WET WEATHER MASTERCLASS
Don’t avoid riding in wet-weather conditions, as it can help you to be a better rider. Just ask a Moto GP winner.
Marco Melandri is a master in the wet. Don’t believe us? Then you should remember his amazing win in 2006 at a very wet Phillip Island in MotoGP. Wet and greasy conditions can be a daunting prospect on two wheels, but top riders make it look easy. So what’s the secret?
“In the dry it’s good to be smooth but in the wet it’s even more important,” explains the Castrol-backed racer. “You have to be careful on both the throttle and the brakes, as it is easier to crash because you have much less grip.”
Obviously Marco has the help of wet-weather tyres, but his advice is good for both road and track. “For sure you have to be extra careful on the road as the surface condition isn’t as good on a track, but smoothness is the key to riding well in the wet. Sometimes we all think that it isn’t fun to get wet, but if you try to enjoy it, you can learn a lot by riding in these conditions.”
In the dry, the reserves of braking, handling, grip and power of a modern road bike like the Honda CBR600RR means you can get away with poor control to a certain extent, but in the wet this isn’t the case. Like Marco says, riding in the wet is important so learn to love it.
The Bike
Firstly, make sure your bike or scooter is in the right condition. Tyres should have plenty of tread and be suitable for the conditions, not those that are best for track or summer use. Brake pads should have plenty of wear left in them and the brake levers should be within easy reach and have plenty of travel so you can adjust the level of braking force you can apply. As Marco says being smooth is the key, so do make sure your throttle cable is also perfect, as this is your connection to the engine and you don’t want a snatchy power-delivery which could make you crash.
The kit
Wear the correct kit for the conditions. When it rains Marco wears waterproofs and so should you. You cannot concentrate if you’re feeling cold, wet and miserable, so do wear the proper motorcycle clothing. When it rains Marco also uses a clear visor or a yellow-tinted rain visor, which gives better definition in low-light conditions.
The conditions
Marco has to make very quick decisions when racing in the rain and it’s the same for you. Think ahead, like Marco does, and you’ll be safe. This means reading the road ahead and looking out for potential hazards. Wet white lines on the road will be slippery so try to avoid them if you can. The same goes for wet manhole or inspection covers and cats-eyes. In winter when trees shed their leaves these can be very slippery, as can mud, dirt or sand on the road. Petrol or diesel spills can also be very dangerous – look out for the tell-tale ‘rainbow’ slicks on the road and use your nose to smell the hazards ahead. It sounds silly, but it does work.
The techniques
Remember what Marco said about being smooth? Now is the time to put it into practice. First off is throttle control. Open the throttle hard and you’re sure to crash. Instead feed the power in gently so you can give the rear tyre the chance to grip. Off-road riding gives you a feel for throttle control, so go off-roading to improve your throttle control. Try not to apply the throttle with the bike or scooter leant over.
With brake control it’s the same principle. Start off by applying a little bit of front brake and this helps the tyre cut through the water, then apply a little more pressure to the lever, just as you introduce the rear brake for increased braking efficiency. Do all your braking upright and in a straight line. Try practising both accelerating and braking away from the road first and you’ll find yourself getting used to the ‘feel’ of good wet-weather braking and accelerating.
