In the rain, tyre grip drops by roughly a third compared with dry roads. The real danger is the first 15–30 minutes of rain: oil and dust on the tarmac mix with the water and form a slippery film. Add reduced visibility, cold hands and a misting visor, and rain becomes one of the hardest conditions for a rider. With the right technique and the right gear, though, you can ride safely in the rain too. In this guide we explain the preparations to make before setting off, techniques for riding on wet roads, the surfaces to avoid and ways of staying visible.
Before you set off
- Check the weather: Find out when the rain will start and how long it will last. If you can, wait out the slippery first half hour before setting off.
- Check the tyres: A tyre with reduced tread depth cannot clear water, and the risk of aquaplaning rises. Replace tyres that are close to the wear indicator before the rainy season. How to check: when to replace tyres.
- Tyre pressure: It should be at the value in the manual. Low pressure makes the sidewalls flex on wet roads and reduces grip.
- Brakes and chain: Pad and chain maintenance matter even more in the rain; after rain, clean and lubricate the chain. Chain care guide.
- Lights: Make sure the headlight, tail light and indicators work.
Basic rules
- Make everything smooth: Throttle, braking and changes of direction should be gradual. Sudden movements invite a slide.
- Double your following distance. Braking distances on wet roads are noticeably longer. If you leave 2 seconds in the dry, leave at least 4 seconds in the rain.
- Lean less: Enter corners more slowly, keep the motorcycle upright and, if necessary, move your body to the inside. Reduce speed on the straight before the corner and avoid braking in the corner.
- Braking: Even on a motorcycle with ABS, squeeze the brake lever progressively. Use the rear brake too, as it steadies the motorcycle. First squeeze the lever lightly to bed the pad against the disc, then increase the force.
- Stay in a higher gear at low revs: A higher gear makes the torque reaching the rear wheel gentler. On motorcycles with riding modes, "rain" mode softens throttle response and makes traction control more sensitive.
- Let go of tension: Gripping the handlebar tightly stops the motorcycle correcting itself. Keep your arms loose and grip the tank with your knees.
For details of braking technique, see correct braking and emergency braking, and for cornering the cornering technique guide.
Surfaces to avoid
- Road markings and zebra crossing paint
- Manhole and drain covers, metal bridge expansion joints, tram rails
- The middle of junctions and petrol station entrances (oil builds up)
- Puddles: there may be a pothole underneath
- Leaves, mud and tunnel exits
- Paving and cobblestones: they become very slippery when wet
- New tarmac and patches: the bitumen on the surface can be slippery when wet
If you have to cross rails, cross them at as close to a right angle as possible. If you have to ride over these surfaces, keep the motorcycle upright and hold the throttle and brake steady; make changes after you are off the surface.
Aquaplaning
When you hit deep water at high speed, the tyre cannot clear the water and may lose contact with the road. The sign is that the handlebar and throttle suddenly feel light, as if "in neutral". In this situation:
- Don't close the throttle sharply; hold it steady or reduce it very slowly.
- Don't brake and don't try to turn the handlebar.
- Keep the motorcycle upright; grip returns when the tyre has cleared the water.
To prevent it, reduce speed where there are puddles and use tyres with enough tread depth.
Stay visible and dry
- Drivers' visibility is reduced in the rain: wear a light-coloured or reflective rain suit and keep the dipped beam on in the daytime too. Rain suit options and reflective vests.
- Have a Pinlock (anti-fog inner visor) fitted to the visor. If you don't have one, leave the visor open one notch. Helmet accessories: helmet accessories page.
- When your hands and body get wet they get cold, and a cold rider reacts more slowly. Keep a rain suit and waterproof gloves in your bag. Waterproof gloves.
- Wear your trouser legs over the outside of your boots so that water does not run into them.
- Get out of cars' blind spots quickly and don't sit behind lorries; spray thrown up from the road can block your view completely.
Lightning, flooding and heavy rain
In very heavy rain, hail and lightning, stop at a safe place rather than carrying on. A petrol station canopy, a covered car park or a café is the best option; stopping at the roadside under a bridge can be dangerous for vehicles coming from behind. Don't enter underpasses where flood water has collected or roads that cross streams; you cannot see the depth or current of the water.
After the rain
- Dry and lubricate the chain.
- Rust can form on the brake discs; be gentle on the first stops.
- Don't put wet gear directly on a heater or in the sun; dry it at room temperature.
- Don't leave the motorcycle wet for a long time; cover it with a breathable cover.
Rain that comes with wind
Rain is often accompanied by strong wind. In a crosswind don't grip the handlebar tightly, grip the tank with your knees and lean your body slightly into the wind. On bridges, viaducts and at tunnel exits the wind can hit suddenly; reduce speed as you approach these points. Be prepared for the wave of air when overtaking large vehicles or when they overtake you.
Choosing a motorcycle and equipment for the rain
Some equipment makes riding in the rain noticeably easier. Traction control limits rear wheel slip when the throttle is opened suddenly on a wet road. Motorcycles with cornering ABS behave more safely when braking while leaning. A tall screen and handguards keep rain and wind off your body; heated grips stop your hands going numb in wet, cold weather. This equipment is no substitute for riding technique, but it widens the margin for error. When choosing a motorcycle you can compare these features on the model pages; the comparison tool helps with this.
Riding skill in wet weather develops with experience. Do your first rides in the rain on short distances, on roads you know and at times when traffic is light; as you get to know your motorcycle's reactions on wet roads over time, your confidence will grow.
Before the rainy season, test the waterproofing of your gear at home; discovering on the road in the first downpour that your jacket or boots are letting in water seriously spoils both comfort and concentration.
Conclusion
The summary of riding safely in the rain: smooth controls, double the following distance, less lean and staying away from slippery surfaces. Good tyres, a Pinlock visor, waterproof gloves and a visible rain suit complete this technique. Be extra careful in the first half hour of rain, and don't hesitate to stop in very heavy rain. For riding in cold, wet weather see the winter guide, and for rain at night the night riding guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is riding a motorcycle in the rain dangerous?
The risk increases because grip and visibility are reduced. However, with smooth controls, enough following distance, good tyres and the right gear, it is possible to ride safely in the rain.
When is the most dangerous moment in the rain?
The first 15–30 minutes. Oil and dust accumulated on the tarmac mix with the water and form a slippery film; as the rain continues this layer is washed away.
Is ABS enough in the rain?
ABS prevents the wheel from locking but does not increase grip. Braking distances still get longer; squeeze the lever progressively, keep a large gap and avoid braking in a corner.
How do I prevent my visor misting?
The most effective solution is a Pinlock inner visor. If you don't have one, leave the visor open one notch and open the helmet's chin vent.