| As
I look out my window and see the rain coming down,
I’ve decided this week's safety topic will be about
riding in the rain.
I’m willing to bet a lot of
you don’t set out to ride when it is raining (I
know a lot of you do… me included). You usually
end up riding in the rain by accident. Here’s usually
the way it goes (at
least when it happens to me). You take off on
your ride with nothing but beautiful sunshine. You
didn’t check the weather because it is simply a
perfect day. You’re exactly as far away from home as
you planned on being, then out of nowhere comes very
dark clouds from all directions followed by a drenching.
It’s at this point most folks either park under a gas
station awning, or keep on keepin’ on.
If you keep on keepin’ on,
the rest is for you. If you are sitting under the
awning, take another sip from your HD coffee mug, but
please continue to read too…
When’s the worst time to
ride in the rain?
Yep… right when it first
starts to rain. “They” say the first ten minutes is
worst time, because all of the oil, brake fluid, dust,
diesel and other crud that has been deposited on the
road since the last rain is now nice and slippery just
for you--a deadly mixture just waiting for the
unsuspecting motorcyclist... I’ve also read that this
condition lasts for up to three hours! (I'm
not an expert on this, I am simply relaying what I
read...)
But, after all of the
nastiness has been washed away, the road is more grippy
than you think. If you know what to expect and avoid
when riding in the rain, you might find you actually
enjoy it... or at least you'll be able to minimize your
discomfort and arrive safely.
From one of the Web sites
referenced below, they list several guidelines to be
aware of when riding in the rain:
 | You are most likely to dump your bike on the
tarmac when braking. |
| Keep your bike more upright when cornering. |
| Keeping your tires on good surface. |
| If you are going to ride in the wet for an hour or
more, decrease your tire pressure by 25%. |
| Do not ride through puddles where nails and other
sharp objects can accumulate. |
Each of the above is discussed more here.
In addition to the guidelines, I found a list of
hazards to be aware of when riding in the rain:
| Painted Lines - Crosswalks can be unsafe for
motorcyclists, particularly if you're turning right
or left and crossing the lines at an angle. |
| Ditto for diamonds in the HOV lanes. Very nasty
when you lean into one, especially on the freeway. |
| Any painted line is a hazard. |
| Surface Textures - Many commercial and residential
parking areas are paved with very slick concrete
surfaces. Your wet entry into the local mall or
condo complex can put you on the ground in a second. |
| Steel - Manhole covers are enemy number one and
railroad tracks rank a close second. Making a turn
over the surface of them sets you up for trouble. |
| Grated bridge crossings and metal plates are a
nasty encounter in the rain. |
Similar to the first list, there’s more here.
Good rain gear is the key for riding in the rain as
far as your personal comfort and enjoyment is concerned.
I have a Nelson Rigg suit I got for around $50 after I
read a review touting how great it was for the price. I
keep it on the motorcycle at all times... if I need it,
it's there. My boots are also waterproof. It should be
pretty easy for you to find a high-quality rain suit at
a reasonable price. Trust me, if you not had "the
boys" bathed by a drenching rain because you
weren't in a rain suit, it's not something you want to
experience when you still have hundreds of miles left to
ride...
The last thing to mention is
visibility. I see it like this… we all know it is more
difficult to see when it is raining. It is also more
difficult for others to see you (read
the section on being seen in the last safety article, Riding
at Night). And you also have to see through a
visor covered with drops of water. To get the water off
your visor, try turning your head to the side while
going down the road. The wind will blow the water off.
I’m sure they make product specifically for this (like
Rain X for cars), but I’ve found turning my
head to the side works just fine.
To sum it up… when riding in
the rain, slow down and be careful. Remember it is the
most dangerous when it first starts raining. Remember to
watch out for the hazards mentioned above. Above all,
know your limitations. If you do not feel comfortable
riding in the rain, don't!
Be safe!
References:
http://www.flamesonmytank.co.za/ride.htm
http://www.soundrider.com/archive/safety-skills/rain_riding.htm
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/wet_riding_conditions/ |
