Riding your motorcycle in the weather might be dangerous. Riding a motorcycle anywhere, at any time, can be risky. There are particular challenges to cope with when it rains. Because it is impossible to foresee when a storm will begin, you must take extra precautions to avoid being caught in the storm.
It would help if you took some precautions before riding in the rain because there are several factors to consider. A condensed list of these precautions includes:
- Avoiding rain unless necessary.
- Use protective gear if you become stuck.
- Making oneself visible to other cars.
A simple rule to follow when riding in the rain is to be aware of the weather. You can generally judge the more significant risk of incoming storms that you should avoid by keeping an eye on the forecast and the surrounding skies.
This will not be practicable in a flash flood or unexpected rainstorm. This is why you should always be prepared for rain, even if it isn’t predicted.
Equipment Required To Ride A Motorcycle In The Rain
You should pay attention to your visors. It’s important to keep your road vision sharp. Therefore you don’t want your helmet visor to fog up and reduce your field of vision. It’s not just about your visibility, though.
Getting visor equipment that won’t fog up or impair your view in the rain is crucial. Additionally, it is essential to be seen by another driver. A reflector vest or other brightly colored clothes that will make you very visible to another vehicle must be obtained.
Think About Temperature
The physical cost of being stranded in the rain on a motorcycle is immediate. Without the proper clothing, you will quickly become cold. It can be a minor irritation in the summer but a health issue in particular regions. Therefore, it is why you must take the necessary steps to avoid being somewhat hypothermic while riding in the rain.
# Get Water Resistant Jacket
Purchase a rain-resistant jacket. A water-resistant jacket will provide an extra layer of protection between the rain, your clothes, and your skin.
# Wear Rain Boots
Wear rain boots to keep your feet dry and free of debris. Rain, even in a small storm, may be unpleasant on your hands and feet if they are not adequately protected.
Riding shoes made of thick material are available and will adequately protect your toes and heels. On the other hand, riding boots are tall enough to cover your lower leg while providing a solid material barrier for your feet. That is why riding boots are commonly suggested to protect against rain, mud, and another gravel material was thrown up by rainstorms and severe winds.
# Ride on a Dry Line
In the event of occasional precipitation, some portions of the road will be dry while the majority will be wet. Find and drive on a “dry line” wherever possible to avoid the chance of slipping. It won’t be doable on every road, but the more you stay with it, the better.
You’re probably worried about the dangers of riding a motorcycle while there’s no dry line nearby. If there is no dry line, you must slow down as much as possible. You must ride slowly to maintain the water’s bow below the motorcycle’s engine air intake.
If possible, go to the side of the road or the center of the lane. The goal is to find the most level portion of the road while remaining visible to other drivers.
Even if you’re moving at a snail’s pace at this stage, you must keep going in as straight a line as possible. Maintain a constant throttle, speed, and gear ratio. If you feel one of your tires come loose, open the throttle slightly further to avoid slipping.
Stay Out Of The Water
Drive carefully through the water. When learning to drive, you are given the exact driver safety instructions. The distinction is that driving directly through deep water can produce aquaplaning. Your body is on the outside of a motorcycle, and driving through deep water will act as a natural barrier to the bike, causing you to fall off.
Operate Your Bike Smoothly During Storms
This is why you must ride your bike carefully if you are caught in a bad storm. Throttle changes must be smooth and in tiny increments. You must use less lean angle and gradually apply brakes, so you do not “stab the lever” when braking.
You risk fishtailing if you apply too much force to the brakes in the rain. This is when the back end slides out, and the bike starts traveling in the opposite direction while you try to correct it. This is quite dangerous at high speeds, so avoid braking abruptly in the wet.
Bad road conditions are a challenge, but in a flash flood situation, they may be a nightmare for some riders. But it doesn’t have to be. If you are approaching a pothole, turn off your engine. Because you’re moving slowly, you should have enough time to turn off the engine. Complete this as soon as possible. You’ll do this to prevent your air intake from sucking up water that will flood the pothole.
What If Bike Goes Underwater?
If you turn off the engine and hit a pothole, or if your bike becomes immersed elsewhere, don’t start it immediately. You must first complete some minor maintenance.
Remove and check spark plug, if applicable, the air filter, and drain any standing water from the airbox and exhaust. Often, spin the bike into a wheelie position or upside down. To get the water out of the cylinder, you may need to crank the rear tire while the bike is in gear. Any carburetors should be emptied.
If the water logging is not too bad, this is the best line of action. However, what may require much more maintenance is severe engine flooding. If this occurs, you should take your bike to a repair.
Watch For Additional Risks
Sometimes, you will need to be more cautious about potential hazards. Intersections, for example, can make it challenging to navigate rainfall safely. Intersections and regions with constant heavy traffic will have a higher concentration of oil on the roads and increased pressure from simply having more traffic around you.
Other things to keep an eye out for are-
- Covers for storm drains
- Cones of caution
- Trash or debris from the road
Other unintended dangers, such as animals crossing the road, an unexpected load tumbling off a vehicle, etc., may occur. Avoid swerving and overcorrecting to avoid an accident by being aware of your surroundings. Additionally, riding a motorcycle slowly gives you the most time to react to unforeseen occurrences.
In The Case Of A Serious Issue
If you have a significant problem while riding in the rain, you may require roadside help. During rainstorms or other bad weather, you should not stay on the side of the road for long. If necessary, contact your local roadside assistance agency for assistance. These services often include battery replacement, flat tire repair, towing, fluid delivery, and other essential services.
If you’re planning a long road trip, consider purchasing a motorbike insurance package with roadside support. In addition, this is owing to the numerous additional risks associated with long-distance motorcycle travel. Rain and bad weather add to the risks of long-distance travel, so if terrible weather is forecasted during your journey, you don’t want to go without some assurance.
Riding a motorcycle in the rain presents additional obstacles that necessitate additional safeguards. However, rain-riding can be made safer if approached correctly. Riding your motorbike in the rain can be safe if you plan your route, wear the proper gear, and pay attention to the people around you.
