Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain: Auckland Wet Weather Tips

Auckland weather can change quickly, and if you ride for long enough you will get caught in the rain. Riding in the wet is not something to fear, but it does need a different approach. Grip, visibility and other drivers all behave differently when the roads are wet.

Here is how to stay safe and comfortable when the weather turns.

Before you ride

• Check the forecast and the rain radar. If heavy rain is coming, leaving a little earlier or later can keep you out of the worst of it.
• Check your tyres. Tread depth matters most in the wet, because worn tyres cannot clear water. Check the pressures too.
• Make sure your lights work and your visor is clean and not badly scratched. Scratches scatter light from oncoming headlights at night.
• Give yourself extra time. Rushing is when wet weather mistakes happen.

Wear the right gear

Being cold and wet makes you tense, and a tense rider is a less smooth rider. Waterproof gear is a safety item, not a luxury.

• A waterproof jacket and pants, or a packable oversuit over your normal gear
• Waterproof gloves, or a spare pair to swap into
• Waterproof boots
• A clear or hi-vis yellow visor. Never ride with a tinted visor in rain or after dark.
• An anti fog insert or treatment for your visor, so you can keep it closed

Our motorcycle gear checklist has more on choosing gear that works in New Zealand conditions.

The first rain is the worst

After a dry spell, the first rain lifts oil and rubber dust off the road surface and makes it very slippery. Take extra care in the first half hour of rain after a few dry days.

Watch for slippery surfaces

Some surfaces lose far more grip in the wet than plain tarmac:

• Painted road markings, arrows and pedestrian crossings
• Metal covers, drain grates and access lids
• Fresh tar, patched sections and loose chip seal
• Leaves, mud and diesel spills, especially near roundabouts and service stations
• Wet tiles or concrete at the entrance to car parks and driveways

Plan your line to avoid them, especially when braking or leaning. If you cannot avoid one, keep the bike as upright as you can and avoid sudden inputs while you cross it.

Ride smoothly

In the wet, every input needs to be gentle.

• Brake earlier and more progressively. Squeeze the brakes on rather than grabbing them.
• Roll the throttle on and off smoothly. Sudden power can spin the rear tyre.
• Corner a little slower, so you need less lean.
• Look further ahead so you have time to respond.

If your bike has ABS, it helps stop the wheels locking under hard braking, but it does not create grip that is not there. Still brake early.

Leave more space

Stopping distances grow in the wet, for you and for everyone around you. Double your usual following distance. Spray from trucks and buses can blind you for a moment, so drop back further or pass decisively when it is safe and legal.

Be visible

Drivers see less in the rain, with fogged windows and wipers going. Wear hi-vis or bright gear, ride with your headlight on and choose a lane position where you can be seen in mirrors. Assume drivers have not seen you until you are sure they have.

Know when to stop

If the rain is so heavy you cannot see properly, or you are cold enough to start shaking, pull over somewhere safe and wait. There is no shame in a coffee break while the worst passes.

Practise in a safe space

The best way to build wet weather confidence is to practise braking and slow control in the wet with someone who can tell you what you are doing. Our one to one coaching sessions can focus on exactly this. Book a session or ask us a question first.