Bike care during the rainy season should not limit to protecting only the exposed parts of the bike. Your bike needs periodical all-around inspection, regular service and care to ensure riding safety. Here are some easy tips for keeping your bike in prim condition during the monsoons.
- Exterior protection – Protecting your bike’s exterior may not be your top concern during monsoon. After all, a rain-drenched bike looks shiny and sparkling clean. However, rainwater is not the ideal cleanser for your bike. The dust and acidic contents in rainwater can damage the external coating of the bike. It can accelerate the rusting process. You must keep your bike’s hinges and levers well-lubricated. Waxing and anti-rust coating on the bike will protect it from the harsh rains of the monsoon. Many bikers opt for Teflon or ceramic coating of bikes for added protection before monsoon.
- Park indoors – Apart from the protective coating of wax, sprays and lubricants, you must also protect the bike from exposure to harsh weather. Both the sun and rain can be quite harsh during the monsoons. Try to get a covered parking space at your residence and office. Also, look for a roof of any sort when you halt to escape heavy rain or do a quick shopping.
- Tyre maintenance – Check your tyre treads once the pre-monsoon showers hit your shores. Worn-out tyres lead to skidding, which is a major risk during monsoons. Such tyres lead to aquaplaning, where it glides along the water on the road and goes out of control. If the tyre treads are not deep enough, then replace the tyres at the earliest. During monsoon, as well as at any time of the year, ensure that the wheel alignment and balancing are right. This will avoid the wearing out of tyres. Also, incorrect tyre pressure can cause skidding of bike tyres. Therefore, do not ignore these standard maintenance checkpoints during your bike’s pre-monsoon servicing.
- Chain care – Bike chains are an exposed component. During monsoon, it gets lashed up with mud and dirt, apart from the rainwater. It is prone to rust, which is why you must keep it well-lubricated at all times. This is necessary for a smooth bike ride as the chain will get little to no friction.
- Riding best practice – Many people ride through poor roads and waterlogged streets with a half-pressed clutch. If you too do that, then stop now. This habit reduces the lifespan of the clutch plates. Similarly, gear changes should be smooth and must involve full pressing of the clutches. Changing gears by pressing the clutch partially creates friction leading to gearbox damage.
- Brakes – When it is time for your bike servicing, always ask if your brakes are fit for the monsoon season. The importance of brakes on wet roads cannot be stressed enough. If the brake pads are not in good condition, they must be replaced before the onset of the monsoon.
- Air filter – The optimal performance of the air filter is crucial to ensure uninterrupted airflow into the engine. During monsoons, moisture and humidity lead to blockage of the air filter with excess dirt and airborne particles. Therefore, if your bike’s air filter is clogged and beyond service, it is better to replace it.
- Bike servicing – Timely service of the bike is unavoidable at the change of every season. As the weather changes, so do the road and riding conditions. As Mother Nature gears up for monsoon, make sure you get your bike serviced. It includes all the essentials like oil and filter checks, the bike’s engine, brakes, suspension etc. Timely service will ensure that your bike’s components and parts last longer. In a professional bike service, all your bike components and parts servicing and replacement needs will be timely highlighted.
- Insurance – Third-party motor insurance is mandatory in India. Be it a regular Hero or TVS, or a superbike made by Honda insurance is a must. So, you must have already taken care of the compliance needs. However, you should also consider the insurance coverage for your own damages too. Comprehensive bike insurance with the necessary add-on should be sufficient to meet all your insurance needs, should they come up this monsoon.
Maintaining a bike during harsh weather conditions can be a challenge for most bikers. However, by following these tips, you can take great care of your bike during the monsoon season.
