Bikers, don’t slip up in the rain
It doesn’t rain very often in sunny SoCal, but when it does, motorcyclists should consider these 10 tips from Ray Ochs, director of training systems for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:
1. Slow down to give yourself more time and space to react.
2. Ride in the tire tracks of the vehicles in front of you. That keeps the motorcycle from hydroplaning or hitting puddles that cause traction issues.
3. Watch out for metal covers, railroad tracks and painted lines because they are more slippery in the rain.
4. Make sure your face shield or eye protection is clean so the rain doesn’t cause visibility problems. The face shield should wipe easily to maintain good vision.
5. Pull over if visibility becomes an issue. If you can’t see, other people probably can’t see you. Pull off to the side of the road and wait until the rain subsides before you continue.
6. Note that paved surfaces are slickest at the beginning of a rainfall because the oil and grease on the road mix with the water. But even after it has rained for a while, roads are still more slippery than when they’re dry.
7. Be aware that surface oils are most prevalent at intersections.
8. Wear a rain suit that is brightly colored and comfortable. A brightly colored rider is easier to see, and a comfortable rider is happier and pays more attention.
9. Wear rain boots and rain gloves. If you’re going to ride in hard rain or ride very long in the rain, you should include rain boots and gloves in your rain suit repertoire.
10. Be aware that wind often comes into play with rainstorms, so stay relaxed in your steering to maintain your ability to maneuver quickly.
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