Riding In The Rain Motorcycle Safety Discuss Riding In The Rain in the Other Topics forums; No matter how we might want to avoid it, we sometimes get stuck riding in the rain. I've found it best to not to ride in the middle of the ...

[Buzz Kanter]

No matter how we might want to avoid it, we sometimes get stuck riding in the rain. I've found it best to not to ride in the middle of the lane as that's usually where most of the grease and oil is. And the rain helps the grease and oil rise to the surface making it good and slippery.

I also prefer to ride with bright colored rian gear, preferably with some reflective materials, as it tends to be darker and harder for car and truck drivers to see us in the rain.

Other recommendations?

Yup. Get your gear on before you get soaked. Dont think you can beat it and change in the next town 5 miles away. 5 Miles at 70 mph in a down pour means no part of you is dry anymore.

Stretch your legs and use the hiway pegs. Pants stay drier longer then if you have your knee bent a 90 degrees leg straight down. Your pants become water filters from the knee down.

When you start seeing alot of fireworks (lightning) get off the road. You are safe in a car because the lightning will follow the car Skin and frame to the ground. If it hits you on a bike welll.... it might hurt or wreck your paint.

I have a pair of water proof (Rubber) gloves used to take Duck decoys out of the water. Hands stay pretty dry minus sweat.

Hand-dryers at the gas station work good to warm you up. Just remember when you change into dry clothes do not leave your belt on the dryer. Thats when a bungee cord comes into play

Originally Posted by JCOURNEYAP

Hand-dryers at the gas station work good to warm you up. Just remember when you change into dry clothes do not leave your belt on the dryer. Thats when a bungee cord comes into play

Sounds like some firsthand experience there JC! Good advice from both of you. One of my larger issues when riding in the rain is trying to balance the need for eye protection and the fact that I cannot see worth a damn because of the wet lenses. I end up riding without eye protection most times.

[94flhtcu]

Here's one for ya... use your brakes a few times, even if you aren't stopping. We had ridden to Sturgis in '05, two week trip, and most of it was in rain. One day, we had a long, non stop run in the rain. My wife decided to stop due to heavier rain, under an over pass. She signaled, and I knew well what was going on. I hit the brake, and it felt like it speed up! Not really, but it wasn't stopping. Finally, after overshooting my stop by about 6 feet, I was able to stop. I was on the other side of the overpass. Just then, this semi went over the bridge, and you guessed it, great big rooster tail drowned the cockpit of my beloved ride. I'd tell you how happy I was, but I don't think we can use that type of language. Man, was I hot. Keep them brakes dry and ready to use!

[myt evo]

Shovel, use rain-x on your goggles or glasses!

[94flhtcu]

If yer gonna try rain-x on the WINDSHIELD, test a small spot first. Mine turned cloudy after a few minutes, so bad that I replaced it. Seemed to get worse daily. This was several years ago tho. I now use plexus, and it's great for plastics, but doesn't shed water like rain-x.

Originally Posted by myt evo

Shovel, use rain-x on your goggles or glasses!

I never even thought of that. Thanks for the info!

[47knuck]

If you think it's going to rain put on your rain gear early while you and your cothes are still dry. Otherwise the rain suit does a great job keeping wet clothes wet after the rain stops.

And be careful not to let your rain pants flap aganst a hot exhaust pipe (for obvious reasons - obvious to everyone who sees your pipes for months afterwards!) I prefer snug rain pants or using either rubber bands of duct tape to keep the legs from flapping.

[texan321]

You can't use Rain-X on the standard Harley windshield - it will tuen it cloudy( don't ask me how I know). That is why I bought a Clearview windshiled - with the recurve- http://www.clearviewshields.com/ I use Rain- X as described and I also use Plexus - when I clean the windshield....... I don't like riding in the rain but it happens

[EZE RIDER]

Smooth actions. Nothing jerky. Leave enough space so that you can brake smoothly. If you have the time, sit it out and light up a big fat stogie of your choosing, open up a beverage of your choice and enjoy!