Riding your motorcycle in the rain
Posted by Howard Trott on Monday, April 1, 2019 Under: Motorbike Safety
Riding a motorcycle is challenging enough as it is because of the level of difficulty that it presents and the amount of skill and ability that is required when doing so. Add a little rain into the mix and you've got an even more difficult driving situation that requires extra care and attention. Here are some tips for riding your motorcycle in the rain.
The first thing to remember when riding in the rain is that your motorcycle will have less traction because of the water that will be present on the road. This presents an increased urgency to pay attention to the speed at which you are travelling. The faster you go, the less traction you'll have, and the more likely you are to hydroplane. If you have to ride in the rain, slow down and take your time to allow for maximum traction in the wet conditions. Be sure to drive on the highest part of the road and avoid tire grooves at all cost if possible. Water will accumulate in these areas which will provide an increased risk of hydroplaning if you happen to drive over them.
Motorcycles are already at a disadvantage when it comes to visibility because of their size. Factor in the decreased level of visibility because of the rain and you are at even more of a disadvantage. This is where it is critical that all of your lights are working properly.
When you ride your motorcycle, you expose yourself to the elements, and rain is just one of those elements that can put a damper on an enjoyable trip if you are not prepared. You'll want to make sure you have the proper rain gear to keep yourself dry and warm in rainy conditions. This can also help keep your stress level down somewhat, which will prevent you from becoming distracted and inattentive due to being wet from the rain. If you see that there is a chance for rain, be sure to have the proper gear, not just a motorcycle jacket.
Finally, the best advice anyone can give when it comes to riding your motorcycle in the rain is to simply avoid it if at all possible. Your chances of a having a bad experience will driving in the rain will be eliminated if you don't have to put yourself in the situation in the first place. If you have no choice though, slow down, make sure you have your rain gear, and you'll be just fine.
In : Motorbike Safety