Motorcycles And Riding In The Rain

Your motorcycle is perfect for long drives on warm, sunny days, but it’s not limited to them. Even if riding in the rain wasn’t your goal when you bought the bike, there will be days where it’s just unavoidable. These can be dangerous times; with only two wheels and no enclosed cab, your bike is vulnerable to skidding and hydroplaning and you might just get launched. 

To keep that from happening, we here at St. Charles Harley-Davidson have put together some of the most important tips for riding your motorcycle in the rain. For more safety information, or if you’re in need of a new bike to test these tips out with, contact our store in St. Charles, Missouri. Our friendly and experienced staff will find what you need at the prices you want!

Prepping The Bike

No matter how careful or skilled you are, if your bike isn’t properly prepared for the rain, you’re at risk. You never want to ride your bike if it’s in desperate need of maintenance, and that’s especially true when the roads are slick and visibility is impaired. Prepare your bike for this weather beforehand and perform preventative maintenance as often as possible to avoid running into issues down the road. You’ll be glad you took the time to do this if and when a dangerous situation arises—after all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Start with your tires. They’re obviously vital for maintaining traction and control on the road, and they need to be in top condition in order to handle the rain. Make sure the air pressure is at the levels recommended in your owner’s manual first, then inspect your tread to make sure it’s properly deep and remove any debris from it. Next, double check your engine oil and brake fluids to make sure they don’t need topping off. Finally, verify that all your lights are functioning, visible, and bright. If you run into any issues as you run down this list, make sure to take care of them before riding. 

Proper Gear

Now that your bike is good and ready, it’s time to make sure you are as well. You’ll certainly want all the safety gear you normally use—helmet, riding jacket, riding boots, gloves, etc—but you should make an effort to adapt it to the unique circumstances rain riding provides. Remember that if your typical gear includes leather, you’ll want to switch it up, since leather and water don’t mix well.

If rain riding seems like it’s going to be a consistent part of your routine, or the rain is heavy enough, consider investing in a one-piece rain suit. This will cover up your clothes and keep them nice and dry. This might turn out a bit bulky and expensive, but it will offer the protection you need in the rain without forcing you to change up your other gear too much. You might also consider simply investing in a waterproof riding jacket and waterproof pants. 

You’ll also need a full-face helmet. A less complete head covering might work fine in other weather, but the full-face protection means you won’t get rain in your eyes or running down your face. Goggles won’t work as a substitute, since they can still let water in and might make it difficult to see the road. Make sure that your helmet has a waterproof face shield, and gear up with some solid, shielded riding gloves to keep your hands warm and limber so you can still control your bike. 

Keep An Eye Out

Even if you and your bike are decked out and ready for the rain, there’s always the chance that road hazards will try to ruin your day. The primary concern in this weather is low-traction obstacles. Things like steel plates in construction areas, for example, suddenly become infinitely more dangerous when they’re slicked with rain. Once they become wet, these plates have little to no traction, which may not concern a car driver but should concern you. Never attempt a sudden change in speed or direction when traveling over steel plates, as you run the risk of sliding. 

Intersections, which are dangerous in any weather condition, become even worse in inclement weather. As cars idle, they drip oil and other fluids. When the rain mixes with this oil and pulls it up off the road, the road becomes incredibly slippery. This is a major hazard for motorcycles, so do your best to remain alert and avoid these areas whenever possible. If you don’t have a choice, make sure you approach the intersection with extreme caution. Slow your speed and focus hard to maintain control. 

We hope these tips will help you stay safe and comfortable on your next ride through the rain! If you want more riding advice, or you’d like to browse the motorcycles we have for sale, contact us at St. Charles Harley-Davidson. We proudly serve the people of St. Louis and St. Peters, Missouri—let us serve you today!