What Gear Do You Need to Ride a Motorcycle In the Rain?

Motorcycles were one of the first affordable forms of motorized transportation available to the general public, and since their invention over one hundred years ago, they have become a mainstay on highways and roads all over the world. The first motorcycles were fairly simple machines compared to the bikes of today, and were basically bicycles with small gasoline engines. The early roads that a rider would have traveled were mostly dirt paths designed for horse and wagon travel, so it became pretty obvious from the beginning that a rider would need protection from the elements while riding in the rain.

Early bikes featured fenders that offered some protection from debris kicked up by the tires, but provided little in the way of windscreens or fairings that we are used to seeing today, so the only real protection that a rider had was what they could wear. Goggles, leather jackets, pants, boots, and most importantly, helmets became standard equipment for any serious rider.

As the decades progressed, the quality of public roads proceeded to get better and better, and motorcycles also benefited from advancements during this time as well. They became faster, safer, could travel further than ever, and could traverse more types of terrain than ever before. As the technology behind motorcycles began to improve, so did the safety gear associated with them.

Riding a motorcycle requires a different skill set than driving a four-wheeled car or ATV. A rider has to be aware of their surroundings at all times. Sharing the road with other vehicles of varying sizes, road conditions, and weather all have to be taken into account to get from point A to point B safely, but as any rider knows, the fun of riding a motorcycle makes it worth taking all of these factors into account.

The freedom and open-air feel provided by traveling on a motorcycle is a thrill, but a rider will have to be prepared beforehand to face the elements head-on. A car or truck offers a driver protection from foul weather like rain in the form of a roof over your head, and while a motorcycle might not provide this exact level of security, there is no reason why a motorcycle rider can’t ride in bad weather and rain, they just need to be prepared with the right gear and equipment that will allow them to safely travel in wet weather conditions.

Ways to Safely Ride Motorcycles in the Rain

The most important thing to take into account if you are planning on riding in rainy conditions is to choose the proper rain gear. So why is choosing the right rain gear so important? Well, protection from injury is the primary purpose of any motorcycle safety gear, but the right rain gear will not only keep you safe, but will also keep you warm and dry while exposed to the elements.

Rain Gear for Motorcycle Riding

So what are the best types of rain gear for a rider to stay warm and dry? The proper gear choices for riding in the rain are specialized, waterproof gear like jackets, pants, gloves, boots, and helmets.

Motorcycle riders discovered early on that a riding jacket that protects your arms and torso is a good idea not only for protection from the elements, but also for overall safety and to help prevent injury in the event of a motorcycle accident on slick roads. For many years these jackets were made from leather which provided some water resistant ability, but with advances in technology and materials, lighter-weight water resistant and waterproof jackets are now available.

A perfect example of a great motorcycle rain jacket is the Icon Tarmac 2 jacket. These jackets are made from HYCOR water-resistant materials to repel rainwater. They are adjustable for comfort, have zippers that allow for ventilation, and feature waterproof pockets to keep your personal belongings dry. They also feature removable back, elbow, and shoulder protectors, which will help keep you safe while on the road. A good rain jacket like the Icon Tarmac 2 is a must-have for any motorcycle owner who plans on riding in the rain.

Rain pants are also an important part of staying dry while riding in the rain. Just like a good rain jacket will keep your upper body dry, a good pair of rain paints will keep your lower body dry and safe. They will need to be waterproof or water-resistant to keep the rain out, and they will also usually feature protective features to keep you safe in the event of an accident. They need to be flexible and comfortable for long rides and in dry conditions as well as wet ones.

Another option that combines your traditional jacket and pants is a motorcycle rain suit. This is a single clothing piece with water resistant capabilities. A

Gloves are another essential piece of motorcycle safety gear that plays a significant role in keeping you dry. Water resistant or waterproof gloves are a must-have for riding in the rain. A rider's hands are their direct connection to the bike, so a good pair of gloves need to be comfortable and lightweight for long trips and must feature a good grip to allow for excellent response times for acceleration and braking in wet conditions.

Waterproof boots are another must-have for riding in rainy conditions. A rider’s feet are close to the ground on any style of bike and are often subject to lots of water and spray from the road surface. A good pair of water-resistant or waterproof boots will keep a rider's feet dry and warm, but another good option is a quality pair of waterproof boot covers that can be installed and removed with ease as necessary. Keeping your feet dry is an integral part of your overall comfort when riding in rainy weather, and good boots are also an excellent option for off-road riding, where you are more likely to encounter water even in dry, normal conditions.

The most important piece of overall motorcycle safety gear is a helmet, so it’s no surprise that a good helmet is also a crucial piece of equipment to take into consideration when riding in inclement weather. When it comes to riding in the rain, all of the normal helmet rules apply. You want something that fits well, feels comfortable, offers some ventilation, and is rated to the highest safety standards, but a few more variables will need to be considered for wet weather conditions.

If you prefer a closed-face helmet, you will want to be sure that it offers some ventilation and that you are using an appropriate visor, and if you are using an open-face helmet, you will need a good face shield or pair of goggles. Visibility is extremely important while riding a motorcycle, so having a visor or shield that fogs up due to condensation or humidity can be a serious issue. The good news is that helmet visor rain repellent and anti-fog spray have been developed to deal with this issue, so your visor, shield, or goggles will stay clear in wet weather conditions.

When you suspect rain, it's a good idea to also carry additional dry clothing with you. You will be much more comfortable after your ride in rainy weather if you are able to change into dry and warm clothes.

Make Yourself Known and Stay Alert

Another important thing to take into consideration when riding in the rain is staying visible to other vehicles on the road. The bad weather that leads to rain also brings with it decreased visibility due to dark and foggy conditions, which make it harder for other drivers on the road to see you, and when they do, their braking distance might be affected by the wet roads.

Wearing high-visibility gear in the rain is just as important as staying dry. Many of the manufacturers that produce rain gear for motorcycle riders also have good high-vis gear to go along with it, and it’s always easy to keep a safety vest or other reflective materials that don’t take up much space to put on when it looks like rain is in the forecast.

Even if you are confident in your riding ability, the more you can do to make yourself known to other drivers on the road will help reassure you that you will reach your destination safely. Staying alert and riding smart is always good advice when on a bike, but in the rain, it is critical to pay attention and make smooth intentional movements and when changing lanes or turning and provide additional braking distance as you may be on slippery roads.

Inspect Your Bike Beforehand

When planning on riding in the rain, it is important for your own safety gear to be up to the task, but it is also extremely important to be sure your bike is ready for the wet weather. Checking to be sure you have the appropriate tires for the rain and have the right amount of tread left on those tires is an excellent first step. Checking the brakes, fluids, chains or belts, and lights are all important. It’s also a good idea to keep a reflective vest or materials on hand just in case bad weather appears without warning. If you have all the right personal gear to stay dry, warm, and visible, and your bike is adequately prepared, you will be ready to face wet weather conditions with ease.

Motorcycle Closeouts Has Protective Rain Gear

So now that you know what you need to safely ride a motorcycle in the rain, where is the best place to find all of this gear? Look no further than Motorcycle Closeouts. They are your one-stop shop when it comes to wet weather gear, and any other motorcycle gear you might need for all styles of riding. They carry all of the best brands at excellent prices, they always seem to be running a sale, and they offer free shipping on orders over $99.

So If you are looking for the best wet weather motorcycle gear for riding in the rain, head on over to Motorcycle Closeouts, order the best equipment on the market at the best prices, hit the road, and enjoy many miles of safe riding!