Are you a "fair-weather rider"? Some may argue that you're not a real biker unless you ride in all types of weather, i.e. rain, shine, hot, or cold. Personally, I believe that it's not what (or when) you ride, it's that you ride it. If you spend any amount of time on a motorcycle, chances are you're going to get caught in some sort of precipitation.
- Slow Down
- Oil is slick, and anti-freeze is like greased lightning. Not to mention that rain itself is a distraction. Add these factors together and you have a recipe for a bad situation. The only thing missing is bad judgement. It is imperative to slow down and ride defensively.
- Rain Gear
- Whether it's gear that you carry around in a saddle bag or the four-season riding gear you wear all the time, you can't put a price on a good set of rain gear. Being dry on a motorcycle affords you the ability to pay attention to the road.
- Rain-X
- Rain-X works wonders on a windshield (car, truck, motorcycle, or otherwise) and a faceshield on a helmet. Water will sheet right off of a transparent surface with a little wind or the swipe of a squeegee from a glove, if so equipped.
- Extra clothes/layers
- Eventually, it will stop raining. If you're on a long trip and somehow managed to get wet, there's nothing better than to stop and change into some dry clothes.
- Rain or shine, you never know when the temperature is going to dip. It helps to keep an extra layer of clothing handy in case you need it. Few things are worse than being cold while riding a motorcycle.
- Stay Outside
- If you're soaked to the bone and need to pull over, do NOT go inside an air-conditioned building. Wet clothes and air-conditioning will lower your body temperature and you will never get warm.