Everyone’s dream is to ride a motorcycle on a sunny afternoon until the time comes to ride into the sunset, but there is a certain romance to going outdoors on a rainy day. Think about how pleasant rainy-day walks are if you are prepared for them and how unpleasant they are if you are not. There is nothing enjoyable about getting caught in a downpour on your way home from work; it ruins your mood. It can be fun, however, to suit up in your raincoat and rain boots and walk under an umbrella by yourself or with someone you love.
The same goes for riding a motorcycle in the rain. If you treat a rain-soaked ride the same way you would treat a sun-soaked ride, the result will be lots of stress if you are lucky and an accident if you are not. If you prepare well for your motorcycle ride in the rain, though, you can reach your destination safely and get to appreciate how beautiful New Mexico looks during a rainfall. If you got injured while riding a motorcycle on a rainy day, contact a Santa Fe motor vehicle accident lawyer.
Dress for the Weather
Rainsuits for motorcyclists look bulky and uncomfortable, but in sustained rain, they are just what you need. Wet clothes are a distraction, and so is a slippery grip on the handlebars. You should also wear waterproof gloves and rain boots. Imagine how hard it is to see out of a car’s windshield on a rainy day when you do not use the defrost button, and you will get an idea of how hard it is to ride safely when the visor of your motorcycle helmet gets foggy in the rain. Choose a helmet with an electronic defrost function. Even if the rain is light, you should wear a clear visor instead of a tinted one when it is raining; dark clouds do not make it easier to see the road.
Put Your Bike in Rain Mode If You Can
Rain mode for motorcycles is one of the fancy new vehicle technologies that have made the road safer. If your bike has a rain mode function, you should use it when riding in the rain. Even if it does not, adjust the throttle to the smoothest setting. Driving slowly and braking gradually is the key to staying safe on wet roads, whether your vehicle is a car or a motorcycle.
Ride on the Driest Part of the Road
You can avoid the wet road even when it is pouring rain. A lane of traffic might have a slightly elevated strip where the puddles of water have not accumulated, and even if you see one, that is where you should ride. Avoid the slipperiest parts of the road, such as iron gratings, manhole covers, or painted stripes on the road.
Contact Slate Stern About Personal Injury Lawsuits
Slate Stern is a personal injury lawyer who represents plaintiffs injured in motorcycle accidents. Contact Slate Stern in Santa Fe, New Mexico, or call (505)814-1517 to discuss your case.
Sources
https://www.cycleworld.com/sport-rider/five-tips-for-riding-motorcycle-in-rain-0
Photo by Red Shuheart on Unsplash