Monsoon season has arrived, bringing in relief from the heat but introducing a new set of challenges. Wet roads, waterlogging and a host of drivers standing under flyovers are about to become a common sight over the next month. While driving cars is already a challenge of its own in these conditions, two-wheelers are even harder. As a result, we have compiled a list of tips and tricks everyone should know to have a safe ride during rainy season.

Top Tips For Riding Your Bike In Monsoon Season

The best tip we can offer for riding your bike in monsoon season is to avoid riding it. Monsoon is a challenging weather to ride in due to slippery roads and low visibility. To prepare for a safe ride in the rain, follow these tips for riding your bike in monsoon season

Pre Riding Checklist

A small checklist to go through before heading out on the road.

Check tyre

Checking your tyres before the monsoon season begins should be a top priority. Check tyre pressure and the tyre tread depth. Tyre treads remove water and other debris that could hamper their grip. Check for tyre wear by observing the sidewalls for any crashes or bulges. If the rubber on your tyres is hard, it may be time to replace them. Most tyres reach the end of their life by 5 to 7 years.

Chain Cleaning

Cleaning the bike's chain before the rainy season begins is a good practice. Degrease the chain to remove any gunk, then thoroughly dry it. Afterwards lubricate the chain and ensure each side is covered. After a ride in heavy rain, make sure there is no debris stuck in the chain. During the monsoon season, rust and corrosion are one of the most common causes of chain damage.

Become visible

Heavy rain and dark clouds kill visibility. While cars are hard to miss, it's not the same for two-wheelers. As such, you need to make yourself a visible entity on the road. Wearing bright and reflective gear will make you easy to spot in low-visibility conditions. When engine braking, tap the brakes a couple of times to let the riders behind you know you're slowing down. You can use reflector tapes to further increase your visibility.

Similar Read: 10 Important Tips For Driving During The Monsoon Season

Wear gear

While this relates to increased visibility, wearing proper gear keeps you safe in the event of an accident. Waterproof gloves and boots will make sure your limbs stay dry and limber. Staying dry and comfortable will ensure that your focus stays on the road. However, a full set of waterproof gear is expensive but can be replaced with a raincoat. Wearing a rain jacket over your standard gear will ensure you stay warm and are visible.

Prevent Helmet Fogging

A common occurrence in rainy weather is helmet visor fogging up. This issue can be dealt with with the help of anti-fog sprays. You can also make your own using water, soap, and rubbing alcohol.

While Riding

Following these tips while riding will ensure a safe experience.

Drive slow

This should be common sense, but we've all heard the saying. The faster you are, the less traction you have. Driving slowly on slippery roads gives you more time to react in case of an obstacle. On the same note, keep a larger distance between you and the vehicle in front. This gives you a larger window to react to any sudden action.

Avoid Water

Water clogging is a common occurrence during heavy rains. Speeding through these sections may be tempting, but they can hide potholes. Hitting a pothole at high speed when you are not prepared for it will result in a fall. Even if there are no potholes, there is a chance of water entering your engine and hydrolocking it.

Clear brakes

Riding during monsoon season can result in water getting into your brakes, especially for drum brakes. This will reduce the amount of friction the brakes can generate, resulting in a longer stopping distance. Wet brake pads often make a screeching or grinding noise. Dabbing the brakes can help remove water by generating heat from friction.

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Learn countersteering

This tip is a general recommendation and should be learnt by everyone, regardless of the weather. Countersteering is the act of pushing the handlebar in the direction you want to turn to. While it appears counterintuitive, this is the quickest way to manoeuvre your two-wheeler. Countersteering lets you swerve faster and thus avoid accidents. Learning how to countersteer is an important skill and will save your life.

Tips for advanced riders

Reduce tyre pressure

Reducing tyre pressure by a few PSI from the recommended figure can help improve traction on wet roads. Low pressure increases the contact patch, thus increasing grip. Keep in mind that low pressure can cause faster wear and death wobble. Remember to top up the pressure after the rainy season has ended.

Avoid leaning and trail braking

While taking corners fast and trail braking are fun, especially on the twisties, avoid those actions when you are on a wet road. Trail braking puts weight on your front tyre, which can slip out from under you in wet conditions. Taking slow corners makes the two-wheeler easier to maintain control of and helps you avoid skidding.

Most of the top tips for riding your bike in monsoon season will not only help you in every weather condition. Dry roads or wet, it's always a good idea to stay under the speed limit, avoid tailgating and countersteering. Always wear gear when on long routes and keep rain gear handy, especially during monsoon season.