Safe Motorcycle Riding in the Rain

You’d certainly want to stay off your motorcycle in a downpour, but some rain is often considered to be tolerable by many motorcycle riders.  Before you decide to head out, it’s important to take the time to prepare your motorcycle and yourself appropriately. Read on to find out some tips on basic safety considerations while riding in the rain. If you find that you’re missing rain gear, visit Bartels' Harley-Davidson® and let us help you find what you need.

Gear Considerations

While you’ll probably have your usual riding gear for most days, you might want to have separate gear for rain. Make sure that all of your riding gear is appropriate for wet weather conditions. This means not only waterproof clothing that will protect you from the rain, but also a helmet with good visibility in foggy conditions and boots that offer good grip on a wet surface. Avoid clothing that could easily get caught in the bike’s moving parts and accessories like anklet chains or dangling straps on your jackets and jeans.Use caution when wearing any tinted face shield or glasses as these can create visibility issues under wet conditions. If your regular riding gear is made of leather, keep in mind that it may not hold up well in the rain. Some riding gear is more about looks and protection than waterproofing. Be sure you know what your gear can tolerate.

Rain-Friendly Gear Options

To keep your protective gear on during the rain, you can invest in a one-piece rainsuit, especially if you know you’ll be riding in the rain for a good length of time. This gives you seamless protection, so you won’t have water seeping into the exposed parts of your clothing. One-piece rainsuits are generally more expensive and a little bulkier than your usual riding apparel.

If you only expect to ride in the rain every once in a while, you can also look into waterproof pants and a waterproof jacket. You’ll also want to make sure you get a helmet with fog-resistant eyewear so you won’t lose any visibility.

Motorcycle Riding Techniques for Rainy Days

Once you’re all geared up and on the road, make sure you’re slowing down and being careful with your riding habits. Zipping through traffic is never a good idea when it’s dry out, and it’s even more dangerous when the road conditions aren’t ideal. It is better to get home slowly than not get home at all.

Give yourself more time to accelerate and brake as sudden movements could cause you to lose traction. Leave more room than you normally would between you and the vehicle in front of you and never take a corner too hard. 

Always keep in mind that you won’t have the same control over the road that you normally might when it doesn’t rain.  Paying special attention to what is in front of you will make a difference. Make sure to watch for puddles and slick patches that may be hidden in the road and could cause an unexpected loss of traction. Finally, make sure your lights are on so that other drivers can see you from a distance.

If you’re missing proper rain gear, visit Bartels' Harley-Davidson® to shop for what you need to ride safely. Our experts will be standing by to answer your questions. We’re located in Marina Del Rey, CA, and serve those in Malibu, Santa Monica, Brentwood, CA.