Riding a motorbike in rain, wind, ice and more
There’s nothing quite like blasting through the countryside on two wheels, but let’s be honest, riding motorbike in rain, wind, or ice isn’t exactly the Instagram highlight reel. British weather (and European road trips, for that matter) loves throwing curveballs. The trick is knowing how to adapt when riding a motorbike in poor conditions.
Our business is protecting riders, and we see a whole host of accidents chalked up to awful riding conditions and underprepared riders. Below are some key riding tips to keep you shiny-side up, whether you’re dodging puddles, battling crosswinds, or trying not to ice-skate your way into a hedge.
Smooth inputs are your best friend
When you’re riding a motorbike in poor conditions – the rain is falling sideways, your visor looks like a goldfish tank, and your tyres are skating on what feels like a Teflon runway – smooth inputs to your machine are the answer.
Avoid a clumsy move that sends you sliding like Bambi on ice. Remember that applying steady pressure to throttle, brakes and riding conservatively will help your bike respond better to the conditions:
Brake and accelerate gently. Snatchy throttle? Big no.
Avoid leaning too hard in corners, gradual and smooth wins the day.
Keep extra distance from vehicles ahead. Their spray is bad enough without you adding a skid to it.
Always make sure you keep composed while riding motorbike in rain or icy conditions. The trick is making the road look easier than it really is by riding carefully but progressively.
Visibility = survival
Fog, spray, or torrential rain cuts your visibility to “squint and hope”. Wearing the right gear will help a lot here; worrying about soggy britches is secondary to focusing on the road and all the potential hazards.
There’s an infamous rule in the motorcycling world: see and be seen. Make sure you can accurately judge road positioning or oncoming hazards and that you’re visible to other road users.
Use anti-fog inserts or sprays for your visor.
Keep your lights on dipped beam (high beams just bounce back in fog and rain).
Bright or reflective kit isn’t just for the fashion-conscious; it’s a survival tool.
These simple measures help you to be more visible to other road users and make sure you can actually see where you’re going, rather than riding blind faith.
Keeping your hands on the bars and being in control are paramount. Using your glove as a squeegee is not only irritating, it’s downright ineffective. In fact, we think this is so important that we partnered with BikerGuard, the ultimate visor wiper solution.
It keeps your hands inside the ride and your vision clear as day; it’s like a windscreen wiper… but for bikes! BeMoto customers get an exclusive 15% off BikerGuard so why not secure your very own kit?
Read the road like a psychic
Whether a gust of wind tries to push you into the next county, or a suspiciously shiny patch of road appears ahead, being mentally prepared for all eventualities is the key to success.
Whilst this isn’t specific to poor weather conditions, anticipating hazards is an absolute must for riding in poor visibility or on roads that are difficult to judge.
In high winds, watch how trees, hedges, or even lorries sway as they’re early warning signs.
In heavy rain, avoid painted lines, potholes, manhole covers and obstructions in the road.
In icy conditions, remember that shaded corners and bridges stay frozen longer; go steady.
You know in Final Destination, when the protagonist gets a vision before it all goes wrong? That’s the sort of precognition you need to keep yourself out of harms way. Riding bikes can be dangerous, especially when you’re caught out by adverse weather.
Mentally accounting for hazards will see you spotting danger before it spots you, and keep you rolling with confidence instead of panic. Stay switched on and assess every situation.
Grip is everything
That’s grip from the tyres, by the way, not the ones the Vulcans use in Star Trek. Understanding your bike’s ergonomics and what it’s limits are will serve you well on slick, sticky, drenched or just generally dodgy roads.
We’ve all seen GP riders dragging some elbow in torrential rain round Silverstone, but this isn’t that. Riding safely and within your limits is absolutely paramount. That being said, your bike is an extremely capable machine and you can trust it when the going gets tough; just don’t overdo it.
Tyres: check pressures often; a few PSI makes all the difference in dodgy weather.
Body position: grip the tank with your knees in strong winds.
Cornering: stay upright where possible and widen your line for stability.
Follow these rules and you’ll hold traction even when conditions want to take it away, whether you’re slicing through rain or bracing against crosswinds.
Know when to call it
Sometimes swallowing your pride and accepting that it’s best to leave the steed in the garage and the leathers hanging up is the right call to make. Just because you’re an “all-weather rider” doesn’t mean you have to go out in literally ALL weather…
We’re talking blistering, storm-level winds, sheet ice, thunder and lightning sent by Thor himself, or biblical rain that makes Noah’s Ark look underprepared. There’s no shame in taking the car, getting a bus, a taxi, or even a lift if the situation demands it.
If it’s too late and you’re already out on the bike:
Avoid flooded roads. If you can’t see the bottom, don’t risk it.
If you can’t keep your bike steady or keep proper control, pull over somewhere safe.
Sometimes the smartest move is to sit and wait it out. Delay your ride until things calm down.
What’s the result? You live to ride another day. Better to skip the ride than explain to your insurance company why your bike ended up starring in a viral “biker vs weather” clip.
Riding a motorbike in rain or poor conditions
Whether it’s rain, wind, ice, or some other perilous weather event, riding a motorbike in poor conditions can be a challenge. But, with smooth inputs, sharp road reading, and the right kit, you can handle it like a pro. And while skill and awareness are everything on the road, having the right motorbike insurance behind you gives peace of mind when the weather decides to test your luck.
After all, the goal isn’t just to ride in any weather, it’s to enjoy the ride; come what may.
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