How to Ride Electric Scooters in the Rain Easily [Get Wet While …
Looking at the rain from your window can be very relaxing. Listening to the pitter-patter makes you want to stay in bed all day. The sound of drizzle may help you sleep better at night too.
However, even if it is raining hard, you still have things to do and places to be.
If you want to ride an electric scooter to get to your destination, it is important to learn how to ride it under such conditions or any weather for that matter. While electric scooters and rain don’t always mix, you can still use them in the rain.
In this guide, you will learn:
- All of the DOs and DON’Ts of riding your electric scooter in the rain, and discover how to avoid the hazards and effects of your scooter getting wet
- Which electric scooters are the best for riding in the rain or wet conditions
- How to take care of your electric scooter after a rainy ride
- How to ride if you get caught in the rain and came unprepared
- Learn the difference between waterproof and water-resistant electric scooters
- The meaning of your E-scooter’s IP rating
Can you Ride an Electric Scooter in the Rain?
Yes. You can ride an electric scooter in the rain. However, it is not always recommended unless you really need to go somewhere. Not all electric scooters are suitable to withstand a downpour, so make sure that you are equipped with the right e-scooter if you need to ride in the rain.
Most manufacturers seldom recommend riding in such weather. Even if their scooters have high IP ratings (1), there is still a chance that your e-ride will fail to work.
Is it Safe to Ride Electric Scooters in the Rain?
It is not entirely safe to ride your electric scooter in the rain. Even with a waterproof electric scooter, the right gear, and excellent riding skills don’t make it safe to ride in the rain or wet conditions. Roads can be slippery and your vision can be impaired.
Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant
One of the most common misconceptions is that waterproof and water-resistant are the same thing. It is the opposite. Depending on the IP rating, each electric scooter has different levels of resistance to water.
Being waterproof means a product can withstand getting submerged in water without sustaining any damage. While being water-resistant means it can only withstand a specific level of contact with water.
Waterproof and Water-Resistant IP Ratings
IP (Ingress Protection) ratings measure how well a device is protected from water, dust, and even solid objects.
For Example, the Qiewa Q1 Hummer has an IP65 rating. It consists of two digits that mean two different things.
The first digit measures its protection against solid materials, while the second digit measures a product’s resistance to water. The higher the value the better protection the device has against these elements.
If you come across a product with an IPX5 rating, the “X” means it is not protected against solid elements.
Here are the equivalents of each digit rating applicable to electric scooters:
First Digit
- 4 – protected from objects 1mm and up
- 5 – dust-resistant
- 6 – fully dust-resistant, meaning the product is sealed tight from dust
Most electric scooters are 5 and up, and dust-resistant.
Second Digit
- 4 – resistant to water splashes coming from any direction
- 5 – can resist sustained low-pressure water sprays
- 6 – can resist high-pressure sprays of water
- 7 – can be submerged in water up to 1 meter
Most electric scooters have a 5 water-resistance rating. In the example above, the Qiewa Q1 Hummer has an IP65 rating, meaning its completely dustproof and can resist low-pressure sprays of water.
What Happens if an Electric Scooter Gets Wet?
It is normal to ride a scooter on wet roads.
An IP54 rated electric scooter, such as the Segway Ninebot ES4, can withstand water splashes and dust. This means you can ride them on wet roads and through small puddles. However, sooner or later, moisture can creep into your battery case or damage the overall finish.
Interior Effects
Interior problems should be avoided. These are the problems you can’t see or feel at first, so you have to be extra careful. Even the best electric scooters that are water-resistant can get damaged in the long run. The battery is the first thing you want to protect when riding in the rain, as it can sustain the most damage when water seeps in.
Exterior Effects
Water can also damage the exterior and finish of your electric scooter. It can cause corrosion on the frame and disc brakes. Moisture can also seep into the lights.
What to do after riding in the rain?
After riding in the rain, make sure you get a dry rag and dry up every reachable surface of your electric scooter. You also want to store your electric scooter somewhere less humid to make sure the interior will dry up.
Why you Should Avoid Riding in the Rain
Poor Visibility – Riding in the rain means your visibility and that of other motorists may be compromised. There is a higher risk of sustaining injuries when riding in the rain.
Your Electric Scooter Will Get Dirty – We all want to keep our electric scooters in the best condition, and riding in the rain will make your scooter dirty. It can also cause unnecessary wear.
How to Ride Electric Scooters in the Rain
Buy an electric scooter with a high IP rating
Make sure you get an electric scooter that is capable of riding in the rain without sustaining damages. IP54 ratings are quite acceptable, but anything higher would be better.
Avoid riding in freezing rain
Riding in the rain is okay, but avoid riding in freezing rain. IT is much more dangerous and the roads can be very slippery.
Equip your electric scooter with fenders
Fenders can go a long way. By equipping your electric scooter with fenders, it can be protected against direct splashes.
Wear the right gear
Always make sure you are wearing a helmet and safety gear. Also, make yourself as visible as possible. Wear bright-colored raincoats so that other drivers can see you.
Check and correct tire pressure
Check and correct your tire pressure if possible. Lower pressure on wet roads grips better.
Extra tips:
- If it suddenly rains mid-ride, and you are not equipped with the right gear, make sure you stop to find cover and wait for the rain to subside.
- Don’t get nervous.
- Drive slowly.
The Best Waterproof Electric Scooters
As promised, here are the best electric scooters that you can ride in the rain if needed. If you live in an area that experiences frequent moderate rain and rainy seasons, here are some of your best options:
Qiewa Q1 Hummer
IP Rating: IP65
The Qiewa Q1 Hummer is an excellent all-around electric scooter. It has an IP65 rating, which is one of the highest IP ratings on an electric scooter. It is fully dust-proof and can withstand low-pressure water jet spray. It can be ridden in the rain without sustaining damages.
Qiewa Q-Mini
IP Rating: IP65
Another Qiewa e-scooter made it into this list. It also has an IP65 rating, and the manufacturers state it has basic waterproof standards.
Dualtron Thunder
IP Rating: IP54
The Dualtron Thunder is an off-road electric scooter with an IP54 rating. It is dust-proof and resistant to water splashes from any direction. The manufacturers state that you need to be careful of water when riding in wet conditions. It can be ridden through puddles and may get wet in the rain, but not recommended.
Honorable Mentions
- Segway Ninebot ES4: IP54 Rating
- Xiaomi MI M365: IP54 Rating
- Gotrax GXL: IP54 Rating
Some of the best off-road electric scooters are built with heavy-duty materials and made to withstand irregular riding conditions. This means some of these options also have excellent IP ratings for riding in wet conditions.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, here are a couple of things you should remember:
- As much as possible, do not ride in the rain if you can avoid it. Even if you already know what to do when it is raining, the best way is to avoid rushing in the rain.
- Riding in the rain is dangerous.
- Although your scooter is water-resistant, manufacturers do not suggest riding in the rain.
- Always be careful and make sure you follow all the tips from this guide.
We hope you learned something useful when it comes to riding your scooter in the rain. An electric scooter is one of the most reliable modes of transportation if you want to avoid traffic and lessen your carbon footprint, so make sure you maintain your E-scooter’s condition and keep it safe to ride another day.
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