As monsoons begin in parts of the country, motorcyclists have retired their wheels of choice for something cosier, like cars. However, some still prefer two wheels, be it rain or snow. However, not all is smooth sailing as there are several things to check and change if needed to make the motorcycle more enjoyable, and this happens after the first ride out in the rain.
Wash
The first thing that needs doing is a good wash. Motorcycles get way more dirtier than cars and a lot of crucial components are exposed, such as wiring, engine and mechanical components, cables, chain, sprockets, and other bits. So a good wash and lube takes away all the grime and dirt and prolongs the life of components. This is also a good time to check if all the overflow tubes are free and not clogged, especially the one from the fuel tank.
Lights
Usually around monsoon and the first ride is when electrical gremlins creep up. The culprits are usually the lights: indicators, headlights, or tail lamps. Check if anything has given up and if so, change it promptly. Also, check all the rubber plugs and seals to see if they’re worn out because water can enter the housing and cause damage.
This is also a good time to check if your motorcycle headlights are good enough for the rainy season. White lights don’t have enough throw to illuminate wet roads, so see if an upgrade to yellow lights or going down the Kelvin scale helps.
Tyres and brakes
Tyres play a key role and the ones with fewer tread patterns don’t fare well in the rain. There are two ways to go about it, the affordable way is to be extra cautious, while the other way is to just change a set of tyres for the monsoon season. There is no harm storing tyres for a few months and if this is an option you can think of, go for it. The third option is if it is time to change a set of tyres, go for something good in wet and dry conditions.
The next thing to check is the brakes. Most motorcycles have ABS and things are sorted straight away as the electronics take care of the slip and slide. However, for the older motorcycles without ABS, an option to consider is changing the pads from sintered ones to organic ones, so the bite is smoother, hence, better feel, and reduced lock-ups.
Back to stock, perhaps?
Most motorcyclists take off the rear fender and go for a tail tidy. This keeps the motorcycle’s sleek look while the rear number plate is still on the motorcycle. However, during the monsoon, the tyre kicks up all the dirt and this ruins the rear seat and can also clog the chain and sprocket. An easy way to solve this is to go back to the stock rear fender till the monsoon season is over.
