Stopping in the rain?
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Stopping in the rain?
We got caught in some heavy rain yesterday on the way home from the races at Mid-Ohio and I noticed quite a few riders sitting in the emergency lane under over-passes. I've always thought it was better to increase the distance between you and the car in front, slow down, tap the brake light once in a while (or turn on your flashers), but to keep moving. A few cars were also in the slow lane stopping creating some serious confusion on the road.
I'm just wondering what other schools of thought are...I want to be as safe as possible because I like to show up at home alive as often as possible!
I'm just wondering what other schools of thought are...I want to be as safe as possible because I like to show up at home alive as often as possible!
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
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RE: Stopping in the rain?
My wife and I got caught in a hard rain on an interstate about a month ago. I slowed down and like to have gotten run over. We pulled off under an overpass and met a few other nice people on bikes. I have to say it is better to pull off and wait for the rain to slow down or stop as cars and big trucks do not slow down!!!! This is just mt opinion and opinions are like belly buttons everybody has one.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Peculiar, MO
RE: Stopping in the rain?
Stopping on the road or highway is more dangerous than keep to going in my opinion. My wife and I ride our own and we got caught in a hard storm the other day for 60 miles. We did not stop once. Common sense plays a major factor in saftey. Slow down, increase distance, get in the slow lane. Wait to pull over at an exit or a safe location if you need to suit up.
Just my experience.
Ride safe
Just my experience.
Ride safe
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,602
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From: Southern California - Palm Springs Area
RE: Stopping in the rain?
Safest???? Pull off the road... Find a nice place to relax and have a cup of coffee & dry off....
If NOT... Slow down - Would not recommend the slowest lane as that is where trucks travel & road are normally slicker.... Open up your distance and ride always looking in the rear view mirrors for speeders.... Rain = Reduced Vision and There is'nt alot of tail lighte on most bikes...
If NOT... Slow down - Would not recommend the slowest lane as that is where trucks travel & road are normally slicker.... Open up your distance and ride always looking in the rear view mirrors for speeders.... Rain = Reduced Vision and There is'nt alot of tail lighte on most bikes...
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 627
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From: Illinois
RE: Stopping in the rain?
I try to ride through it but I turn on my flashers so I can be seen better. The only time I stop is when it is coming down so hard that I can't see the car in front of me or there is a cafe or pub to wait it out.
RE: Stopping in the rain?
This is one of those threads where you probably should know the riding experience of the person answering the question.
If I can safely ride I ride. If I start to have problems with visibility I stop. My first choice would be a coffee shop but I've spent a lot of time under over passes. Remember, when the roads are wet you've lost your ability to hit your brakes hard. If you can't keep a good distance between yourself and the car in front of you then you might want to stop.
If I can safely ride I ride. If I start to have problems with visibility I stop. My first choice would be a coffee shop but I've spent a lot of time under over passes. Remember, when the roads are wet you've lost your ability to hit your brakes hard. If you can't keep a good distance between yourself and the car in front of you then you might want to stop.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
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RE: Stopping in the rain?
I try to keep moving - full face helmet helps here. Also, a great case for going to the ABS option on your next bike.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
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RE: Stopping in the rain?
I'm with the others about keep going but slow down and allow ample distance/time to react to any situation that pops up. If I have trouble seeing, it means a lot of cars/trucks can't see me so it's time to get off the road, and I mean OFF as in at a cafe, truck stop, empty lotor anywhere way off the road.You've all seen those cop shows where some lunatic is driving too fast for the conditions and nails the vehicle sitting on the shoulder! If an underpass is the only safe option, park the bike as far off the roadway as possible and leave it. Get under the supports or far enough away you aren't run over or hit by any flying motorcycleor car parts if someone shouldrun off on the shoulder.
If it's safe to do so,I always ride through because to me, it's safer than stopping on the side plus you'll usually be out of the bad weather in a few minutes, not on the side of the road getting pounded while the weather sits there stalled. This depends on the direction of the weather too. If you're driving into it, you'll be out of it sooner. If it's following you, best bet may be to find a warm, dry place and wait it out.
If it's safe to do so,I always ride through because to me, it's safer than stopping on the side plus you'll usually be out of the bad weather in a few minutes, not on the side of the road getting pounded while the weather sits there stalled. This depends on the direction of the weather too. If you're driving into it, you'll be out of it sooner. If it's following you, best bet may be to find a warm, dry place and wait it out.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From:
RE: Stopping in the rain?
ORIGINAL: Terry1955
This is one of those threads where you probably should know the riding experience of the person answering the question.
If I can safely ride I ride. If I start to have problems with visibility I stop. My first choice would be a coffee shop but I've spent a lot of time under over passes. Remember, when the roads are wet you've lost your ability to hit your brakes hard. If you can't keep a good distance between yourself and the car in front of you then you might want to stop.
This is one of those threads where you probably should know the riding experience of the person answering the question.
If I can safely ride I ride. If I start to have problems with visibility I stop. My first choice would be a coffee shop but I've spent a lot of time under over passes. Remember, when the roads are wet you've lost your ability to hit your brakes hard. If you can't keep a good distance between yourself and the car in front of you then you might want to stop.