Is Your Riding all WET?
We were returning from the State HOG and Sunday’s Edwards CO
memorial services for Lt. John Shaw Vaughan (killed in Iraq) when our
group of eight bikes was overtaken by rain. The rider on point slowed
the bikes down from 75 MPH to 55 MPH and fortunately we had an escort
truck behind the group to fend off tailgating. I was tail dragging and
I admired how the seven bikes ahead of me opened up their following
distances, avoided the center of the lane oil slick, and relaxed in
the face of weather.
Motorcycle Consumer News greeted me at my mailbox upon my return and
the technical topic was…. “Rain Riding”! “
“Ah!”, I thought to myself. “Timely for this little
safety segment, yes?”
I’ll just bullet a few of the excellent points made in my favorite
motorcycling magazine (www.mcnews.com)
- Stay Dry — wear
a quality rain-suit that breathes, insure your boots and gloves are
watertight. Comfort and avoidance of hypothermia improve cycling.
- Visibility — see
and be seen. Use Rain-X or a plastic approved product (H-D makes a
good one) to clean your windshield and faceshield. Consider a fog
liner for your faceshield. Go for colors that improve your visibility
with other motorists (H-D now makes some colorful rainsuits and high
visibility vests)
- Slow Down. Deep water,
high speeds, and lack of tread all contribute to hydroplaning or complete
loss of traction.
- Fresh tires. Insure you
have deep tread on your tires and run at the approved tire pressures.
Your motorcycle owners manual has the pressures for your bike and
OEM tires. Check the website of other manufacturers if you use something
other than H-D Dunlops. Tire makers will have your H-D model listed
with your pressures and GVW or payload weights.
- Watch-out! Avoid traction
hazards like lane markings, grease, oil, and debris. Wet road surfaces
can really be slippery with our newfound salt family friend, Mag Chloride.
- Anticipate water thrown
up by large vehicles. Spot standing water early. Give 18-wheelers
large berth.
Rain and weather are just part of the mix for serious motorcycling.
There is nothing to be afraid of as long as preparation and respect
are riding on top of your motorcycle.
Be safe out there!
Eric Sondeen
Being there for those who were there for us…
Supporting families and survivors of injured/killed Wildland Firefighters
“Give a Buck a Week for a Buddy” The 52 Club
Wildland Firefighter Foundation www.WFFoundation.org
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