Our tips for riding a motorcycle in the rain

Posted on by admin

November 28, 2019

In order to drive safely in rainy weather, vigilance is essential. Under the rain, the grip on the ground, but also the visibility are poor. Proper equipment and safe driving are essential.

Our tips for riding a motorcycle in the rain

Riding a motorcycle in the rain: the importance of being well equipped

Prepare your helmet for the rain

When driving in rainy weather, visibility is drastically reduced. To ensure good visibility, it is essential to take care of her motorcycle helmet. After several kilometers on the road, the visor tends to clog quickly, especially from flying insects. To properly clean your helmet, unclip the joints then let the screen soak if it is very dirty before washing it with dishwashing liquid, a cleaning product that has the advantage of not being aggressive.

Rinse and then let the helmet drip off. Finally dry the visor with a microfiber cloth or a soft cloth. To ensure better visibility, it is possible to apply a water repellent treatment to scare away the drops.

Before purchasing the helmet, consider choosing an anti-scratch and anti-fog screen which will be practical.

Another tip for coping with difficult metrological conditions: the pinlock. This motorcycle accessory is placed on the visor thus forming a double glazing which will thus provide good thermal insulation and therefore fight against condensation on the visor.

When riding in the rain, or early in the morning in the winter months, breathing causes condensation inside the helmet due to the temperature difference.

With the pinlock, the air which is attached to the silicone seals on the periphery reduces the temperature rise in the helmet, thus stopping the formation of fogs on the visor.

Ride with suitable clothing

Staying visible in rain or fog is a golden rule to ensure your safety on a motorcycle. Beyond the compulsory motorcycle equipment, it is strongly recommended to wear a suit or at least a jacket and motorcycle pants made up of fluorescent bands. Although it is not compulsory, you can equip yourself with a high visibility vest to circulate.

Check the condition of your vehicle when driving in the rain

The tires

For reasons of safety, but also of driving comfort, it is crucial to take care of your tire. Regularly check tire inflation and pressure every 1000 km. A tired tire evacuates water less well which promotes the risks of aquaplaning. On the other hand, a regular check-up makes it possible to observe the wear of the tread and the rim, to detect if a nail has not caused deterioration, or to check the balance of the wheel. Smooth tires should be avoided absolutely.

While there are wet tires, they are more for bikers who practice circuit riding. These tires tend to wear out much faster. As the rainy season approaches, it is more advisable to opt for road tires, or even "GT", which have better road grip as well as better resistance..

Fires

Adjust your motorcycle headlights properly and make sure that all are working properly: low beam, high beam, but also turn signals and brake light.

If the weather is particularly dark or foggy, additional lights can be of great help to you.

Brakes and suspensions

Also ensure that the brakes are in perfect working order. During winter, the brake pistons can seize up. Make sure to change the brake fluid regularly, on average every two years if possible, in order to maintain an optimal braking system.

The condition of the suspensions is also essential, because they make it possible to optimize the contact of the wheel with the ground and therefore to improve grip.

Adapt your driving in the rain

Only one rule: anticipation

On a motorcycle, it is imperative to anticipate the slightest danger. This is even truer on wet roads. Observe the environment to avoid puddles, dead leaves, ice, markings on the ground, traces of hydrocarbon, to avoid any risk of skidding. It is advisable to follow the tracks left by other drivers without losing sight of the road around you.

Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. On a wet wheel, the braking time and distance are not the same as on dry asphalt.

It is also recommended to brake gently to limit sudden movements and the risk of slipping. The use of the rear brake is preferred, but sparingly. Finally, driving in bad weather mobilizes all your senses and requires all your concentration: consider taking regular breaks on long journeys.

Adapt your speed

Reduce your driving speed by 10 to 20 km / h in order to better anticipate the lack of grip and poor visibility. If your tires are leaving marks, you will need to slow down, as this indicates a high risk of slipping..

Finally, when cornering, adjust your pace so that the bike takes as little angle as possible.

Pay attention to your position

Make sure your two-wheeler stays straight so that it rolls over the middle of the tire, which is also its hottest part..

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