Riding a motorcycle in the rain: our tips and equipment

Having to ride in the rain: that's the fear of many motorcyclists. And yet, with the right attitude and the right equipment, it's a walk in the park! Our tips for relaxed riding? Our favorite tracksuits? We'll show you our tricks to make sure the experience goes off without a hitch, and that you have the satisfaction of saying to yourself: "I'm a real biker, I've ridden in the rain!

Riding a motorcycle in the rain is no agility test, and even less of a tightrope act. Our mantra for serene riding: trust your bike, trust yourself and adopt the right behavior. But what is the "right thing to do"? Here it is, summed up in 10 commandments:

1 - Thou shalt ride Zen

Here's the key: relax from the handlebars. So, like a Zen master, you'll use the gas pedal delicately and the brakes gently. Cool, we say!

2 - Anticipate braking

With twice as little grip, you'll need to be twice as considerate. Decelerations must be initiated earlier, safety distances extended and engine braking favored.

3 - Adapt your speed

As a general rule, you should reduce your speed by 10 to 20km/h. This is all the more true in curves, where you absolutely must avoid having to brake at an angle. Anticipation!

4 - Avoid pitfalls

White stripes, crosswalks, piles of leaves, manhole covers and shiny surfaces are all pitfalls to be avoided. A rainbow on the ground? It's probably diesel fuel. Avoid or you'll find yourself in an impromptu surfing session. The same goes for summer icing, when the first rains create a film of all kinds of residues and grease.

5 - Avoid puddles

Riding through puddles is fun. Except when it hides a mischievous pothole. Generally speaking, you only drive where you can see.

6 - Cherish your scrubbers

Once you're under the tarpaulin, it's too late to say "uh, how are my tires?". So make sure they're not rinsed and that they're properly inflated.

7 - Thou shalt listen to reason

Does riding in the rain really stress you out? You're not looking forward to it at all? Then avoid the experience. Riding in the rain requires you to be zen. If you're uptight, it may not go well.

8 - Take it easy on yourself

Riding in wet weather is physically and mentally exhausting. So don't hesitate to take plenty of breaks to relax, drink a coffee or simply warm up.

9 - Try to make yourself seen

Functional lights, clean optics, reflective stickers, fluorescent jackets: everything is good to be visible to other road users.

10 - Thou shalt ride well equipped

This final commandment is crucial. What's the point? Staying dry is essential if you are to concentrate 100% on driving. Waterproof jackets, gloves, pants, boots and chokers are all essential for relaxed riding in the rain.

When it rains, your eyesight is put to the test. The trifecta? Reduced visibility, water droplets on the visor and a screen of mist. And yet, it's precisely under the rain that your eyesight is most important to avoid the pitfalls of slippery roads. Here are 3 products to help you see clearly:

Water-repellent spray

To help water run off your visor, you have two options: brush it with olive oil or opt for a suitable product. We're not cold-pressing experts, so we recommend RAINOFF IPONE Rain Repellent Spray. It considerably improves visibility and delays the appearance of dirt. The best part? Its small format, ideal for keeping close at hand.

Anti-fog lens

This device, also known as Pin-Lock, prevents condensation from forming on your visor. Is it essential? Hell, yes! It's a life-changer. Be careful when handling it, as this screen is very sensitive to scratches.

Rain scraper on gloves

Still not very popular, this device is a must-have in our opinion. A kind of manual windshield wiper, it is particularly effective at low speeds when the wind is not strong enough to evacuate water droplets. Why not wipe the visor with the palm of your hand? Because you risk scratching your screen and your glove will quickly become waterlogged.

When it comes to riding a motorcycle in the rain, there are two schools of thought: wear a waterproof 4-season outfit, or opt for waterprooftracksuits. How do you choose? By targeting your use. If you're an inveterate adventurer, tackling all types of weather at all latitudes, then 4-season gear is for you. Versatile thanks to their removable waterproof or thermal membranes, these jackets and pants are the essential allies of the all-weather biker. If you avoid riding in the rain as much as possible, then the tracksuit option makes sense. A little less practical in use, this equipment has the advantage of being much more economical than 3-in-1 sets for adventurous bikers.

Before we present our favorite products for riding in the toughest conditions, remember one thing: you need to be waterproof from head to toe. The mistake not to make? Not wearing gloves or overboots, for example. You'll lose considerable energy with your feet in the water, whipped by the wind. Full suit required! What's next? The devil is in the detail. Pay particular attention to the fittings. The drachma is mischievous and will insidiously work its way into the gap between your boot and your over-pants that are a little too short. And when the sock gets wet, the whole ship takes on water.

Our selection of waterproof tracksuits

Basic motorcycle rain gear

----> Bering ECO motorcycle rain pants

----> Bering TACOMA 2 lined rain pants

----> Bering MANIWATA motorcycle rain jacket

The unbeatable quality/price motorcycle rain package

----> SCOTT ERGONOMIC PRO DP motorcycle rain pants

----> Motorcycle rain jacket SCOTT Ergonomic Pro DP Fluo

These models are also available for women and in large sizes.

Aventure motorcycle rain kit

----> Klim ENDURO S4 motorcycle overtrousers

----> Over-jacket motorcycle Klim ENDURO S4

Ultra compact rain kit

----> Tucano Urbano PANTA NANO PLUS motorcycle rain pants

----> Tucano Urbano NANO RAIN PLUS rain jacket

Whether it's drizzle, showers, rain showers or monsoons, you're all set to face the rain in all its forms! The 3 essentials to remember? Be well equipped, ride relaxed and trust your bike. If you follow our advice, you'll be able to call yourself a "real" biker and look down on your friends who only ride in bright sunshine. Pfff...

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Photos : image from Freepik