How to ride a motorcycle in wet weather

Investing in good-quality waterproof riding gear is a must if you think you might find yourself regularly riding in the rain, but there are other measures you can take and things to be aware of which will lead to a safer and more comfortable experience.

Wearing good-quality gear designed for wet-weather conditions does more than simply keep you dry. Because if you’re dry and relatively comfortable, then you can use all your attention focusing on what’s around you rather than thinking about where water might be getting in. bikesales has written plenty of useful advice articles and buyer’s guides covering all sorts of wet-weather gear options. But there’s far more to know about wet-weather riding than just your riding kit.

Wet weather riding can be more physically and mentally taxing than riding in the dry, so it’s important to be alert rather than alarmed and to trust your ability so you’re calm and ready to tackle anything the day’s wet-weather riding throws at you.

You don’t need to do anything differently to your bike, but your tyres play a significantly role in keeping you safe in wet conditions. The treaded sections, or grooves, are there to channel water away to ensure your tyres can grip the road, so make sure there’s plenty of tread in the centre of your tyres, as this is the area that generally wears the quickest. Without sufficient tread, your chances of aquaplaning are much higher. Ensuring your tyre pressures are in line with the manufacturer’s recommendation is also a good idea. While you’re checking on things, give your brakes a quick squeeze while the bike is running to make sure your brake light is working – visibility is important in wet conditions, but more on that later.

There are a lot of different factors at play, but generally wet roads offer less grip than dry roads, especially during acceleration, braking and cornering. But if your inputs are smooth and progressive, riding in the rain can be an enjoyable experience. In fact, because you’re forced to think about each input and make considered decisions, there’s plenty to learn about how to ride smoothly, which will ultimately make you a better rider in dry conditions too.

Smooth acceleration is key, as is giving yourself longer braking distances. Giving yourself more time to wash off speed means you’ll use less force on the lever or pedal to achieve the same result, and you’ll be aided by your motorcycle’s engine braking. These things combined will make the tyres’ job easier and take a bit of the stress associated with wet-weather riding away. Increasing your braking distances means not only braking earlier than you normally would for a corner or a roundabout, but it means maintaining a greater distance from vehicles ahead to allow yourself more time to react.  

The dynamics of braking in wet weather differ from dry conditions due to the reduced grip levels. As well as braking smoother and earlier than normal in wet conditions, using more rear brake than front brake can help maintain stability by reducing weight transfer to the front tyre and sending unnecessary forces through to the front tyre’s contact patch. 

For the same reasons, it’s also a good idea to ensure all of your braking is completed before you begin to tip into a corner. In the dry conditions, you might find yourself trail braking into a turn, meaning you’re still squeezing on the front brakes as you’re heading towards the middle of the corner, but washing off your required speed before you reach your tip-in point and allowing yourself to roll smoothly and predictably through the corner is a safer way through in wet conditions. Provided it’s applied progressively, a light application of the rear brake can help tighten your line without requiring extra lean, so while you might favour the front brake over the rear in dry conditions, favour the rear when you’re riding in the rain. 

Maintaining a heightened level of awareness is crucial, as wet conditions often conceal hazards like puddles, oil patches, or debris. Always scan the road ahead and plan your movements to minimise the need for sudden inputs. On busy roads and where appropriate, try not to position your bike in the centre of the lane where oil tends to drop from other vehicles. Look out for rainbow-coloured patches on the road, especially at intersections. These are oil spills, which become particularly slippery when wet. Be aware of other surfaces too, such as painted lines and markings, level crossings or tram tracks, manhole covers, even leaves – they all have the potential to become slippery in wet conditions. 

Being able to see and be seen is crucial while riding in the rain. A good quality helmet and visor that won’t fog up or leak could be the difference between seeing a hazard with enough time to react and not, so make sure your visor is well seated, so it forces a good seal. If your visor is starting to fog up, try opening the helmet vents first before you open the visor. If you get water down the back of your visor your visibility will be reduced. Choosing bright-coloured or reflective wet-weather gear is a good idea too, as is occasionally wiping your mirrors so you can keep an eye on what’s happening behind you. Don’t forget other road users also have reduced grip and visibility, so adopt a defensive riding approach.