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I was riding home from work yesterday at about 4pm. Those that live or ride in Florida at this time of the year know how the weather pattern is.
I could see a wall of water on front of me. I pulled into the rest stop and put on my rain gear. As I continued down theTurnpike, I was met by the strongest wind and driving rain I had ever been in. Really viscous storm.
I was pulsing my handbrake just to alert
anyone behind me of my speed when a large, loud clap of thunder let loose. Instantly, I pulled by hand off the brake lever as my 4 fingers received a jolt! It only lasted a quick second but it was enough to make me pull my hand off quickly and made me think about losing control of the bike. Luckily I kept control and made it home no worse for the wear.
This experience made me think about riding in thunderstorms. I have ridden in them a lot but have never had an experience like this before. I'm not sure
exactly what happened or how close the lightning was but I'm gonna give a little more thought before pushing through a strong thunderstorm from now on.
Just thought I'd pass along
I've only live in Fla. for two years but have gained a lot of respect for them. Last year while walking my dog a bolt of lightning followed by an instant thunder clap happened so close to me it made my hair stand on end. I thought I hit I was that scared. I can't imagine what was going through your mind riding a motorcycle in one.
I guess you can get hit by lightning while riding a motorcycle? Who knew? I thought the tires would keep me insulated just like they do in my car, as long as my feet are on the pegs that is. I've ridden through storms so bad the truckers were pulling over. What else should I do? Pull over, sit there and get rained on? I put on my rain gear (including full face helmet), take it slow and easy and if visibility is really bad put on my flashers and hope I don't get run over.
Never had a close call with lightning, but I've ridden in some pretty hairy storms in the past.... as was said, rain gear and go unless visibility really deteriorates. Might change my ways if I ever have a shocking experience ��
Last edited by rv7garage; Jun 13, 2017 at 06:30 PM.
I guess you can get hit by lightning while riding a motorcycle? Who knew? I thought the tires would keep me insulated just like they do in my car, as long as my feet are on the pegs that is. I've ridden through storms so bad the truckers were pulling over. What else should I do? Pull over, sit there and get rained on? I put on my rain gear (including full face helmet), take it slow and easy and if visibility is really bad put on my flashers and hope I don't get run over.
HD16Lmtd, google (need picture of car hit by lighting) you will see you are not safe in a car. not long ago on the news it showed a car hit.
Congrats on surviving what might have been an indirect lightning hit, HD16lmtd! Or at least you were very close to one. Ever seen pics of it splaying out into multiple streaks heading towards the ground? Those actually are conducting to somewhere, it's just not enough current to heat the air to a plasma and glow. Ya probably got one! Or at least your body got a little charge compared to the frame/handlebars just as the big one hit nearby. There are lots of tiny ones sometimes.
Uh, and tires are conductive. Lots of carbon. The car body and tires conduct the current, so you don't conduct inside a car. Doesn't work on a bike. You can't always control where you are, but if possible, get of the road in a thunderstorm!
While riding toward Tucson, AZ from Phoenix, I could see a wall of blowing sand, probably at least a mile high and about 20 miles away. What I thought was peculiar was the rainbow I could see in it. I figured it will just be sand and I could blow through the wind front and continue on. As I got into the leading effects of the front, the wind became intense and the sand was stinging and things got real dark, real fast. Suddenly the rain hit like a fire hose. I couldn't see through the windshield and my glasses fogged up instantly. The only thing I could really see where the lane divider lines right near my front wheel as I was slowing down to maintain control in the intense cross wind. I could see tail lights of cars along the shoulder of the road and dim headlights in my sideview mirrors. I suddenly realized I'm in 5th gear doing 15mph trying to work my way across two lanes to the shoulder of the road. I could see hail floating in the water that was washing across the freeway. I got the bike stopped on the shoulder and put the jiffystand down to steady the bike but the wind was getting stronger so I got down on the right side of the bike for cover. Suddenly, the bike was falling over on me and the water washing off the freeway was over the tops of my shoes. Did I mention lightning? Yeah, lots of lightning going on during this 5 minute fit of nature. It all stopped just as fast as it started. The darkness lifted and I could see cars all along the shoulder with their flashers on. I was soaked and the air temp had dropped down into the 70s in those few minutes. I got back on the road and what seemed like about 15 minutes, I was completely dry again.
Love those Arizona highways.
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