Riding the 400 Burgman in the wet

[Richard400B]

Anybody else feel that roundabouts or hard corners are covered in ice? I normally take these things very very slowly and always well below the speed limit when wet due to the nature of my bike sliding all over the place!

I recently got new tyres as an upgrade from some venoms that according to most internet forums "deadly" when wet. At first I thought it was my riding, perhaps taking things too fast or leaning too much but no, the tyres are to blame!

After a few rides out on my new tyres I've noticed little improvement. Other riders seem to take the corners in wet with ease but I still feel like I'm comming off any second...
Is it the burgman? My subconscious? Or even maybe the size of the tyres themselves.

Anybody else get this? I can only describe the feeling as a unwanted handbrake turn!

[michaelphillips]

i have only used bridgestones on 500cc scoot never no problems
you could check the tyre pressures.. think around front 29psi or 2 bar and rear at 36 psi or 2.5 bar for your scoot.. just a thought as they could be over inflated

[gn2]

What tyres did you get, how many miles on them?

[Dave Weller]

Are you new to biking and riding scooters?

[Ferret]

Now days its very rare that its the tyre thats at fault due to the big strides made with there tech . However tyre pressures can be an issue . You have new tyres on and i am sure you were advised to take care for the the first 100 miles or so by the dealer ,however if you have mainly been riding in the wet you can double that distance as the tyres will not bed in as well in the wet initially .With regards to the venoms you did have ,i used to use them 24/7/365 and never had any issues . Personally i think you need to find some confidence in the machine and yourself and once you gel it wont be an issue . What tyres have you had fitted ?

[Data]

Hi Richard, I tend to agree with Ferret. My own Burgman is a different model to yours, but I can actually throw it about in the wet (with due regard for petrol, oil and diesel on the roundabouts) with the original Bridgestone Hoops on. The handling on the 's' model was good. If it's just a feeling you are going to slide off it's probably just that, a feeling! But as a precaution, you could check the front fork alignment to make sure she is tracking true. Also on the Burgmans of any year, if the engine mounting bushes wear, it will feel like the frame is made of rubber or hinged in the middle. Bikes that do lots of wet weather all year round running are more prone to that after 5-6 years of use. It's an easy job though. And as has been said, tyre pressures are normally 25psi front and 29psi rear for solo use on your model and 41psi rear if ridden with a passenger. If they are too high for solo use it's a problem. It will feel like you are going to come off in the wet.

[StephenC]

Don't know if they do the right sizes for Burgers but I found a noticeable increase in my confidence on greasy roundabouts when I fitted Michelin Citygrips to my old scooter.

[Bluebottle]

I have standard hoops and the tyres have always been more capable than I am

[Richard400B]

I’ve been riding for one year and a few months now so still fairly new to riding. The Venoms had around 2000+ miles on them, and the new tyres are Michelins (City Riders) on around 350 miles.
Never had a problem with confidence, I struggle more with overconfidence especially in corners.
I will check the tyre pressures and the fork alignment at the front.

Cheers for the responses.

[victor]

carry on taking it steady in the wet on roundabouts thats where theres going to be a lot of rubber from tyres and diesel spillages, i cannot fault you