Monsoon Riding Tips for Bengaluru Bikers: Stay Safe in the Rain

Bengaluru’s rain rarely lasts all day, but when it comes it comes hard: roads flood in minutes, potholes hide under water and the first shower after a dry spell turns tarmac slick. Here’s how to ride safely through the monsoon, in the city and on the ghats.

Before the monsoon: prepare your bike

• Tyres: check tread depth and look for cracks. Worn tyres are the single biggest risk in the wet. If yours are near the wear indicators, replace them before the rains.
• Tyre pressure: keep it at the recommended level. Under-inflated tyres don’t clear water well.
• Brakes: check pads and fluid. You’ll be braking more gently, but you need them to work every time.
• Chain: clean and lube it more often in the rain. Water washes lube away quickly.
• Lights and horn: make sure every bulb works. Being seen matters more than ever in the rain.
• Electricals: check that connectors are sealed and your battery terminals are clean.

Gear that keeps you dry and safe

• A proper two-piece rain suit over your riding jacket, or a waterproof riding jacket and trousers.
• Waterproof boots or boot covers. Wet feet make a long ride miserable.
• An anti-fog visor insert (such as a Pinlock) or anti-fog spray. A fogged visor is dangerous.
• Bright or reflective layers so drivers see you in the gloom.
• A waterproof phone pouch and bag covers for your documents and electronics.

Riding in the city in the rain

Avoid flooded underpasses and roads

Bengaluru’s underpasses and low-lying roads can flood within minutes of a heavy shower. Never ride into water when you can’t see the road surface. It can hide open manholes, deep potholes and debris, and water in the air intake can stall or damage your engine. Turn around and find another way.

Beware the first rain

The first rain after a dry spell brings oil and dust to the surface, making roads especially slippery for the first half hour. Ride extra gently, or wait it out if you can.

Watch out for slippery surfaces

• Painted lines, zebra crossings and road markings
• Manhole covers and metal plates
• Fallen leaves and flowers (Bengaluru’s trees drop plenty)
• Mud washed onto the road near construction sites

Brake, accelerate and turn gently

• Brake early and smoothly, using both brakes. Leave twice the usual distance to the vehicle in front.
• Avoid sudden throttle when leaning.
• Stay upright as much as possible through corners, and slow down before the bend.
• If your bike has ABS, it helps, but it can’t create grip that isn’t there.

Ride where others can see you

Cars and buses have poor visibility in the rain. Stay out of blind spots, use your headlight during the day and don’t filter aggressively between vehicles.

Riding the ghats in the monsoon

Weekend rides to Coorg, Chikkamagaluru or the Western Ghats are beautiful in the monsoon, but they need more care:

• Fog: slow down, headlights on, and keep a bigger gap in the group.
• Moss and wet leaves on shaded bends are very slippery. Slow down before you reach the bend.
• Landslides and fallen trees: check road status before you leave, and don’t ride ghat roads at night during heavy rain.
• Waterfalls and streams: don’t stop on bends to take photos. Pull over only where it’s safe.

Planning a monsoon ride? See our route guides to Coorg and Chikkamagaluru.

Riding in a group in the rain

• Increase the gaps and ride single file on twisty or wet roads, not staggered.
• Shorten the stages between regroup points; it’s harder to see each other in the rain.
• Keep the sweep at the back and make sure everyone knows the next stop.
• Talk over your headsets instead of using hand signals, which are hard to see in the rain.

Our group riding rules cover lead and sweep roles in detail.

Quick monsoon checklist

• Tyres have good tread and correct pressure
• Brakes, lights and horn checked
• Chain cleaned and lubed
• Rain suit, boot covers and anti-fog visor
• Waterproof pouch for phone and documents
• Route checked for flooding or closures

Ride slower, see further, and you’ll enjoy some of the best riding of the year.