to continue to pass them. I ride in all kinds of weather; I don't like the 18 wheelers, but I can deal with them. If I thought they were some sort of a horrible challenge, I think I would recognize I didn't have the skills to be on the roads at all.

 

I will also note that it is critical to have the correct height of windshield. If I was looking through a shield, I could NOT ride in heavy rain or road spray. Not at all. Period. But with the shield at the correct height to just look over it and let the air blast hit above the face shield, I have reasonable visibility in all situations. Certainly not perfect in road spray, but acceptable. Ride safe,

Goose

[BradT]

V7 I agree with the windshield comment. On my second gen I can not see over it easily, so in the rain I am almost forced to look through which can be a pain. On my first gen it was a lot easier to look over, which I did in the rain.

 

The 401 in many areas is 3 lanes and he was riding in the center, I was thinking I would get on 19 and ask him to move over a lane, figuring it would be easier to get by. I am sure this would not work on two lane roads.

 

I doubt Rhonda would have let me pass the truck. or at least she would not have been hapy if I did/tried:rotf:

 

Brad

[RoadKill]

I look through my clearview always have and always will. I have no problems with visibility except in fog like it will be here in a little while when I leave for work. In rain I ride like I normally do except slightly slower and more deliberate. I pass semi's. The extra volume of spray actually will allow my shield to clear even better.

[dragerman]

Good comments Goose.

 

I was following a trailer late one night in a cage when it blew a back tire. It was the rear tire driver’s side. When it let go it caught the back of the trailer and violently thrashed about till the tire surrendered and blew off flying indiscriminately all over the road. The dust and derbies seemed tremendous and unpredictable. Fortunately I had sufficient distance and was able to break and maneuver without hitting anything but I wouldn’t want to be trying that on a bike.

 

The other thing is and I’ve seen it twice on a clear day (believe it or not separate incidents in the same day) is when these trailers break hard they tend to slide sideways. If the driver doesn’t let up they’ll eventually jackknife... trust me, you don’t want to be beside them. I like Carl’s idea but that’s not always an option so whatever you do be safe and error on the side of caution.

 

PS. The first thing I did after riding in the rain was cut 4 1/2 inches off my winshield. I can just see over the top, much better now!

[Schlepporello]

****The truck driver speaks****

 

If you're gonna stay behind the truck, stay way far back. If you're gonna pass, better pass fast and watch the truck for a stupid driver. You do not want to stay beside a truck under any circumstances. The truck tires generally are pressured up to 105 PSI and higher. Not something you really need to be driving beside. Then there's the visibility factor. Cagers don't see the bikes as easily as they should. That is only magnified in the truck driver's realm. He's got that big trailer following him that he has to keep an eye on, plus everything else.

 

Again, let me drive this point home, watch for stupidity. Don't expect the truck driver to act intelligently or to be watching out for you. There are still a lot of ignorant truck drivers on the road in spite of the best efforts of companies and government entities to weed the bad ones out. The last thing I would strongly suggest is fervent prayer and make sure you have a good relationship with the afterlife insurance agent.

[BEER30]

Dah ! Don't we have CB radio's on our scoots ? Ever thought about saying "Breaker 1-9 , Breaker 1-9 , it's little ole me on 2 wheels requesting a slide by . If you would be so kind to let me sling-shot past you , I'll be your Bird-Dog and let you know if the Bubble Gum machine in operation up ahead ! Then meet up with you at the Pewk & Choke and buy you a Cup of Mud and an Day old O-Ring. Whach ya say there Good-Buddy ?"

I find it that most truckers are biker freindly as many own/ride bikes themselves . Just a freindly alert to them , they appreciate dearly , as they are big rigs and it's hard for them to fight the cagers and look out for us 2 wheelers at the same time. A little curtiosy will go both ways ans a long way . Some will move over enough to ride on the high side of the ruts to lesson some of the spray that is being slung about .

Judge each situation at it's proper time and place , and make no unnecessary risk .

 

BEER30

[Schlepporello]

Dah ! Don't we have CB radio's on our scoots?

Yes, but not all motorcyclists (myself included) have that luxury and not all truckers (again, myself included) have CB's in their trucks. As for me, I have no use for one. My truck is computer restricted to a blistering 62 MPH. I'll have to blast a school zone to get a speeding ticket.

 

Also, there are some idiot truckers out there who think the only vehicles on the road that have CB's are the trucks themselves and if you try to tell them otherwise they will call you a liar. I was beside a semi at the westbound turnoff for White Sands Missile Base one day. I was preparing to take the turn off and had been chatting with other truckers along the way. I had made it very clear that I was not in a "big truck" on this particular day, I was driving a Ford F-250 Pick-up. The radio I was using was an old (good old) Cobra 25LTD that had been peaked and tuned, had the 50 watt hot finals and had a Conex (echo) board installed. Translation = I was often mistaken for running a base unit. Anyhow, this bonehead beside me said that something was wrong with my radio, I was garbly. I explained that I was right beside him, that's was why it sounded so bad. He told me that I was not beside him, the only thing there was a white pick-up that was turning off. I told him, "Driver, here's your sign." One of the other drivers I had been visiting with replied that I indeed sounded good, the original driver was an idiot.

 

Judge each situation at it's proper time and place , and make no unnecessary risk.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[GeorgeS]

My 2 cents worth to your question, would be in any situation where you can't see the road and your on a bike, I would back off and take the first safe turn off I come to and get off the Road. And wait out the situation.

[KiteSquid]

I too would slow down, and take the first opportunity to stop and have a cup of hot coffee or hot chocolate. But I would NOT stop under an overpass!!!!!!!!!! DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE STANDING!!!!!! only in an emergency and get behind the guard rail till the tow truck or police car will take the hit before you do!!!!!!!!! BTW have you noticed that Police Cars are stopping on the side of the road differently than when I was a kid? they used to stop parallel to the flow of traffic, now they angle their cars when stopped. I think it is to deflect a car if it hits their stopped car, so the LEO does not get hit if he is out of his car. Also Motor Officers usually get off their bikes on the high side to keep the 800LB+ bike between them and the flow of traffic.........

 

 

HOWEVER living on the east cost I notice that there are quite a few more stopping opportunities than there are on say any highway in New Mexico, out of towns..... you can go for HOURS without seeing a safe place to stop.

 

Like said above, don't take unnecessary risks!!!!

[papa smurf]

"If I thought they were some sort of a horrible challenge, I think I would recognize I didn't have the skills to be on the roads at all. "

 

no offense, but here's my opinion.

 

It takes absolutely no skill at all to get hit with a chunk of retread. For that reason, I also don't spend any more time beside a semi than absolutely necessary. But flying by them in the rain just to get away from them just sounds like a bad idea. If I'm in that big of a hurry, I'll take my truck.

 

There's already enough crap you can't control out there, regardless of of your "skills". I suck at math, but calculate the distance and the time you would be riding beside the truck with very poor visibility. I'll put that on the list of things I CAN control (by not going there).

 

Anyway,,, everybody ride safe. and watch for bikes when your in your cages!!!

[Schlepporello]

HOWEVER living on the east cost I notice that there are quite a few more stopping opportunities than there are on say any highway in New Mexico, out of towns..... you can go for HOURS without seeing a safe place to stop.

And that's why I now carry a 52 oz. glass of something drinkable where ever I go. I've diven those NM roads many times.

[Eck]

I would apply the most important rule there is whenever riding a bike...and it is applicable no matter what the weather may be....

NEVER be in a hurry on a bike...........

[KiteSquid]

And that's why I now carry a 52 oz. glass of something drinkable where ever I go. I've diven those NM roads many times.

 

 

There should be a Blake's Lotaburger every 20 miles or so!!!!!!!!!!!! I sure look forward to a Green Chili Cheeseburger on every trip out that way!!!!

[Bummer]

I had to chew on this one for a bit. What do I really do? Hmmmmmm.

 

I'm with Goose, and others. Pass. Do not linger. Do not hot rod. Certainly do not ride along side - ever. Dropping back will just get you run over by the next one.

 

If I had an actual choice I probably would not choose to be in that situation, but on the other hand I've ridden through stuff where a sane individual would park their cage. I rode through the edge of a tornado because I didn't know (until I got home) and I didn't have a viable choice. It wiped out some apartments about five miles north of where it made me fairly miserable. Some times you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

I do like the idea of chatting them up on the CB, though I'm not sure I would try the whole CB lingo version. I've asked if Venture riders had their "ears on" before. Apparantly one trucker felt the "ears" itched. If I do it, English is going to have to do. I've never had any luck hailing the occasional Venture, so I'm not expecting much luck with the truckers either.

[Schlepporello]

There should be a Blake's Lotaburger every 20 miles or so!!!!!!!!!!!! I sure look forward to a Green Chili Cheeseburger on every trip out that way!!!!

:crackup:Yes, there 'should" be a Blakes every 20 miles or so. But there isn't on the roads I had to take. US 54 from Santa Rosa to Alamogordo. I-25 from Las Cruces to Albuquerque. Roswell to Soccorro via Carrizozo. But even if there were, you've gotta break it up every now and then with a stop at KFC. The Colonel does chicken right.