subject: How To Ride Your Motorcycle In The Rain [print this page] How To Ride Your Motorcycle In The Rain How To Ride Your Motorcycle In The Rain
Riding a motorcycle is an enjoyable pastime activity that many partake in year after year. Sometimes, however, the conditions in which the motorcycle is ridden is not always optimal. Riding in the rain is one condition that can present some challenges to the rider. Here are some tips that will help you ride your motorcycle in the rain safely.
Right away you have to remember the fact that you are riding on two wheels instead of four, so you're not going to have the same type of traction that you would if you were driving a car. The motorcycle is going to handle much differently than you might be expecting. If you've ever hydroplaned in a car before, you are well aware of the feeling that you experience. Since you are only riding on two wheels and have zero wheel base, you simply cannot afford to hydroplane at all. The key then is to prevent it all together.
Riding On High Ground
In order to reduce your risk of hydroplaning while riding in the rain, you'll want to try and ride on the high ground of the lane where tire groves do not exist. Water can build up in the grooves where car tires frequently travel, so you'll want to avoid these areas of the road. You'll have to be very observant of where the high ground is so you can follow a line of road that does not have water built up on it.
Reduce Speed, Increase Traction
When riding in the rain on your motorcycle, you want to try and get the most traction possible in order to make up for the lack of wheel base and stability that results from only have two wheels to work with. When you travel at excessively high speeds you are reducing the amount of contact that is made between the wheels and the road. This reduces the overall amount of traction that you have and can be quite dangerous.
In order to maximize traction while riding your motorcycle in the rain, one must reduce the rate of speed at which they are traveling. When this happens, the tires of the motorcycle are able to make more contact with the road which increases traction and stability.
Visibility
Unfortunately you don't have windshield wipers on your glasses or helmet shield, so you're going to have to try and keep your field of vision clear of water. This can be a tricky task especially since you need to try and keep both hands on the handlebars at all times. If you have a full face helmet on, you can prop the face shield open just enough to be able to see the roadway, and just enough to still keep the rain out of your face.
Avoid It All Together
Finally, the best way to deal with riding in the rain while on your motorcycle is to simply avoid it all together if possible. Consider pulling off of the road to find an overpass or some type of structure to park under in order to wait it out. This is the option that will guarantee the most safety, and is the only option that can truly help you stay dry.
