Take on the wet laps

It’s no secret that monsoon is the most trying season for motorcyclists. It’s important to take care of your motorcycle during this period and here’s what we suggest you do

What if, during the monsoon, your only transport has two wheels and a roof in the form of a helmet—in other words, a motorcycle? Rains, more often than not, spell trouble for motorcyclists. Things also tend to get worse for those on scooters.

Along with the greenery, cool breeze and fresh water which makes riding pleasurable, they also bring along rust, mud, grime and our personal favourite, traffic snarls. Water is the kryptonite for anything mechanical, especially engines. Here’s how to survive and enjoy the assault of monsoon on two wheels.

THE STOPPING TROUBLE

Water, as we all know, reduces the tension between two surfaces, which in turn reduces friction and your brakes work precisely on the principle of friction. When the callipers press down on the discs or hubs in case of drum brakes, the contact produces friction, which in turn helps stop the motorcycle. When it rains, the water on the callipers makes the brakes lose their bite due to reduction in friction. To keep the friction going, ensure that the brake fluid is topped up and your brake pads are not worn out. If they are, get them replaced immediately. In case of drum brakes you can tighten your brakes to get better bite. You can also use water repellents like WD-40, which also help protect metallic surfaces from rust. Also, refrain from using the rear brake as your primary brake. Using the front brake keeps the motorcycle stable while the rear brake, especially when it is wet, can cause the back end of the motorcycle to slide.

TRACTION PROBLEM

When rain water, especially drizzle mixes with the dust on the road (on our roads there is plenty of it), the result is grime (lots of it no less). It is dark, disgusting and slippery. Also, it can give you a mighty high medical bill if you aren’t careful enough riding in grimy conditions. One way to ensure a safe ride is to ensure that your tyres are in good condition. Treads on the tyre are extremely important as they help dispel water. Make sure that the treads on the tyre shoulder and the middle are 2-3mm deep. You can gauge the depth of the treads with a one rupee coin. If the tread is close to the edge of the coin, it is time to change your tyres. Also, you should always run lower tyre pressure as it provides more contact patch for the tyre, increasing traction. The recommended pressure hovers around 29-34psi. You can run up to 2-3psi less to get maximum traction.

THE CLEANLINESS PARADOX

Yes, cleaning the motorcycle in the monsoon is like planting a seed in the desert. But water is metal’s worst enemy as it gives birth to rust, which is like metal termites. So, make sure you clean your motorcycle often in the monsoons, especially the rust prone areas like the brake discs, steel mud guards and the drive chain. To prevent your discs from rusting you can use WD-40, which acts as a moisture repellent. The chain needs to be greased properly to avoid developing rust. This has to be a regular chore and it is advisable to keep a check on a regular basis.

DON’T BE A DAREDEVIL

Always go 20-25kmph slower than you normally would under dry conditions. In case of pouring rain, keep your headlights on as it makes you visible in poor conditions. In case you encounter water levels over two feet get off the motorcycle and navigate the area. However, if you feel you can cross the area on your motorcycle make sure you are in a lower gear and at a constant speed. If you happen to stall in the middle and your tailpipe is submerged, do not crank the engine as it will flood your engine resulting in a seized engine and a huge service bill.