3 Best Monsoon Riding Tips To Make Your Ride In The Rain, Safer

Monsoon riding is a different feel altogether for riders. The long western ghat routes to the beach routes during the monsoon are simply a joy to ride on. And to top it all off, is the highway chai!

I’m sure everyone reading this would be imagining their experience riding during the monsoon. If you haven’t already, it’s high time you experience it.

As good as it sounds, monsoon riding is risky compared to any other day. The roads are wet, visibility is low and it can get cold and uncomfortable. I’ll share with you 3 best monsoon riding tips to make your ride in the rain, safer.

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1. Tools & Gear: Using adequate rain gear

Assuming that you have proper riding gear, you must use adequate rain gear to keep your riding gear dry. I use Decathlon’s Rain jacket and pants that are a size larger than my riding gear so that it fits fine. They are very durable, high quality and cheap too.

It’s good to have a pair of shoe covers as well even if your shoes are waterproof. You can get one from amazon for a good price.

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Normally I don’t use riding gloves while it’s raining but it’s recommended to use gloves even when it rains. You can get waterproof gloves or use waterproof hiking gloves from Decathlon over your riding gloves.

Coming to the helmet, it’s good to have a pin lock visor to prevent fogging. I’ve never used hydrophobic coatings on the visor but If anyone of you have tried it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

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2. Preparation is Prevention: How to prepare your motorcycle for the monsoon ride

Your motorcycle needs its fair share of preparations when it comes to monsoon riding. Start with the tyres. Your tyre grip matters a lot in wet conditions to provide you with better stability and braking. If your tyres are nearly worn, change them before your monsoon ride.

The chain will need frequent cleaning and lubrication due to its exposure to slush and muck. And so I advise that carry all the tools needed for chain maintenance when you head out during the monsoon.

Braking performance also tends to be low while riding in the rain. Be sure to replace your brake pads a little before its usual schedule.

Overall keep your motorcycle in good health. Get a thorough check-up done before a monsoon ride and get it serviced if that’s due. Keep a spare set of cables, fuses and fluids just in case.

3. Safety Visibility and Responsibility: Precautions for a responsible trip.

Last but not the least are the steps you need to take as a responsible rider to enjoy your monsoon ride

Since the visibility is generally poor due to the rain or fog, drive slower than you would normally do on a sunny day. 20-30 kmph slower than your average would be ideal. That’ll give you more confidence in both braking and acceleration.

Make yourself visible. Four wheeler drivers tend to miss riders in oncoming traffic due to the general low visibility and due to smaller sizes of bikes compared to cars or trucks. So it becomes our responsibility to make our presence known. Use indicators, always have the headlamps on and sound horn around the corners or before overtaking.

In general, take frequent breaks, hydrate yourself well and get a good night’s sleep before you head out.

PRO TIP

Check the weather online before you head out. Take another route or wait another day if there are alerts of bad weather.

You can watch the entire best monsoon riding tips summed up in a video here –

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it okay to ride bike in rain?

It’s safe to ride bike in rain provided you take necessary precautions and wear adequate gear as mentioned above.

Is riding a motorcycle in the rain hard?

Riding a motorcycle in the rain is difficult compared to riding in dry weather condition. However with necessary precautions and gear, riding in the rain can be fun!

How do you stay dry while riding a motorcycle in the rain?

By using rain jacket and pant over your riding gear, using a waterproof show cover over your boots, full face helmet and waterproof gloves over your riding gloves, you can stay dry while riding a motorcycle in rain even for long hours.

Will my bike rust if I ride it in the rain?

Exposed metal parts on your bike are prone to rusting if you don’t wipe your bike dry after a ride in the rain or if it is parked in an area exposed to rain.

Should I dry my bike after rain?

It’s ideal to wash and wipe your bike dry after riding in the rain to reduce chances of rusting of exposed metal parts.