Back

Riding Your Motorcycle in the Rain

Apr. 8 2021 Safety By Motorcycle Maxx

Share

Spring and summer in the Midwest are renowned for rain and thunderstorms, which means that as a motorcyclist, you’re undoubtedly going to encounter some inclement weather at some point. While it’s always best to wait to ride until road conditions improve, we understand that that’s not always going to be possible. Ergo, you must do what you can to protect yourself when dealing with reduced visibility and slick roads.

Motorcycle Maxx in Lewis Center is Ohio’s #1 pre-owned motorcycle superstore with over 300 units in stock. We’re here to help you with everything related to motorcycling, so here are our top tips for safe riding in the rain.

Ready Your Ride

You should never ride a motorcycle that’s in need of repair even in good weather, and it’s an especially risky thing to do when it’s raining. Low tire pressure can cause reduced traction, a fuel tank running on empty may strand you by the side of the road and worn brakes can fail to bring you to a quick stop. 

A little forethought can help to protect you. Inspect your bike up and down to make sure everything is in order: 

  • Air up tires and check their tread depth and general condition.
  • Check oil & change as needed.
  • Fill up your fuel tank.
  • Do a test-ride to make sure brakes function properly and check brake fluid levels.
  • Test your lights and signals and replace burnt-out bulbs.

Gear Up For Wet Weather

Now it’s time to turn your focus on yourself, specifically on what you plan to wear while riding. A one-piece rain suit is the easiest way to keep your street clothes nice and dry so that you don’t get cold and damp while riding. You can also invest in a separate set of waterproofed pants and a jacket. Leather and denim are not going to be your friends in the rain; if you must wear your standard gear, invest in a rain poncho to shield it.

Make sure that your boots are waterproof and that you have insulated gloves with good grip to keep hold of your bike when it’s wet. You may also want to swap out your goggles for a helmet with a full face shield since goggles are more likely to fog up and occlude your vision.

You’ll also want to make sure that you can be seen by other motorists. Reflective riding gear or reflective tape on your bike and helmet will help to make you more visible.

Remain Vigilant & Ride Defensively

Finally, once you’re on the road, you’ll need to adapt how you ride to suit the wet conditions. Slow down your speed to ensure that you don’t slide out or fail to come to a full stop. Remember that your brakes may take a little longer to engage in the rain. Make sure to always have your lights on so you can see and be seen. Watch the traffic ahead for any signs of congestion or any obstacles in your path, such as metal plates or oil slicks, that you could slide out on.

Looking to purchase a new bike? Stop by our Lewis Center dealership location to check out our massive inventory of new and used motorcycles for sale. We can assist you with motorcycle financing as well as price quotes and trade-ins to help you fund your purchase. Motorcycle Maxx proudly serves the cities of Columbus and Cincinnati, OH.