Riding in the Rain Safety Tips
Riding a motorcycle in the rain can be a great stress reliever, but it can also be dangerous if you’ve never done it before. Here are 10 tips you should take into account when riding your motorcycle in the rain in California.
Wear Rain Gear
Be sure to wear rain gear, which should wick water away and not seep into your clothes. Wear a helmet that covers your whole head because being hit by rain above 30 miles per hour will hurt.
Be Mindful of the Road
When it rains, the white lines, manhole covers, and other metal plates become incredibly slippery. You don’t notice it behind the wheel of a car, but you surely will when operating a motorcycle. If you ride over any of these, it’s almost like skating on an ice rink.
Say No to Puddles
Do your best to resist the urge of riding through puddles. It does look like fun, but the water might be hiding unseen hazards that can send you flying off your motorcycle.
Oil is Not Your Friend
If you are riding in the rain and happen to see a rainbow on the road, don’t ride near it. It is likely an oil slick that can cause an accident.
Give it Time
If it hasn’t rained for a couple of days, wait an hour or two after the rain starts. This gives the rain plenty of time to wash dirt and oil off the road so you don’t find yourself in a motorcycle accident.
Brake More
If you need to apply the brakes, be sure to do so more than you would on dry roads. Make sure you use the rear brake because if your front wheel starts to slide, you are headed for a motorcycle accident.
Be Visible
As with riding any other time of the day or in any other type of weather, make yourself as visible as possible. Wear a reflective vest. Turn on your lights. Put reflective strips on your clothes.
Rain-X
Spray some Rain-X on the visor or shield of your helmet to help keep the rain from accumulating. This is the alternative to finding a helmet with a windshield wiper!
See Lightning, Take Cover!
If you see lightning, take cover immediately! If you hear thunder, take cover. Thunder means lightning is in the vicinity. If you hear thunder, you can be struck by lightning. Never continue your ride in these conditions.
Pump the Brakes
If you need to brake suddenly, do not do it strongly. Try to pump the brakes as much as possible so you do not hydroplane, leading to a nasty accident.
Lincoln Motorcycle Accident Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Lincoln motorcycle accident attorney. Suffering an injury in a motorcycle accident can change your life forever. If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident because of the negligence of another party, I can help. Call me today for free and friendly advice with no obligation. You can reach me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 and online at AutoAccident.com.
I have been representing Californians, including those in the Lincoln area, hurt in motorcycle accidents for over three decades. You can read reviews written about me by former clients on Avvo, Google, and Yelp.
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