Motorcycle care, riding guide for monsoon 2024: Tips and suggestions

After a long month of scorching heat, northern India has finally welcomed the monsoon as the capital experienced its first heavy rains of the season. While the refreshing rain and cooler temperatures bring relief, they also bring unique challenges for motorcyclists. Riding in the rain requires extra caution and care to ensure safety and maintain your bike's performance.Here’s a quick guide to help you ride safely and maintain your bike during the monsoon season.
Monsoon 2024 rides: Prepare your bike
To ensure safe riding during the monsoon, start by checking your tyres for adequate tread depth to provide sufficient grip on wet roads and replace any worn-out tyres to prevent slipping.
Wet conditions can also affect brake performance, so regularly check and service both front and rear brakes to ensure they remain responsive. Moreover, riding in rain can wash away lubrication from the chain, leading to rust and poor performance, so consider investing in a water-resistant chain lubricant to keep it in good condition.

Additionally, make sure your battery is fully charged and in good condition, as wet weather can be harsh on electrical components. Finally, and most importantly, check that all lights and indicators are functioning correctly to maintain visibility and replace any faulty bulbs immediately.
Monsoon 2024 riding: Safe riding tips and suggestions
To ride safely in wet conditions, avoid overspeed as slower speeds give you more time to react and decrease the risk of skidding. Also, avoid sudden acceleration, braking and sharp turns; it will help you in maintaining control over your motorcycle in slippery conditions.
Besides that, always keep a safe distance from other vehicles because wet roads increase stopping distances, necessitating extra space to brake. Additionally, avoid puddles, as there might be potholes in it, which can be risky for you and your bike’s safety. Therefore, try and ride around such puddles.
After riding in the rain, it’s important to wash your motorcycle to remove dirt, mud, and any corrosive substances that may damage the paint and metal parts. Dry your bike thoroughly, paying special attention to the chain, brakes, and electrical components, using a cloth or air blower to remove moisture. Re-lubricate the chain and other moving parts after cleaning to ensure they function smoothly.