This was featured in the Roadrunner Newsletter and with Jim's permission I am allowed to use the article for our own forum.
TOURING TIP: Riding in the Rain
Riding a motorcycle in the rain is often a fearful prospect for new riders, but usually “no big deal” for most experienced motorcyclists. The good news is that most motorcycles have much better traction (75% to 80%) on wet surfaces than their riders often assume. The bad news is that certain unrecognized hazards can trigger an all to quick loss of traction, often resulting in a crash. The key to riding safely on wet pavement is to be aware of the hazards, and how to avoid or mitigate them. Here are ten of the most common hazards riders can face while riding in the rain:
* Oily Residue: The accumulation of oily residue, left by cars in the center of the lane, can rise to the surface and become slippery when it’s first inundated with water. Anyone who has taken the MSF Basic RiderCourse, knows that it’s a good idea to take a break from riding for 15 – 20 minutes to allow the oil to be washed away by the rain.
* Painted Lines: Crosswalks, HOV lane diamonds and other painted lines on pavement will be slippery when wet. If you stop the motorcycle, try not to put your tires or feet on them, and when crossing them at speed, try to do so at a right angle, with the bike straight up. It’s always good practice to avoid sudden braking or acceleration when riding in the rain.
* Slick Concrete Surfaces: Smooth concrete surfaces, often found in parking lots and driveways, can become slick when wet. Avoid them if at all possible.
* Steel: Manhole covers, train tracks and steel covers over sections of road under repair also will become slick when wet. Wood and rubber, frequently found at railroad crossings, can become slick as glass when wet. Either circumvent these hazards or ride across them smoothly, at a constant speed, with the bike straight up.
* Puddles: Puddles of water on a road often disguise perilous potholes. Steer clear of them or, if not possible, proceed through them at a slow speed.
* Loss of Grip: Motorcycle tires with harder rubber or minimal tread can quickly lose grip on wet surfaces. Although softer rubber tires usually wear out faster than those with harder rubber, they always have better traction on wet pavement. To mitigate the possibility of hydroplaning, make sure your tires have plenty of tread remaining.
* Visibility: Poor visibility on your motorcycle always results in a heightened risk factor when it rains. That’s why riding at night in the rain should be avoided if at all possible. To improve your chances of being seen, have a generous amount of reflective material on your bike and riding gear, and wear a high visibility rain suit. It’s especially important to position your motorcycle so there is maximum visibility for both the rider to see hazards and for other vehicles to see the rider. If the rain becomes heavy and visibility is severely limited, slowdown or just get off the road.
* Wind: Rain-slickened roads and high winds can be a particularly hazardous combination, especially for lighter bikes and those with full fairings. Be prepared to lean the bike into the wind to maintain stability. If conditions become too unstable, however, find a safe, comfortable spot to pull over and wait out the storm.
* Lightning: Contrary to what some may think, riding a motorcycle with rubber tires provides no protection if a rider is struck by lightning. Unlike a car, with a steel cage enveloping its passengers, a motorcycle provides no opportunity for an electrical charge to ground itself without traveling through the rider’s body. When it starts lightning, seek shelter.
* Cold: When a rider gets wet, he or she can quickly become chilled and possibly experience the onset of hypothermia. And at speed, raindrops feel like high velocity pellets when they strike bare or lightly covered skin. Raingear: just don’t leave home without it!
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