Riding your two-wheeler in the monsoon can be tricky. It reduces your efficiency on the road drastically, and you need to be extremely cautious about how you tread on slippery surfaces. But that shouldn't stop you from riding in the rain. While you may not be as fast as you are on a dry surface, a little precaution and lots of practice can make you prepared to handle the showers with ease. The key thing to note here is that all you need to follow are some fundamental rules that will keep you and your two-wheeler safe. So, make sure to follow these five riding tips for the monsoon this season.
Also Read: Top 5 Important Car Care Tips For The Monsoon
Riding jackets with colours like orange, fluorescent yellow, white or silver make you more visible on the road
While the introvert in you may not want to be the loudest in the room, it certainly helps to be the most visible person on the road. Visibility goes down dramatically during the rains, and the more easily you can be spotted, the better are your chances of avoiding a mishap. Wear a high visibility jacket in orange, fluorescent yellow or metallic silver. You should have reflective stickers on your jacket and the two-wheeler too. It would also be wise to invest in a helmet that gets the aforementioned colours to add to the visibility. At the same time, remember to check your helmet visor for any scratches and replace it if necessary. You can also apply some car wax on the helmet visor to avoid water buildup that obstructs your vision.
It's wise to get all the lighting, switches and indicators checked on the two-wheeler
A good pair of tyres make all the difference between riding and falling on a two-wheeler during the monsoon. A worn-out tyre substantially increases your chances of skidding and is a safety hazard in every sense. That's why make sure to replace old tyres in time for the rains. Do not wait for the tyres to reach the end of their shelf life. If the tyre shows signs of extensive wear and tear, make sure to get them replaced. Tyre treads should have at least half their shelf life left to provide adequate traction. Similarly, inspect your wiring and electricals. Make sure all lights, switches, bulbs and indicators are in working order. Replace and repair any parts that aren't working. It's also advisable to wash your two-wheeler regularly to remove the build-up of dirt from several areas.
Be gentle with power and the brakes during monsoons to avoid losing traction on the road
Monsoons aren't the time to test your limits on the road. In fact, don't do it even on a sunny day. But you need to be extra cautious during the rains. Roads are wet and slippery, and there's less grip for your two-wheeler to hold on to. That's why it's safer to go gentle on the throttle. Twist it too hard and you are likely to spin the wheel, lose traction, and slip. Instead, try and build speed in a linear manner, so you are in more control of the situation. This also helps if other road users lose control. It gives you a fighting chance to safeguard yourself. At the same time, do go easy on the brakes as well. Do not get enthusiastic about braking hard, and instead gently tap the brake lever to come to a halt. Make sure to use the front and rear brakes together to stop safely.
Reducing the gap between vehicles also reduces the chances of any corrections in case of a mishap during the monsoon
There's a reason trucks have this written at the back. If they brake hard and someone is running too close, they would crash into the truck like a bug on the wall. During monsoons, you have less traction and that increases your braking distance. Moreover, your vision is obstructed by rains that will further hinder your judgement. So, be safe and keep a distance from the vehicle in front of you. You will also be seen easily by the driver in front as the distance helps make you a part of their peripheral view.
Also Read: Top Five Tips To Keep Your Car's Windscreen Clean And Defogged In Monsoon
Waterlogged roads are best avoided during monsoon, even if you have to travel across, make sure to keep the throttle open to avoid water entering the engine
Rains can be a chaotic time and sometimes things are just two steps away from total meltdown. A falling branch, people crossing the road, street animals are all potential hazards to you on the road. They can crop up from anywhere at any time. You also need to be mindful of waterlogged roads and the possibility of open drains. Avoid puddles altogether, especially if you do not know how deep it really is. At the same time, crossing a waterlogged road is not recommended at all.
Riding in heavy rains should be strictly avoided. You also need to be careful of low lying areas that have a higher risk of flooding. Do remember, when in doubt, wait it out.
