Riding in the Rain

Most riders experience riding in the rain quite by accident. You take off on a ride when the sun is shining, birds are singing, and fluffy clouds float lazily thru the blue sky... and then the day turn ominously dark as the horizon rears up with dark ugly thunderheads. (Naturally, they are between you and home!) Suddenly, you realize you are about to get your first taste of wet asphalt, like it or not.

Riding in the rain is an unavoidable part of riding. However, if you are properly prepared, it can be done safely. The greatest risks are reduced traction and reduced visibility. With a little planning and preventative maintenance, you can safely manage those risks

Tire maintenance, air pressure and visual inspection, are not something to do when it rains; it's done before it rains. Tires that are worn below acceptable tread depths dramatically affect the ability of the tire to squeeze water away from the roadway and the tread face.

Things to remember:

• Smooth steering-no sudden movements
• Gradual even pressure on the brakes
• Speed- must match the conditions you’re riding in
• Wet pavement doubles your stopping distance, traction is greatly reduced and maneuverability is lessoned
• Windshields help in wet weather, but they accumulate water and distort light.
• Eyewear should fit snugly and be free of scratches and/or blemishes. (Trust me, the first time you are caught in a rainstorm and you're struggling to see the road thru scratched lenses... oncoming traffic headlights will INSTANTLY make you wish you had listened to me.)
• Finally - never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly

Your visual lead is your safety net. The farther ahead you can see - the more time you have to react to it. Remember, it's what you don’t see that can hurt you.

A rain suit does more than keep you dry. It keeps you warm and visible. Brightly colored garments with reflective stripes and/or markings increase your visibility and your safety.

Note: If you have the convenience of saddlebags, pack your rain gear in the right side saddlebag. In the event the road captain decides to pull over, this will give you safe access to your rain gear without being in the line of traffic.

Painted lines on crosswalks can be unsafe for motorcyclists, particularly if you're turning right or left and crossing the lines at an angle. The smooth surface of the paint is much slicker than the asphalt. Slow down more than usual and make the turn straight up, rather than in a lean.

Oil is everywhere and it’s very elusive. Those little red and blue rainbows on the pavement mean danger. Ride slow and straight up. If you're caught in the first rain following a few dry days remember the roads are covered with lots of oil and dirt. In the first thirty to sixty minutes of a rain, the oil and dirt will be lifted from the surface contributing to a hazardous condition. After sufficient rain has washed the oil and dirt clear of the road surface, traction will improve. (But the pavement is still wet, so don't get cocky.)