Riders know the feeling: you leave the house under a clear sky and an hour later the clouds have turned dark, the wind is pushing your bike around and the temperature is falling. A car insulates its driver from all of that. On a motorcycle, you feel every change in the weather, and it affects your traction, your visibility and your concentration. The best defense is a mix of the right gear, adjusted technique and the good judgment to pull over when conditions turn against you.

Gear Up Before the Weather Changes

Bad weather is much easier to handle when you are not soaked, frozen or squinting through a fogged visor. A few pieces of gear make a big difference, and most of them fit in a saddlebag or tail bag.

• A one- or two-piece waterproof rain suit that fits over your riding jacket
• Waterproof gloves and boots, or covers for the ones you wear
• A full-face helmet with an anti-fog visor or insert
• Thermal base layers and a windproof mid-layer for cool mornings and evenings
• High-visibility elements, since other drivers have a harder time seeing you in gloomy conditions
• A small towel or microfiber cloth for wiping your visor and mirrors

Wet Roads: Less Grip, More Patience

All your traction comes from two small contact patches. Water shrinks the margin for error, so everything you do should be gentler and more deliberate.

Wait out the first rain

When rain first begins, oil and grime that have built up on the road float to the surface and create a slick film. Heavier rain eventually washes much of it away. Many riding instructors suggest getting off the road at the start of a rainstorm when you can, so a short break at a gas station or diner is both comfortable and safer.

Adjust how you ride

1. Slow down and add space. Stopping distances grow on wet pavement. Give yourself at least double your usual following distance.
2. Brake early and gently. Squeeze rather than grab. Finish most of your braking while the bike is upright, before a curve.
3. Roll the throttle smoothly. Abrupt acceleration can break the rear tire loose.
4. Corner more upright. Take turns at lower speed and with less lean than you would in the dry.
5. Pick your line. The tire tracks of the car ahead are often the driest part of the lane. The center strip, where oil drips collect, is usually the slickest.

Know the slippery spots

Some surfaces lose almost all their grip when wet. Painted lines and crosswalks, manhole covers, metal plates and grates, tar snakes and crack sealant, and wet leaves all deserve extra caution. Ride around them when possible, and if you must cross one, do it upright and without braking or accelerating.

Lightning means stop

Rain is manageable. Lightning is not. A rider is completely exposed, so at the first sign of thunder or lightning, get off the road and into a sturdy building. An overpass or a tree is not adequate shelter.

Strong Winds: Stay Loose and Read the Signs

Wind is tiring and unpredictable, especially on open highways, bridges and gaps between buildings or hills where gusts funnel through.

• Watch for clues. Flags, tall grass, trees and blowing dust show which way the wind is moving and how hard.
• Relax your grip. A tense upper body transmits every gust straight into the handlebars. Keep your arms loose and grip the tank with your knees.
• Position yourself in the lane. In a steady crosswind, ride on the side of the lane the wind is coming from, so a strong gust has room to push you without shoving you into another lane or onto the shoulder.
• Make yourself smaller. Tuck in slightly to reduce the surface area the wind can catch.
• Expect blasts from trucks. Passing or being passed by large trucks creates turbulence. Give them extra room.
• Rest often. Fighting wind is draining, and fatigue slows your reactions.

Cold Rides: Comfort Equals Control

Spring and fall riding can be beautiful, but temperatures often drop sharply once the sun goes down, and wind chill at highway speed makes it feel much colder. Cold hands are slow on the levers, and shivering eats into your focus.

Layer from the inside out: a moisture-wicking base, an insulating middle layer and a windproof, waterproof shell. Insulated gloves, possibly with liners, and a neck gaiter seal out drafts. Heated grips or heated gear are worth considering if you ride often in cool weather. Eat and drink during longer rides, since staying fueled and hydrated helps your body hold heat. If you start shivering or losing feeling in your fingers, stop and warm up.

Protecting Your Bike and Yourself

Even careful riders go down sometimes, and weather can play a role. It pays to know what your motorcycle policy actually includes. Collision and comprehensive coverage can help with damage to the bike itself, subject to your deductible. Some insurers also offer coverage for custom parts, riding gear and accessories, which are easy to overlook when you set limits. Medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage are worth discussing, too, because riders are more vulnerable to injury. Options and availability vary by insurer and state, and Callicott Insurance Agency can help you compare them.

This article is for general information only. Coverage varies by insurer, policy and state; review your own policy or talk with a licensed agent about your situation.