* Motorcycling tips on rainy days

[Kano]

Motorcycling tips on rainy days


By Manila Standard Today | Posted on Oct. 17, 2012

The wet season is a tough challenge for motorists. The roads get slippery, more potholes appear, and floods occur with some menacing frequency.

Rain also impairs road visibility, and this can lead to accidents. More than car drivers, the motorcyclists should be more cautious during these times.

In this light, a team of motorcycle experts from Suzuki Philippines lends some tips that every motorcycle rider should remember when driving in the rain.

Preparation

According to Suzuki experts, every motorcycle rider should have at least one set of weather protection riding gear in the motorcycle's compartment. This set includes a raincoat, preferably a windbreaker, and an insulator to keep the body warm.

Waterproof gloves should also be present in the compartment. These gloves keep the hands warm and dry and aids for a tighter grip of the motorcycle. Also, be sure to keep a waterproofing spray or big plastic bags to keep the feet dry.

The Suzuki team reminds all riders to prioritize comfort when driving in the rain. Too much or too heavy protective gears at the expense of comfort limit the driver's movements and eventually lead to a disaster. Likewise, protective gears that are not strapped or suited properly can cause water to trickle inside the body and give the driver a slight tickle. This can make any rider lose focus.

Before going on any trip, a wise rider would check his tires. Motorcycle tires with good tread patterns promise the safest ride on a wet road. Though an old and trusted tire can get a motorcycle rider the traction for safety on a dry road, it is always a different case on wet roads. This is why Suzuki experts encourage all riders to check their tires regularly.

Driving in the Rain

While enjoying the ride on a windy afternoon and rain suddenly pours down hard, many motorcyclists panic.

Suzuki's experts say that the best thing to do during these surprise baths is to stop and seek temporary shelter. The first 15 minutes of rain is usually the heaviest. Riders must suit up if rain does not stop after 15 minutes. If worried about flood, riders should drive away and find themselves a higher spot.

With prolonged rain, riders have the option to wait longer or to start traveling. When traveling under a heavy downpour, riders must be very careful and travel at a slower pace. Motorcycles need more braking distance when the road is wet, so riders must drive extra slowly to give this allowance.

Riders must avoid using the front brake when the road is wet. They should also sit upright when driving in the rain. This gives the rear part more weight, and therefore more traction for the rear brake.

Generally, driving slower during wet weather is better and safer for motorcycles and most vehicles.

Seeing Clearly

Another problem motorcyclists' face when driving in the rain is visibility. According to Suzuki experts, the most common visibility problems are fogging and rain going inside the helmet.

Uneven temperature within the glass and outside of it causes fogging. Suzuki experts advise riders to leave allowance between the face shield and the helmet itself. This slight opening will cause wind from outside to enter and make the temperature even, thus preventing fogging.

Helmets with detachable face shield are okay, according to Suzuki experts, since they do not seal air inside the helmet. Some gloves provide a squeegee in the thumb pockets that serves as wipers. Accessories such as these can come handy when rain begins to pour.

To prevent rain from going inside the helmet, riders are advised to wear helmets that are designed to make water roll off or bounce when it hits the helmet. Avoid using helmets with designs that allow water build up.

Reading the Road

It is also important to be watchful of the road. Rainwater can make everything slippery and can even hide potholes. The Suzuki team gives a list of wet road hazards common in the country that every rider must be careful about.

The first on their list are painted areas. Since dry paint on an uneven pavement leaves a smoother texture, these become slippery when wet. Riders should be wary of pedestrian crossings and other heavily painted areas.

Next on the list are metals and concrete. Having smooth surfaces, metals also get slippery when wet. Road metals include manhole covers, railroads, and metal grates on bridges. Be sure to avoid them, or if necessary, proceed and drive with caution.

Wet concrete or tiled surfaces can also cause your motorcycle to slip and lead to an accident. Suzuki experts remind all riders to be cautious when their rain-drowned motorcycles are entering establishments with concrete and tiled floors.

The last thing on the list is water. Every rider should be careful of water puddles and potholes. These are the trickiest because once the flood rises, even a half-foot high, it will be difficult for motorcyclists to locate them and avoid them. The good thing in this country is that sometimes, concerned citizens mark potholes or open manholes with long sticks, enough to be visible even in higher floods.

With patience and safe driving, any motorcyclist can make it through the rain. Just keep in mind these tips from Suzuki: be wary of the road hazards, drive slowly and carefully, and keep some distance. As the adage goes, "it's better safe than sorry."

Source: http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/10/17/motorcycling-tips-on-rainy-days/

[Rich]

Dit vind ik wel een goeie, zo vooruitziend als ze zijn       Reading the Road

[Ketelbinkie]

De beste tip zou zijn, de motorfiets bij regen laten staan, zeker in de  .