Motorcycle Riding in Bad Weather: Rain, Heat, Cold, Wind and Fog on a Tour

Riding in bad weather comes down to three things. Slow down and smooth out when traction drops, dress for the temperature you'll actually feel, and know the signs that mean it's time to stop. Rider handbooks and US public-health agencies set out those signs for rain, heat and cold. Thunderstorms and flood water are a different case: they aren't riding weather at all.

This hub gives the short version for each condition you're likely to meet on a tour and links to the full guides. Start with rain, the one most riders meet first: how to ride a motorcycle in the rain.

Key takeaways- Wet pavement is most slippery just after rain starts, before surface oil washes to the side of the road.- On slippery pavement, keep a following distance of three seconds or more instead of the usual two.- Full sun can push the heat index up by as much as 15°F. Heat stroke means calling 911.- Hypothermia can set in above 40°F if rain or sweat has chilled you.- In a thunderstorm, no place outdoors is safe, and open vehicles don't protect you.

Conditions at a glance

The "stop and wait" column turns the sources' warning signs into a decision point. The thresholds are theirs; the table layout is ours.

Rain

Yes, you can ride in the rain, but the road gives you less grip, according to the California Motorcycle Handbook, and it's worst just after the rain begins. Slow down before you reach a slippery patch, and slow down before wet curves in particular.

When the rain starts, ride in a car's tire tracks. Fluids collect in the middle of the lane, and the left track is often the best spot. Keep the face shield down. It keeps rain off your face but still needs airflow to stop fogging.

Leather alone won't keep you dry. The store's own blog says leather resists water for a short time but isn't waterproof. Rain suits designed for riding are made so they don't tear apart or balloon at speed.

The full technique is in how to ride a motorcycle in the rain. If you're deciding whether to go at all, read is it dangerous to ride a motorcycle in the rain.

Heat

Riding gear still matters on hot days. A jacket, long pants, boots and gloves help prevent dehydration and sun or wind burn. Watch the heat index, not only the temperature. It's calculated for shade and light wind, and full sun can add up to 15°F.

Above a heat index of 99°F (37.2°C), moving air stops cooling you even at speed, according to Death Valley National Park's rider advice. The park suggests riding before 10 a.m., taking shade breaks and drinking often. Our California trip guide covers that desert stretch.

Know the two heat illnesses apart. The signs below come from the National Weather Service heat illness page, which credits the CDC:

Leather Collection touring jackets have zip vents on the sleeves or pockets to let air in on warm days.

Cold, ice and snow

Long rides in the cold can cause severe chill, dehydration and fatigue, and numb hands make the bike harder to control. Layer up. A winter jacket should block wind and fit snugly at the neck, wrists and waist.

How cold does it get? The National Weather Service calculates wind chill only at 50°F or below with wind over 3 mph. Its example: air at 0°F with a 15 mph wind feels like -19°F, and exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes. Frostbite needs air below freezing, whatever the wind chill. The NWS doesn't publish wind chill for vehicle speed, so we don't convert road speed into a number.

Hypothermia isn't only a winter risk. The CDC says it can happen above 40°F when rain or sweat has chilled you. Watch for shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands and slurred speech. Below 95°F body temperature it's a medical emergency. Get indoors, remove wet clothing and warm the chest, neck, head and groin first.

Ice forms first in low or shaded spots and on bridges and overpasses. Cautious riders avoid icy or snowy roads. If you can't, keep the bike upright and go as slowly as possible.

Wind

A passing truck or bus can push the bike with a blast of air. Riding in the middle portion of the lane leaves you more room for error. On one scenic touring road, Norway's National Tourist Routes site warns cyclists about strong winds on the Atlantic Road bridges. Our Norway guide covers that route.

A windshield doesn't replace a face shield or goggles, because most windshields won't keep wind out of your eyes. Wind noise can damage hearing. California allows earplugs in both ears only if they're designed to reduce harmful noise and still let you hear sirens and horns. Check the rules in each state you'll ride through.

We found no rider-handbook guidance on steady crosswinds that we could verify, so this hub gives no crosswind technique.

Fog and night

In fog, use the low beam. At night, slow down and leave more room, because distances are harder to judge in the dark. Don't wear a tinted visor at night or in low light.

Visibility works both ways: being seen matters as much as seeing. Bright orange, red, yellow or green jackets or vests show up best, and reflective strips help drivers see you from the side. Coastal fog can be a summer problem too: on California's coast, a marine layer can bring fog in the upper 50s °F while inland is clear. See our Pacific Coast Highway guide.

Storms and flood water: when not to ride

No place outdoors is safe in a thunderstorm. If you hear thunder, you're probably within striking distance. Open vehicles and rain shelters won't protect you; a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle will. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before riding on.

Never ride into flood water. The National Weather Service says six inches (15 cm) of fast-moving water can knock over an adult, and 12 inches (30 cm) can carry away most cars. Even an ordinary puddle can be deeper than it looks.

If you're camping, the tent side of a wet trip is in motorcycle camping in the rain.

Plan the weather into the trip

Weather is easier to handle when the schedule has slack. Planning for at least one stop every two hours gives you natural places to change layers, refill water or wait out a storm cell. Check tires, lights and brakes before every ride; our pre-trip checklist has the full list.

Pack the weather gear where you can reach it without unloading: rain layer, a dry pair of gloves, a warm layer and water. The motorcycle trip packing list and the motorcycle trip planning hub cover the rest.

Gear for changing weather

Leather Collection riding gear is made mostly from cowhide, 0.8 to 1.5 mm (about 0.03 to 0.06 in) thick, and hand-stitched to order. Its touring jackets offer sleeve or pocket vents for warm days and reflective piping for night riding.

For rain, plan on a rain layer over leather. The store's blog says leather isn't waterproof.

FAQ

Can you ride motorcycles in the rain?

Yes. Slow down before slippery stretches and wet curves, keep every input smooth, and leave three seconds or more to the vehicle ahead. Stop for lightning or flooded roads.

What is the 12 second rule on a motorcycle?

The California Motorcycle Handbook doesn't use the phrase. It tells riders to scan at least 10 to 15 seconds ahead. In rain, that longer look gives you time to spot puddles, painted lines and metal covers before you reach them.

When not to ride a motorcycle?

Don't ride during a thunderstorm, through flood water, on roads covered in ice or snow, or with signs of heat stroke or hypothermia.

How cold does it get when riding a motorcycle?

Colder than the thermometer says, but the NWS wind chill chart doesn't account for riding speed. Use its warning signs instead. Shivering and fumbling hands are early hypothermia signs, even above 40°F in rain.