Riding in the Rain

This is the time of year when many riders in the Northwest begin to think about battery tenders, fuel stabilizers and other winterization strategies for their motorcycles. Then there are those who say that if you live in the Northwest and don’t ride in the rain, you don’t ride much. If you are considering extending your riding season, or just don’t want to be caught out by an unexpected rain shower, a few tips will help keep you safe and comfortable.

1. Get in gear. Being cold and wet saps physical and mental energy. Riding in the rain requires complete mental focus. If you are thinking about how cold your feet are or how annoying that river of rainwater running down your back is, you are not focused on riding safely. The key is proper rain gear. A good rain suit will keep you dry and warm through all but the worst downpour. Waterproof boots and quality gloves will keep your fingers and toes in comfortable operating condition.

2. Know your (traction) limits. Those two wheels are your only contact points with the road. Make sure your tires are in good condition with plenty of tread depth to push the water away and properly inflated. While wet asphalt offers plenty of traction, there are lots of common road features that can be slick as ice when wet. Railroad crossings are particularly slippery and should be crossed with the bike straight up and at a right angle to the tracks. Also watch out for oil slicks, painted lines, crosswalks and manhole covers. In construction zones, the steel plates used to cover holes in the road are especially treacherous.

3. Be smooth. No sudden starts, stops or turns. Easy on the throttle and the brakes. Leave yourself plenty of room to react.

4. See and be seen. Keep your helmet visor clean and fog free. Anti-fog sprays and breath deflectors are effective at keeping your visor from fogging. Your visibility forward will be better if you look over your windshield rather than through it. As for being seen, when you pick that rain suit, choose yellow or some other high visibility color and select a suit with reflective features. Do not choose black or gray as they tend to blend in with the gloomy surroundings making you harder to see.

Riding in the rain does not have to be an ordeal. Proper equipment and preparation can make the next rainy day just another opportunity to ride.

Here are a few resources for further reading about riding in the rain:

• http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/wet_riding_conditions/
• http://www.soundrider.com/archive/safety-skills/rain_riding.htm
• http://www.msgroup.org/forums/mtt/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6170