Scheduled Checks:
Routine servicing and check-ups of the bike should be done before
riding in the monsoon. Life can become very difficult in case your bike stalls
in heavy rains. As far as the engine is concerned, there isn't much you need to check if you have had your timely scheduled servicing. If you drive your bike
too much in the rain and are concerned about its color getting faded, get a
Teflon coating before the beginning of monsoons.
Brakes:
The brakes of the bike should be top notch. Since you cannot brake
hard or suddenly on wet roads it is all the more important to have your brakes
in good condition. For this reason, running your bike on old worn out pads or
liners, or a brake that is not very effective can lead to disaster. Make sure
to get your liners, discs and the inside of your drum brakes cleaned before
monsoon starts. Also verify if the level of the brake oil is as per
requirement. If you have a bike which has an uncovered drive chain, then you
must oil it properly and wash it as a lot of mud will get deposited when you
will ride it
Tires:
Keeping your tires in shape is very important during monsoons. If
the rubber is worn off, make sure to replace the tires before you ride in the
rains. The treads of the tires do the job of dispersing standing water and in
the process provide grip. The treads need to be deep not just in the centre
portion of the tire, but also on the sides. To test the depth of the grooves,
you can insert a one-rupee coin into the grooves. A minimum of 2-3mm of tread depth
is necessary for the tires to provide a fair amount of grip on wet roads.
Anything below that, and it might warrant changing the tires. Tire pressure can
also make a huge difference in the grip you get. Ideally you should set your
tire pressure a couple of psi below the levels required in the dry. Check for
tire pressure regularly to ensure it is at optimal levels.
Parking:
Even when you halt for a break, as far as possible make sure you
park the bike under a shed. Avoid parking your bike under the shade of a tree
as there is always a risk of a branch falling on your bike. When not on a ride
keep your bike covered at all times to protect it from the rain. In fact you
should even clean your bike and remove the muck off the engine once you back
from the ride, as dry muck can be a huge hindrance for the cooling process of
the engine. The rains tend to bring a lot of pebbles and gravel on to the road
surface, which are kicked up by the tires. So it becomes necessary to check the
oil chamber and engine casing for damage after the ride. Once you reach your
place after a dirty ride, do not forget to wash your motorcycle.
Rider:
During a monsoon ride, not only is it important for the bike to be
in good condition, the rider should be equally fit and fine as well. Always
wear protective gear. A completely drenched and cold rider may suffer from a
momentary lapse in concentration which can be just enough to cause a calamity.
A waterproof jacket and gloves are a must, apart from a helmet and knee pads.
It is not just the bike which has to be in good shape but also a rider.
REMEMBER - WASTING FIVE MINUTES OF YOUR TIME ON ROAD WILL INCREASE
YEARS OF TIME IN LIFE. WISH YOU A HAPPY AND SAFE RIDING.
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