What are the things you should do to protect your bike in heavy rains? Here is what you should be doing to ensure the safety of your bike during monsoon.
From predictions to prayers, the much awaited monsoons have finally arrived in most parts of the country. Undoubtedly, the rainy season is the most enjoyable season of the year. The soft pitter-patter of the rains brings the end of long summer days. While we all rejoice the cooling of temperatures, there is no denying the fact that monsoon has an adverse impact on the automobiles.
Given the poor conditions of the roads (as per WHO report, India ranks 90th in terms of road safety and witnesses highest number of deaths on road) and the extent of rains, commuting becomes a matter of grave concern in this otherwise joyous season. The risks are even higher for the 80% of Indians who travel on bikes.
There are, however few things you can do to stay safe and avoid potential damage to you and your bike in the monsoons.
1. Regular Service of your Bike
Dust particles and water droplets accumulate on the body parts of the bike and affect the performance of your bike. Regular service would safeguard your bike against damages caused by dust and water in the rains.
2. Replace Bald and Worn Out Tires
The chance of your bike skidding and slipping is very high on wet roads. To avoid this, you need to have tires with tread depth of at least 3 mm which can provide grip while riding on such roads. Keeping the tires less inflated also helps in maintaining the grip.
3. Test your Brake System
The braking power of your vehicle reduces in wet conditions. Perfectly functioning brakes will ensure maximum safety while riding on wet, slippery roads.
4. Lubricate the Chain
Chains lose their greasing in the rainy season, making them rustic and non–performing. Hence grease the chain of your bike to maintain their efficiency. Levers and hinges should also be greased as these also get affected due to rains.
5. Clean the Air Filter
In rainy season the density of moisture in air is very high, clogging the air filter of your bike blocking air to pass easily, hence it essential to keep the air filters dry and clean.
6. Check the Lights of your Bike
Visibility reduces dramatically in rainy season. Hence proper illumination is critical, to be visible on roads. Wearing bright colored gears is also highly effective in staying visible.
7. Park in a Covered Area
It is always advisable to park your bike in a covered area, to prevent water from accumulating on the various parts of the bike.
8. Ensure that You and Your Bike are Insured
Cross check your two wheeler insurance policy as you head out this monsoon season. The above measures can only help prevent things from going wrong but cannot eliminate the risk of a mishap. As shocking as it may sound, despite being mandatory by law, only one-fourth of the vehicles on the road have the basic third party insurance. A basic insurance plan with appropriate add–on like a Zero Depreciation Cover can help cover the least expected expenses in unforeseen circumstances.
To conclude, stay safe this monsoon. If you have not already done the above mentioned, it is still not late, the rainy season has just begun, so go ahead and do the needful.
Till then, Happy Riding!!!
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