by Lewis Wuest

Created on: March 03, 2007   Last Updated: April 12, 2007

Motorcycles and Rain

Many people believe that riding a motorcycle in the rain is a fool's errand; however there are times, whether on a long trip or just getting caught in unexpected rain, that it can't be avoided. The important thing is to be prepared and follow some safety rules.

To be prepared means having the equipment you need with you at all times. I always have a rain suit and waterproof gloves in my motorcycle. A full face helmet is best for rain but if all you have is an open face helmet then you need a good pair of goggles or glasses that will keep the rain out of your eyes.

Anytime you are driving a car or riding a motorcycle, space between you and the vehicles around you is important. When riding a motorcycle on a wet road or in the rain that space becomes critical. This is because slowing and stopping distances increase, sometimes dramatically, under wet conditions.

A motorcycle tire has a fairly small contact patch, which means there is only a small portion of tire in contact with the road surface at any one time. Because of this small contact patch a motorcycle tire can lose traction easier on a wet surface. Here is where antilock brakes can really make the difference. But many motorcycles still come without antilock brakes so you have to be particularly careful in how hard you apply the brakes. The lighter touch on the brakes required by wet surfaces leads to longer stopping distances. Also if the brake rotor and pads get wet their stopping power is reduced until they burn off that moisture.

Swerving around objects or vehicles becomes more dangerous also. So leave yourself plenty of room, not just in front and behind you, but also to each side.

Stay away from the middle of the lane where the dark stripe is located. This dark strip is created by fluid leakage from vehicles and can be slippery at any time. When it rains though the water lifts this residue of grease, oil, transmission fluid, radiator fluid and differential oil up out of the roadway material creating a slick surface area on the road. The first rain of the season can be particularly bad for this as these fluids have built up. Ride in the clear areas of the lanes where cars and truck tires travel.

Stay away from the roadway edge where it meets the shoulder or center divider, many times this area will collect water creating puddles.

Anything painted on the roadway surface will be slick, especially if it has built up layers of paint. These areas will not only be slick for your tires but if you are coming to a stop and place your foot down on one of them your foot could easily slide out from under you.

Wear a good pair of boots or shoes that have an aggressive tread on the soles, not a slick soled shoe.

Plan your stops; watch the traffic signals as you approach them. Rainy, wet weather is not the time to be forced into making a sudden stop because you weren't watching the traffic signals.

While riding in the rain may not be the safest thing it can be done. I have taken many motorcycle trips and I am struck by one thing, many of the things I remember on these trips are the challenges or the trip, rain being on of those challenges.

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