With the arrival of cold weather the biker community is divided into 2 groups: those who park their bikes until spring arrives, and those who want to keep going out. Both are equally lawful and respectable and have their implications for the bike and today we will see what to keep in mind to ride on days when, either willingly or unwillingly, we have to get wet.
Beyond taking certain precautions, rain is not something to be afraid of, but we must learn to interpret the weather to avoid being in a dangerous situation that can be triggered as a result of a storm of a certain magnitude as the recent DANAs that are being experienced in different parts of the Peninsula.
Therefore, the first thing we should always take into account is the weather forecast and pay attention to the alerts and, if we see that we are in a risky area, look for a suitable place to protect ourselves and not take unnecessary risks.
In case of light rain we can continue circulating taking certain precautions:
- The condition of the tires must be taken into account. Worn or very sporty tires will not evacuate water properly, increasing the risk of an accident.
- We must keep in mind that the braking distance in the wet increases significantly, so we must respect, more than ever, the safety distance with the vehicle in front of us. It is also a good practice to ride more to the side of the lane instead of riding in the center of the lane. This way, in case we have to perform a dodging maneuver, we will be faster and we will have a better visibility of what is happening in front of us, which will allow us to anticipate even more risky situations. On the other hand, modern motorcycles with advanced ABS systems make a big difference in risky situations where it is important to optimize braking.
- Driving on one side of the road instead of in the center of the lane, even in the city, will help us avoid the typical oil and fuel stains that we usually find and that, in contact with rainwater, rise to the surface and can cause us to slip.
- Another aspect to take into account is visibility. With a wet screen we lose visibility, but so do the other vehicles occupying the road with us. For this reason we must bear in mind the importance of wearing clothing that not only insulates us from the cold and humidity, but that is also reflective or in colors that make it easier for others to see us. For our part, we must wear a clean visor, with an anti-fogging system such as a pinlock that will prevent the visor from fogging up and losing visibility while riding. There are certain products that can give it a water-repellent coating that makes it slip more quickly.
- Finally, and as we have already mentioned, wearing appropriate clothing that prevents humidity from getting to us will allow us to concentrate more on riding our motorcycle.
And with these tips we hope that you will be able to enjoy riding your motorcycle with maximum safety even in winter.