| If you live in a climate where rain and snow are the | | | | mechanism you have when riding in any kind of |
| norm during the winter months, your motorcycle | | | | weather is your common sense. Begin to apply this |
| probably spends most of the time in storage while | | | | common sense even before you begin a ride by |
| you wait for more favorable riding conditions. Then at | | | | checking your tire pressure and the condition of your |
| the first sign of warm weather, you pull on your | | | | tire tread. It doesn't need to be raining or snowing |
| leather pants and motorcycle chaps and hit the road | | | | for bald tires to become a safety hazard. |
| ready to inaugurate a new riding season. However, | | | | When operating any vehicle in the rain or snow, |
| along the way you might discover that the glimmer | | | | always slow down and allow plenty of space |
| of sunshine was just a teaser and you find yourself | | | | between you and other commuters. This is always |
| riding in inclement weather. A rain shower or light | | | | recommended, but even more when the roads are |
| snowfall doesn't need to preempt your ride, but | | | | wet. Damp roads usually make riding conditions |
| there are some precautions you should take to make | | | | unpredictable. For example, gas and oil are often |
| the ride safer and more enjoyable than the ride | | | | spilled on the road. Until these spots have been |
| would be if you weren't prepared. Your motorcycle | | | | washed away by frequent rain storms, they can be |
| apparel will offer some protection, but there are | | | | as slick as dry ice. One advantage that you have |
| some other precautions that you should take before | | | | over dry ice is a light foam forms over an oil spot |
| your ride. | | | | that is visible at some distance. If you are alert you |
| If you have never experienced being caught off | | | | can easily avoid these spots. |
| guard by a sudden downpour without the benefit of | | | | When riding in snow you run the same risks of sliding |
| a face shield, many riders will attest that those | | | | as you would if you were in a car. Here again, |
| innocent little water droplets sting when they make | | | | common sense and proper riding techniques (in |
| contact with your face. In this situation, some | | | | addition to your motorbike gear and leather pants) |
| motorcyclists will tie a bandana across their face to | | | | can keep you safe and unharmed on a slick road. If |
| ward off those steely raindrops. If there is a chance | | | | you need to stop fast, don't apply your brakes so |
| that you might encounter some precipitation on your | | | | hard that your front or back wheel locks up. Skidding |
| ride, plan ahead by packing a face guard for your | | | | out of control is inevitable at this point. Instead, apply |
| helmet. In addition to your leather pants and | | | | light, even pressure on your brakes and keep the |
| motorbike gear, pack a rain slicker, gloves or | | | | wheels turning. This will enable you to slow down |
| gauntlets, and perhaps a sweatshirt. In a heavy rain | | | | without losing control of your bike. Also, try not to |
| storm you might be better off pulling over and | | | | brake when you round corners. Instead, keep your |
| waiting out the storm. If this is the case, you will still | | | | speed the same and shift your weight to take the |
| want to keep warm if you're not near a place where | | | | corner. |
| you can go indoors. Your motorcycle apparel can | | | | Naturally, you prefer not to ride when there are |
| provide some warmth and protection, but you don't | | | | hazardous road conditions. However when you are |
| know how long you'll be out so it's better to plan | | | | on a ride and the weather conditions change, you can |
| ahead with some warmer clothes. | | | | still get through the ride safely by staying alert and |
| Riding in the rain is more of a discomfort than a | | | | using safe riding techniques as well as properly |
| safety issue. Still, safety is always a priority when | | | | outfitting yourself with your motorcycle apparel. |
| you're riding a motorcycle and the best safety | | | | |