Motorcycle Rider News Road Trips

By Bill Cahal - Marketing Director for Freedom Harley-Davidson

Fall and Spring are particularly wet seasons in most parts of the country, but that’s no reason to leave your Harley parked in the garage, especially if you are equipped with the proper riding gear and knowledge. Riding in the rain can even be fun if you are wearing the right kind of water-repellent apparel and know what to look out for on the road.

Roadways are the most slippery for the first 15 minutes after a rainfall begins, as that is when oil and other debris that has accumulated on the road during dry times rises to the surface and starts to run off. If you can’t pull over and wait out those first few minutes of a rain shower, the following strategies can help you keep upright and safe on wet surfaces.

The center of the traffic lane generally has the greatest buildup of oil, anti-freeze and brake fluid that has dripped from passing cars, so try to follow the right or left tire tracks of cars in front of you. Since roads are designed to slope to the edges to facilitate runoff, the area closest to the centerline is less likely to accumulate puddles and has less oil, though the down side is that it puts you closer to oncoming traffic and exposed to more spray from passing cars. Riding too far to the right has its own dangers, however, such as dirt turning into mud, or wet leaves and other roadside debris. Don’t ride too close to the center paint strip, nor to the outside fog line, as such painted surfaces get especially slippery when wet!

Be on the lookout for potholes, which when full of water look the same whether they are an inch deep or deep enough to swallow your front tire. Scan ahead for rainbows in standing water, as this indicates a high concentration of petroleum. Intersections are dangerous territory since there is more oil accumulation from cars idling while waiting for a light to turn, and can have more painted surfaces such as crosswalks as well. Adding to the challenge, manhole covers are more likely near intersections and they also become much more slippery when they are wet. Remember too that pulling up to a pump at a gas station is more treacherous in wet conditions since not only do you have the liquid dripping from cars as they fuel up, but the surface is usually smooth concrete and may have gas and diesel spills from the pump.

Now that you are aware of the potential traps for motorcycles during inclement weather, the next step is to safely maneuver through or around them. Riding a motorcycle in slick conditions requires the rider to make every movement s-m-oo-t-h. Slow down and concentrate on making each input into the bike gentle and gradual. Try to avoid turning the bike while you are passing over obstacles. Reduced traction could cause you to slide. Don’t panic if the rear wheel slides a little. It may not feel stable, but as long as the front tire is going where you want it to, physics will hold the bike up. Lastly, keep in mind that riding in wet, cold conditions physically exhausts you more quickly, so if you start feeling achy or chilled, don’t hesitate to pull over and grab a cup of hot coffee and take a breather. Numb fingers and chattering teeth are distracting, and a distracted rider isn’t a safe rider.

With winter coming on, these tips apply to riding in snow and ice as well as in rain. Though it’s best to avoid riding in any wet, slippery conditions, if you travel there may be times when you get caught unexpectedly, but at least you’ll be prepared and know what to look for – and look out for.