Motorcycle riders face more challenges on the road now that the rainy season is here. This means that apart from being mindful of other motorists, they also have to be wary of the slippery road conditions that, if neglected, could lead to serious accidents.
That’s why as an advocate of road safety, Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI), the number 1 motorcycle manufacturer in the Philippines, lists some of the safety measures during the rainy season.
Give your bike a thorough inspection
Unlike normal conditions, preparation is far more different when you’re riding out under the rain because turning and braking are much trickier on slippery roads. To the uninitiated, wet roads decrease the traction of the tires, making any vehicle prone to skidding – this is called hydroplaning. This occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably due to the tires encountering more water than the treads can displace.
When speeding through over wet pavement, the water begins to slightly push the front tires off the ground, creating a thin film between the tire and the road. That film, and the resulting separation of the road and tire, causes the driver to lose control of the vehicle. In oder to prevent this from happening, simple refrain from driving at high speeds, allowing you to better maneuver your vehicle on the road.
Apart from that, it’s important to check your tires whenever you ride out. Always make sure that the tires are properly inflated with the pressure that is suitable for web roads. It also helps to check if the tires need proper treading to channel water. Meanwhile, brake pads need to have proper padding in order to stop when needed. Additionally, you also have to check your fluids regularly since when oil leaks are mixed with water, this causes slipper and dangerous conditions not just for the motorcycle rider but also to other motorists.
Gear up before going out
Some of the preparations that one must do before going out is to make sure that you have waterproof or water-resistant gear that can protect you from various elements.
proper gear that can protect you from the water. One must remember that there’s a difference between waterproof and water-resistant.
Waterproof will not allow penetration unless under a more extreme circumstance like being submerged in water. Water-resistant, on the other hand, will shed water from the surface but tend to allow water penetration after a certain period when hit with water continuously.
Meanwhile, one has to always remember that full-faced helmets provide better protection compared to half-faced helmets. Fogging is also a concern among riders, that’s why it’s important to wipe the surfaces of your helmet with an anti-fogging treatment. Apart from that, It also helps if you try wearing your helmet with an open visor for ventilation, so it does not fog up.
Another pro-tip is bringing of plastic bags or any plastic materials. Since these bags are waterproof, they can keep your phones or other valuables dry.
Plan Your Routes
It’s almost impossible to drive if the rain develops into a downpour. When this occurs, it’s better to look for a shed to take cover and wait out the downpour before proceeding with your trip.It also helps tomark some favorite restaurants, rest stops, and alternate locations on your GPS, so that you can easily get to those areas when needed. It will also help you avoid flood-prone areas.
It pays to be slow
It’s a no brainer that most accidents happen because the rider is driving too fast. Riding in wet conditions requires extra caution, thus, it pays for riders to drive slowly. This allows for better reaction in the event of sudden stops by other vehicles.
With these simple precautions and safety measures, you can avoid accidents and arrive safe and sound at your destination.
Motorcycles are becoming the perfect mode of transportation for commuters who brave through these challenging times. For HPI, everyone’s safety on the road is always a top priority. With its “ONE DREAM” campaign, Honda aims to bring this mission of road safety and responsibility to all Filipinos while allowing everyone to experience the joy of mobility that only its line-up of motorcycle models can provide.
Among its offerings include the Honda BeAT, Genio, Click, PCX150, Airblade150, and ADV150, which fill up the streets, helping riders arrive safely to their destinations and fulfill their daily tasks.
For more details about Honda products and promos, visit www.hondaph.com and follow its Facebook page Honda Philippines, Inc. and Instagram, @hondaph_mc.