how difficult is it to ride a motorcycle in heavy rain

[brainhulk]

I saw this guy on a rice rocket weaving through traffic this morning in fairly heavy rain. My visibility was poor, I was thinking that his without windshield wipers on his helmet must be really poor.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's not difficult, it is however quite miserable.

Visors fog up, wiping it only makes it worse, you get wet, you get cold, and you have less grip so you have to brake earlier and corner slower. You also have to watch out for painted surfaces and the middle of the lane because that's where all the cages drip their fluids at a stop light so it is very slick.

I don't own rain gear because it rarely rains here so when it does rain I just take the cage. I have been caught out in it a few times though.

 

[MagickMan]

It's an easy way to become a statistic.

 

[Zenmervolt]

The shape of the visor on a full-face helmet actually does a pretty good job of making the wind keep it clear; and something like RainX really helps a lot. Visibility isn't that much if an issue if you're prepared and have a good anti-fog coating on the inner visor.

As Jules mentioned though, vision is just one part of the equation. Even with rain gear it can be physically unpleasant to be on a motorcycle in the rain, and the amount of grip available is drastically reduced. Overall riding a motorcycle in the rain requires quite a bit more attention than riding in the dry.

ZV

 

[olds]

It's an easy way to become a statistic.

I've never been down in the rain.

 

[Fenixgoon]

The shape of the visor on a full-face helmet actually does a pretty good job of making the wind keep it clear; and something like RainX really helps a lot. Visibility isn't that much if an issue if you're prepared and have a good anti-fog coating on the inner visor.

As Jules mentioned though, vision is just one part of the equation. Even with rain gear it can be physically unpleasant to be on a motorcycle in the rain, and the amount of grip available is drastically reduced. Overall riding a motorcycle in the rain requires quite a bit more attention than riding in the dry.

ZV

this. riding in inclement weather is physically and mentally exhausting. i would not recommend it unless you absolutely need to. in that case, be prepared - warm gear (waterproof or have a rain suit), clear/anti-fog visor, good tires (preferably sport-touring or touring as opposed to sport...more area in tread pattern for dealing with water).

one time i rode home at night, in light rain. judging distances to stoplights became significantly more difficult than regular night rides. visor fog was a non-issue...until i hit the local island. my visor immediately fogged over with heavy condensation. cracking my visor open did not relieve the fog, so i followed the tail lights of the car in front of me. every car in the opposing direction created a massive halo in my visor, nearly blinding me.

i then had to cross a windy bridge (my only route to get home). it took immense concentration and focus to make it 2 miles across that bridge, and i don't think i've ever been more happen to get to a stoplight than after that bridge (finally was able to stop and wipe off all the water from the inside of my visor).

so yes it's doable. i do not recommend it.

 

[pauldun170]

I saw this guy on a rice rocket weaving through traffic this morning in fairly heavy rain. My visibility was poor, I was thinking that his without windshield wipers on his helmet must be really poor.

Depends on temperature and gear.
Once you get up to speed, airflow over the visor will clear the water (sometimes you have to turn your head slightly)

Sum of my favorite rides have been in downpours with lightening off in the distance.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

The shape of the visor on a full-face helmet actually does a pretty good job of making the wind keep it clear; and something like RainX really helps a lot. Visibility isn't that much if an issue if you're prepared and have a good anti-fog coating on the inner visor.

As Jules mentioned though, vision is just one part of the equation. Even with rain gear it can be physically unpleasant to be on a motorcycle in the rain, and the amount of grip available is drastically reduced. Overall riding a motorcycle in the rain requires quite a bit more attention than riding in the dry.

ZV

I disagree somewhat about the grip. Of course it is reduced, but in my experience the difference between wet and dry grip is greater in a car than on a bike. On the other hand the consequences for losing grip on bike are much greater.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Rain isn't bad with the right gear. Hail however, really sucks.

 

[MagickMan]

I've never been down in the rain.

I've never had an accident of any kind, but odds are most will.

 

[olds]

I've never had an accident of any kind, but odds are most will.

I've been down, just not in the rain.
And when I was a youngster in the Army, I rode my bike to the base rain or shine. Frozen roads and snow. Granted the snow doesn't get very deep in Oklahoma but it rains like a mfer.
I had a snowmobile suit that I wore, When it rained, I put a light rain suit over that. I had to put a hidden switch on my bike's alarm because it would sometimes go off as I was riding in the rain.

 

[Ben90]

I disagree somewhat about the grip. Of course it is reduced, but in my experience the difference between wet and dry grip is greater in a car than on a bike. On the other hand the consequences for losing grip on bike are much greater.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7iiau5tlwA

I agree that grip under safe riding is entirely a non issue aside from a novice attempting an emergency stop. Always ride with a buffer, even when its dry.

 

[Greenman]

Riding in the rain sucks, a lot. I've never done it voluntarily.

 

[T2urtle]

^ i dont think most will volunteer.

Ive only done it if i was forced to ride home in the rain. When i put my foot down at a stop light, it gets a little slippery. That plus people in cages have less viability of me. I rather not risk it.