Motorcycle riding in the rain

Dodsfall · 09-09-2011, 09:25 PM

Motorcyclists usually keep close tabs on the weather forecast. The forecast temperature will determine what gear we bring along to wear. Just as important to most riders is the forecast chance of rain. Every rider has different tolerances toward their willingness to chance a rainstorm. Some will not ride on the slightest chance of a downpour and others will ride depending on the severity. Personally, I will head out in a drizzle without a second thought, but try to avoid a thunderstorm if possible. That is not to say I've never been caught in bad weather.

What to watch out for

Wet pavement calls for a certain amount of caution when riding. Acceleration, braking and turning all use up available traction. Slow and steady is the safest way to ride in wet conditions. Brake earlier, accelerate slower, and give more room for wider and slower turns. When the rain first starts to fall, the pavement can get very slick due to the oil from vehicles rising up from the crevices in the road. Areas such as painted road markings and metal grates at railroad crossings also require special care. Leaves and other debris can be especially dangerous.

Thunderstorm stories

I've got caught in and ridden through several thunderstorms over the years. It's not a pleasant experience, and one I've tried to avoid if possible. Sometimes we just get caught off guard. Visibility is reduced for both the rider and other traffic, making travel more hazardous. The risk of a lightning strike was always on my mind as well, especially when you can see the bolts hitting the ground too close for comfort. The worst storm I got caught in flooded the streets bad enough to have standing water over the foot pegs in some areas. Very slow speed was required, because an invisible pothole could hurt badly!

What are some of your rainy riding experiences? Join the discussion below to let us know!

YamahaFan · 09-10-2011, 12:03 AM

Riding in the rain at night most of the time is a no no. I have been caught in moderate rain at night 2 times, it was very hard to see, and if you flip the visor up you still can't see because of rain drops in your eyes. I was also caught in pouring rain at night one time, without the street lights I could barely see anything more than 2 feet in front of my bike. I was going around 5-10 mph counting the yellow stripes that divide the road (was switching between 1st and 2nd gear because higher gear wouldn't work, probably the air was too wet). I was only about 5 minutes from the house, otherwise I'd be pulling over already.

porange · 09-11-2011, 07:00 PM

I usually try not to ride in the rain if i can avoid it. Last week however it was rainy Monday through Friday and I rode anyway. This made me think a lot about rainy day tips. One of the most important things IMO is knowing your route and knowing the roads. Visibility is limited so it is crucial to know where the pot holes, slick sewer lids, rough pavement and painted lines are ahead of time. If you know where you are going and you know the road conditions well, then you can devote more focus to the cagers who all revert to 16 year old drivers whenever it rains a little.

4Raven · 09-11-2011, 08:59 PM

My worst was the 120 miles in a downpour that forced vehicles to stop on the highway. I didn't have rain gear, had a 1/2 helmet on with a retractable shield. It was awful! Stopped under every bridge to wring out gloves and wipe off shield, left bike on so cagers could see the tail light, but crawled up under the bridge to be safe. Water was so deep that when I got off under a bridge the water ran over top of my boots! There was road repair on part of the highway, so it was stripped and heavily grooved with a huge lip between lanes, so once you were in that lane that was it! It rained all the way home, until I put the garage door up. I had to peel off my coat and clothing....even my skin was saturated...Rain gear is essential! Now I don't even hesitate about the rain, been in the worst conditions already.....

09-09-2011, 09:25 PM	#1
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,834	Motorcycle riding in the rain Motorcyclists usually keep close tabs on the weather forecast. The forecast temperature will determine what gear we bring along to wear. Just as important to most riders is the forecast chance of rain. Every rider has different tolerances toward their willingness to chance a rainstorm. Some will not ride on the slightest chance of a downpour and others will ride depending on the severity. Personally, I will head out in a drizzle without a second thought, but try to avoid a thunderstorm if possible. That is not to say I've never been caught in bad weather. What to watch out for Wet pavement calls for a certain amount of caution when riding. Acceleration, braking and turning all use up available traction. Slow and steady is the safest way to ride in wet conditions. Brake earlier, accelerate slower, and give more room for wider and slower turns. When the rain first starts to fall, the pavement can get very slick due to the oil from vehicles rising up from the crevices in the road. Areas such as painted road markings and metal grates at railroad crossings also require special care. Leaves and other debris can be especially dangerous. Thunderstorm stories I've got caught in and ridden through several thunderstorms over the years. It's not a pleasant experience, and one I've tried to avoid if possible. Sometimes we just get caught off guard. Visibility is reduced for both the rider and other traffic, making travel more hazardous. The risk of a lightning strike was always on my mind as well, especially when you can see the bolts hitting the ground too close for comfort. The worst storm I got caught in flooded the streets bad enough to have standing water over the foot pegs in some areas. Very slow speed was required, because an invisible pothole could hurt badly! What are some of your rainy riding experiences? Join the discussion below to let us know! __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Dodsfall; 09-09-2011 at 09:30 PM..

09-10-2011, 12:03 AM	#2
YamahaFan Certified Homeless Biker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MA, US Posts: 2,560	Riding in the rain at night most of the time is a no no. I have been caught in moderate rain at night 2 times, it was very hard to see, and if you flip the visor up you still can't see because of rain drops in your eyes. I was also caught in pouring rain at night one time, without the street lights I could barely see anything more than 2 feet in front of my bike. I was going around 5-10 mph counting the yellow stripes that divide the road (was switching between 1st and 2nd gear because higher gear wouldn't work, probably the air was too wet). I was only about 5 minutes from the house, otherwise I'd be pulling over already. __________________ 1996 Yamaha FZR600, first and current bike, and loving it. RIP Pat Taylor aka iamgumby I'm into women in leather. No whip please. It's not my style.

09-11-2011, 08:59 PM	#4
4Raven Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,080	My worst was the 120 miles in a downpour that forced vehicles to stop on the highway. I didn't have rain gear, had a 1/2 helmet on with a retractable shield. It was awful! Stopped under every bridge to wring out gloves and wipe off shield, left bike on so cagers could see the tail light, but crawled up under the bridge to be safe. Water was so deep that when I got off under a bridge the water ran over top of my boots! There was road repair on part of the highway, so it was stripped and heavily grooved with a huge lip between lanes, so once you were in that lane that was it! It rained all the way home, until I put the garage door up. I had to peel off my coat and clothing....even my skin was saturated...Rain gear is essential! Now I don't even hesitate about the rain, been in the worst conditions already..... __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is liable to go to places no one has ever been before. - Albert Einstein

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09-11-2011, 07:00 PM	#3
porange Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,651	I usually try not to ride in the rain if i can avoid it. Last week however it was rainy Monday through Friday and I rode anyway. This made me think a lot about rainy day tips. One of the most important things IMO is knowing your route and knowing the roads. Visibility is limited so it is crucial to know where the pot holes, slick sewer lids, rough pavement and painted lines are ahead of time. If you know where you are going and you know the road conditions well, then you can devote more focus to the cagers who all revert to 16 year old drivers whenever it rains a little.