As soon as the monsoon kicks in, all you want is to go out with your bike for long rides in the rain and romanticise your life under dreamy weather.
But, riding a bike in the rain is such a task as there are potholes, mud, wet and slippery roads. Your bike’s tyres are the ones which go through everything and still keep you safe in such weather and situations. Therefore, your bike’s tyres require special care and attention for every season.
Regular and proper tyre care gives it a better grip and a safer ride for you. Also, in situations, bike insurance helps to keep you and your vehicle safe. Adding a tyre protection add-on cover gives you extra security by covering damages like punctures, sidewall cuts, or replacement costs, and makes sure that your ride remains smooth and stress-free even during the heavy rains. Now, let’s dive into some simple but important tyre tips you need to know for this monsoon.
Maintaining Proper Tyre Pressure
- Before moving out, always check tyre pressure if you ride after a few days.
- Strictly follow the PSI recommended by the bike manufacturer.
- Avoid both under-inflation and over-inflation.
- It is important to use a reliable pressure gauge for accuracy.
- If tyres are felt to be cold, always check the pressure before using them for safety purposes.
Ensuring Adequate Tread Depth
- During rain, inspect tread depth frequently.
- For safe riding, the minimum tread depth of tyres should be 1.6 mm.
- If your bike’s tyres have bald or uneven treads, replace them immediately. Replace tyres with bald or uneven treads immediately.
- Avoid riding on old tyres, even if they appear unused - rubber hardens over time.
Keeping Tyres Clean
- Wash your bike’s tyres regularly with water and mild soap to remove dirt.
- To get rid of small stones, mud, and debris, scrub the grooves properly.
- Dry the tyres properly to avoid fungal growth in damp areas.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals, which can damage rubber.
- While cleaning tyres, check for punctures or cracks.
Other Important Checks
- Ensure that the valve caps are tightly sealed so they keep out water and dirt.
- Check the tyre’s age if it has not been used for a long time.
- Before going for a ride, make sure that your spare tyre is in good shape and properly inflated for emergencies.
- Always carry a puncture repair kit for unexpected emergencies while going on long road trips.
Avoiding Potholes and Waterlogged Areas
- While riding at high speed, you can hit hard potholes, which can lead to tyre damage or punctures.
- When you see waterlogged patches on the road, slow down the speed of the bike to maintain control and avoid slipping.
- Use headlights, especially in the dark, to stay alert when you spot road damage early.
- Opt for riding through familiar routes if possible when you know the road conditions.
Tyre Protection Cover in Bike Insurance
- Labour charges of refitting, tyre removal and rebalancing.
- Replacement of damaged tyres with a new one costs.
- The cost of the tube damages the tyre.
- Damaged or lost tyre charges due to a bulge in the tyre, tyre burst, cuts, accidental loss, etc.
During the monsoon, it's very important to keep the correct tyre pressure to maintain its grip and control on slippery roads. This can improve safety, stability and give better road grip.
Deep treads help to maintain proper grip on wet and slippery surfaces, splashing the water aside. Worn treads increase the risk of slipping and reduce braking efficiency, especially during rain.
Regular cleaning of tyres is necessary because if mud or dirt gets into the treads, then it gets clogged and the risk of slipping increases. It also helps tyres not to wear easily.
Besides checking on tread depths and pressure, there are some simple checks you need to make, which improve tyre performance, ensure safety and give you a smoother ride during the monsoon.
In monsoon times, potholes are everywhere, and water is logged in most areas. So, you should try to avoid riding through those areas and places as it can risk tyre damage and affect your safety.
Tyre protection cover gives financial assistance to repair or replace tyres damaged by accidents. Tyres are usually not covered in bike insurance unless it is damaged. It enhances the overall protection of your bike insurance plan. So, to keep your tyres safe, you can get a tyre protection add-on. The tyre protection cover provides coverage for:
Consequences Faced If You Do Not Maintain Your Bike’s Tyre During Monsoons
If you do not maintain your bike’s tyres in the monsoon, it leads to high tyre damage and risky rides. Tyre care is a crucial thing to maintain safety for you and your bike. These are some of the consequences which you might face if not taken proper care of:
- Constant exposure of tyres to mud and waterlogged roads causes tyre wear and leads to reduced lifespan and uneven tread patterns.
- Wet and slippery roads make it harder for tyres to grip and increase stopping distances and accident risk.
- Monsoon conditions hide sharp debris, and poorly maintained tyres are more prone to punctures and cracks.
- Worn or wet tyres struggle to maintain contact with the road, affecting stability and control.
- Water accumulation beneath tyres can cause skidding, increasing the chances of hydroplaning.
- Without a tyre protection add-on, all repair or replacement costs during the monsoon come entirely out of your pocket.
Key Takeaways
Tyre care is essential throughout the monsoon to keep you and your bike safe. If proper attention is given and tips are followed, it gives you smooth rides during wet conditions. Two wheeler insurance gives an extra shield to your bike from unexpected loss, by covering repair or replacement costs for punctures, cuts, or sidewall damage, so you are safe from covering all the sudden costs during accidents or monsoon-related wear and tear. So, ensure to keep an eye on each small factor like cracks, pressure, tread depth, etc.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of tyre is good for rain?
Tyres built with good wet grip and deep grooves are optimal for rainy conditions.
Does rain affect tyres?
Yes, rain usually lowers road grip, and due to it, tyres tend to slip.
What are some of the best-rated bike tyre brands in India?
MRF, CEAT, Bridgestone, TVS Eurogrip, etc, are some of the top-rated bike tyre brands in India.
How do I make my tyres shine?
You can first clean the tyres thoroughly to remove dirt and then apply a tyre shine spray or gel.
What oil should be used to shine tyres?
To make tyres shine, you can use silicone-based tyre shine products, baby oil or castor oil, but avoid using engine oil or cooking oil as they damage rubber over a long time.
What is the optimal tyre pressure for two-wheelers?
Generally, the optimal tyre pressure for a bike ranges between 28 - 32 PSI for the front tyre and 28 - 36 PSI for the rear one, depending on the bike and load.
