It's happened to almost every motorcycle rider. You’re out on a summer ride and out of nowhere it starts to rain. Many riders fear riding in the rain because they are not used to how much wet weather can affect riding conditions. With the right knowledge, skills and proper gear, you can safely ride your bike in the rain, and maybe even enjoy it!
Here are a few tips to help you ride your motorcycle in the summer rain.
Before you even start your ride, make sure you have the proper equipment and gear with you on your bike. Weather can be very unpredictable, and you don’t want to get caught unprepared. Carry rain gear on your bike, including a waterproof rain suit, gloves and boots to help keep you dry and comfortable. You probably won’t need it in the summer heat, but there are also warming vests designed to keep under your riding jacket that help keep you warm and dry in the rain. If you choose to wear a helmet, the visor can fog up easily in rainy weather, so you may want to get an antifog visor with a breath guard to stop any unwanted visibility issues. The more comfortable you are on your ride, the more you can focus and that will help you stay safe on the road.
When riding in the rain, everything can be very slippery, with some spots comparable to black ice conditions in the winter. If you’re riding on pavement, ride on the dry line in the lane you are in and avoid wet pavement as much as possible. A dry line is the line you’ll see on the road from other vehicle tire tracks. The least wet path on the road will give you more traction, help you maneuver your motorcycle better and help you stop faster if needed.
Rain can also make other dangers on the road even more hazardous. Leaves, grass clippings, manhole covers and other hazards can all make you lose traction when you ride over them. If you happen to find yourself riding over any of these, do not accelerate aggressively or brake hard, as that can cause you to lose control. The best course of action is to just slowly roll over any slippery hazards. Beware of standing water, as you never know what dangers could lie beneath, including potholes or other debris. Standing water can also make you hydroplane and lose control. Keep an eye out and proceed with caution around any hazardous debris or conditions.
Intersections can be dangerous for motorcyclists in dry weather and especially in the rain. Many accidents happen at intersections due to drivers being distracted or unaware of other vehicles around them. Always pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in the rain when visibility can be much lower than normal for everyone on the road. Painted lines on the road can become slippery in the rain as well, so be careful as you cross over them on your bike. Roundabouts can also get very slick, so approach them slowly and take your time riding through them.
Riding in the rain can be tough, but it can also be a rewarding challenge and enjoyable, if you do it right. Make sure you’re prepared with the proper gear and knowledge to help you ride in the summer rain safely. The more you ride in the rain, the more comfortable you’ll become, increasing your skills and making you a better rider.
At Hupy and Abraham, we do all we can to help motorcycle riders. Our firm has promoted rider awareness and safety for decades with the “Watch for Motorcycles” message, helping to keep riders at the top of the mind of other drivers and help save their lives. Stay tuned to HUPY.COM for more motorcycle articles, events and videos.
As a rider, even if you do everything right, an accident can still happen due to the fault of someone else. If you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, call us today at 800-800-5678 or chat with us at HUPY.COM so we can start fighting for you.
