Wet weather riding

Riding in the wet is something that most motorcyclists dislike doing to a lesser or greater degree. Indeed, some just don't do it at all; if there is the slightest risk of a light shower in a 200 km radius the bike doesn't come out of the shed/workshop/garage.


Personally, I've always ridden all year round, and in all kinds of weather, but I must hold my hand up and admit that for a long time was something that I cordially disliked. Mainly it was because for a long time, I didn't really have any proper rain clothing, so I'd get thoroughly soaked and miserable, which isn't conducive to enjoying a long ride. But there was also the fear factor. As soon as it started raining, roundabouts, corners, stop/give way signs, traffic lights, all became a source of potential danger, injury, and possibly even death. I would sit there on my bike, tense and rigid, handling the brakes and throttle as if they were live snakes that might bite me hard. The concept of leaning into a corner was instantly washed away by the first drops of rain, and I'd sit bolt upright on the bike and steer the machine rigidly round corners with a minimum lean angle. An overtaking manoeuvre was something I carried out with the deepest misgivings.


So, for many a long year, I lived in awe of motorcyclists who managed to ride in the wet as if it wasn't that big a deal, and wondered if one day I'd learn to be like them, laughing in the face of storm clouds, riding gleefully through standing water... and gradually the change happened. I couldn't say exactly when or how I lost my deep dislike of riding in the wet, but the case is that I now barely bat an eyelid, even when the horizon is almost black and criss-crossed by spears of lightning. So, how does one approach riding in the wet? Let's have a closer look.

ASV brake and clutch levers

I haven't spent any time on this blog since the beginning of the year, so it's time to blow the cobwebs away!


Today I received a set of ASV levers (brake & clutch) that I promptly went to fit on my Thruxton.

© Marc Michon - 2010

Product Review: Soubirac Kliper 2 boots

Last weekend I went to Marseilles via the Camargue (photos will be posted this weekend). It was the ideal occasion to test out a pair of Soubirac "Kliper 2" motorcycling boots.

© Soubirac

As you can see, they look more like army boots than normal riding boots. That's not surprising, since Soubirac supply the French fire brigade, police and armed forces. So that means that they should be solid enough for motorcycling.