Safe Motorcycle Riding in the Rain

As the weather starts to cool down in the fall, the rain will start to pick up. For motorcycle riders, the rain presents a major challenge. Rain can make even short trips a white-knuckle experience if you’re not prepared to deal with the specific challenges you will face. We created this guide to help equip our customers with the knowledge they need for safe riding in the rain.

Of course, this isn’t meant to replace a motorcycle riding certification class, but rather to augment it. Read on to learn more, and if you’re in the market for a new motorcycle, stop by Rick Case Honda. We’re located near Miami and Fort Lauderdale, in Davie, Florida, and we proudly serve the areas of Hollywood and Coral Springs, Florida.

Purchase Good Riding Gear

Since motorcycles don’t have cabins like cars do, the only thing between you and the rain will be your riding gear. A full-face helmet is very helpful for riding in the rain. First, it keeps all water away from your eyes, which will help you have more clear sight. Second, it keeps your face from being exposed to the combination of wind and rain that makes riding in the rain so cold and unpleasant. This combination will cool you down extremely quickly, and if your face and neck aren’t covered, it can be distractingly uncomfortable.

If you ride in the rain regularly, as some commuters might, it’s worth it to invest in a full body riding suit. This type of suit will give you seamless protection from the elements, meaning you won’t get cold and wet where your jacket separates from your pants or anywhere else. A windshield is another helpful piece of equipment for motorcycles that can accommodate one. In addition to whatever clothing you wear, it’s important to have waterproof, insulated boots and gloves. Because your feet and hands handle the controls of the bike, it’s important to keep them warm and limber.

Slow Down

Rain can be dangerous for many reasons, but there’s one solution that can solve a variety of problems: slow down. When it’s raining really hard, or if there’s enough water on the road getting kicked up by other vehicles, visibility can be a big problem. Only by slowing down will you give yourself enough time to deal with problems as they arise.

It’s also important to slow down because traction can be a big problem for motorcyclists in the rain. Rain reduces the amount of friction between your tire and the road. That means everything from turning to accelerating to braking will be more challenging. If you head into a turn thinking you’ll be able to cut as hard of a line as you would on dry pavement, you might find yourself having a slide out. Remember that when you’re on the highway, slamming on the brakes can be very dangerous, so it’s best to slow down and increase your following distance.

Watch for Low Traction Obstacles

There are many obstacles on the road that will be even more slippery than the wet pavement, and it’s important to identify and avoid these areas. Sometimes in construction zones, workers will place a steel plate on the road. These plates can be extremely slick when wet, so make sure to slow down as you drive over them and avoid making sudden turns or braking.

Roads often wear down in sort of a “W” pattern in which car tires create two parallel trenches over time. These trenches will tend to fill up with water and create a hydroplane risk. In the center of the road, however, there will be a strip of substantially drier pavement. This is the best place to ride. As you ride, you should generally look out for lower areas on the road which will fill up with water and create a slipping hazard.

For all your motorcycle needs, stop by Rick Case Honda. We’re located near Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in Davie, and we proudly serve the areas of Hollywood and Coral Springs, Florida.