A soul-quenching ride on two wheels can turn a stressed-out biker into a blissful being in less than five minutes. Unfortunately, the weather in Michigan can completely change in that same amount of time. Residents of the Great Lakes State joke about experiencing all four seasons in one day. Although this is a playful exaggeration, savvy bikers know they must always be prepared for Michigan’s unpredictable and quickly changing Weather Conditions.
Michigan bikers who’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash that wasn’t their fault should find a motorcycle accident lawyer in Southfield. To seek compensation, they should find a biker-friendly attorney knowing the ins and outs of Michigan personal injury claims.
How To Adapt to Michigan’s Ever-Changing Weather Conditions To Stay Safe
When out for a ride, either a quick run around town or a multi-day adventure, being prepared for the onslaught of what Mother Nature can throw is crucial to every biker’s survival. Taking a spill on two wheels can cause catastrophic injuries, and not all weather-related accidents are caused by rider error. When sharing the road with vehicles on four wheels, sometimes their negligence gets bikers hurt, and they can’t blame the weather for your injuries.
There are several strategies for preparing and avoiding a motorcycle accident when the Michigan weather turns foul. Before heading out on your next two-wheeled adventure, take heed of these tips for staying safe.
Check the Weather and Be Prepared
The safest bikers are the ones who are prepared. Before leaving, always check the weather forecast. Although it could change at a moment’s notice, it’s still better to know if there’s a chance of rain, thunderstorms, or gusty winds. Armed with this knowledge, bikers can pack rain gear and a change of clothing in case they get wet anyway. A wet rider can quickly cause discomfort and fatigue, leading to an accident.
Pre-Ride Checklist
Riding in rainy weather will require a different set of skills. Braking on wet surfaces can be tricky, and many bikers have spilled on slick roads due to bad brakes. Two key things should be checked before riding, especially if you expect inclement weather. First, test your front and rear brakes and ensure they’re operating properly. Next, check your tire’s air pressure and tire tread. Underinflated tires or low tire treads won’t give you the traction needed on wet roads.
Purchase a Fairing
Some bikers who use their motorcycles for their daily commutes to work don’t have the luxury of deciding to stay home when the weather is bad. A great way to protect yourself and stay a bit dryer when riding in wet weather is to have a fairing installed. In addition to a drier wet weather ride, fairings reduce wind fatigue during weather conditions.
Slow Down
Wet or slick roads require a different style of riding. The chances of a wipeout could exponentially increase without adjusting how you ride. Slippery road conditions require subtle changes to how you’d usually ride. Riding slightly slower and more cautiously is key to keeping your bike upright. Throttle adjustments and breaking should be slower and more gentle. When turning, be aware that you may need to lean less than usual to avoid losing traction.
Choose the Best Lane
This may seem obvious, but avoid riding in the lane with the most water when riding during a rain shower. Rainwater will naturally pool at the lowest point, and rarely are road surfaces perfectly level. For highway riding, the far left lane typically pools more, so choosing the center or right lanes is best. And within each lane, ride where it’s the driest. This is usually where a car’s tire tracks would be.
Know Your Limitations
If you’ve checked the Weather Conditions report and there’s a chance of bad weather, there’s no harm in staying home. However, if you’re stuck out on the road and are hit with a sudden thunderstorm, you don’t need to continue your journey. Find a safe place to pull over and wait it out. There’s no shame in knowing your limitations are, and it’s far better not to ride than to do so and suffer the consequences of a wrecked bike, road rash, or worse.
Michigan Wet Weather Riding and How To Stay Safe: The Bottom Line
Taking the proper precautions when adapting to changing weather conditions could be the difference between getting you and your bike home without a trip to the emergency room. Ensuring your bike’s tires and brakes can handle slick road surfaces is as important as knowing how to ride when the weather turns nasty. Slowing down, avoiding rapid accelerating or decelerating, and taking turns with more concern can make or break a ride.
If you’ve had the unfortunate experience of a motorcycle accident, you want to work with an experienced Michigan accident crash lawyer. With their knowledge of the law, they’ll ensure that all of your damages are compensated. Even if you took a spill that involved a car on slick roads, that doesn’t mean the accident was your fault. The other driver could have been negligent.