It’s winter time. In winter it rains. It gets dark early. Winds kick up. There are more road hazards. A different style of riding is required. Different gear is required. Good decision-making is mandatory.
For some of you riding in the rain is something you’re not comfortable with and that’s totally cool. Refer to rule #1: The minute you go out of your comfort zone on a bike you’re asking for trouble. But if you’re ready to try it or already doing it there are a few things I want you to know.
I think it is safe to say the biggest concerns about winter time riding are traction, getting cold/wet and being recognized by other motorists.
Here’s a laundry list that will help you be prepared:
Weather.
Check weather reports weekly. We have these nice dry periods and get accustomed to it. Next thing you know you’re at work at it begins raining. You don’t have proper gear with you and getting home is not going to be fun.
Solution: Either leave a pair of cheapo rain pants at work or make sure to have some fold-up rain gear with you when rain is on the report.
Gear.
Outerwear: I have never owned a full rain suit such as the popular Aerostitch brand. They seem pretty badass but I typically can’t find a spare $500-$1000 in my motorcycle apparel budget for one of those beauts. And frankly, for my commuting needs that may be overkill and I’ve never taken extended road trips in lousy weather. So before you invest decide if a full suit is right for you.
For commuting and general local needs I have managed just fine with thoughtful layering. Here’s my “special Bay Area layering system”:
Above the waist from inside, out: tee shirt + long sleeve Dri-Fit or smart wool top, hoodie and/or light insulated zip-front warm up jacket, then leathers on top or perhaps a shell over that. From bare chest that’s about 5 layers, thinnest on the inside. I have a rain-specific jacket too but I tend to use that less. That’s just my preference.
Below the waist: I either wear leather pants which keep rain and cold out quite well for short to medium duration trips or I have a fantastic pair of Olympia brand weather pants made of ballistic Cordura fabric and 3M reflective material. They have hip & knee armor, come with a zip-out insulated liner, have well-placed pockets and and they are super easy to get on and off. Several other companies make a similar product. Mine cost me about two hundred bones a few years back and they still look as good as new other than the lint that gets stuck to the velcro.
Stop by your local retailer and try a pair or three on.
Additionally, I sometimes wear long underwear bottoms or running tights under my regular pants or rain pants when it’s cold out.
Boots: I love my Sidi Gortex boots. They keep me warm and dry and aren’t too bad to walk around in for awhile even if they are a bit clunky. I got ‘em two seasons ago when I had an extra $350 lying around. But you don’t need motorcycle-specific boots. I have another pair of sh*tkickers that work well. Note, if you have lace-up boots please double knot them AND tuck in the extra length. It’s not unheard of to get loops caught in your gear shifter. Yes, that has happen to me. No matter what, don’t ride around in your hip Chuck Taylors when the weather is bad. That’s just dumb.
Gloves: Get a pair of Gortex or other rain-resistant insulated gloves for winter time. You’ll be sooo glad you did. Sometimes I go through a couple pair of gloves on really wet days so it’s not a bad idea to have more than one pair. The kind where the fingertips are sewn in is best. If you’ve ever tried to reinsert (damp) glove fingers into their proper holes you know what a pain in the ass it is. My gloves also have a little rubber wiper blade on the thumb side of the index finger; they work decently for wiping your face shield off.
Why layers? San Francisco microclimates are a special thing, aren’t they? Some places you go are warmer than others. Some buildings you go into are warmer than others. When it comes to cold and wet I’m kind of a wuss. I love having the option to unload some layers while retaining others. If you remove it you can always put it back on. It’s been working for me for years. The biggest challenge is finding a large enough spot to drop it all in when you arrive at your destination.
Final word on gear…Talk to the folks at the shops about the right apparel for your needs. They are riders too, they know what works and will help you with sizing so pick their brains.
The ride.
Mantra: Every time you get on your motorcycle or scooter (rain or shine for that matter) say these words to yourself: “I WILL make it to my destination! Too many people love and care for me, and I love myself.” -You do, right?
So here are a few solid riding tips.
First off, when it’s wet out practice using your brakes on a quiet street or in a parking lot. Start off gently and be progressively more aggressive. You may experience your brakes locking up or tires skidding (especially the rear in both cases). You should know how your brakes and tires react on slippery surfaces BEFORE you have to use them in those conditions in traffic.
When the pavement is damp or wet leave more buffer room behind other vehicles than you would in dry conditions and scan the space in between moving cars. Sometimes that’s the best place for you to reside and it might be your way out of a sticky situation. Stop fixating on painted lane markers and start seeking out open spaces wherever they may be.
Make yourself known to other motorists. This is 24/7, 365 of course. Use all of your tools to be seen and heard. That means horn toots, it means, throttle blips, it means high/low beam flashing, it means weaving, and it means assertive body signaling. You must create and maintain space for yourself, particularly in wet weather but in order to do that you have to let the cages know you’re there.
Things in the road that can ruin your day when it’s wet: Manhole covers are like a slip n slide if your wheels aren’t straight and your speed isn’t steady, especially mid-corner. A few years back in pouring rain I came to a stop for a red light. When I applied the front brake the front tire happened to be on top of a manhole cover. Next thing I knew I was on my side. Fortunately, it was mostly my pride that was hurt. DPW reflective road paint is deceptively slippery. And of course streetcar rails are nasty in the rain. Cross tracks at a 45 degree angle! Other hazards: those large metal construction plates, oil and coolant spills, sand and wet leaves.
So how do you drive on very slippery surfaces?
Carry constant speed. Do NOT accelerate hard on slippery surfaces. Maintain very even throttle or in some instances gliding is even recommended. Have you ever crossed the metal drawbridges at 3rd and 4th Streets by AT&T Park in San Francisco? Try it in the rain!
In the event of the ‘crapulent’: i.e. What if you do go down?
If you do drop your bike keep your head. If you are in traffic you’ll need to move the bike out of the way if that’s at all possible. If you cannot do it or can’t do it alone start directing people what to do. Be calm and clear and tell them how they can help you. People actually want to help but they themselves panic and don’t really know what to do. If another vehicle is involved do not forget to get the driver’s information no matter how “ok” you think you are. Get witness info. as well. If you don’t need it that’s great but if you do and don’t have it that’s unfortunate.
If you are not sure what your medical condition is following an accident or cannot move on your own do not allow yourself to be moved by non-medical professionals. Just direct people to block space for you and to re-direct traffic until official help arrives.
Thanks for reading! I hope you found this info. helpful. Happy and healthy holidays to all of you!
Chief Monkey
