Slip Slidin’ in the Rain

[Vulcan900]

I was late paying my parking, I’m never late, I am always early. Anyway… I zipped down to the courthouse at lunch, found a spot to park right in front, and went inside. It took all of 5 minutes to hand the clerk the check and get a receipt. I’m thinking “That was easy.”

When I came out it was just starting to rain, it was only a 30% chance today, damn!!! After pausing a moment I figured… it’s barely sprinkling, and I only have to go a few blocks, I can make it. All was fine until I got to the second light, then the sky opened and it started to pour.

So I am scooting around downtown JAX in a typical FL downpour, in my usual office attire, hiding behind the windshield, and trying to get to the parking garage without inhaling water when…

Some a-hole pulls out in front of me!!! GRRRR!!!!

I used a little front brake, and quickly downshift to second… when I let the clutch out the rear locked up and I went sliding’!!! While the rear squirmed around for a couple of seconds I’m thinking “Whoa $hit…don’t grab the front brake…I hope I’m lined up when it catches…how about pulling the clutch you idiot…” and then the rear caught traction. Luckily I was lined up when the rear stopped sliding, and luckily control was retuned to me at just the right time so I had enough room to swerve around the a-hole, and luckily there was no one in the lane next to me (because I had no time to check). I was doing maybe 30 when the car came out, and I probably passed him at 25.

I am now sitting in front of my desk at work with the fan going trying to dry out and wondering “where the he11 is my receipt?!?”

[Chimerix]

Sounds like a real eye-opener!

One thing that living is Hawaii has taught me... it IS going to rain. No matter how clear the sky, no matter how long the drought, no matter how short the ride... it is going to rain. There is no trip so short, no errand so quick, no weather prediction so absolute as to preclude packing the rain gear.

[Z-In-Jax]

Glad it went as well as can be expected... I know what you're talking about, that rain came out of nowhere today....

Were you on the V2k or the V.9k when this happened...?

[jesse web]

Man that sucks...
Now if this would had happened to me then I know what I would have done with the receipt. It would become very handy to wipe my rear end... Since you are not me then you will probably find it somewhwere.

[Vulcan900]

I was on the 900. It probably would have played out differently on the V2K, but I don’t know if it would have been better or worse.

- I tend to be more cautious on the V2K
- V2K offers better rain protection
- V2K takes more distance to stop (con of weight)
- V2K does not slide easily (pro of weight)
- I don’t engine brake with the V2K much (too much torque)
- V2K does not handle as well as the 900 (con of weight)

I know that I could not have handled the V2K the way I did the 900, but I don’t know if I would have been sliding in the first place on the V2K.

[Vulcan900]

I found the receipt, it was in my wallet (not where I would typically put it). I have to turn in it in with my expense report so it’s kind of important.

[Deeppurple52]

Riding in the rain is just a part of motorcycling. We never let it interfere with our rides. Invest in some good quality rain gear and get out there and ride.

[Vulcan900]

I have rain gear, I use it fairly often, and I get wet on occasion as well. It's not a problem if I get wet on the way home, but I do not like being wet at the office. Just doesn't look very professional.

[sharky1381]

I really hated the rare rainy days here in SoCal. It meant I had to park my bike and work in a car. It also meant a lot of crashes to handle since Californians don't seem to adjust their driving for inclement weather. Now I can just drive my truck.

[2WheelFun]

When it ends without a wrecked bike or damaged rider you did good.