Top 5 Things You Should Remember Before Riding In The Monsoon

Here’s a quick checklist to ensure that you’re ready for the upcoming rainy season

This year's monsoon promises to wash away the blistering heat of the past couple of months. Not surprising then, many of us would want to swing a leg across our motorcycles, tweet out "#wanderlust" and chart a route to Lonavala or any other hill station. But before you do any of that, there are a few things that you should know if you want to avoid the chance of getting into an annoying crash or worse. After all, our roads reach an extra level of difficulty during the monsoon season.

So here's how you prepare your motorcycle for the upcoming rainy season:

Check Your Tyres

Your tyres are going to be the most important part of your motorcycle this season. They will be the ones making contact with the wet asphalt. To ensure that you don't slip on such surfaces, it is important that your tyres are in good shape. First thing to do is, check for wear on the treads. The depth of the tread is important for a good grip: if these threads go missing, your tyres go bald. This can create a layer of water between the tyre and the surface, which can only lead to a crash.

Now Check Your Tyre Pressure

Make sure that the tyre pressure is kept at an optimal level, which is basically one or two psi below the recommended level. This is to give you more area of contact with the surface, which in turn can improve your grip on wet surfaces.

Clean Your Chain Regularly

Considering the state of our roads and the amount of rain they face every year, there is bound to be a lot of mud and dirt everywhere. This means you chain gets dirtier a lot quicker than usual. In addition to this, rainwater can also wash away all the lubricant and grease, hampering the performance of your bike. So make it a habit to clean and lube the chain as frequently as possible.

Ensure Your Brakes Are In Shape

It is highly advised that you ride slowly in the monsoon and ensure a safe distance from other vehicles to avoid panic braking in sticky situations. However, if the occasion arises, it is important that the brakes are in proper condition as rainwater has the tendency to enter the mechanism and considerably reduce their effectiveness. Hence, always make sure that the brake pads and shoes are properly serviced.

Invest In Waterproof Gear

Invest in good rainproof gear that will help you keep yourself warm, dry and out of the clutches of cold fever. While wearing a darker gear may look cool, it is important for other motorists to actually see you, hence don't forget to put on a high visibility jacket on top of your riding gear. It is also important to opt for a full-face helmet with a clear visor, as a tinted one will only reduce your visibility in rainy or foggy conditions. Make sure your visor is scratch free before riding and always remember to carry a dry microfiber cloth with you to clean it whenever it gets dirty.