The monsoon has begun to shower us with many benefits while preparing the roads for some awful hidden surprises. Roads become more dangerous for two-wheeler riders because other vehicles at least have a roof to keep the occupants dry.

Safety riding in the monsoon

Here are some monsoon riding safety recommendations.

  •     Ride slowly 

The first and most important rule is to take it slowly. Reduced speed allows motorcyclists more time to react to circumstances and safely come to a halt if necessary. Also, remember that the contact area between a motorcycle tyre and the road is relatively small. Therefore rain can significantly affect traction, so slow down.

  •     Bring rain gear

Being prepared is a critical step. Carry wet weather gear; if you suspect it will rain, put it on. Always attempt to put on waterproofs before it starts raining because water can get into your clothing and wet your jacket and trousers. Remember that rain gear designed for motorcycles differs from hiking or regular waterproofs.

  •     Visibility

During the rainy season, visibility is essential for the rider to see or be seen. Wear colourful riding clothing, exceptionally high visibility clothing. This allows other motorists to spot bikers in dreary weather when everyone is struggling with low visibility. Also, keep it in the centre of the left lane to make it easier for other drivers to spot you.

  •     Begin early and finish early

Riding large distances in the monsoon can be dangerous, so plan your route. Leave at dawn light and return at dusk to complete the day’s ride. The goal is to travel the most distance safely possible; therefore, do not ride after dark. This dramatically increases the risk of road accidents, so plan your route and arrive on time.

  •     Take it easy on the twisties

Twisty roads are fantastic for pushing motorcycles and rider limits on dry roads, but take it gently during the monsoon. Leaning into bends too much reduces traction, making mid-corner braking and corrections difficult, if possible. Take it easy.

  •     Put your electronics in a safe place

Keep zip-lock pouches and plastic bags on hand. These are useful for storing all electrical devices such as mobile phones, GPS (if not waterproof), cameras, computers, chargers, etc. Water can sneak into every nook and cranny; the last thing anyone wants is to be stuck without a phone. Seal them and store them safely.

  •     Full-face helmets are the way to go

It cannot be overstated how important it is to wear a full-face helmet over any other design on the market today. Choose something that completely covers your head, is comfy, and has a visor. This keeps the rain from stinging your eyes and allows you to focus more on the road. Choose an excellent helmet since safety has no cost.

Action, lights, and indications

Before driving, check all lights, including headlights (low and high beams), indicators, hazards (if installed), tail lamps, and brake lights. Only leave after repairing any of them if they are broken because, as previously stated, visibility is crucial, and lighting can help. If you go for the Yamaha R15 V4, you will get all these features in their accurate position, even after daily riding.

The things you should consider before starting your journey 

Check the tyre condition: 

Examine your tyres for wear. If they’re towards the end of their useful life, it’s better to replace them, even if you believe they still have a few hundred kilometres on them. Because tyre tread is designed to disperse water, proper tread depth is required when cycling on wet surfaces. Of course, more than simply having adequate tread depth is needed to guarantee wet solid traction. If the tyres are too old, the rubber has most likely hardened, and hardened tyres will perform nearly as poorly in the wet as bald ones. So, regardless of how many kilometres you’ve driven, if you see tiny cracks on your sidewalls, it’s better to change your tyres.

Tyre pressure: 

Keep tyre pressures one or two psi lower than the manufacturer’s advice in the rain. This improves the tyre-to-road contact patch, improving traction on wet roads. Just be careful not to go too far, as this has an inverse effect on grip. Also, during a dry spell, remember to return to the recommended tyre pressure. Also, remember that enhanced grip comes at the expense of slightly heavier steering.

Maintenance: 

Always keep a dry microfiber cloth on hand to clean your visor if it gets damp or soiled. If it’s dirty, sprinkle some water before cleaning it down with a cloth; otherwise, you risk damaging your visor.

The things you should maintain on the motorcycle

Better control

Because wet roads have less traction, all your inputs must be smoother to avoid surpassing this traction threshold. Avoid any unexpected actions on the motorcycle, such as rapidly opening the throttle, applying harsh brakes, or violently steering the bike. Such abrupt movements might quickly overwhelm the traction available to your tyres, perhaps resulting in an accident.

Right techniques:

In monsoons, proper braking techniques become even more critical. If you like the Yamaha R15 V4 Specification, which includes ABS, you can hit the brakes hard on wet roads without locking up, but if your bike is older and lacks ABS, you must be extra cautious when braking. Again, being progressive with your input is critical. When you press the brakes, learn to feel what the tyres are doing. When you think the tyres are about to lock, gently release the brakes. When riding in the dry, we rely on the front brakes to supply most of the braking force. However, it’s advisable to apply both front and rear brakes simultaneously in the rain to avoid overloading any tyre.

Kill speeds: 

The first showers of the year are perilous because they leach out the oils and filth from the road surface, making it more slippery. Maintaining lower-than-normal speeds is advised throughout the monsoon, especially during the beginning stages.

Unsafe lines: 

When it rains, road markings such as lane dividers and zebra crossings become incredibly slippery. As much as possible, avoid riding over them. Avoid riding in the centre of a lane as well, as this is where other vehicles tend to leak oil and other fluids. Instead, stay to one side and follow the other vehicles’ wheel paths. This will protect you from lost fluids and provide a drier road surface because different cars have displaced water in these spots.

Conclusion

All the tips listed here may appear essential, but take them carefully. Accidents are more likely during the monsoon season, and some basic checks, such as the ones stated above, will ensure you have a nice ride— all the time!