Việt Nam’s climate is monsoonal. That’s techie talk meaning that everywhere you go in Việt Nam, there is a rainy season. The time of the rainy season is different in different parts of the country, but sooner or later, it will rain on you when you’re riding.
Count on it!
Besides having to learn how to ride in the rain, you must also learn that you cannot avoid getting wet. The best you can do is keep most of your body dry - - but you are going to get wet.
Deal with it!
The well-dressed môto rider carries a poncho all the time, folded neatly under the seat, r
eady for use whenever the skies get dark. Note that there is a transparent panel in the front of the poncho. That lets you drape the poncho over the handlebars (and therefore keep your hands and arms dry) yet let your headlight shine through.
The well-dressed môto passenger has a poncho too – though it is best she bring her own as there is no room for two ponchos under the seat. It is not uncommon for a passenger to just slip under the coattails of the driver and try to stay dry that way, but you’ll do better with your own poncho.
Its best to wear some sort of rubber sandals (not flip-flops) in the rain. Wearing regular leather shoes will just ruin them and keep your feet wet longer. Boots are too much of a hassle. Don’t worry if your feet get wet – they get wet whenever you take a shower, so let ‘em get wet when you ride in the rain.
Of course, you could wear a rain suit. The comment often heard from those who have tried it is that they get almost as wet from the sweat as they would from the rain. We have suits, though – just in case.
But, as you can imagine, there are dangers to riding in the rain. Some are obvious – you will have less traction, and you want to be careful of hydroplaning – though that is hard to do at slow môto speeds around town. Your chief danger comes from having your rear view mirrors being blocked by the poncho (see picture) and the crazy kids who don’t have a poncho. They seem to think that if they just go faster, they will not get wet. They will zoom by you, weaving in and out of traffic, and usually scare the hell out of you. Generally speaking, slow down, and use side streets as much as possible when its raining.
Even more fun happens when you ride in the rain - - and at night.
Cheap thrills.
