ATV Rain Riding Safety

Florida doesn’t have to worry much about icy, wintry weather conditions, which means that you can ride your ATV all year round, essentially. But there is one danger you’ll need to be aware of: rain, particularly during the storm season. Rain doesn’t necessarily preclude you from riding, but you do need to be wary of slick paths that could cause you to careen into obstacles or fail to come to a stop safely if you’re not careful.

Interstate Cycles is your Florida ATV dealer, located in Lake City, and we’re here to help you stay safe while off-roading. Here are our top tips for practicing safe ATV riding in the rain.

1. Invest in the Right Gear

ATV riding can be messy at the best of times, and it’s going to be particularly so when you’re riding in the rain due to how much mud you’ll coast through. You already know you shouldn’t wear your most precious garments while riding, but there are some specialized pieces of gear that can be better than your usual riding clothes for keeping you protected and dry.

For example, a one-piece rain suit will insulate you from the rain, but you can also invest in separate waterproof riding pants and a jacket if you prefer to wear slightly lighter clothes. You’ll want fog-resistant goggles or a face mask on your helmet, which should be as waterproof as possible, too. Make sure your riding gloves have good grip and invest in a pair of waterproof boots if your standard boots aren’t able to keep the rain out.

2. Take It Slow

Sure, it’s fun to ride your ATV as fast as you can, but it’s inadvisable to do so when conditions are slick and visibility is reduced. Take things slow at first and increase your speed once you feel confident in your traction, but try to stay below the posted speed limits, as these are intended to be followed in good weather conditions only. 

If the rain is really coming down, then you’re at increased risk for hydroplaning, where your tires lose traction and slip to one side or the other, causing you to leave a track or trail and potentially hit someone else’s vehicle or some obstacle. You’ll really need to slow down if the rain increases.

3. Watch For Areas of Low Traction

Rainfall can mix with oil on the trail or track and cause extremely slippery areas, so you need to be mindful of this as you ride. Also, mud puddles might be deeper than they look, so be wary. Spray from other vehicles can also cause you to slip. Don’t take any turns too hard and give yourself more braking space than usual. Whoops and other obstacles will be more challenging to get over and hills will definitely present you with poorer traction when they’re wet, so try to avoid these areas.

4. Stick to Dry Riding Areas

Of course, you can also stick to drier and flatter paths when it’s raining to really keep yourself safe. Trenches on a well-ridden road are going to be more challenging to traverse in the rain, so try to find flat and open riding areas. If you can, ride between trenches instead of through them. 

5. Be Observant

A good ATV rider is always alert and observant while riding, whether they’re driving on a work site or doing some recreational off-roading. However, due to the reduced visibility and increased risk that rain presents, you’ll need to be even more watchful than usual. Make sure you are sticking to established paths as much as you can and scan ahead for any obstacles in your way, including animals and people. You want to give yourself enough space to come to a full stop and the slickness will make that more challenging, so always be observant!

We hope this guide helps you to safely ride in the rain. Looking for a rugged new ATV? Visit our dealership in Lake City, FL, to take a look at our fine selection of new and used ATVs for sale. We even provide financing options to help you with your purchase. Interstate Cycles proudly serves the greater Jacksonville area as well as the city of Gainesville, FL.