Wet surfaces reduce traction, obscure visibility, and make braking harder. That’s why, the rain Wet surfaces reduce traction, obscure visibility, and make braking harder. That’s why, the rain felt very daunting when I was a rookie rider as maintaining balance is a big challenge. However, with time, I realized that to ride a motorcycle safely in the rain, understanding how to adjust your riding style can change the game. By following this 12-step tutorial on how to ride motorcycle in rain, you will be able to do the same.
Before riding out in the rain, you should wear the proper safety gear, check your bike, and know how to tackle such hazardous conditions confidently. I have prepared a step-by-step tutorial to guide you through the essentials of navigating through rainy conditions while keeping yourself and others safe.
How to Ride Motorcycle in Rain? Prepare Yourself
Before you jump on your wagon, wait a moment! Proper preparation is key to making your journey both fun and safe. So, here’s how you can gear up and get your bike ready before you hit those wet roads.
Check the Weather
Riding in drizzle is one thing, but heavy downpours or storms can be dangerous. So, before you even think about riding, take a moment to check the weather forecast.
Apps like AccuWeather or the Weather Channel can give you real-time updates. Look for conditions like flash flooding or thunderstorms that might make riding unsafe.
Inspect Your Motorcycle
- Tires: Wet roads are notorious for reducing traction. That’s why ensure your tires have plenty of treads. Worn-out tires are a recipe for slipping and sliding. Double-check tire pressure too as rain can affect grip, and having the right pressure helps.
- Brakes: Braking takes longer in the rain. Test your front and rear brakes to ensure they’re responsive before heading out. If you notice any squeaking or delayed stopping, it’s better to fix it before hitting the road.
- Lights: Rain reduces visibility. Make sure your headlights, taillights, and brake lights are working perfectly. Clean any dirt off the lenses to maximize brightness.
"INSPECT YOUR TIRES, BRAKES AND LIGHTS."
Dress for the Rain
- Helmet with a Clear Visor: While the helmet is your shield, visibility can be an issue in heavy rain. A clear visor helps you see the road ahead better than a tinted one. Anti-fog treatments or visors with built-in anti-fog technology can prevent your vision from getting blurred.
- Waterproof Jacket and Pants: Look for jackets and pants that are not just water-resistant but waterproof. You don’t want water seeping in after a few minutes of rain. The best part is, nowadays, you can choose from many stylish options.
- Waterproof Gloves: Cold, wet hands make controlling the throttle or brake more difficult. Make sure your gloves are waterproof. And, if possible, get a pair with a good grip even when wet or frozen in rain.
- Waterproof Boots: Wet feet can slip off easily or make gear-shifting difficult. Invest in waterproof boots or overshoes to keep those toes warm and dry.
Visibility Essentials
- Reflective Gear: Adding reflective elements to your jacket, helmet, or bike increases your visibility to others on the road. These reflective gear can make you visible to the other drivers on the road at night or in foggy conditions.
- Helmet Visor Wipers: Some riders use small wipers. Some riders use anti-rain sprays to keep their visors clear. Go for it! Every bit helps when it comes to seeing what’s ahead.
- Bright Colors: If possible, wear brighter colors on your gear. While black might look cool, neon jackets or helmets are far more visible in low-visibility conditions.
Additional Gear for Comfort
Staying dry and comfortable is the key to enjoying the ride. Layer up under your waterproof gear to stay warm if necessary. Thermal undergarments are a great choice for keeping body heat.
Final Check Before you Ride
Before you get on the road, do one final walk-around of your bike. Check if you have everything you need for a safe ride. Because, once you’re in the rain, it is a little late to adjust things!
12-Step Tutorial on How to Ride Motorcycle in Rain
Once you wear the necessary gear and have a safe motorcycle, go out for the ride. But how can you ensure a safe ride? Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to ride safely in the rain.
Step 1: Slow Down
The first rule of riding in heavy rain is to slow down. Wet roads are slippery, and your tires won’t have the same grip they do in dry conditions. But how much to slow down?
Reduce your speed by at least 15%-20% compared to your regular pace, especially for the first 20 minutes. After that, you can speed up a little, if necessary, but make sure it is no more than 90% of your regular speed.
Step 2: Keep a Safe Distance
With a slow and steady ride, your stopping distance increases. Make sure, you maintain a larger distance from the vehicle ahead of you. This distance would be double the usual gap. This extra space gives you time to brake without skidding.
Step 3: Choose the Right Lane
Avoid puddles and road edges, as they can hide potholes or debris that could cause you to lose control. The trick is to stick to the tire tracks left by vehicles in front of you. Because these areas are slightly drier and provide better traction than the middle of the lane.
Moreover, Stick to higher parts of the road or areas with good drainage and visibility. Avoid riding in blind spots, especially in low-visibility conditions.
Step 4: Smooth and Gentle Controls
When you’re accelerating, braking, or turning, avoid any sudden movements. Jerky movements can make your bike unstable, especially on slippery surfaces. The more gradual your actions, the more stable you’ll feel. How can you do that?
When you start from a stop, increase the throttle smoothly. First, apply a little pressure on your brakes. Then gradually increase the brakes. It will minimize the chance of your tires locking up. This is known as the progressive braking trick.
Step 5: Use Both Brakes Carefully
Bike riders usually use the front brake when it is dry. However, use front and rear brakes simultaneously when it rains.
Apply the rear brake first. Then apply the front brake smoothly. This trick will evenly distribute the brakes on the tires. To acquire this skill, you need to know the basics of riding a motorcycle. Please read “Essential Tips on How to Ride Motorcycle Safely on the Road” to learn more about riding a bike safely.
Step 6: Cornering Techniques
Reduce your speed before entering a corner. If you brake in mid-turn, your bike might get destabilized. Please read “The Ultimate Motorcycle Cornering Techniques for Safe Riding on the Road” to learn more about cornering techniques.
Step 7: Stay Upright and Avoid Leaning Too Much
Leaning your body may feel natural when you turn your motorcycle. However, keep your bike as straight as possible to get better control on the road on rainy days. The more straight your bike is, the more its tire surface is in contact with the road. It will give you maximum grip.
Here is the trick! When navigating a turn, shift your weight subtly rather than leaning heavily. It will help you maintain balance while keeping the bike more vertical. Moreover, keep your hands steady on the handlebars and avoid sudden shifts in direction to maintain control.
Step 8: Watch for Slick Surfaces
Roads are particularly slippery during the first 15-30 minutes of rainfall, as water mixes with oil and dirt on the surface. These usually appear as rainbow-colored patches on the road.
Try to steer around them. Painted surfaces and metal covers become slippery when wet. Cross them at a perpendicular angle to avoid skidding.
Here are some roads that can get slippery and slick during rain.
- Manhole covers
- Crosswalk lines
- Railroad tracks
- Bridge gratings
- Steel construction plates, etc.
Step 9: Be Aware of Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is when you drive on standing water on roads and your motorcycle’s tires lose contact with the road’s surface. This is a dangerous situation because it causes your bike to lose traction and you lose its control.
If you start to hydroplane, avoid braking or making sudden movements. Stay calm and ease off the throttle. Let your bike slow down naturally until your tires regain contact with the road.
Try to steer around deep puddles or waterlogged sections of the road.
Step 10: Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
Tire pressure certainly plays a crucial role in how well your motorcycle handles rainy-day roads. If your tires are under-inflated, they won’t grip the road as effectively. As a result, they will increase your chances of slipping.
However, you can avoid this by regularly checking your tire pressure, especially before riding in the rain. Properly inflated tires maintain better contact with the road, giving you more control and reducing the risk of hydroplaning.
Step 11: Use Engine Braking Where Possible
You can use engine braking as an alternative to traditional braking. Why? Because engine braking slows your bike by downshifting. It reduces speed without applying the brakes.
To do that, you have to shift gears down gradually. It will allow the engine to take over some of the braking work.
Step 12: Plan Your Stops
Once you set off with your motorcycle, you will stop somewhere.
Make sure, you stop well in advance. Yet, stay prepared to make small stoppages whenever necessary. Since wet roads require more stopping distance, be aware of upcoming stops or intersections.
Extra Safety Tips for Riding in Heavy Rain
Nothing always goes as planned. You can say the same when you ride out in the rain on your motorcycle. Here are some tips that might help you to ride more safely, even if the weather takes unpredictable turns.
1. Stay Relaxed
If you are a beginner, it is natural to panic when you end up in a bad weather condition. But guess what? It will only make things worse because you won’t be able to think straight. So staying relaxed is the best way to make the ride smoother.
2. Avoid Sudden Movements
It is risky to move quickly on rainy roads. Change lanes gradually. Avoid potholes smoothly.
Smooth riding gives your tires a better chance to maintain grip. And, at any time you need to adjust direction, throttle, or brake, and move slowly and intentionally to avoid slipping.
3. Stay Alert for Changing Road Conditions
The road can change quickly in the rain. Puddles form, debris gets washed onto the road, and even manhole covers become slick. Stay alert for sudden changes in the surface. Being vigilant is necessary for urban areas where water pools and road markings can become hazards.
4. Take Frequent Breaks
When you ride in the rain, be cautious for your safety. Also, you have to stay balanced as well. The weather itself is tiring. As a result, you can get fatigued. So, don’t hesitate to stop, grab a coffee, or warm up under a shelter.
5. Be Ready to Turn Back
Sometimes, no matter how prepared you are, the rain might get too much for you. If that’s the case, you better turn back or find a safe place. Wait it out instead of pushing through dangerous conditions.
What Else?
Staying safe in the rain comes down to 3 things: proper gear, smart riding, and bike maintenance. Be cautious, and avoid rushing. Always give yourself extra space to react. With a little patience and a lot of preparation, you’ll handle it like a pro.
