Monsoon Tips: Two wheeler safety

Monsoon lowers the visibility and the traction. Thus decreases the reaction time and increases the braking  time.
Here are a few simple tips that one should remember if they choose to ride in the rains.

 

Visibility:

–          Be Visible. Wear a bright windcheater or a jacket  if you need to ride in the rain
–          Keep the parking lights switched ON while riding. If your bike does not have parking lights, use the Low beam
–          Clean your Helmets Visor, ensure you don’t damage the visor with scratches while doing it
–          Ensure you get adequate air flow inside the helmet to avoid fogging up
TIP: Use the daily use dish washing soap on the inside of the visor. Spray it and let it dry. Once its dried, buff it using a soft cloth.
You could also rub a slice of a potato on your glasses or the visor and buff it when its dry
–          Ensure you carry a small piece of cloth in a dry place to wipe off your helmets visor after riding
–          You could stick  a small 3M reflective tape on your mudguard/helmet 

Traction:

–          Ride slower than your usual comfort speed
–          Ensure you don’t throttle or brake suddenly, as far as possible ride in a straight line rather than cutting lanes
–          Brake gently. Unlike in dry conditions you would now need to use more of rear brakes than front
–          Ensure your tyres are healthy and has adequate grooves to squeeze  the water away from the contact patch
–          Over inflate your tyres by a 3-5 psi. This decreases the contact patch but increase the weight per square inch on the contact patch thus help avoid hydroplaning. (Hydroplaning is the effect of water lifting the tyres up and thus loosing traction)
–          Carry a can of WD40 oil and apply a healthy coat on key holes to  avoid rust or jamming   
– Polish the bike using a good wax (formula 1 is easier to get)
– Apply antirust on the relevant metallic parts

Perils on Roads:

–          Watch out for potholes, oil spills , mud and muck
–          Do not ride on the edge of the roads, this is a usual place where you will find the above perils.
–          DO NOT ride over the paint strips. Use them as a reference point when visibility is low
–          If there is water logging, ride on a lower gear and at a gentle pace. Wherever possible follow a larger vehicle rather than riding alongside in water logged areas 

Last but not the least: Keep your bike in a healthy condition. The last thing you would want during rains is a breakdown.