15 Tips for Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain
Editor’s Note: The following article about Tips for Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain is the fourth in a series of Guest posts provided by our friends at vikingbags.com.
Rain Riding Tips: Introduction
Look, we all know that motorcycles are not ideal for riding in the rain as they can be unsafe. You may not always plan to ride in the rain but what if it suddenly starts on your way back home? In these unfortunate situations, you must know how to ride safely in the rain.
Riding a motorcycle in the rain can be fun but if you don’t want it to be a nightmare, make sure you are prepared. Read this article to learn the top 15 tips for riding a motorcycle in the rain.
Table of Contents
1. 15 Tips for Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain
1.2 Apply both front and rear brakes gradually
1.3 Keep your motorcycle upright
1.6.2 Switch on your headlight
1.7 Use water-repellent sprays and anti-fog coating
1.9 Avoid riding on the edge of the road
1.11 Check your motorcycle tire pressure before the ride
1.13 Wear waterproof riding gear
1. 15 Tips for Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain
1.1 Ride Slow
Slow down if it starts to rain while you are riding a motorcycle. Your motorcycle can slip and lose traction, resulting in a motorcycle crash. Motorcycles can also slip in the rain if you are riding at slow speeds, but you can save yourself from serious injuries. Even if you are riding a modern motorcycle, equipped with ride-safety features including an ABS and traction control, you still need to twist the throttle gently. Abruptly accelerating or decelerating your motorcycle in the rain can increase the chances of losing traction.
Many riders hurry to reach home as soon as possible to avoid getting wet in the rain which can result in motorcycle crashes. Make sure to take a stop to evaluate the situation and then decide whether it is safe to ride in the rain.
1.2 Apply both front and rear brakes gradually
Applying brakes forcefully to stop the motorcycle immediately can be dangerous, especially if it is raining. The best way to stop your motorcycle while riding in the rain is to decelerate, and gradually apply both front and rear brakes together to avoid sliding. If your motorcycle slips due to losing traction in the rain or you’re involved in an accident, The Biker Lawyers are there to help and answer your questions.
1.3 Keep your motorcycle upright
Keep your motorcycle upright as much as possible to avoid getting slipped even while turning corners. The wet roads provide less traction to the motorcycle tires. You should decelerate, apply both front and rear brakes gently, and then turn the corner while keeping your motorcycle upright.
1.4 Keep a rain suit
To be prepared, always keep a rain suit while you go for a ride. A two-piece rain suit is better for riding in the rain as it provides more coverage.
1.5 Carry Ziploc Bags
If you are a regular motorcycle rider, you must carry Ziploc bags to keep your essentials safe from getting wet in the rain. To carry useful stuff such as a rain suit, Ziploc bags, and extra gloves on a motorcycle ride, you can install good-quality saddlebags available at Viking Bags.
1.6 Be visible
1.6.1 Wear Bright Colors
The rain can drastically decrease your visibility. So, wear a bright-colored rain suit to be more visible in the rain to avoid getting hit by other vehicles.
1.6.2 Switch on your headlight
You must also switch on your headlights to see clearly what is ahead of you and to make yourself more visible to the vehicles approaching you from the opposite direction.
1.7 Use water-repellent sprays and anti-fog coating
Riding in the rain can cause visibility issues as the water droplets accumulate on the visor and it becomes foggy from the inside. You can use silicon-based water repellents on the visor’s outer surface to avoid water droplets sticking to it. Using anti-fog coating also helps to avoid fog build-up for better visibility while riding in the rain. Keep your visor down during the rain because if it gets wet from the inside, it becomes difficult to get rid of the fog.
1.8 Ride in a dry lane
While riding in the rain, make sure to look for a dry lane on the road and ride in it. It reduces the probability of losing traction and hitting a pothole.
1.9 Avoid riding on the edge of the road
Avoid riding on the edge of the road and roadsides if it is raining. The dirt and gravel start accumulating at the edges and can cause your motorcycle to lose traction.
1.10 Avoid Slippery Areas
Shortly after the rain begins, the worst area to be in is the center of the lane. That is because the rain activates oil dripping from vehicles, and the center of the road is ultra-slick until there has been enough rain to wash the slippery oil away.
1.11 Check your motorcycle tire pressure before the ride
Make this a habit to check your motorcycle tire pressure before you go for a ride. Riding a motorcycle with an under-inflated tire can be dangerous, especially if it is raining, as the ride becomes unstable and you may lose control of your motorcycle.
1.12 Avoid wet patches
Avoid wet patches and small puddles on the road while riding in the rain as you might hit a pothole and lose control of your motorcycle.
1.13 Wear waterproof riding gear
Related: Click the image above to see our top 5 picks for the best gear for riding a motorcycle in the rain.
Keep yourself dry by wearing waterproof riding gear, including a waterproof vest, all-weather boots, and gaiters. Investing in waterproof riding gear depends on your riding habits. If you ride your motorcycle consistently and love to go on motorcycle tours, it is good to carry waterproof riding gear.
1.14 Stay Alert
While riding in the rain, stay alert at all times and look for all the threats that can cause you to fall off your motorcycle.
1.15 Keep distance
As it is unsafe to apply sudden brakes while riding in the rain, make sure to keep your distance from the front and rear vehicles. In dry conditions, a three-second safety zone in front and behind you is the minimum. In rain, you should double this distance if possible.
2. What to Do After Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain?
When you reach home after riding a motorcycle in the rain, make sure you inspect your motorcycle for any damage and clean it with a dry microfiber cloth to avoid rusting. Store your motorcycle in a warm place if possible.
3. Conclusion
Riding a motorcycle in the rain is challenging and can be unsafe. Only experienced riders should consider riding in the rain, and even then, dial up the defensive riding techniques a few notches.
The 15 tips mentioned in this article can help you be safe while riding in the rain. Though you need to make sure that you are prepared and are carrying a rain suit, extra gloves, Ziploc bags, and waterproof riding gear.
Special thanks to our friends at Viking Bags for this guest post.
If you’ve enjoyed this article about what it takes to beat rider fatigue, click below to check out the previous article by Viking Bags:
Photo Credits – Wild Triumph
