Safe Riding in Bad Weather

Not every winter day is covered in snow and not every spring day sees torrential downpours, so not every motorcycle rider puts their bike away for the cold months. For those precious few days that you can see the sun, you’ll want your ride ready to go so you can make the most of every perfect riding day. But whether you prefer to ride all winter or you wait until summer, you may run into rain every once in a while. While storms should be avoided, it’s better to know best riding practices for rainy conditions so you won’t have to white-knuckle your way home. To help get you started, St. Charles Harley-Davidson® has provided you with some of our tips and tricks for riding in the rain. The first step is to make sure your bike is in peak working condition. For all your repairs and maintenance needs, schedule a service appointment with our St. Charles, Missouri location. We welcome all riders from the communities of St. Louis, Columbia, and St. Peters, Missouri.

Get the Right Equipment

Before you hit the road, make sure you’re wearing all the proper gear for riding in the rain. This not only means an outer layer that will hold up in the event of an accident, but also is waterproof to keep you dry and comfortable. If you’re going to try to avoid the rain as much as possible, you’ll at least want a waterproof riding jacket and pants. Even the most careful riders get caught in the rain every once in a while, so it’s better to be prepared. If you anticipate being in the rain fairly often, it might be worth investing in a one-piece riding suit. These provide seamless coverage so you won’t have to worry about water seeping in the cracks.

You’ll probably want the rest of your clothing to be waterproof as well, including your boots and gloves. If you know it’s going to be cold out, layer your clothing to stay insulated. A thick jacket will only make you overheat with no way of resolving the problem. With layers, you can cool off as needed without getting too cold.

Read the Road

Once you’re on the road, make sure you know how to handle slippery conditions. You only have two points of contact to begin with so don’t let careless riding habits put you in a dangerous situation. Firstly, make sure you can spot low traction areas. These include obstacles like steel construction plates and piles of leaves. Avoid them if you can, but if you can’t, allow your momentum to carry you through the low traction obstacle without making any sudden speed or directional changes.

You’ll also want to be careful around intersections. Cars idle at intersections and idling cars drop oil. When oil mixes with water, it creates a slippery substance that can make you slide. When you’re passing through an intersection, try to maintain a steady direction and speed as much as possible. If you must accelerate, brake, or turn, do so carefully.

Standing water is another hazard, this time when it comes to hydroplaning. You’ll want to avoid areas where water collects on the road. Consider the two trenches that form in older roads after years of wear from larger vehicles. These two trenches create a low point in the road that water naturally flows toward. They also create a high point: the hump between the two trenches. This is where you’ll want to spend the majority of your time riding because it’s generally drier and safer.

Ride Carefully

Even if you’re carefully watching the road, nothing presents a higher risk for you than careless practices, whether it’s from you or the other commuters. Start with yourself. Make sure you’re slowing down when appropriate and constantly keeping an eye on the road. When you know you’re being safe, you’ll want to watch for other drivers around you. While they should be responsible for their own actions, you’re still the one who gets injured. Because of this, you’ll want to be using defensive riding practices and avoiding accidents before they happen. Keep your eyes on the road at least ten seconds in front of you and on all the cars around you. Consider where you can pull off in case of an emergency. Whether you’re on the freeway or in downtown traffic, make sure you’re always putting safety first.

Hopefully, this gives you an idea of what to expect when it’s wet out and how you can best accommodate for it. If you’d like to talk to other members of your Harley® community, or if you’re still looking for the perfect motorcycle, stop by St. Charles Harley-Davidson® in St. Charles, Missouri to see what we can do for you. We proudly serve the areas of St. Louis, Columbia, and St. Peters, Missouri.