Riding in the Rain: A Pragmatic Response

[rdprdp01]

Recently, I rode my motorcycle downtown to pick up some fruits and vegetables. The skies were gray, and rain was in the forecast. But I rode anyway. It has been too long since I navigated a wet road. I needed the practice.

After I parked, a slight, gentle drizzle began. 

When light rain starts to fall, it mixes with oil, grease, and dust on the road, creating a slippery, greasy film that makes driving much more difficult and dangerous. This light moisture acts as a lubricant, making the roads more slippery and significantly reducing traction. Unlike in heavy rain, this film remains constant. Tires on cars, motorcycles, trucks, and bicycles tend to spread it across the road until it evaporates or is washed away by heavy rain.

For those who might be returning to cycling after a break or for new owners of a CB1100, I assert this situation is arguably the most dangerous road condition we face while riding our 550+ LB motorcycle. I encourage you to

Recognize the "Slick" Period: Oils on the road mix with water, making the first 30 minutes the most dangerous.
Smooth Controls: Operate the throttle, brakes, and clutch with gentle, gradual inputs to avoid breaking traction.
Reduced Speed & Increased Distance: Slow down 5-10 mph and increase following distance, as braking distance doubles on wet pavement.
Keep Your Motorcycle Upright: Reduce lean angle in corners, as slick roads significantly decrease available traction.
Adjust Lane Position: Ride in the tire tracks of the car in front of you, as they often clear the water and oil.
Avoid Potential Hazards: Avoid painted lines, manhole covers, and metal expansion joints, which become extremely slippery.

I took a few pictures in hopes that my words could become a little more vivid:









I am pleased to report that I remained upright and in control of my motorcycle. When I returned home, I addressed the oil, film, and dirt that had accumulated.







I am a staunch supporter of ceramic coating, which I applied to my wheels, chromes, calibers, tank, and all other surfaces when I purchased my motorcycle.

Key Benefits of Ceramic Coating for Motorcycles:
Superior Protection: Shields paint and metal from UV damage, fading, oxidation, and corrosion.
Hydrophobic Properties: Extremely water-repellent, reducing water spots and allowing dirt, mud, and rain to wash off easily.
Enhanced Appearance: Provides a high-gloss, deep-shine finish that makes colors more vibrant.
Scratch Resistance: Forms a hard layer (up to 9H) that helps prevent light scratches and swirl marks from washing or minor debris.
Heat Resistance: Protects engine components and exhaust pipes from heat-related discoloration and buildup.
Versatility: Safe for use on glossy/matte paint, chrome, plastic, and carbon fiber.

It took less than 15 minutes to return the motorcycle to a proper state:







If that road gunk is allowed to dry or harden, it can be quite difficult to remove. It can also corrode parts and damage finishes. If time allows, it is always best to remove it immediately following the ride. To help make that easy, I maintain a Chemical Guys' Shrine in my garage with easy access to anything I might need.

Be safe and careful. David

[Cormanus]

Good advice on riding in the wet, rdprdp01.

[pdedse]

I started feeling a little panicky and on-edge as I scrolled through your photos and saw the grime on your bike...relief flooded back over me when I got to the last one, world order has been restored!
: )

Nice reminder for wet riding. Our roads in my area of Oregon get regularly washed with rain most of the year, but then we have dry months from July to beginning of October, and then yep, gotta be careful with those first rains. And painted lines! I once made a turn on to a side street where a school was, and the painted school crossing line was thick, about 2.5 feet wide...very uneasy to feel the rear tire slipping out until it caught pavement again.

[17-CB-002]

I have white knuckle riding in the rain - that why I always check the weather forecast before any trip - however sometimes we get caught.

[SportsterDoc]

Worse than a light rain, is a light rain in Las Vegas, where there is very little rain between oil build-up.
When we first moved there, I saw a Sportster try to slow for a right turn at rather slow speed and almost lose it.

The only time I was caught in serious rain I was on a XVS950 and a friend on a Gold Wing rode from Las Vegas to Cedar City then east on Utah 14 to Duck Creek. Leaving Duck Creek going to Bryce Canyon, a downpour started on 14 west of 89...no place for cover.  No worries about oil so we rode at normal speed down the twisties.  In a short time, the sun reappeared and my T shirt and Wranglers were dry in a VERY short time.  We got drenched again, leaving Bryce.

[Gone in 60]

Very good post, David. As a rule, I don't ride my bikes in the rain. If I get caught in it, like you, first thing I do when I get home is to wash and detail my bike before any of the crud can dry and become harder to remove. When the crud is wet, it's much easier to flush away.

With my courier job, it's rain or shine, so getting rained on will be part of the territory. And, riding bikes that have been in rode hard and put away wet for years, the grime that doesn't come off easily is there to stay. My detailing for these bikes has been roll it into the garage, hit the lower half with degreaser, rub, rinse, and whatever is still there is still there.

I did get caught in a few showers last week, and as the dispatch app we're using also runs Waze for navigation, along with "police ahead", "car on shoulder ahead", "hazard ahead", I started hearing "slippery road ahead". Duh. Luckily, the RT windshield and bodywork pretty much sends the wet stuff around you for the most part, it is important to be extra careful when the roads are wet. Especially here in Southern California. Historically we've had "rainy season" and "dry season". The dry roads would be extra slippery for the first day of rain, as there would be months of oil, dirt and other slick stuff coming to the surface. Not fun to ride in. These days, the weather is a little more unpredictable. Always need to be on guard!

[rdprdp01]

Gone, we have slightly more rain and cooler weather in Northern California than down south. I avoid all rain  aggressively, but occasionally I “man up” because I know it is a part of motorcycle riding. As I was putting on the very best protective gear a man can buy and looking for an excuse to not ride, I thought of you. I eventually shamed myself to starting the motorcycle with this thought running through my head: “If Gn60 can ride that huge honker of a BMW outfitted with all that gear on Interstate 5 in LA, surely I can manage a leisurely ride on a Saturday morning in Pleasanton, CA on a CB1100EX.” You are an inspiration.

[Cormanus]

I reckon putting on the wets and going for a ride when it isn't necessary shows an extraordinary level of commitment.

[Gone in 60]

Gone, we have slightly more rain and cooler weather in Northern California than down south. I avoid all rain  aggressively, but occasionally I “man up” because I know it is a part of motorcycle riding. As I was putting on the very best protective gear a man can buy and looking for an excuse to not ride, I thought of you. I eventually shamed myself to starting the motorcycle with this thought running through my head: “If Gn60 can ride that huge honker of a BMW outfitted with all that gear on Interstate 5 in LA, surely I can manage a leisurely ride on a Saturday morning in Pleasanton, CA on a CB1100EX.” You are an inspiration.

Ha! I don't think I've ever been called an inspiration, but I'll take it. Thank you very much, sir.  At least the big honker of a BMW is comfortable and has enough bodywork to keep it's rider from getting too wet.

[Lunchbag]

Well, I guess this is a good excuse for rain-related storytelling   

I never ride in the rain.  But sometimes it does happen.  A couple of years ago when I was trying to figure out what to buy, I rented a INT650 through riders-share.  I was all set up, and the threat of a storm was not going to put me off from a long-anticipated adventure.

Unaccountably, when I picked the bike up I chose to leave my rain gear in the car, thinking I would outmaneuver the storm.  Well, I was about 10 minutes into the ride when the rain started, and it pounded me hard before I even left the interstate heading west.  I took a break under an overpass, as I've seen other riders do, but it was a first for me.

I sat on the jersey barrier and ate a bag of cherries.  The cherries, that is, I did not eat the bag.  I spat the seeds into the rain drain and watched the storm with amazement.  It was good to be out the office.  Far from dampening the mood, the rainstorm just amplified the giddiness I already felt, as I wondered what the weekend might hold.  In my child-like brain, there was an adventure going on, and I was in it!  I felt sorry for the folks passing by in their boring cars on their boring commute.

Eventually the downpour lessened, so I pressed on.  Both the rain and the city traffic thinned steadily as I proceeded westward.  It was a warm July evening, so I dried off quickly after exiting the back side of the storm.  I was happy I left the rain gear behind, as I was carrying my things in a backpack, just a couple changes of clothes in ziplock bags, a toothbrush, and other essentials.

By the time I was on Skyline Drive, I was mostly dry and having an absolute blast on the INT650.  I'm still convinced I will get one someday.  With the touring seat.  I stayed overnight in Luray.  That evening I ate jambalaya down on the river walk, and I watched the fireworks while listening to a bluegrass band.

I headed south the next morning, back on Skyline Drive.  I had breakfast at a restaurant in the park that overlooks the valley.  I recalled having dinner at that restaurant on my honeymoon; we had both enjoyed the good fare and local wine.  But I was disappointed this morning to see that the fabulous view was now obscured by trees which grew up in the intervening 27 years.

I continued south beyond Skyline Drive onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, eventually exiting to visit Natural Bridge.  I took a 2-hr afternoon break to refuel with a moon pie and a mello yellow, and perhaps a gallon of water.  I lingered in the cave which was at least 30 deg cooler than the ambient temperature, which was 97 deg F.

I stayed the second night in Lexington, VA and met a group of hot-air-balloonists.  They invited me to an excellent barbecue dinner in exchange for agreeing to serve as ground crew the next morning.  The next morning I showed up at the VA horse park before sunrise and met my crew.  We waited a couple hours until they finally decided they couldn't fly that day.  The fog had lingered for too long, and when the fog cleared, the winds would exceed their limits.

So I said goodbye and zipped up to Harrisonburg for a mid-morning breakfast at a nice cafe downtown, and pressed on all the way to Cumberland, MD where there was an INT650 for sale in orange crush.  It was gorgeous, but they said they couldn't sell it because the last customer to ride it had reported a wobble above 45 mph, and they had not investigated it yet.  I agreed not to buy it, and headed back east and then south to return the bike where I started in the DC area.

The trip was invigorating, and I never regretted leaving the rain gear behind.  In fact, I haven't used it to this day, because I never ride in the rain!