Safely Riding Your Motorcycle in the Rain
The ideal weather for riding a motorcycle is probably a warm, sunny day without a cloud on the horizon, but that’s not always the weather you get. Sometimes, especially during the winter and spring, you’re going to have to ride on wet roads in rainy weather. Here are some tips on how to ride your motorcycle safely in wet weather conditions.
Gear Up Accordingly
You’ll likely want to add some waterproof gear to your standard riding ensemble so that you don’t arrive at your destination soaking wet. A simple poncho can be thrown over the gear you have, but there are also waterproof riding jackets and pants. Waterproof boots are a must.
You should also make sure that you’re wearing high-visibility riding gear, since you’re going to be harder to see in rainy, gray weather. A simple reflective vest can be sufficient, but you can also get light-colored or neon riding gear, or add reflective tape to your helmet, bike, and jacket.
Prepare Your Bike
Always make sure that your motorcycle is in good working order before you head out to ride in the rain. Keeping your motorcycle maintained is a good idea in general, but you definitely don’t want to neglect your bike in wet weather.
Check the pressure and condition of both your tires and air them up as needed. You may want to invest in rain tires if you ride in the rain a lot, because these will offer you better traction.
Fill up your gas tank and check your oil before you head out, too. It’s helpful to test your lights and signals to make sure they all function properly.
Exercise Caution
While riding your motorcycle in the rain, you should be even more vigilant than usual and slow your motorcycle down. Increasing the following distance between you and the traffic ahead of you will give you more time to bring your bike to a stop without hydroplaning or sliding out. You’ll want to watch for other vehicles that may also hydroplane in the rain so that you can get out of the way quickly.
When you want to check out motorbikes for sale, visit our McAllen, TX, dealership location to see our inventory of new and used motorcycles, including the latest Harley-Davidson® models. Talk to our staff about our financing options and our riding classes that can help you improve your safety. Desperado Harley-Davidson® serves our Texas customers in Edinburg.