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Motorcycle · Avoiding Hazards

How should you handle riding in rain on a motorcycle?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Slow down (reduced grip), increase following distance to at least four seconds, brake more gently and earlier, watch for surface hazards like painted lines and metal that become especially slippery, and consider waiting out heavy downpours

  1. A Stay in the center oil-strip of the lane
  2. B Ride normally
  3. C Brake harder than normal to test grip
  4. D Slow down (reduced grip), increase following distance to at least four seconds, brake more gently and earlier, watch for surface hazards like painted lines and metal that become especially slippery, and consider waiting out heavy downpours

Why this is the answer

Rain riding requires adjustments. Reduce speed (wet pavement has 30-50% less grip than dry); increase following distance to at least four seconds (longer braking distance); apply brakes more gently and earlier (a wet front wheel locks up more easily); avoid painted lines, metal manhole covers, and tar strips, which become very slippery when wet; ride in tire tracks of vehicles ahead (their tires push water aside, leaving a slightly drier path); consider a rain layer for staying dry and warm (cold + wet drains body heat fast and impairs judgment). Heavy downpours with poor visibility — wait them out under shelter. Hydroplaning on motorcycles is rare due to narrow tires but possible at high speed in deep water.
Source: MSF Basic RiderCourse, Wet Riding

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About this topic: Avoiding Hazards

Avoiding hazards questions cover scanning (SEE: search, evaluate, execute), lane positioning, following distance, road-surface hazards, intersections and the blind spots of other vehicles. This is one of 13 Motorcycle questions on avoiding hazards, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our Motorcycle exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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