In this blog, I want to discuss an important aspect that concerns all motorcyclists, regardless of age and experience: riding in difficult conditions, such as wet roads  

The information I share here can help you ride safer.

As a motorcycle enthusiast myself, I've had my fair share of rides in challenging weather. Sharing my experiences and lessons learned can help you stay safe on the road. Riding in the rain or on wet roads requires extra caution, skill, and knowledge, which I aim to impart in this blog.

Let me start with a question to all fellow riders: When is the road (asphalt) the slipperiest when there is water on the road?

• A) Just when it has started to rain, e.g., it has rained for about 10-15 minutes?
• B) When it has rained for a long time, e.g., an hour or more?
• C) It doesn’t matter how long it has rained, the water on the road is always equally slippery.

Think about the question and choose the best option. The answer will be provided at the end of the blog.

I vividly remember my first significant encounter with riding on a wet road. It was a Sunday evening in mid-April, and I was on my way to school in Tampere, Finland. The nice sunny weather quickly turned to rain and then suddenly to snow. In no time, I was riding through 5-10 centimeters of wet snow.

The road was very slippery with summer motorcycle tires. Luckily, my Kawasaki 500 KLE stopped working, and I couldn't get it started. I ended up spending the night in a hotel in another city Seinäjoki. The following morning, I took the train to Tampere, remembering it well because I had two exams due on Monday!

Hydroplaning occurs when there is too much water between the tire and the road, causing the tire to lose contact with the asphalt. This can make the motorcycle start "dancing" on the road, and the rider loses control. Understanding hydroplaning is crucial for any motorcyclist.

Once, while riding my police motorcycle in the rain, the front tire suddenly lost contact with the road. I immediately knew I was hydroplaning. Thanks to my training, I stayed calm and regained control without crashing.

To provide more context, this incident happened during a routine patrol on a particularly rainy day. I was riding my BMW 1100RS at about 90-100 km per hour (60 miles per hour) on a busy main road. The rain had been coming down steadily for a while, creating a thin layer of water on the asphalt. Suddenly, I felt the front tire lose grip. It was a terrifying moment.

My training as a police motorcyclist had prepared me for such situations. I knew that panicking could be fatal. I instinctively rolled off the throttle, pulled in the clutch, and tried to keep the bike as upright as possible. Those few seconds felt like an eternity, but eventually, the tire regained contact with the road, and I was able to continue riding. That experience reinforced the importance of proper training and staying calm under pressure.

Here are some steps to take if you find yourself hydroplaning:

• Reduce Speed Without Heavy Braking: Gently roll off the throttle to reduce speed. Heavy braking can cause the tires to lock up and worsen the situation.
• Disengage the Gear: Pull in the clutch to disengage the gear. This helps reduce speed gradually.
• Use Foot Brake Gently: If the front wheel is hydroplaning, gently apply the foot brake to help slow down the bike.
• Straighten Your Body: Try to straighten your body to increase air resistance, which can help reduce speed.
• Keep Your Eyes Far Ahead: Focus on a point far ahead on the road to maintain balance and control.

Avoid the Following

• Do Not Brake Heavily: Heavy braking can cause the tires to lock up and increase the risk of skidding.
• Do Not Make Sudden Movements: Sudden movements can destabilize the bike. Keep your movements smooth and controlled.
• Do Not Lean the Motorcycle: Keep the bike as upright as possible to maintain balance and control.
• Do Not Panic: Panicking can lead to poor decisions. Stay calm and focus on regaining control.

Preventing hydroplaning starts with proper preparation and maintenance. Here are some tips to help you avoid hydroplaning:

• Regularly Check Tire Condition and Air Pressure: Ensuring your tires are in good condition and properly inflated is crucial. Worn-out tires or incorrect tire pressure can increase the risk of hydroplaning.
• Use Tires with At Least 3 mm Tread Depth: Tires with adequate tread depth can channel water away from the contact patch, improving grip on wet roads.
• Replace Old and Hard Tires: Old tires tend to harden over time, reducing their ability to grip the road. Replace them if they are old or show signs of wear.
• Reduce Speed When It Rains: Reducing your speed can significantly lower the risk of hydroplaning. Even a slight reduction in speed can make a big difference.
• Avoid Puddles and Painted Surfaces: Puddles and painted surfaces can be particularly slippery. Try to avoid them, especially when riding in wet conditions.

Having the right gear is crucial for riding in difficult conditions. Waterproof clothing, gloves, and boots can keep you dry and comfortable, allowing you to focus on riding safely. Good quality gear can also enhance your visibility to other road users, which is particularly important in poor weather conditions. More information about clothing and equipment for wet conditions will come in another blog text. I recommend that you read that text as well.

Here are some additional tips that can help you ride safely in challenging weather:

• Regularly check the tire condition and air pressure.
• The motorcycle must have good, healthy tires with at least 3 mm of tread depth.
• If the tire is old, i.e., the surface of the tire is hard and sharp, it should also be replaced, even if it has more than 3 mm of tread depth.
• Reduce speed; a slight reduction in speed can have a big impact.
• Watch the roadway and avoid areas that may contain water.
• Take extra care in curves and try not to lean the motorcycle too much, especially where there is water on the road.
• Avoid painted surfaces on the road, even at low speeds and in city traffic.

By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of hydroplaning and ride safer. Always check the condition of your tires and be prepared for difficult conditions. As motorcyclists, we must always be vigilant and proactive in ensuring our safety on the road.

The condition of the tires is of decisive importance when it comes to preventing accidents in traffic, especially when driving in difficult conditions. Therefore, I urge all motorcyclists to regularly check the condition of their motorcycle tires, and if necessary, purchase new tires. Personally, I check my motorcycle tires every time before I start my ride.

If anyone is interested in reading more scientific information and facts about motorcycle tires, please click here.

The correct answer is A. The road is the slipperiest when it has just started to rain because dirt and particles on the road mix with the water, making the surface slippery.

The reason why the road is at its worst when it has just started raining is that the road is still dirty. On a dry asphalt road, there are very small particles of rubber, sand, and other dirt (the kind you normally don't even see). When it just starts raining, these particles become mobilized because the water has started to move on the road, mixing with the dirt. This makes the road extremely slippery.

After it has rained for a while, the road becomes cleaner and less slippery, even though it is still wet. Therefore, be especially careful when riding just after it starts raining.

In future blogs, I will delve into other important aspects of motorcycle safety and share more of my personal experiences. Stay tuned for tips on navigating dry but tricky road conditions and more stories from my years of riding.

Until then, ride safe and enjoy the journey!

Regards

Kjell (helmet)