How to Ride Safely in the Rain
Whether you have to commute to work, run errands or travel on your motorcycle, it’s important to know how to ride in all types of weather conditions. After all, you can’t always guarantee a sunny day, even here in Florida! The rains will definitely impact you at some point, and they pose more of a threat to motorcyclists than they do to your average car or truck driver.
Fortunately, you can take several actions to keep yourself safe while riding your beloved Harley-Davidson® motorcycle in the rain. Crystal Harley-Davidson® in Homosassa, Florida, wants to help you practice good motorcycle safety, so here are our best tips for riding your bike safely when it’s wet outside.
Ready Your Bike
First, you’ll want to make sure that your bike is capable of handling the roads, and that means performing an inspection to ensure every part is in good working order. You might be able to ride on slightly low tires on a sunny day, but traction is going to be paramount to your safety when the roads are slippery, so you can’t put off essential maintenance tasks.
Check your oil’s consistency and color, air up your tires and check them for adequate tread depth, fill up your gas tank and go on a slow ride around the block to test your brakes, clutch and throttle. Try out your lights to make sure they function, too, since you’re going to need them! If you find any issues you can’t address yourself, contact the service department here at Crystal Harley-Davidson so that our mechanics can have a look at what’s going on and get you back on the road in no time.
Gear Up to Stay Warm
Even though we’re in the Sunshine State, where temperatures rarely get near or below freezing, riding at 50 miles an hour in wet weather is going to make you cold. And that cold can present a serious danger to you in the form of hypothermia. You’ll need to wear gear that will keep you dry and warm in the rain, and this gear will also ensure you don’t look like a drowned rat when you finally arrive at your destination!
Invest in a one-piece rain suit that’s waterproof and capable of covering your street clothes up and keeping them dry while you ride. While these suits are bulky and a bit pricey, they’re worth it if you regularly ride in the rain. You could also invest in waterproof pants and a waterproof jacket instead. Make sure that your gloves have a good grip and will keep your hands insulated. Invest in waterproof riding boots so that your feet stay dry, too.
Ride Defensively
Finally, you’re going to have to adjust how you ride to keep yourself safe. Those slippery roads and reduced visibilities present a threat to other drivers as well as you, which means you need to ride defensively and remain vigilant, since cars might suddenly brake or hydroplane into your lane.
Keep your lights on at all times in the rain, even if it’s high noon. You want to make sure that you can both see and be seen by other drivers. Slow down your speed and increase your following distance. Try to take turns with caution and signal all of your maneuvers well in advance of making them.
We hope this guide helps you to stay safe out there on your rainy rides. Still in search of the perfect bike? Stop by our dealership in Homosassa to check out our wide selection of new and used Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for sale. Crystal Harley-Davidson proudly serves the cities of New Port Richey, Spring Hill and St. Petersburg, Florida.