For many riders, the sound of rain hitting the helmet is a signal to pull over and wait it out. But in the world of adventure travel, weather is simply part of the journey. Whether you’re crossing the Atlas Mountains or riding through the Pyrenees, knowing the secrets of riding a motorcycle in the rain is essential for any serious rider.
At Andries Adventures, we believe a little water shouldn’t kill your spirit. With the right preparation and proper technique, riding in wet conditions can be a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. Here is our expert guide to mastering the rain.
1. Gear Up Properly: Your First Line of Defense
The key to staying focused when riding in the rain is staying dry and warm. Once you get cold and soaked, your reaction times slow down and your concentration drops.
- Waterproof membranes: Invest in high-quality gear with Gore-Tex or similar materials. If you join one of our guided KTM motorcycle tours, bringing a proper rain suit or a laminated waterproof jacket is absolutely essential when rain hits.
- Visibility is everything: Use a Pinlock insert to prevent your visor from fogging up. A nose guard and a water repellent product like Rain-X applied to the outside of the visor can also work wonders.
- Gloves and boots: Wet hands mean less sensitivity on the controls. Waterproof gloves with a built-in visor wiper on the finger are a total game changer.
2. Master the “Smoothness” Technique
When the grip level drops, every movement needs to be more controlled. The golden rule for riding in the rain is simple: be smooth.
- Progressive braking: Avoid grabbing the brakes suddenly. Instead, brake gradually to allow the weight to transfer properly onto the tires, increasing traction. (And remember: all of our bikes are equipped with ABS.)
- Smooth throttle control: Roll on the throttle gently, especially while leaned over. Modern traction control and KTM ride-by-wire systems help a lot, but your right hand is still the main computer.
- Reduce lean angle: Try to keep the bike as upright as possible. You can do this by moving your body more and shifting your weight to negotiate corners without leaning the bike excessively.
3. Identify the Most Dangerous Road Surfaces
Not all asphalt is the same. When it rains, certain parts of the road become as slippery as ice. Watch out for:
- Painted road markings: White and yellow lines offer very little grip when wet.
On our routes through southern Spain and Morocco, due to the low level of rainfall, the road surface often has a thin layer of dust and grime stuck to it. This means you must stay especially alert during the first few minutes of rain, until the water washes the surface clean and restores proper grip.
You also need to be cautious around manhole covers—metal surfaces are well known for causing sudden slips.
- “Rainbow” oil patches: Fuel and oil spills often float on top of the water, especially during the first 15 minutes of rain. If you see colorful reflections on the road, avoid them at all costs.
- Puddles and aquaplaning: Deep water can lift the tire off the ground. Stay in the tracks left by cars, as they often act like “channels” that clear away some of the water.
4. Maintenance Matters: Tires and Lights
Before heading out on one of our tours, we make sure your bike is ready for the rain.
- Tread depth: Your tires need deep grooves to evacuate water properly. If they are worn or squared off, the risk of aquaplaning increases dramatically.
- Be seen: Rain often comes with low light and fog. Make sure all your LED lights are working properly, and consider wearing reflective or high-visibility details so drivers can spot you more easily through wet and fogged-up windshields.
5. The Mental Game: Stay Relaxed
One of the most common mistakes when riding in the rain is tensing up. Gripping the handlebars too tightly makes the bike feel nervous and unstable. Relax your shoulders, breathe, and trust your tires. Modern tire compounds are incredibly capable of finding grip even in heavy rain.
Conclusion
Riding in the rain doesn’t have to be miserable. It’s an opportunity to improve your skills and experience the landscape from a completely different perspective. At Andries Adventures, we help riders handle all kinds of terrain and weather conditions on the most beautiful routes in Europe and Africa.
Don’t forget we also offer Enduro motorcycle tours to give you the full experience.
Ready for your next adventure—rain or shine? Check out our upcoming tours and let’s ride!