Riding in the rain

  • Published
  • By Cindy McClendon
  • 17th Training Wing Safety
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Most motorcyclists don't usually plan on riding in the rain. When starting a ride it may be sunny, but out of nowhere, the rain starts to fall. At this point there are two choices: pull over until it stops raining or proceed to ride in the rain. If the choice is to continue riding, be aware that wet roads significantly raise motorcycling to another level of complexity.

Rule no.1: Slow down. This is the first and most important rule of riding in the rain. Braking distance is increased in the rain and slowing down also reduces the lean angle needed for turns.

Rule no. 2: Keep it Upright. Weight is applied perpendicular to the road which increases the amount of traction available.

Rule no. 3: Read the Road. Watch the road and assume the road is dirty. Rain has a tendency of spreading gravel, dirt, and oil on the road. Oil is very illusive everywhere but most prominent at stop signs, tollbooths and in parking lots. Those pretty little red and blue rainbows on the ground are signs of potential danger; remember ride slow and straight up. Standing water can cause hydroplaning and hide pot holes in the road. Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water sandwiches between your front tire and the road, resulting in zero traction.

Other potential hazards are:
Painted Lines (Crosswalks and Diamonds in the HOV lanes) - If turning right or left in a crosswalk and crossing the lines at an angle, you should apply rule number one and slow down more than usual, then apply rule number two and make the turn straight up rather than in a lean. Same goes for diamonds in HOV lanes. The diamond is shaped so you just ride across it and continue to ride along it.

Surface Textures - Most commercial and residential parking areas are paved with very slick concrete surfaces. Ride slow and keep the motorcycle straight up.

Steel (Manhole covers and Railroad tracks) - They should be avoided, however, if that is not possible, keep the bike straight up and proceed slowly.

Vision and Visibility is also a serious concern. When the rain fall is heavy and visibility is distorted, the best thing to do is get safely off the road and wait until weather conditions improve. Another common visibility problem is fogged faceshields and glasses. This comes from the difference in temperature between the outside air and the inside of the helmet. This problem is at its worst when first starting off because the air is still. Once moving, the airflow will most likely dissipate the fog. Other solutions are Anti-fog spray and wipe and leaving the face shield slightly open until after traveling a short distance.

Speaking of visibility, always wear bright colors for increased visibility to others.
It's not advisable to ride in a thunderstorm as you may be at risk of lightning strikes. Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Colorado and Texas are states that have a high amount of lightning strike incidents each year, with July being the peak month for lightning.

Rain can be a challenging element for any motorist. If caught in a situation that you feel is too much to handle, pull over to a safe spot until the weather conditions improve.