Can a bike aquaplane?

[N Dentressangle]

Just something about today's weather which made me think of this

Obviously it's theoretically possible - given sufficient speed, deep enough water etc - but practically, on real motorways / dual carriageways, does it ever happen?

I've never experienced it or felt the bike was anywhere near it, but then I don't do many rainy motorways!

[Jazoli]

Yes it can happen, I got caught out in the rain on BSB supercorsas and it was a bit scary to be honest as there is very little tread to move standing water, normal road tyres are better in the wet as they have deep tread and sipes to shift the water away from the contact patch.

[EvoDelta]

Yes, and it scared the crap out of me.

[mitzy]

Last year on the vfr400

Fooking Scary.

[Biker's Nemesis]

I did it in Belgium 4 or 5 years ago on a R1 with Supercorsa pros on, there was a lot of standing water and I was going far to fast for the conditions, I ended up in lane One after a bit of opposite lock a couple of ways that started in lane 3.

[3doorPete]

Never had it happen to me on-road on a bike (off road with knobblies doesn't count).

Even C90's can aquaplane though... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU6ltILm8kQ

[Chilli]

Biker's Nemesis said:

I did it in Belgium 4 or 5 years ago on a R1 with Supercorsa pros on, there was a lot of standing water and I was going far to fast for the conditions, I ended up in lane One after a bit of opposite lock a couple of ways that started in lane 3.

Feck!!!

[John D.]

Chilli said:

Biker's Nemesis said:

I did it in Belgium 4 or 5 years ago on a R1 with Supercorsa pros on, there was a lot of standing water and I was going far to fast for the conditions, I ended up in lane One after a bit of opposite lock a couple of ways that started in lane 3.

Feck!!!

fk that!

[skatty]

EvoDelta said:

Yes, and it scared the crap out of me.

+1 very scary brown trouser moment

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

Bike steering goes and it feels like you've taken off and riding in the air. It's very weird and not nice at all.

[shoestring7]

But semi-slicks apart, the relatively small contact patch must mean they are less likely to aquaplane than a high performance car on wide rubber?

I rode 60 miles today in conditions that varied between deluge and small river, and felt very confident even in standing water.

Mind you, I ride a fat b*stard bike (GS) with plenty of tread depth.

SS7

[Conian]

ponces the lot of ya!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE-K10BeXtg

[Fire99]

shoestring7 said:

But semi-slicks apart, the relatively small contact patch must mean they are less likely to aquaplane than a high performance car on wide rubber?

True, but bikes are running pretty wide rubber these days (180/190 rears) compared to their minute weight.

[C8PPO]

Another yes.

GSXR1000, dual carriageway, can't remember what tyres. Making normal progress when suddenly the revs rise and everything goes very light and floaty. Stayed upright, and control came back as speed dropped. Most odd!

[y2blade]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4szlG3kHr4&fea...

[Conian]

y2blade said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4szlG3kHr4&fea...

thats not deep water tho, so it's not as if he's going on top of it
he's just leaning back so the front wheel is light

[N Dentressangle]

Thanks guys - much obliged, and I live and learn! I'll bear all that in mind next rainy day out.

[spareparts]

Oh yes, A40 was flooded across 2 lanes a while back, couldn't cut across to lane 3 because of other traffic, and waterskied through the flooded section. Seriously thought it was all over as the bike floating sideways at 40mph but somehow stayed upright!

[Stu R]

Yep, got caught in some seriously heavy rain a few times and it's aquaplaned. Nearly filled my pants.

[RemaL]

skatty said:

EvoDelta said:

Yes, and it scared the crap out of me.

+1 very scary brown trouser moment

+10