ALT-5 Tips for Safe Motorcycling in the Rain
Riding motorcycles has been a passion of mine since childhood. The wind in your face, the feeling of freedom and the unobstructed view. Rain, though, has never been on my top ten list of favorite things about cruising on a motorcycle.Rain makes the rider much more aware of the hazards of two wheeled transportation. Rain affects your visibility tremendously, limits your traction, obscures you from others' view and makes for an uncomfortable drive.Visibility is essential to any vehicle operation and therefore any impediment of vision is a hazard. A motorcycle without a windshield or wind visor is more susceptible to vision being limited. The first line of offense against the rain is a good windshield. The rain hits the shield instead of your face or visor(if your helmet has a visor). In an automobile you have the luxury of wipers to remove the rain from the windshield. On most motorcycles that luxury is nonexistent. Moisture accumulates on the windshield and makes it difficult to see clearly. Imagine that moisture accumulation much closer to your face on a visor. My first recommendation to riding safely in the rain is to consider buying a motorcycle with a windshield. My second recommendation is to have a helmet with a visor. The pain of rain on the eyes is too intense to keep your eyes open for more than a brief peek. If you have ever ridden in the rain you will never forget the pain of the rain drops on bare skin. I have tried many times to see what is the best method to keep a visor visibility adequate and nothing really works all that well. Gloves remove the excess for a brief time only requiring the repeated wiping and then hands and gloves become quite soaked. Having a rag handy requires extra attention to hanging onto a rag and not dropping it and then adjusting to the extra weight as the rag becomes drenched. Just leaving the rain to accumulate and then drip away works for a time as well until you get dirty water from a vehicle in front of you splattered to visor or glasses or windshield. Visibility remains the most challenging of the complications from rain. My third recommendation is to have good leather gloves on that wipe water well. The leather stays dry for a time and leaves an adequate field of vision to see through after wiping across the visor. You will require to wipe just as frequently as you would turn the wipers on in a car so be prepared.Traction is another hazard, but one that can be easily handled. Most roads have some water that stays on the tracks. If you hit a large amount of water you run the risk of losing control. By riding in the middle of the tracks you avoid the water that accumulates. Another are of traction hazard is the painted lines on the road. The paint becomes very slippery when wet. Avoid the center lines and the side lines on roads. If you must ride on the paint as in passing another vehicle, make sure it is not on a corner and make sure the bike is not tilted, but straight up and down. Allow your self extra distance behind other vehicles to stop as well. These are a few good ways to assure that you maintain traction in the rain.In the rain other drivers have visibility limitations too and therefore make sure that your headlight(s) work and is turned on. The front signal lights and the rear taillight also should be turned on(running lights). A motorcycle is much smaller than an automobile and the lights warns others that you are there. Making sure you have working lights is an easy way to add safety in the rain.Being comfortable riding is also important to safety. Rain really does hurt and having a long sleeve, collar and no exposed skin is essential. Proper riding gear gives you these advantages already, so wear them whenever you ride. A helmet with a visor is also appreciated whenever it rains as it protects your eyes and face from the rain. It is cool to have just a skull cap, but it does nothing to protect the face and eyes.Motorcycles are excellent fun and give you a great ride. The rain is annoying, but if you follow my recommendations you'll not only be safer, but more comfortable. Keep on riding!
