This past weekend, Hurricane Arthur hit the east coast, bringing torrential rains from North Carolina to Maine. This got us thinking about the special challenges of riding on rainy days in summer. Most riders avoid the rain, others learn how to deal with it.  But sometimes you can’t avoid it, whether commuting or taking in a scenic cruise.  If you ride long and often enough, sooner or later, you’ll be caught in a sun shower or full-out downpour. You can try to wait it out. However, with the right gear, special attention to road conditions and your surroundings, and a...

We woke up to cold stinging rain this morning. And just this week, a rider wrote us, “wishing” his gloves would do a better job of keeping his hands dry. He described his daily commute, and having to wear soggy gloves (or wait for them to dry out) after a heavy rain. Sound familiar? If so, the solution for warm, dry hands is literally at your fingertips. To travel in comfort no matter what the weather, invest in good waterproof, breathable gloves and gear. Cold, Wet Hands? Quit Blaming Your Gloves! We’ve written about waterproof gloves and gear before … but today,...

Let’s face it … riding a motorcycle in the rain isn’t much fun, but sometimes it’s a necessary evil. We’d all prefer riding under clear blue skies.  Before you brave the next storm on a bike, make sure you’ve got the proper motorcycle rain gear ready and you know how to ride safely when the heavens open up. Here are 21 suggestions to keep in mind when you find yourself riding in wet weather. 21 Tips for Riding In The Rain Check your tires. Underinflated tires increase the chances of hydroplaning or losing control. Never ride in the rain with slick. Reduce your...

Ever get caught riding in heavy rain? A “chance of showers” is one thing.  But in a downpour, you need good motorcycle rain gear to keep dry, or water will find a way into every opening. By good waterproof gear, we mean: helmets with faceshield, gaitors, rainsuits, waterproof boots or boot covers. And a ziploc baggie to put your phone in, and some big sturdy trash bags to help keep your larger belongings dry:) And rain gloves! Wet hands get cold, so you have to keep them dry. For those times you get caught riding in rain, here’s how to...

If you ride, sooner or later you’ll get caught in the rain. To avoid getting soaked, and feel more confident while riding in the rain — it’s a good idea to prepare for wet weather well ahead of time. There are two aspects to this:  how to ride safely on wet surfaces what motorcycle gear to have on hand when rain is in the forecast.  We wrote about rain gear last week … so today is all about wet weather riding preparedness, and riding skills. Here are steps you can take to ride safe and stay dry. 5 Safety Factors for Riding...

THE RAIN is inevitable — If you ride, be prepared for the unexpected downpour.  Whether the forecast gets it right, or not — To stay comfortable and dry, the right motorcycle gear makes a big difference. Here’s how to make a solid choice. WEAR WATERPROOF GEAR Say goodbye to cold, clammy, leaky and bulky. Good waterproof gear should be none of those things. When high quality materials are used and the gear is made correctly, you’ll stay dry. 1.  A Word About Waterproof Gear Comfortable, rainproof outerwear will have Gore-Tex® or some other waterproof, BREATHABLE material as part of the construction to...

So, what does “windproof” vs. “waterproof” really mean when it comes to motorcycle gloves?  We’re glad you asked!  Here’s an explanation of the technology behind those terms, and the options that are available for motorcycle riders. What’s a “Windproof” Motorcycle glove? The basic technology for windproof motorcycle gloves is this: the outer shell or inner lining material is laminated with a waterproof and breathable film.  Adding this laminated layer is an effective barrier against wind. Even though the film is technically waterproof, we don’t call gloves waterproof unless the seams are also sealed.  To find gloves in this category, look for...

Some riders put the bike in storage the minute the mercury dips. But if you’re a winter rider, cold blustery weather doesn’t phase you. You already know that the secret to staying comfortable for year round riding really isn’t a secret — invest in good, warm gear. Fortunately, gear and glove manufacturers continue to improve the gear that’s available. Our goal is to block the wind, seal out wet, keep hands warm, and lessen your exposure to the weather. While we have always made insulated gloves, the materials we use are improving every year.  Here’s what you’ll find in the...

Motorcycle Riding In The Rain Riding a motorcycle in the rain can be tricky. Almost a quarter of all crashes happen in bad weather, especially on wet pavements. Luckily, there are many steps a rider can take to make a wet ride a safe and enjoyable one. Tips for Riding in the Rain From a slight drizzle to a torrential downpour to freezing rain, here are some safety tactics that a rider should know Make things easy on yourself and wear a full-face helmet. The shape of the helmet is more aerodynamic than goggles or glasses, and water will naturally flow...

Riding in Rain  In an online motorcycle rider’s group, the conversation turned to wet weather gear. Specifically, what’s the best moderate priced gear to wear when riding in the rain. Fellow riders expressed a range of opinions about what’s best, from wearing fishing gear and ski gear, to wearing rubber gloves over or under other gloves!  Well, we really don’t advise wearing fishing gear when you ride, LOL …. but it raises the question …  What makes a good waterproof motorcycle glove? All Waterproof Motorcycle Gloves Are Not The Same Lots of motorcycle gloves look the same on the outside. But, it’s what’s on...

With Spring here, riding season has begun. With Spring comes wet weather. Most riders don’t want to get caught in the rain, but some riders enjoy the rush. Whatever your level of expertise is while riding in the rain, use general precautions and ride safe. Here are 6 tips for riding a motorcycle in the rain: Be careful of the lines painted on the road and crosswalks. These are slick surfaces posing dangerous outcomes when the rain is coming down. Don’t cheat yourself out of good tires. Cheap, longer lasting tires have terrible textures that do not grip well to...