Wet roads will happen
Riding in the rain / wet road
conditions is as much of a mindset as a skill and becoming comfortable riding
in these conditions is important.
Rain can occur at any time and you will encounter these conditions at
some point while touring.
Rain can occur on any ride
Rain and wet roads will reduce
the available traction your motorcycle has and how you ride must be adjusted to
compensate. Oil dropped by
vehicles will mix with rain, further decreasing traction. When the roads become wet, the
following tips will help.
*Roads will be most slick within an hour of a rainstorm.
*Slow down. This
is the best advice for riding in rain and wet conditions.
*Smooth use of the throttle will help maintain rear wheel
traction.
*Smooth brake application. This is especially important for non-ABS motorcycles.
*Allow extra space between you and the vehicle in front of
you.
*Stay in the right or left portion of the road. There is less oil in these sections.
*Be prepared.
Wear or carry rainproof riding gear.
*Make sure your tires are in good condition and designed for
wet conditions.
Stopping in the rain is
different then in dry conditions due to reduced traction. Many new motorcycles have optional or
standard ABS systems. This will
help keep your wheels from sliding when stopping, however extra space for
stopping will still be required.
Cornering in rain and wet
conditions will also be different then in dry conditions. Set up the corner by slowing down
before beginning your turn.
Staying off the brakes in the corner and smooth application of the throttle
when exiting the corner will help maintain traction throughout the turn. There are a few motorcycles on the
market that come with traction control systems that are designed to help keep
the rear wheel from spinning, especially when in a corner. These systems can be found on many
sport bikes and most of the new Adventure Touring motorcycles.
The scenery can be spectacular when it rains
Riding with waterproof luggage keeps your things dry
Weather is unpredictable and
you’ll likely encounter rain or wet road conditions at some point in your
riding journeys. Becoming
comfortable riding in these conditions, you might enjoy it. At the very least, you’ll be safer.
Gerald Trees
Dream Your Ride
