Top 10 Monsoon Riding Tips: How To Ride Safely During The Rainy Season

Riding your bike during the monsoon season presents unique challenges and risks too. Broken and slippery roads, poor visibility, and unpredictable weather conditions require extra caution and preparation. However, if done right, it can be safe and one of the most fun rides ever. Here is a list of the top 10 monsoon riding tips for you to stay safe while riding in the rain:

1. Get Your Bike Serviced Beforehand

Maintaining your bike and getting it serviced regularly is very important, especially before the monsoon season. A well-maintained bike performs better and is less likely to encounter problems in challenging weather.

Along with the regular maintenance, also ensure your brakes have enough life in them and if not, replace them as early as possible. Make sure your brake discs are clean, the oil seals of the front forks aren’t leaking and the rear suspension is working properly. 

2. Check If All Your Lights Are Working Fine

Visibility is often compromised during heavy rainfall and your bike’s lights are very important for you to see the road ahead and be seen by others on the road. So make sure that your headlight, tail light, and indicators are working properly. It is also important to check if your brake light is working to alert drivers behind you when are slowing down or coming to a stop. You should replace any dim or faulty bulbs.

Heavy rainfall can also cause electrical issues in your bike, so don’t forget to check exposed wiring, fuses or connectors, and waterproof them properly.

3. Check Tyre Tread & Tyre Pressure

Tyres are your bike's only contact points with the road so it is very important that your tyres are in good condition to provide a good grip and stability during your monsoon rides. 

Do check the tread (grooves) depth of your tyres. Worn-out or bald tyres can easily slip on wet roads. A tread depth of at least 2mm is recommended for wet conditions. If your tyres are worn out, then we recommend you buy new tyres from a verified seller as early as possible, and not postpone the purchase as good tyres are very important to ride safely, especially in the rainy season. 

Along with tyre health and tread, you should also check the tyre pressure regularly. Properly inflated tyres ensure better grip and handling. But make sure you do not over-inflate them, as over-inflated tyres will have more chances of slipping on wet surfaces. Keep the tyre pressure as recommended by your bike’s manual for riding solo and change it when riding with a pillion.

4. Timely Clean and Lube Your Chain

A clean and well-lubricated chain and sprockets ensure a smooth ride, with good accelerator response and smooth gearshifts. However, you have to regularly check the chain condition as mud and water, can stick to the chain. This will require you to get it cleaned and lube it more frequently than in other seasons.

Use a chain cleaning brush and a good quality cleaner to remove dirt from the chain and sprockets. We recommend using a waterproof chain lube in the monsoon that will last longer and protect the chain from rusting. Also, make sure your chain tension is just right.

5. Wear the Right Rain Gear

The very first step to safe riding in the rain is to wear appropriate rain gear which will keep you dry and comfortable, allowing you to focus on the road ahead. Get a good quality rain jacket and pants, along with waterproof gloves and boots. However, if waterproof riding boots are out of your budget, then you can also get a waterproof boot cover.

Also don’t forget to clean your helmet visor regularly. If your visor has too many scratches then buy a new one. Using an anti-fog pinlock helps you to see clearly without letting the visor fog up during the rain or as an alternative, you can also consider using an anti-fog spray to prevent fogging.

6. Make Sure You Are Visible to Other Vehicles

Poor visibility is a major cause of many mishaps, especially during heavy rainfall. That’s why, it is very important to ensure that you are clearly visible to others on the road. Ensure that you are wearing bright-coloured and reflective rain gear that will increase your visibility in low-light conditions.

This also takes us back to the second point “Check If All Your Lights Are Working Fine” as your bike’s light not only illuminates the road ahead of you but also makes sure your bike is visible to others. Avoid using hazard lights while riding as the hazard light function is meant to alert other riders/drivers that your bike has broken down and is parked at a standstill on the side of the road/highway.

7. Avoid Poor & Unknown Roads

Choosing the right route can make a significant difference in terms of safety as well as your overall riding experience. Using familiar routes is recommended. Avoid riding through unknown roads as they may have hidden potholes, bumps or open sewage caps, which may suddenly come in your way and cause you to lose stability.

Plan your commuting/riding route in advance. Try to avoid roads which are known for flooding up or have poor drainage. Do not ride over rainbow-coloured puddles as that water would be mixed with oil, which may cause your tyre to slip. Moreover, heavy traffic also increases the risk of accidents, so, try to ride through roads with lighter traffic if possible.

8. Take It Slow

Avoid riding rashly, ride with more precaution and at a slower pace during the monsoon and keep left at most times so that you don’t block the traffic on the road. Because wet roads reduce traction which makes sudden movements more risky as compared to riding on a dry road.

Don’t rush it just because it is raining, it is better to be drenched in rain than encountering any mishap. Moreover, sudden acceleration, braking, or sharp turns can cause the tyre to slip. Ride at a slower speed, which gives you more time to make decisions in unexpected and panicky situations. 

If the riding condition gets worse with heavy rainfall and low visibility, then we recommend you take shelter at a safe place till the weather conditions improve. 

9. Use Engine Braking Along with Brakes

Try to use engine braking along with the bike’s brakes, as when you downshift to lower gears to use engine braking, it reduces the need for hard braking. You should combine engine braking with light application of the front and rear brakes for more effective and controlled stopping. This technique will help keep the bike stable, prevent the tyres from slipping, and maintain control while braking in wet conditions.

10. Maintain Safe Distance from Other Vehicles

Keeping a safe distance from other vehicles gives you more time to react if the vehicle in front of you suddenly takes turns or brakes. Try to maintain a two-car distance from the vehicles riding/driving ahead of you.

Use your rear-view mirrors actively and make sure it is clean and focused on the oncoming traffic from the rear. Try to use it to maintain a safe distance from the vehicles behind you as well. Always check the mirrors and use turn signals before making a turn or before stopping on the roadside.