Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Plasmaman]

Need some tips on how to increase visibility and safety when in the rain. On the return trip from Arkansas we saw a storm coming so stopped and suited up. When it hit, the windshield was more like a curtain, could see the bike tail lights in front but that is about all. Abby had rain on the outside, inside, face shield and eyeglasses so made the obvious choice and pulled over to the shoulder. We cleaned up as best as possible to once again have a safe view of the road before proceeding. I am asking if any of you have ideas of how to maintain proper visual contact with the road, traffic and fellow riders in the rain. I had rain X on my clearview shield but it did not help. Have heard that waxing the shield will help. Any tips. This was not a safe moment.

Thanks,
Plasmaman

[Twolanerider]

That's the biggest reason to be able to ride looking just over the shield.  Never see through it in moderate showers or rain. 

Visibility is also why you hope to be able to bail before it's torrential.  When it's raining too hard you almost have to keep going.  Trucks will never see you just stopped on the side of the road.  Or at least not until it's too late. 

When it's raining so hard they can't see the lines the road gets real wide for them.  Find tail lights, tuck in and make the best of it.  Just like getting caught in heavy fog (except without getting pelted by the rain).

[Midnight Rider]

You're not looking through the windshield, I assume...that is the first no, no.  A good wax or polish on the shield does help some, as does a full face helmet.  But, if it's that bad, pulling over is probably the best idea, and not just pulling over, but take an exit ramp and get OFF the road.  If I see someone in my mirrors, I flash my brake lights several time to make sure they see me.  Other than that, I keep a reference point of the yellow/white line, and a tailight in front of me.  Toad stranglers on a bike are just no fun, regardless.

[naitram]

this is a case of situation dictates your actions. if your moving it may be safer to stay moving then try and get over to the shoulder. if you can be sure you can get safely out of the flow of traffic then consider that option

[T MAC]

I just rode back up from Oregon yesterday and had some bad weather myself.  When it rains that hard I get off the road and wait it out.  My concern is the other drivers.  It is already hard enough for drivers to see a bike in good weather in bad weather the chances are reduced more.  It always amazes me how when I am riding in the rain and keeping a safe distance from the car in front of me some azz ho*e passes me and pulls right in front of me, the spray off the road is blinding.

I recently bought the orange reflective vest from HD that I wear in bad weather also.  It is BRIGHT orange and really helps with being seen, it cost about $50 I know that there are cheaper ones out there though.
 
I put Glare on my entire bike from the windshield to the chrome and the water beads off nicely.  I have one helmet that has a faceshield on it.  I put foam along the top of the faceshield to close that small gap at the top this keeps water from getting into the inside of the faceshield.    

[Keats]

I would agree with Don on this. It is safer sometimes to stay the course and continue (speed) if possible.

I think that I have heard of more riders getting hurt being stopped or at a very slow speed than maintaining speeds.

I found myself in trouble this year heading to Myrtle Beach and we ran into a downpour for hours. We saw a 4x4 spin out in font of us from

hydraplaning and hit a guardrail and a group of riders got creamed sitting at a red light by a truck that never saw them or the light.

I ran with a 3/4 helmet and a full flip up face shield for which water ran down both the inside and outside,

but because it was open at the bottom (not a full helmet)

I was able to keep the fogging to a minimum (which can be as big of problem as the water is)

I also think staying dry and comfortable is an issue always and that is extremely hard to do in a driving rain....

I do not particularly like to drive in a downpour, but I must admit I find it exhilarating. Maybe it is the thrill of overcoming adversity, but it has always

been exciting (maybe I am just sick?)

[Bungy]

I had the same issue riding the 401 freeway (4 lanes each way) into Toronto last spring. I concentrated on keeping a transport truck in sight ahead of me. There was also an SUV that stayed about 100 yds behind me & kept people off my azz - I owe him (or her) a few.

[BIGDOG]

My suggestion is ride in the tire track of the car or truck ahead of you and be looking over the shield. Most riders I see have a windshield that is to tall . It should stop about mouth high at tallest and will still pass air over you but fogging and rain won't hamper your sight.

[Screamin]

We've got lots of bridges in the Buckeye and I use them. When it's raining to hard too see I'll wait out the heavy ones. And we always get behind the guardrail. When we're moving in the rain I try to stay in the tire track in front of me and I carry a towel to wipe my shield, glasses, eyes, etc. 

[Gone Fishin']

Need some tips on how to increase visibility and safety when in the rain. On the return trip from Arkansas we saw a storm coming so stopped and suited up. When it hit, the windshield was more like a curtain, could see the bike tail lights in front but that is about all. Abby had rain on the outside, inside, face shield and eyeglasses so made the obvious choice and pulled over to the shoulder. We cleaned up as best as possible to once again have a safe view of the road before proceeding. I am asking if any of you have ideas of how to maintain proper visual contact with the road, traffic and fellow riders in the rain. I had rain X on my clearview shield but it did not help. Have heard that waxing the shield will help. Any tips. This was not a safe moment.

Thanks,
Plasmaman

I know many have posted some of these comments already in this post, however they are very important to me, so I offer this list:

a.) You need to be able to look OVER your windscreen.
b.) Open up your helmet visor. I know it's not comfortable, but you need every little bit of sight.
c.) Increase your safety distance.
d.) Do not be afraid to go fast. Bike tires are much better in rain than many think. If you are too slow, it is often more of a safety issue.
e.) In bad visibility turn your flashers on. It sure helps.
f.) If you have a safety vest, put that on. Anything that makes you look "bigger" is helpful.
g.) If you need to stop, specifically at night, never stop on the road, or on the side. Get off the road into a service or parking area. Use your flashers.
h.) If it is not an option to get off the road into a service or parking area, don't park under an overpass. Just go past the overpass and get as far to the right edge as possible, then walk back to the cover, best behind the guardrail. Keep your flashers on your bike on, if the battery will support them.
i.) If you get cold, make a rest stop for sure. Being cold decreases your ability to handle your bike.
j.) If you use a GPS device with maps, set it to a scale to use it to help you predict the upcoming road.
k.) If you can maintain your safety distance, it may be a good idea to follow a well lit large vehicle (coach or truck).

Ride safely,
Louis

[BIGDOG]

Louis - Great advise ,all of it!!!!!

[mr_magoo]

I wear a half helmet and use double lens ski google and never have issue with the fogging or visiblity.

[Hugh Janis]

Louis, great post.

I have a half helmet and view just above the wind shield which is perfect.  Only problem is when it rains hard the wind  pushes the rain up the wind shield, off the top and right into my face.  The couple times it's happened where I couldn't do anything for an hour or two I had to lean forward so the water running down my face didn't continue down my neck and into my rain suit.  I've never wanted to wipe my face with a towel so badly in my life.  The next time it happens, I'll tuck one under my thigh.  Even if it's soaked it's still a relief to get that water off once in a while.

[porthole]

worse ride I ever had was at night, Rt 81 in the Virginia mountains, torrential downpour, couldn't see chit, solid sheet of water on the outside, fog on the inside, and coming up from the bottom..

Had to turn down the mirrors to keep from being blinded by the people behind and was literally driving using the reflectors in the road way.

Did that for awhile until I could find an exit ramp to pull off.

But mostly the reason I stopped was because of the lightning dancing all around the mountain top.

I have since tried fog proof goggles - doesn't work. Rain X doesn't work, anti fog for the shields - doesn't work.

Service rep at the local dealer recommended some type of anti fog that you put on the inside of the face shield (like a NASCAR tear off). Haven't tried it yet.

Didn't put my boot gators on and they were full of water by the time I stopped.

Only reason I didn't stop for the night was I had a group waiting for my arrival and I had no cell service, then my battery died so I couldn't get any phone numbers out to advise them of my whereabouts.

Rolled into the hotel at midnight, soaked and tired.

[LRebel]

We've got lots of bridges in the Buckeye and I use them. When it's raining to hard too see I'll wait out the heavy ones. And we always get behind the guardrail. When we're moving in the rain I try to stay in the tire track in front of me and I carry a towel to wipe my shield, glasses, eyes, etc. 

Ditto!  I have rode in hard rain and ain't gonna do it unless I'm somehow forced to do it again.  I have spent extended periods (hour or more) stopped under a bridge.  Always get as far away from the road as possible and then get away from the bike (behind guardrail).  I've actually taken a few short naps waiting for the rain to let up.

Best case is to find a convenience store or the like to wait it out. 

[sadunbar]

Ditto!  I have rode in hard rain and ain't gonna do it unless I'm somehow forced to do it again.  I have spent extended periods (hour or more) stopped under a bridge.  Always get as far away from the road as possible and then get away from the bike (behind guardrail).  I've actually taken a few short naps waiting for the rain to let up.

Best case is to find a convenience store or the like to wait it out. 

A drive thru car wash is always a good port in a storm.


But, like others have said - try not to stop on the Interstate!  I always give my best to make it to the next off ramp at minimum... 

[LRebel]

A drive thru car wash is always a good port in a storm.


But, like others have said - try not to stop on the Interstate!  I always give my best to make it to the next off ramp at minimum... 

Yep, spent some time taking shelter at carwash.  Also bank drive-thru (after hours), pavilion in parks, and once up on a covered sidewalk in front of an office building.

[Hoist!]

Granted it ain't no fun, but my KD Sunglasses w/an open face helmet and leather bandana up to my nose, work OK in the worst rain and fog. At least my glasses don't get fogged up and water doesn't get in my eyes. I have to wipe them with my hand, and my face gets soaked. But I can keep my eyes just above the windshield and see halfway decently. As well as you can expect to see in driving rain anyway. Prolly better solutions, but that's been working OK for me for um-teen years!

I also like what Louis said in his response. Don't slow down to stupid slow speeds. You're sure to get run over by a cage/truck that will say he never saw you. Maintain the same speed as traffic with your flashers on. If that's too much for you to do, then get off the highway until it slows down. I do not own or use a safety vest, but if you're a Nervous Nellie, you might feel better having one. It's intimidating seeing a bike in the rain at speed, so they tend to give you room if your riding normal highway speed. But don't count on being seen and cover your brakes. You never know when you'll have to make an unplanned avoidance maneuver!

Hoist!

[FUZZNUTS]

When I was riding back from Maggie Valley, first I encountered fog that was'nt too bad. But by the time I hit the east/west PA turnpike the rain was comming down in buckets. It got pretty dark in a few spots but as a few of you said I got into the fast lane and kept up with the vehicle in front of me..........kept at least 60 to 70 yards between myself and the car in front of me. Got pretty lucky, she dam near rode all the the way home with me. Anyway, when the rain got that heavy the only way I could see was to sit as upright as I could in the saddle and get a few inches above the winshield the full face helmet that I had on. The wind was just enough to keep the visibility marginal and keep the tailights in view. It took me about 2 1/2 hours riding like this to get home. About 5 miles from home the lightning started, I was really wiped by the time I got home. The only thing that was wet on me was my leather boots. The Gortex tops and bottoms HD suit I have worked very well.        

[screem]

I kive in South West Florida, in the summer months we have heavy tropical down pours most afternoons. I travel across Aligator alley fequently in the summer and have hit some absolutley blinding rains, and anyone who has ridden this road , knows there arent many places to pull over and wait it out. I hwear a half helmet with  Ray-Ban Wayfarer presription sunglasses. Hopefully, before I get soaked I have time to pull over and don my rain suit..Tog Frogs..best out there in my opinion. I use a bandana across my fore head to stop the stinging rain on top and keep water from running down into eyes also. I also use a second bandana below glasses to cover rest of exposed face. For me it is just too hot to wear a full face down here in the summertime...so I find this setup the most comfortable for me. as far as actually ridding. I maintain speed with other traffic out there..70-75 mph. I get in the tire track of the vehicle in front of me , as they have pushed some of the water out of my path for me..4-way flashers running if it is blinding. Leave lots of room...both in front and to the rear.
     The only time I pucker up a bit is when there is severe lightning crashing around. This area is known as the lightning capitol (for good reason too). I have ridden many miles in these type of conditions, ridden safely and without incicdent. This may sound a bit nuts to those who are fairweather riders, but to me weather is a part of the experience. It should be respected, not feared, embraced not hated. If I waited on the weather to be perfect, it would knock 5 months of riding out of my year. The sunshine state aint always so sunny...so get out there and enjoy your local weather.     

[porthole]

Yep - if you don't ride in the rain, you really don't ride.

T-storms - I know you have a lot down there - but if you can hear it you are danger of being hit.

[SPIDERMAN]

Yep - if you don't ride in the rain, you really don't ride.

T-storms - I know you have a lot down there - but if you can hear it you are danger of being hit.

ph
     I don't as a rule take exception to any of your posts. They are usually well thought out and I enjoy reading what you have to say. I do have to take exception to this one however. For 30+ years while living in Maine, I rode in every kind of weather imaginable including a couple of blizzards. Since moving to California 11 years ago, I have gotten caught in T-storms, dust storms, even a tornado outside of Amarillo TX a couple years back riding coast to coast . I have ridden all day in the rain more times than I can count during these cross country ventures. Ok, to the point, I am a C.O.B B. these days with severe enough arthrtitis that I am involuntarily retired. I cannot afford a trip to the pavement any more. As such, I won't ride in the rain. In my opinion, my chances of going down are increased 100% riding in the rain. So by your standards, I guess I don't ride anymore. The previous 40+ years don't count.

B B

[screem]

ph
      cannot afford a trip to the pavement any more. As such, I won't ride in the rain. In my opinion, my chances of going down are increased 100% riding in the rain. So by your standards, I guess I don't ride anymore. The previous 40+ years don't count.

B B

geez kind od sensitive arent we? Coming from Maine...you get grandfarthered into the all weather riders club...I too have ridden close to 40years myself...it seems that alot of of the newer riders or ones that have returned riding after years of not ridding...are a bit squimish about ridding in any thing but but sunny dry days, I think may be the point. I too cant afford to go down while riding...these ole bones dont heal like they once did....that being said....I have learned to ride in weather...and make adjustments as need to make it a safe trip....I normally wont head out into a gully washer storm...but if one hits while out...I am prepared and confident in my skills to ride safe....and to try to ENJOY the experience as much as possible

[Screamin]

'Tis one thing to be prepared and handle it on your own. I have and do if need be. But, when with a group there are often riders of different abilities and attitudes. When w/ a group, I head for cover. Don't want to go down but don't want to be responsible for another to crash or worse, run into me. I've a couple of good friends that we ride with together a lot. If time allows, we park it and shoot the chit. If not, we follow a lot of the tips mentioned above. Lastly, if I've got the BSR along, there's seldom a reason to jeopardize her and it's just not worth it to have her cold and pizzed off.

[SPIDERMAN]

geez kind od sensitive arent we? Coming from Maine...you get grandfarthered into the all weather riders club...I too have ridden close to 40years myself...it seems that alot of of the newer riders or ones that have returned riding after years of not ridding...are a bit squimish about ridding in any thing but but sunny dry days, I think may be the point. I too cant afford to go down while riding...these ole bones dont heal like they once did....that being said....I have learned to ride in weather...and make adjustments as need to make it a safe trip....I normally wont head out into a gully washer storm...but if one hits while out...I am prepared and confident in my skills to ride safe....and to try to ENJOY the experience as much as possible

Nope, not at all, just making a point that riding styles change for a variety of reasons and nobody should make blanket statements like " if you don't ride in the rain, you don't really ride " without knowing a particular rider's circumstances.

B B

[Keats]

Brian,
I would not take offense to that, you have surely earned you riding wheels and have ridden more than myself and have more experience.

But I think the intent of that statement was to separate those who avoided these conditions by being a fair weather

rider all their life never subjecting themselves to those experiences.

You certainly have not done that and have those experiences. Whether you avoid them now is irrelevant, you have done

that

[WFP]

Having ridden in rain snow hail and ice....





give me a nice sunny day anytime!  If I have a choice, I will choose to not ride in the rain, if there is no choice, then so be it...

[sadunbar]

1.  Rain is o.k.

2.  Cold is o.k.

3.  Cold rain $ucks huge.

4.  Hail $ucks - and hurts.

Have done all of the above, but try hard to avoid 3 & 4 in my advanced age of 49 and general dislike of coldness...

[porthole]

ph
     I don't as a rule take exception to any of your posts. They are usually well thought out and I enjoy reading what you have to say. I do have to take exception to this one however. For 30+ years while living in Maine, I rode in every kind of weather imaginable including a couple of blizzards. Since moving to California 11 years ago, I have gotten caught in T-storms, dust storms, even a tornado outside of Amarillo TX a couple years back riding coast to coast . I have ridden all day in the rain more times than I can count during these cross country ventures. Ok, to the point, I am a C.O.B B. these days with severe enough arthrtitis that I am involuntarily retired. I cannot afford a trip to the pavement any more. As such, I won't ride in the rain. In my opinion, my chances of going down are increased 100% riding in the rain. So by your standards, I guess I don't ride anymore. The previous 40+ years don't count.

B B

Just as many take what you say the wrong way frequently, you do the same on occasion, and you did here.

Some people never will or never have ridden in the rain.

Anyone who has ever put any real miles on the road have been in the rain, eg "riders".
Sunday afternoon riding to only show off your sparklely shiny motor-sickle doesn't really qualify as a "rider", just someone showing their goods.

Were not talking life changes here. My wife is in the same boat. Used to ride but physically can't anymore (but she keeps pointing out trikes to me  )

You forget, I was standing next to you when you got the longest distance traveled award 2 years ago, and the "been there done that got the t-shirt" to go with it..

[porthole]

....I normally wont head out into a gully washer storm...but if one hits while out...

Kind of my original intention. Just get tired of the people looking at the weather forecast next week when planning a ride.
I had enough of that running charters for 20+ years.

I also will pass on starting a trip during a heavy rain - whats the poin?

Most group trips that I have been with, that start in heavy rain are physically exhausting. The whole ride changes with the worries of the rest of the group. Why not just wait it out.

But, getting caught is something different, sometimes you just keep going and "Sunday afternoon fair weather riders" seldom, if ever "get caught".

[porthole]

But I think the intent of that statement was to separate those who avoided these conditions by being a fair weather
rider all their life never subjecting themselves to those experiences.

Correct

[SPIDERMAN]

Just as many take what you say the wrong way frequently, you do the same on occasion, and you did here.

Some people never will or never have ridden in the rain.

Anyone who has ever put any real miles on the road have been in the rain, eg "riders".
Sunday afternoon riding to only show off your sparklely shiny motor-sickle doesn't really qualify as a "rider", just someone showing their goods.

Were not talking life changes here. My wife is in the same boat. Used to ride but physically can't anymore (but she keeps pointing out trikes to me  )

You forget, I was standing next to you when you got the longest distance traveled award 2 years ago, and the "been there done that got the t-shirt" to go with it..

Well I guess I'm just having another a$$hole day when I can pi$$ off folks like you

Sorry 

B B

[porthole]

Who's pissed 

 

[UltraPolecat]

Well I guess I'm just having another a$$hole day when I can pi$$ off folks like you

Sorry 

B B

On the contrary BB,

KEEP IT COMING!!  WE LOVE IT!

 

[MIKEYTEE]

In heavy downpoor if I have to pull off on the interstate ( no exit ), I don't park under an overpass. I go just pass the overpass and get as far to the right edge as possible, then walk back to the cover behind the guardrail. I have seen cages pull off at the over pass not being able to see and hit another vehicle parked there.
Mike
 

[Gone Fishin']

In heavy downpoor if I have to pull off on the interstate ( no exit ), I don't park under an overpass. I go just pass the overpass and get as far to the right edge as possible, then walk back to the cover behind the guardrail. I have seen cages pull off at the over pass not being able to see and hit another vehicle parked there.
Mike
 

Aahh ... back to the topic. Great contribution. I am going to add to the list, for completeness.

Ride safely,
Louis

[NA_Dude]

This has been a good read.
Weather and conditions always will dictate the proper safe course.

If I can keep on, I lean forward and look just over the windshield. When my glasses fog up, I just have to lift them off my face a bit to clear....usually. There have been times when I will raise them in the main stream of air and defog, and yes blast majority of water from glasses. A finger rake across the lense also helps out.

Slow line, Fast line, oil line.....  if it has been raining enough to wash the oil from the center of the lane, then the ridge can be the safest, with least resistance. Judgement call on that one.

[grc]

I suggest everyone go back to reply #9 and reread Louis's excellent post.  Might even want to print it out & review it every once in a while.

I personally would rather let a bunch of gang bangers kick my ass than ride in a heavy rain storm, so I try my best to avoid it whenever possible.  And yet, I would guess I average getting caught about twice a season in a gully washer.  Everything Louis said in his post is right on the money.

One thing I noticed from several folks was the idea to tuck in behind a truck or bus and follow the taillights.  While there have been times when I've had to do this for a short distance until I could get off the road, all I could think about at the time were those multivehicle pileups we all see on the news, and I don't relish the idea of being the filling in a two truck sandwich.  Life is too short, and keeping to a schedule is not worth your life.  If severe weather appears imminent, get off the road ahead of time and sit out the worst of it.

Jerry

[porthole]

In heavy downpoor if I have to pull off on the interstate ( no exit ), I don't park under an overpass. I go just pass the overpass and get as far to the right edge as possible, then walk back to the cover behind the guardrail. I have seen cages pull off at the over pass not being able to see and hit another vehicle parked there.
Mike
 

Good suggestion Unkey Mikey

Bringing this back up since Maggie Valley is upon us once again