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How to Safely Ride a Motorcycle in Rain: 80% Don’t Know

Riding motorcycles in the rain can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be if you follow these easy tips. Here are some great ideas that you can use to help make your next ride in the rain safe and fun!

Protect your eyes from rain

It’s easy to forget that your eyes are part of your body and can get damaged just like any other part. You may be thinking, It’s only water. How much damage could it do? Well, when you consider that rain also comes with wind, debris and bugs (all things you don’t want hitting your eyes), staying covered up is pretty important for riding safely. A face shield or helmet visor will prevent water from getting into your eyes and keep out other irritating elements as well. For extra protection during high-speed situations, tinted visors offer great coverage without compromising vision too much.

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Keep yourself dry

One of the most important factors when riding your motorcycle is keeping yourself dry. There are many protective rain suits available, but you can also keep dry with simple things like rain gloves or even pants and long-sleeved shirts. If there’s extra room, throw a small umbrella in your back pocket for those unexpected showers. Even if you have an off-the-bike method of staying warm like a hoodie or body suit, be sure you have a warm blanket on hand just in case—it could mean all of the difference between making it home safe and spending an uncomfortable night at one of these 15 Worst Places to Get Stuck When You Break Down Outdoors .

Work with the weather, not against it

If you can, don’t ride during severe rainstorms. On wet roads, motorcycles are more unstable than cars and trucks; on slick pavement, they tend to slip out from under drivers. Even if your bike is equipped with ABS brakes and traction control systems, it will be hard for you to stop quickly or turn abruptly. If you must make an emergency stop in rainy conditions, do so gradually: Your tires may slide if you suddenly brake or turn too sharply. And make sure your visor is clear of raindrops before putting your helmet on; for some riders, being blinded by water washes out peripheral vision—the difference between life and death when making a risky maneuver on wet pavement.

Get insurance!

If you live in an area that gets regular rainfall, it’s important to make sure your motorcycle is insured. This may seem like an obvious tip, but depending on where you live and ride, it might not be something you have considered yet. There are many things that could happen while you’re out riding (weather conditions aside) so it’s important that you carry some type of protection against possible accidents or injuries. It might cost more than car insurance, but if your bike gets damaged because of weather or another motorist hitting you while driving alongside at 70 miles per hour – well worth it! Also, most full coverage insurance plans will cover theft—another reason to consider getting some form of motorcycle insurance.

Use the right gear

If you ride a motorcycle or scooter, there’s no getting around it: riding in rain means dealing with water. To stay safe, wear quality waterproof gear. Your feet will benefit from boots that are both sturdy and waterproof; your arms from full-sleeve jackets and trousers; your head from an all-weather helmet with clear visor. Even if you carry an umbrella, don’t trust it entirely—make sure your helmet has vents (so steam can escape) and be mindful of water collecting on your clothing and getting inside your goggles or face shield. You should also consider adding reflective tape or vests for better visibility when it’s dark out.

Use the right gear

Even if you’re wearing all of your gear, rain can still be dangerous. If possible, find shelter out of direct sunlight; otherwise, it might be a good idea to change into clothing that dries quickly and is designed for keeping cool. You should also be sure that your eyewear doesn’t fog up when you breathe out from your mouth. If it does, you’ll want to find goggles or other protective eyewear that won’t fog up when you breathe through them. Otherwise, your vision will become impaired—or entirely blocked—when riding in rainy conditions. Don’t forget about boots either; make sure they have grippy soles and good ankle support.

Syed Dabliz

Syed Dabliz is a bike rider and he crafts actionable content about Bikes and helmets. Some of his favorite bikes are Suzuki Hayabusa and Kawasaki H2R.

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