CHAMPTALK Riding in the Rain

[@onerider808]

I can’t believe you don’t have a million subscribers. This info is gold. I am more ADV and canyon ripping, but this applies to everything I do. Thanks!

[@myvidss]

Back in your editor days i remember your advice on street and highway riding in the rain. This included predicting traffic flow with obscured vision by using reflections of brake lights off the wet ground. Second was following the tracks of vehicles in front of you for less hydroplaning.

[@Audfile]

I concur about gear in the wet. I've commuted twice through entire winters on only a motorcycle, once with a Ninja, one season with a Sportster. I've ridden through the heaviest rains possible (El Nino weather, Puget Sound), bitter cold temperatures, hail, frost on the ground, you name it. With great tires and proper gear it was never an issue. Could be 35 degrees (like 20 when you're riding), dumping rain, dark,in proper gear it's like you're watching it happen but feel none of it. All warm and snug and dry in your gear and just watching the water come down through your visor on the highway, rolling confidently past cars who's drivers are clearly terrified by the weather. I loved it. I won't do it again but it didn't suck.

[@thomaswarren2699]

Here in the UK you're not considered a real biker if you refuse to ride in the rain! We get maybe a month of sunshine a year in some parts so you don't really have a choice 😂

[@blacklight4460]

Hey Nick you're an old man now! Good to see you healthy and in one piece. Longtime Fan of your riding and writing abilities.

[@randylaplante7294]

I love it. Everything is spot on! Be careful in the rain.

[@saltyprocrastinator]

I'm heading to a track day weekend in a few days, and the forecast is very likely to be rainy. I felt so bummed out, but after watching this video, I'm now excited to learn more about myself, the bike, and the track in these conditions. Will make the best of it, thanks!

[@pochobailey]

I'm just having a hard time getting over a past bad experience. Not able to feel comfortable again riding in wet. Thanks for you always right on point content.

[@Ridelikeachampionycrs]

We can help!

[@katherynscleaning5807]

I see rain as ice if I have the wrong tires on. But if you use rain tires everything changes. When I was 14 I learned how to ride on a iced over canal. Then I learned to ride a unicycle. The only thing that ever changed after that was the size of my bikes. My skills never changed but you have some great gear tips!

[@erniesimsek6637]

Another great video Nick and thank you for sharing such fantastic knowledge

[@esjihn]

The music on your videos is really chill. Reminds me of gran turismo menus and license trials.

[@davidwendel6080]

Such good content from people who are proven to know what they are talking about!

[@Ridelikeachampionycrs]

Thanks!

[@jdelv86]

Rain amplifies the techniques Nick and Chris teach bigtime. I did a wet Champ Day at NJMP and it was the best time I've ever had at the track!

[@shanep.9442]

Smooth control inputs are crucial in the wet, as I understand it.

[@bradster1708]

You suggest wearing disposable gloves inside your gloves. Mick Doohan used to wear dish washing gloves over his race gloves, waterproof and grippy. He learned this from Barry Sheene.

[@andrewcox3686]

Thank you Great video, another great video! Fast Freddie " that's all I'm doing, teaching you'all how to ride in the rain"

[@brittsmith1824]

Looking forward to joining you in May at NC Bike! Keep up the great content. It is truly appreciated.

[@rallsz]

Thank you

[@konovo223]

You guys are litterally the best... raced since I was 4 on dirt and street is so different but so similar. I honestly can't wait to get a good bike other than the adv bike I got and hit a track with the info I took from your videos. I want to practice.

[@waggywagstaff]

Smooth like silk!!!

[@ronaldbird5435]

My first track day was in the wet with my S1000RR.

[@nunyabusiness896]

When you were talking about sudden loss of grip when going through a river or puddle, I wouldn't say it was so much from water in the sipes after passing it as much as the sudden temperature quench on a tire that wants to be north of 100 F and is quickly cooled down to the ambient temperature of the water. From what I've found, street tires like to be about 120F ideally +/- a few degrees and true track tires like to be much hotter like 170 F. So only true wet tires are going to be happy at 50-80 F in a puddle of water.

[@hazanko5875]

Miguel Oliveira alluded to something similar speaking of his good performance in the rain. I don't recall exactly but it was something like "you have to push to keep the tire warm; it's counterintuitive but you need to keep the pace up so the tire can work." So you're in good company with that line of thinking, at least.

[@ddekeno1]

Really good quality video. Thanks!

[@allahjoseph]

I think I want to race. I mean, I know I want to do GR.3 for cars. But I love bikes… I’m going to come and train with you guys. I love riding as a commuter and I ground my knee out cornering like GP with no gear on… it’s flat. And I still want to ride.

[@teaguejelinek4038]

Me: I'm getting a dirt bike Wife: but then you'll have 3 bikes that's too many. Me: Nick said it's ok

[@Ridelikeachampionycrs]

We approve.

[@mikemerrill175]

From the NW rain was part of the deal

[@leadsled8961]

I love the wet, it is so much fun.

[@henrikarkaus5065]

I have a question. I've recently started my own racing "career". Only done 2 laps in rain (I crashed). But I had 10 year old rain tires and bad technicue. Now I have unused ones, a few years old only and good kept. Some people say you need to ride with brand new wet tires on dry a few laps to get the pores to open up or to get the base layer worn a bit for them to work best. I would like to know peoples thoughts on this?

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

Gene was a helluva rider!

[@danakaboom1158]

It rains so seldom in Tucson I chased clouds just to get some practice on wet pavement.

[@vijayam1]

At the right time.

[@pyrusmasterdan1]

10:43🙌🏽

[@sergn8409]

ello, not sure what u meant by the tape on the 👃, i wear glasses, im a bit confused

[@bradster1708]

This is to prevent the visor fogging, it seals the gap between face and helmet directing warm moist breath downwards.

[@robans]

Tape your nose?

[@bradster1708]

To stop visor fogging

[@joe20136]

A

[@savage22bolt32]

Constructive criticism, no disrespect; lose the background noise. The subject & your narration of it is great! The addition of distracting, monotonous & annoying music ruined the vid for me.