Bad weather conditions can occur at any time, whatever the season. While we can expect ice and possibly snow in the winter, summer often brings thunderstorms and torrential rain. Safe scooter riding should be your top priority at any time of year, so here are some top tips:

Frost & Ice

When wintery weather conditions descend, it’s vital to increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front. Icy roads make stopping harder but if there’s snow as well, this can accumulate in the wheel arches of lorries and cars, flying off right under your wheels when you least expect it. Falling ice or snow is another hazard that can slip from lorry covers at high speed. Always keep your distance and reduce your speed. Before taking your scooter out in any weather, make sure it’s fully serviced by a scooter repair Battersea garage for total peace of mind.

Rain

Again, a reduction in speed is recommended. Heavy rain will affect your ability to see the road surface and avoid slippery parts. You’ll also want to remember that the wind chill factor increases significantly when you’re wet, so get yourself some waterproof clothing to stay warm and as dry as possible. Your body cools a whopping five times faster when you’re wet. If fog is a problem, use your fog or hazard lights if you have them and invest in a reflective jacket or LED armband to increase your presence on the road. Did you know that you can buy gloves with a built-in squeegee for wiping rain off your visor?

Snow

The obvious solution is to leave the scooter at home if snowfall is predicted. But if you must, then try to stick to the tracks of the vehicles ahead of you and avoid any areas that look like compacted and frozen snow. Reduce speed and keep both legs out to the side to steady yourself against possible slips and slides. Remember to ease off the accelerator and brake, relying on the clutch.

Low Temperatures

The wind chill factor means that the faster you travel, the colder you’ll feel. When the weather gets particularly chilly, remember to move around on the bike as much as you can by stretching out your legs and arms to stay active. You can do this when you stop at lights for example. Use the warmth generating by your engine to warm your hands or gloves, just don’t directly touch it! When you are inside, don’t be tempted to put your cold hands straight onto a radiator but warm them up gently in luke warm water.

High Winds

Whether it’s a humid summer storm brewing or icy gusts from a winter weather front, windy day riding is a real challenge. It sounds counterintuitive, but the key is to relax, using the throttle and counter steer to balance out the wind’s effects. If you feel you’re being buffeted, reduce speed to help your stability. Be aware of areas where sudden gusts are most likely to appear, such as gaps in buildings and on bridges. Always leave plenty of space when passing other road users, especially those who are susceptible to side winds such as cyclists, buses and flat-sided vans. Even better, stick the kettle on, put your feet up and wait for it to pass!