Even the smallest of niggles can become the biggest of troublemakers
The thought of riding in the rain makes even the most experienced riders agitated. With lush greenery and cool breeze, slippery roads follow. While it is a relief for the soul, it does demand a bit of extra care and caution for our beloved motorcycles. Here’s a list of all the necessary checks and tips you should know to keep your motorcycle ready for the upcoming monsoon:
Check Your Tyres:
Your tyres, like always, are the first and the most important things that need to be checked. The tread on the tyre is designed to disperse water from under the tyres, so that the rubber is always in contact with the road surface, ensuring you have maximum grip. So before you start riding on rain-soaked roads, it is crucial to check if your tyres are worn out or have uneven wear. Also check if they have enough tread depth left, at least 2-3 mm. If not, we advise switching to a new pair of preferably monsoon-friendly tyres. If you need slightly better grip, you can technically lower your tyre pressures by about 1-2psi but not more than that. Additionally, check for any punctures regularly as rainwater can wash debris including from the sides of the road onto the tarmac. These debris can include nails, sharp rocks or anything that can potentially cause punctures.
Chain Maintenance
In the monsoons, your two-wheeler goes through a lot of water splashes, mud and other debris that are washed onto the road by the rain. These can wash away your chain lube making the chain prone to rusting and higher-than-usual wear. Also, with these splashes, a lot of debris and mud can get accumulated on your bike’s chain over time. We recommend checking the chain, cleaning and lubing it before every longer ride. If you are just commuting over short distances, a weekly checkup should be fine though, provided you don’t ride over muddy roads.
Brakes
The brakes of your bike are one of the strongest controls you have. Learn to use them wisely and you will be in absolute control of your machine in any given situation. Rains do reduce the braking efficiency, just as a reference, the braking distance can almost be doubled on a wet road. Check your brake pads, discs, drum brakes and other mechanical parts for damage or if they are making any sounds. The squealing sound indicates wear and tear and the parts are in need of replacement soon. Also, there is a chance of dirt and debris getting caught between your brake pads and discs. So pressure washing your bike, paying careful attention to the brakes, is a good idea after any ride in the rain. Ideally, you should also check for any leaks in the brake fluid reservoir or the calipers as the brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from its surrounding) and can make the brakes spongy and ineffective.
Electricals
While most of your vision is limited during rains, one thing you can do to ensure your safety is get the electricals of your two-wheeler right. Ensure that your headlamp, tail lamp, indicators and also hazard lamps if any. That said, we don’t condone the use of hazard lights every single time it rains. Use your hazard lights only when visibility is significantly reduced and you have to ride much slower than the average speed of the road. This ensures that you are visible to the vehicle behind you assuring your safety.
Parking Space
The best thing you can do for your bike or scooter is to park it in a covered parking, away from the rain. Avoid parking your bike under makeshift sheds, as these can collapse in severe weather and damage your bike. If you don’t have a covered parking, you can cover your bike with a good quality rain cover to shield it from falling rain. Also ensure you park your bike on a plain surface that is levelled and has enough grip for your side or centre stand. Ensure that there is no moss growth in the area where you’re parking your bike, as it can make the surface really slippery, and even your stand might not be able to keep your bike from sliding and toppling.
BikeDekho Says
The monsoon can be thrilling, beautiful, and serene—but only when your machine is ready for it. If your bike is not well prepared for the rains, it’s literally asking for trouble. Riding in the rains is tricky at the best of times, and having an ill-prepared bike will make riding all the more difficult. But if your bike is in good shape, learning to ride safely in the rain will go a long way to improve your skills as a rider. So rather than avoiding getting on the bike when the heavens open up, we recommend embracing the challenge, while taking all the necessary precautions.
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