Once it comes to rain, skilled riders will advise you to avoid driving in it at all costs. When you tend to handle slippery terrain with only two wheels, your balance and control are instantly affected.
It should come as no surprise that riding a scooter in the rain is possibly more risky than riding on dry roads in the sun. The reasons for this are decreased grip of the tires (also known as “slippery road”), reduced visibility (motorcycle helmets do not have a windscreen wiper or a defogging fan), and lower visibility by others.
So, “Would You Ride Your Motorcycle in the Rain?”
The most straightforward advice I can give you about riding in the rain is to avoid it entirely. Still, I understand that there are times when riding in the rain is your only alternative.
So here are a few guidelines for riding your scooter safely when it is raining.
Riding in the Rain: A Quick Checklist
Complete Riding Gear & Equipment. A good helmet with an anti-fog visor, a rain suit, waterproof gloves (or *tip, wear latex gloves under), waterproof shoes, and warm clothes will keep you comfy and dry.
Be Visible. Wear brightly colored clothing and a luminous vest or fluorescent cloth. Also, implement tire-track techniques to ensure visibility.
Slow down the speed. Because it takes longer to stop on slick surfaces, ride slower to compensate. It is especially vital to slow down when approaching a corner. Remember that the suggested speeds stated on curves are for good surface situations.
Avoid Making Sudden Moves. In slippery conditions, any unexpected change in speed or direction might cause a loss of grip. Turning, braking, accelerating, and changing gears should all be done as smoothly as possible.
Brakes on each wheel. The guideline for stopping on a scooter is to use both brakes simultaneously. In wet conditions, nothing changes.
Avoid slipping on wet surfaces. Oil from other cars accumulates in the center of the lane, especially near crossroads where vehicles pause or stop. Avoid standing water, dirt, and other potentially hazardous surfaces like wet metal, leaves, or pavement markings.
Keep an eye out for shiny spots. When wet, worn, and old, pavement is generally sanded smooth and extremely slippery. Look for slick spots on the road to identify these more slippery areas.
Avoid Riding Through Puddles. A puddle might conceal a vast pothole, which can harm your vehicle’s suspension or ruin a tire. In addition, the spray of water could block nearby motorists’ eyesight and cause a crash, injure nearby people, or choke your engine, leading it to malfunction. Water might also reduce the effectiveness of your brakes.
Keep a safe distance from the road’s edge. Dirt and gravel collect along the sides of the pavement when making fast turn at intersections or entering/exiting expressways, causing a loss of grip or a skid.
Choose the appropriate gear
Having a nice waterproof rain suit (two-piece or one), gloves, boots, and perhaps an electric vest is the first step to having a pleasant time in the rain.
In general, waterproof clothing equals extra warmth. So consider wearing layers, but several thin ones rather than one heavy underclothing, as those layers may be readily removed one at a time as needed.
If you’re going to wear a helmet, make sure it has some sort of anti-fog or breath-guard feature, or even a visor with an electric defrost function.
Because the nights are obviously longer in the winter, chances are your commute will be in the dark—a clear shield is also necessary.
Whichever gear you end up with, be sure it doesn’t mess with your riding or disturb you in any way.
For example, it’s impossible to use the controls if your fingers are frozen, yet wearing an extra-warm pair of gloves may be too big and ineffective.
While a neck warmer may keep you warm, it may also affect your ability to check your back. Sometimes may have to look around for the proper gear.
Still, you should be able to find a decent mix of comfort and functionality for the circumstances you expect to ride in.
Lastly, if your winter riding includes commuting, keep a change of clothes on hand at work in case of an emergency.
Check Your Motor Scooter
There are some parts to inspect before you leave for your trip to be ready for wet weather.
Tires: The tires must be capable of channeling water, which means they must have tread. It is advised that you test your tires for even wear and that their pressure is acceptable for your scooter. In water, under-or over-inflated tires will behave differently than dry.
Brakes: You should have enough brake material in your brake pads to stop as needed in wet conditions. If your scooter has an ABS system, make sure it is properly serviced and in good condition. Watch the video to learn how to detect wear and tear on your brake pads.
Brake fluid and oil: Check your motorcycle for any leaks, including oil and brake fluid. An oil spill may not pose a significant safety risk in dry conditions. When oil is mixed with water, though, it creates slippery, dangerous situations that can cause your trip to end quickly.
On the road
Don’t put your trust in puddles. That adorable little pond of splashable delight may actually be a foot-deep sinkhole. Once you can’t avoid riding across a puddle, keep the torque steady, the bike straight, and the brakes off.
Avoid surfaces that are shiny and smooth because they can be dangerous. Surfaces that are a bit slick on dry days become dangerously slippery in the rain. Keep your distance from painted lines, manhole covers, bits of metal, and even tar snakes. If you become caught on one of them, avoid heavy braking or accelerating and simply roll over it without any rapid movements.
Allow yourself some time and space. Take your time. Lower your speed and leave a more expansive area between yourself and the vehicle ahead. Braking distances are significantly broader in the rain, and you can’t rely on having ground when you need it.
You also need time to analyze the road and choose your lines to avoid all of the things we said above.
Always keep your headlights on when riding in the rain. It is preferable to be visible to other drivers on the road. DO NOT USE HIGH BEAMS ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS. In heavy rain, you won’t be able to see much, and in fog, the high beam will bounce back, momentarily blinding you. Obey the road’s lane markings.
When there is lightning along with the rain, pull over immediately. Although lightning may only strike taller objects, the electricity must travel somewhere in the ground. So in rainy weather, your tires won’t be able to completely protect you from the ground’s electricity.
Don’t take the risk!
Vehicles Passing by
Expect vehicles to pass you more frequently than you usually expect when motorcycling in normal conditions. Vehicles will not have the same approach because you have slowed to provide more time for reaction, increased your following distance, and added spacing cushions.
Additionally, cars that have large windshields with good wipers significantly improved visibility. Furthermore, they aren’t bothered by the drop in temperature.
As vehicles overtake you, maintain your lane position for maximum visibility. Depending on the rain, you can expect to get soaked by the sprays of water that these vehicles take with them and spin up from the road.
Let it go, and don’t worry or panic; it’s a temporary unpleasant experience. But, because these sprays are only temporary, keep your eyes on the road ahead.
In rare situations, you may experience a brief period of slightly unclear visibility. For example, if there is a temporary washout, use the reflective lines along the roadway to guide you.
The constant worry is probably the riskiest aspect of riding in the rain
It makes you rigid and unrelaxed, hurting your ability to bike correctly. Most motorcycle riders have little experience riding in the rain because everyone tries to avoid riding in the rain. After all, you get wet, it’s cold, you have to ride more carefully, and your scooter gets dirty. As a result, most bikers feel very uncomfortable when forced to ride in the rain. In my experience, things improve after you’re forced to cycle several hundred miles in the shower. Then, it gradually becomes routine, and you simply accept it.