Slippery When Wet
Discussion
Is it just me or were the roads ultra-slippy at the weekend?
I’m used to riding on wet roads (living in Lancs!) but it seemed that any white lines, manhole covers, road studs, etc. were like ice when at even the slightest lean angle. I was beginning to wonder if something was coating my tyres but I hadn’t ridden through any obvious diesel and they are always correctly inflated. I’ve not had new tyres recently and they aren’t anywhere near needing replacement. So what else could be the problem? It was very unsettling as the bike was physically skidding across things and this was all at low speed, eg. leaving roundabouts at 10 to 20mph. I’ve been riding for almost 20 years, so I know what I’m doing, but this was weird… anyone else had this?
I’m used to riding on wet roads (living in Lancs!) but it seemed that any white lines, manhole covers, road studs, etc. were like ice when at even the slightest lean angle. I was beginning to wonder if something was coating my tyres but I hadn’t ridden through any obvious diesel and they are always correctly inflated. I’ve not had new tyres recently and they aren’t anywhere near needing replacement. So what else could be the problem? It was very unsettling as the bike was physically skidding across things and this was all at low speed, eg. leaving roundabouts at 10 to 20mph. I’ve been riding for almost 20 years, so I know what I’m doing, but this was weird… anyone else had this?
Though I don't have the experience you have (having only been riding a 125 for a month, and a 600 for a week) I can't say if the roads are more slippery than they used to be, but I've had a few occasions on the 125 after rain where the rear started to slide out from under me. I try to avoid all manhole covers on the 600.
Also noticed yesterday there seems to be a ridiculous amount of diesel on the roads in central London.
Also noticed yesterday there seems to be a ridiculous amount of diesel on the roads in central London.
Wyvern971 said:
Though I don't have the experience you have (having only been riding a 125 for a month, and a 600 for a week) I can't say if the roads are more slippery than they used to be, but I've had a few occasions on the 125 after rain where the rear started to slide out from under me. I try to avoid all manhole covers on the 600.
Also noticed yesterday there seems to be a ridiculous amount of diesel on the roads in central London.
If I HAVE to go over one....I freeze!! Don't move/pull or twist anything!!!!Also noticed yesterday there seems to be a ridiculous amount of diesel on the roads in central London.
The A12 between Redbridge and Gants Hill roundabout id a feckin mare for diesel..... have to be very wary around there.
Chilli said:
If I HAVE to go over one....I freeze!! Don't move/pull or twist anything!!!!
The A12 between Redbridge and Gants Hill roundabout id a feckin mare for diesel..... have to be very wary around there.
I go around Redbridge Ropundabout every day too and it's lethal. Worse though are the manholes on A12 through the tunnels. The position in the road varies for each one so you can't miss them all and they all seem to be on bends The A12 between Redbridge and Gants Hill roundabout id a feckin mare for diesel..... have to be very wary around there.
Elephant and Castle is another slippery one too, in fact anywhere that cars wait in traffic.
Steve_T said:
Don't shoot me here, but I'm a bit surprised by the original post and the replies. Drain covers and white lines have always been as slippery as ice in the rain, so don't you ride over them.
Agreed, but it doesn't hurt to highlight it every now and then, just as reminder to us and praps a few newbies that don't have the luxury of experience. Just a thought...Steve_T said:
Don't shoot me here, but I'm a bit surprised by the original post and the replies. Drain covers and white lines have always been as slippery as ice in the rain, so don't you ride over them.
Agreed, but it doesn't hurt to highlight it every now and then, just as reminder to us and praps a few newbies that don't have the luxury of experience. Just a thought...Chilli said:
Steve_T said:
Don't shoot me here, but I'm a bit surprised by the original post and the replies. Drain covers and white lines have always been as slippery as ice in the rain, so don't you ride over them.
Agreed, but it doesn't hurt to highlight it every now and then, just as reminder to us and praps a few newbies that don't have the luxury of experience. Just a thought...If as a newbie your instructor never mentioned these kind of hazards, then that's very poor instruction and I agree it's better to pick up a tip here than learn the painful and expensive way.
m3psm said:
Chilli said:
If I HAVE to go over one....I freeze!! Don't move/pull or twist anything!!!!
The A12 between Redbridge and Gants Hill roundabout id a feckin mare for diesel..... have to be very wary around there.
I go around Redbridge Ropundabout every day too and it's lethal. Worse though are the manholes on A12 through the tunnels. The position in the road varies for each one so you can't miss them all and they all seem to be on bends The A12 between Redbridge and Gants Hill roundabout id a feckin mare for diesel..... have to be very wary around there.
Elephant and Castle is another slippery one too, in fact anywhere that cars wait in traffic.
Chilli said:
Ahh, those tunnels are fab. You go in fancying a bit of a laugh, but before you know where you are, you're in the other lane staring at the man-hole covers!! Actually, the white lines aren't too bad, but those covers...they're unavoidable due to their numbers, and positioning!!
Yep, they look so tempting, but bite. I'm genrally on the white lines filtering through there anyway, but on the rare occasions when it's clear, the manholes are out to get you.I'll keep an eye out for you if you regularly ride along there. You won't be hard to miss on your new bike when you get it
Steve_T said:
Chilli said:
Steve_T said:
Don't shoot me here, but I'm a bit surprised by the original post and the replies. Drain covers and white lines have always been as slippery as ice in the rain, so don't you ride over them.
Agreed, but it doesn't hurt to highlight it every now and then, just as reminder to us and praps a few newbies that don't have the luxury of experience. Just a thought...If as a newbie your instructor never mentioned these kind of hazards, then that's very poor instruction and I agree it's better to pick up a tip here than learn the painful and expensive way.
Chilli said:
m3psm said:
Chilli said:
If I HAVE to go over one....I freeze!! Don't move/pull or twist anything!!!!
The A12 between Redbridge and Gants Hill roundabout id a feckin mare for diesel..... have to be very wary around there.
I go around Redbridge Ropundabout every day too and it's lethal. Worse though are the manholes on A12 through the tunnels. The position in the road varies for each one so you can't miss them all and they all seem to be on bends The A12 between Redbridge and Gants Hill roundabout id a feckin mare for diesel..... have to be very wary around there.
Elephant and Castle is another slippery one too, in fact anywhere that cars wait in traffic.
Andy OH said:
I also do the tunnels on the A12 in the Leyton area, you can actually avoid the man hole covers if you're positioned correctly, but normally I have my own lane, you know the one that is about six inches wide between those two white ones
You have to drift outwards along the bend to miss them I think. I nearlly always forget about them until it's too late though and end up hitting them all 
You're talking about my favourite lane
Andy OH said:
Chilli said:
m3psm said:
Chilli said:
If I HAVE to go over one....I freeze!! Don't move/pull or twist anything!!!!
The A12 between Redbridge and Gants Hill roundabout id a feckin mare for diesel..... have to be very wary around there.
I go around Redbridge Ropundabout every day too and it's lethal. Worse though are the manholes on A12 through the tunnels. The position in the road varies for each one so you can't miss them all and they all seem to be on bends The A12 between Redbridge and Gants Hill roundabout id a feckin mare for diesel..... have to be very wary around there.
Elephant and Castle is another slippery one too, in fact anywhere that cars wait in traffic.
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