All maintenance guides
4 min read · updated 2026-10-14
Riding in rain and fog
Wet roads leave far less room for error, and fog hides you from others. Slow down and make yourself easy to see.
Steps
- Slow down and leave much more space to the vehicle ahead. Braking takes longer on wet roads.
- Be gentle with throttle, brakes and steering. Do one thing at a time.
- Avoid painted lines, metal covers and oily patches. They are very slippery when wet, especially in the first rain.
- Treat standing water as a hidden pothole. Go around it if you can, slowly through it if you cannot.
- In fog, use your low beam, not high beam. High beam reflects back and blinds you.
- Wear a bright or reflective jacket and keep the visor clean. If you cannot see, pull over somewhere safe and wait.
Common mistakes
- Braking hard while leaned over or turning on a wet road.
- Sheltering under a flyover in the traffic lane. Stop fully off the road.
- Riding with a fogged-up visor. Crack it open slightly or use an anti-fog insert.
When to go to a mechanic
- Brakes that feel weak after riding through water, even after a few gentle applications.
- Tyres with little tread left. Worn tyres are the biggest danger in the wet.
This is general guidance for typical commuter motorcycles. Your owner's manual is the final word on pressures, intervals and oil grades for your bike. If you are unsure, ask a trusted mechanic.