Safe Riding in the Rain

Now that fall is well underway, one of the issues you as a motorcyclist will have to contend with is wet weather. Rain and sleet can cause the roads to become slick and slippery, full of puddles and treacherous patches that you can easily slide out on if you’re not careful. Plus, you’ll be soaked to the bone if you aren’t wearing the right rain gear.

Cross Country Cycle, with locations in Metuchen and Hasbrouck Heights, is your New Jersey motorcycle dealer. We want to ensure the safety of all of our customers, so we’ve created this guide to safe riding in the rain to help you out.

Get Your Motorcycle Ready

First off, you’re only going to cause more problems for yourself if you try to ride on a poorly-maintained bike. You might be able to get away with it on a sunny day, but small problems can be huge issues when reduced traction and low visibility come into play. Review your owner’s manual to determine what needs doing and when, and keep track of maintenance and replacement parts in it.

Your tires are one of the most essential components of your bike in this regard, so make sure to check them before you head out. Use a tire-pressure gauge to check the pressure and air them up to the manufacturer’s recommended psi levels. Check the condition and consistency of your oil to determine if it’s sludgy enough to merit a change, top off brake fluid, fill your tank with gasoline and go on a test ride to try out your brakes, signals, clutch and throttle.

If you find any issues that you can’t address at home, don’t hesitate to contact the Cross Country Cycle service department so that we can schedule you a maintenance appointment with our team of professional mechanics!

Wear The Right Gear

Next, you need to outfit yourself with the proper gear for safe rain riding. Leather and water don’t mix well, so if that’s your standard sunny-day attire, you’ll need to switch things up. You can get a one-piece rain suit to wear that will cover your street clothes and provide you with protection from the rain. They can be a bit bulky, but this can help keep you warm in cold weather, especially when worn with layers. Another, less expensive option is to go for waterproof pants and a waterproof jacket.

Insulated riding gloves with good grip will help you keep your hands on the throttle and manipulate controls more easily. A sturdy pair of waterproof motorcycle boots with good tread will ensure solid contact with the ground at stoplights so you don’t lose your balance.

Your full-face helmet is the best option for rainy riding, since goggles can allow water to get in and they won’t keep the rest of your face from getting drenched. You’ll want a waterproof coating on your face shield to improve your visibility, too. Invest in reflective tape or brightly-colored outerwear so that other motorists can see you.

Ride Defensively

When riding in the rain, it’s important that you’re even more vigilant and focused than usual to keep yourself safe. Other motorists will likely struggle with the rain and reduced traction as well, so watch for hydroplaning vehicles or inattentive drivers and steer clear of them. Stick to the center of lanes for improved visibility and traction, since water can pool in the grooves made by tires. Be watchful for steel plates and other low-traction areas, like pooled oil. Apply your brakes slowly and go at a lower speed so that you have time to react to sudden vehicle stops.

We hope this guide helps you to stay safe out there in the downpours. Need a bike? Visit one of our New Jersey dealerships in Hasbrouck Heights or Metuchen today to take a look at our full stock of new and used motorcycles for sale. Cross Country Cycle proudly serves all of our customers throughout the states of New Jersey and New York.