Fool-Proof Tips for Bikers Going on Long Rides this Monsoon

Posted on: Aug 2, 2022 | | Written by:

Fool-Proof Tips for Bikers Going on Long Rides this Monsoon

Every motorcyclist is tempted to schedule road vacations to their preferred place as soon as the monsoon season begins. But during the monsoon, India's slick roads prove to be difficult for bikers, both for experienced and novice. One must exercise caution to be safe and dry while riding a motorcycle during the monsoon. Here are some crucial pointers that can be useful for bikers during long rides this monsoon.

1. Be Prepared

Being well-prepared will make your rides more enjoyable during the monsoon. There are chances that you may begin your bike on a sunny day. However, changes in the weather may occur any time; hence practice caution. So, if you venture outside during the monsoon, be prepared for rain. Carry along enough plastic wrap and rain gear to keep your electronics and other valuables dry. A lot of the time, we may need to dry up our essential items after arriving at the place. In this circumstance, having a small hair dryer is useful.

2. Carry a Comprehensive Bike Insurance

Due to the worsening road conditions, the monsoon season can turn out to be extremely harmful to safe bike riding. The slicker and water-logged the roadways stay, the more frequently accidents occur. As it is, having insurance is mandatory for two-wheeler owners in India. Purchase or renewing comprehensive bike insurance remains one of the most important things to assure safety and security in monsoon. You can go through HDFC Ergo's range of bike insurance policies for more insights.

3. Visibility

One of the main difficulties for bikers is visibility, particularly those wearing glasses. When riding in the rain, your visibility is the first thing to suffer. When riding in the rain, stay away from tinted visors. A clear view is provided by a clear visor, which is crucial. During rainy rides, fogging up inside the helmet is a frequent problem. A pin-lock insert would be the ideal answer. These days, the majority of decent-level helmets have a pin lock option. An anti-fogging mask is an additional option. Clean your visor after each rest period. It would help if you always kept a microfiber cloth on hand in this situation. On your ride, your vision will make a huge difference.

4. Riding Gears

Purchasing waterproof riding gear is the best course of action during the monsoon. Choose a high-visibility raincoat that you can wear over your clothes to ensure that you are always covered while riding in inclement weather.

5. Reduce Speed

You may want to enjoy and increase the speed to its maximum when riding in the rain, but you need to slow down. Use the throttle slowly to keep yourself in control. It would help if you used your controls more smoothly when stopping, shifting into or out of gear, and accelerating. This is more crucial in rainy weather because the road surface is slick, regardless of how much grip you may think you have.

6. Be Visible

It's crucial to remember that bad weather will also make it more difficult for other drivers to notice you. Make sure your bike, jacket, and pants are all made of bright or reflective material. Before you start a ride in the rain, make sure your lights are on and functioning.

7. Never Trust Puddles

That cute little puddle you may want to splash and have a little fun with can be concealing a foot-deep pothole or something else entirely. The water puddles well hide potholes and changes elevation on the road. If you bike over these puddles, the unexpected jerk and imbalance may cause you to lose traction. If you cannot avoid riding through a puddle, keep the bike upright, hold the throttle steady, and avoid applying the brakes.

8. Avoid Overtaking

When overtaking on the ghat road, you typically lift the throttle. However, if you feel uneasy about the overtaking speed you carry, you may hit the brakes to gain control, resulting in a fall. "Patience is the key that keeps a rider safe," I said at the beginning of this piece. Be patient, then.

Only pass when there is a sufficient gap on the straight ahead. Never, ever overtake around a corner. Always keep your left and look for cars coming from the opposite direction.

9. Keep a greater distance

Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, whether travelling with others or alone. When riding in the rain, double the average distance of three bikes.

10. A Rainbow is Not a Friend

Those ethereal, vibrant swirls are deadly pools of slick oil. Don't try to catch the rainbows. Be extra cautious when stopping at or crossing through intersections because they frequently have the worst ones. After all, it is where automobiles like to remain for a while and leak oily pools.

11. Tyre inspection

The motorcycle's treads, which are the curved patterns on the tyres, assist in spreading out water to maintain a firmer grip. Therefore, it is crucial to check the width of their grooves. About 2-3 mm of tread depth is required for good traction on slick surfaces. The riders are strongly advised to set the tyre pressure a few psi lower than the specified value. It will enable the tyre to cover more ground on the road.

Conclusion

Riding securely during the rain is quite possible, as you can see from the recommendations above. Invest in a comprehensive bike insurance policy to protect the vehicle. You can check out HDFC Ergo's Comprehensive Bike Insurance where you can book a three-year plan in under three minutes online with no inspection required. Just be attentive and disciplined while keeping in mind the advice so you may enjoy your long monsoon bike rides stress-free.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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