If you’re a motorcyclist, you probably know that some riding conditions are safer than others. You may be wondering — is it dangerous to ride a motorcycle in the rain?
Typically, you should avoid riding your bike in the rain, as rainy conditions present several hazards that could lead to a severe accident. There may be occasions when you cannot avoid riding in the rain.
We’ve put together this guide to help you recognize the dangers of riding in the rain and a few tips to improve your safety in rainy conditions.
Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain
Riding your motorcycle in the rain can be dangerous for several reasons. Here are a few hazards that arise when you attempt to ride your bike in rainy conditions:
Slippery Roads
One of the most apparent hazards of riding in the rain is slippery roads. When you ride a motorcycle, you only have two wheels available to control your bike. You also have to rely on your own balance to safely navigate the road.
Throwing slippery roads into the mix can make it challenging to keep your bike stable and safely maneuver turns or slow down at intersections. If your wheels lose traction on the wet roads, you risk an accident.
Reduced Visibility For You
Rain can also inhibit your vision while riding. If you wear a helmet with a visor, the water droplets could stick to the shield, preventing you from clearly seeing the road. The same scenario could happen if your motorcycle has a windscreen.
If you cannot clearly see the road before you, you risk missing hazards that could cause a crash. You also reduce your reaction time when other drivers enter your path.
Reduced Visibility For Other Drivers
Finally, rainy conditions can also make it more challenging for other drivers to see you on your bike. While passenger vehicles have windshield wipers and other safety measures for driving in the rain, drivers can still struggle to see in rainy weather. As a result, they could accidentally turn in front of you or merge into your lane without noticing you.
Tips to Ride Safely in Rainy Conditions
We always recommend checking the weather before setting out on a motorcycle ride. If you accidentally get caught in the rain, you can use these tips to navigate to safety:
Pre-Treat Your Visor and Windscreen
If you wear a helmet with a visor or your motorcycle has a windscreen, you can pre-treat these surfaces with a water-repellent spray. Then, when you need to ride in the rain, the water droplets will immediately wick away from the surface, enhancing your visibility.
Wear Boots with Traction
Driving in the rain can make it challenging for your feet to find traction on the pedals, impacting your movements on your bike. As a result, we recommend choosing riding boots with excellent traction in the rain. You can also pre-treat your boots with a water-repellent spray to keep them dry in rainy conditions.
Wear Bright, Reflective Clothing
We recommend wearing bright, reflective clothing every time you ride your bike. Doing so can make you more visible to other drivers in sunny and rainy conditions.
Pull Off at the Nearest Rest Stop, Gas Station, or Store
Finally, we recommend getting yourself to a safe resting place as soon as you notice the first signs of rain. Being patient and waiting out the rain could make the difference between staying safe and being involved in a life-threatening accident.
If you’ve recently been a motorcycle accident victim, we can help. Contact our Law Tigers team today at 1-888-863-7216 to schedule your free case evaluation.
