Better Riding: How to Ride in the rain

Even if you’ve been riding a motorcycle for years, the monsoon season can be a tricky time when even the slightest slip up could have you kissing the road.

Come rain or shine I will ride my motorcycle – That’s what most two wheeled headed enthusiasts say.  But slippery wet roads especially in India bring their own set of obstacles. It always helps if you learn a new set of skills and riding your motorcycle better in the rains is one of them.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re getting on to a wet tarmac for the first time or maybe you’re a veteran at riding a motorcycle, there are certain hazards to look out for and little things to keep in mind while riding in the rain.  

Wear riding gear

You’ve probably noticed most bikers nowadays are wearing full face helmets, a lot more than open face ones. That’s because full face helmets are not only better at protecting you in the event of a fall or crash but it also protects your face and eyes from raindrops stinging you while riding. Wearing a good riding jacket is paramount too. Many manufactures will provide a waterproof lining which you can attach to the inside of your riding jacket. This works well for lighter rain but heavy downpour will test any gear to its limits. You also get riding pants which are waterproof up to a point. Pair these with a set of boot rain covers and your all set.

Puddles and Pot Holes

This one’s a doozey and has happened to most of us at one point or the other during the rainy season.  You’re calmly commuting along when you see a puddle of water ahead and decide to slice through it like a knife on butter. What you don’t see is the pot-hole underneath covered by the water and the next thing you know, you’re almost thrown off the motorcycle. So basically try and avoid puddles if you can because a sudden jerk from the impact cannot only rattle your senses but also bend or crack the rim of your motorcycle.
 
Ground Surface

There are countless residential and commercial parking areas in the city which have either knowingly or unknowingly been paved with very smooth concrete surfaces.  Remember that if its raining and you’re riding into one of these areas, you’ll should slow down. Your motorcycle tyres might start sliding if you accelerate too much or brake too hard. Remember to accelerate smoothly, squeeze the brakes gently and avoid jerky movements.

Oil

It may look like a sliver of water from afar but this hazardous material is everywhere, very illusive and dangerous. If you notice those little red and blue rainbows in the puddle ahead try to ride slowly and straight up. The less lean angle on the motorcycle the better.

Rubber

We’re not talking about the ones you used in school or the ones you use in the bedroom; this is your motorcycle’s tyres we’re talking about. If you thought you could save some money by buying second hand tyres or tougher long lasting tyres and still get good grip on wet roads, your mistaken.  Such tires have less traction on wet surfaces due to the rubber compound used and the tread pattern used. Regular road tyres are designed for use on wet surfaces and include a good tread pattern to dispel water away and give you more grip.
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Visibility

Helmets don’t come with windshield wipers like cars have, and until someone actually invents one the only option is to use riding gloves which are fitted with a soft type of cloth along the length of the index figure to wipe away rain. At times in slower speeds the visor might start fogging up and this can impair your vision. Opening the visor a little bit helps clear everything up.

Keep these points in mind and stay smooth, brake smoothly and accelerate smoothly.

Things to do

• Check tyre pressure when the  tyres are cold
• Proper alignment ensures better handling
• Inspect your tyres for wear and tear
• Check brake pads and get them cleaned
• Look for wear and tear on cable and wire casings
• Watch for rust formations