“With great horsepower comes great responsibility” is an internet forum quote I remember fondly from my early riding days—and if anything, it’s only rung truer with time. I’ve made my share of lazy, short-sighted maintenance decisions over the years and paid for them in, well, cold hard cash.

And nowhere does that bill come due faster than during the Indian monsoon. If you live along the west coast, you know the drill: this isn’t a passing drizzle, it’s a full-season assault. Moisture seeps into everything—chewing through metal, frying electronics, and turning your beloved bike into a sulking, rust-flecked liability.

So here’s our no-BS guide to staying ahead of the downpour: what to prep, what to check, and how to keep your machine roaring into winter, rain be damned.

Indoors or Outdoors?

This is easily the most important decision you’ll make as a rider this season: is your bike going to stay indoors or brave the great wet outdoors? If you’re lucky enough to have a garage or covered parking, congrats—you’re in for a relatively smooth ride with minimal upkeep. But if (like me) you live in Mumbai, where roofed parking spots are harder to score than Coldplay concert tickets, you’ve got some work ahead. Consider renting a nearby storage unit if you can’t be bothered to ride in the rain. It’ll save you hours of cleaning and troubleshooting. 

Just remember—if you’re planning to keep your motorcycle in hibernation, you’ll still need to prep it properly. Do yourself a favour and disconnect the battery terminals. It takes all of five minutes and can save you from that dreaded click… nothing moment when you finally wheel it out again. Moisture and humidity wreak havoc on electrical systems—leaving the terminals connected just accelerates corrosion and drains charge over time. Pop the negative terminal off first, then the positive. Store the battery somewhere cool and dry, or hook it up to a trickle charger if you’re fancy like that. If you’re still riding often, just make sure to check the terminals once a week and give them a wipe-down to keep rust at bay. Finally, invest in a wax polish before the rain really sets in—this will help keep moisture away and greatly increase your motorcycle's corrosion resistance.

Tyres Talk First

Unless you're wading through traffic, your tyres are your only point of contact with the road—and during monsoon season, that road turns slick, unpredictable, and downright hostile. Riding with worn-out treads in the rain is basically signing up for a low-speed slide at the next zebra crossing, so, check your tread depth (minimum 2–3mm is the safe zone) and look out for uneven wear or flat spots. If your tyres are nearing the end of their life, now’s the time to swap them. No excuses. Consider going for rain-ready or dual-compound tyres if you’re riding regularly—these offer better grip in wet conditions without wearing out too quickly on dry patches. Also, check your tyre pressure more frequently in this weather. Rain tends to mess with PSI readings, and underinflated tyres will aquaplane faster than you can say “oh shit.” Keep a portable pressure gauge handy and make it a regular ritual—I recommend Stanley's foolproof sub-1,000-rupee device.

Chain Check-Up

Rain = rust. It’s that simple. Your chain is one of the hardest-working, most exposed components on your bike—and during the monsoon, it takes a beating. Water, mud, and road grime all team up to strip away lubrication and invite corrosion. Clean your chain regularly and lube it with a water-resistant motorcycle chain lube. Most manufacturers reccommend around 500 kilometres between chain cleanings—I'd bump that down to around 300 during the rains, or whenever your chain seems too filthy or gearshifts become clunky. Don’t just aim and spray—wipe down the links first with a degreaser, then apply the lube evenly while rotating the wheel. Always do this post-ride, not before, so the lube has time to set and doesn’t immediately fling off. A squeaky, neglected chain won’t just wear out faster—it’ll mess with your power delivery and could even snap mid-ride. Not the kind of drama you want on wet roads.

Brake Confidence

In dry weather, you can get away with a lot. In the rain? Not so much. Monsoon riding demands sharp, responsive brakes—and if yours are feeling spongy, grabby, or just plain tired, now’s the time to sort them out. Start with a visual check: are your pads worn thin? Is there uneven wear on the disc? Do the callipers look like they’ve been through a swamp? Clean off any grime, and if you haven’t already, flush and replace your brake fluid—it absorbs moisture over time, dulling your braking power just when you need it most. Test your brakes before every ride, not during. Lightly squeeze both front and rear levers at standstill to make sure pressure builds evenly. If you feel pulsing, fading, or squealing, get them looked at. Also, remember to give your brakes a few light taps after riding through larger puddles—this will help clear them of any residual moisture and keep them responsive.

Secure Your Electricals

Monsoon rule number one: assume you’re invisible. Between low light, fogged visors, and sheet rain, even the most neon raincoat won’t make you stand out. That’s why your lights and indicators need to be in top form. Check all lights regularly—headlight, taillight, brake light, indicators, even your instrument cluster—and wipe down lenses after every few rides. Consider adding auxiliary LEDs for your handlebar tips if you’re commuting in low-visibility zones. It’s not just about seeing—it’s about being seen.

Then there’s the silent killer: moisture in your wiring. Water loves a shortcut, and if it finds one in your electricals, you’re in for mysterious gremlins and stalled starts. Uninstall any auxiliary charging ports, use dielectric grease on exposed terminals, relay pins and switchgear, tape over vulnerable plug leads, and if you really want to play it safe, invest in silicone boots for high-risk connectors. It’s a bit of effort—but it beats getting stranded in a thunderstorm because your starter switch decided it was done for the season.

Smooth Operators

There’s nothing worse than a sticky throttle or a reluctant clutch lever—especially mid-turn in the rain. During monsoons, your control cables (throttle, clutch, brake) can become sluggish thanks to water ingress, rust, and grime buildup. You’ll feel it in the response—everything just starts to feel a bit… gummy. Prevent that by greasing your cable ends and pivot points at the start of the season. A few drops of cable lube or light grease where the cable enters the sheath can go a long way. If you’re riding daily, make this part of your weekly check-in. Don’t forget pivot points—levers, sidestand, centre stand. These see a lot of wear and even more grime during monsoon months. Hit them with a dab of grease or multipurpose spray (just not on the brake lever’s contact points unless you’re trying to live dangerously). Finally, if your ignition keyhole feels gummy or obstructed, use some compressed air, WD-40 and a tiny bit of engine lubricant on your keys to keep it working in order. The goal? Every mechanical part on your bike should feel effortless—even when the weather isn’t.

Upgrade for the Downpour

Monsoon riding isn’t just about maintenance—it’s about smart upgrades that make life easier when the skies open up. Start with your bike: extended mudguards and flap extensions might not win you style points, but they’ll save your legs, your engine, and anyone riding behind you from a tsunami of road grime. Trust us, your mechanic (and your jeans) will thank you. Then there’s your gear. Invest in a solid waterproof riding jacket and gloves with good wet-weather grip. Add in a pinlock visor or a quality anti-fog spray—because riding blind with your helmet fogging up is a thrill no one asked for. A compact rain cover for your bag or tank pouch doesn’t hurt either. The monsoon’s coming whether you like it or not—best be ready when it does.

Cover Smart, Not Cheap

Think your old plastic tarp will do the trick? Think again. A proper motorcycle cover is your first line of defence if you’re parking outdoors during the rains. Go for something waterproof but breathable—trapping moisture under the cover is just as bad as leaving your bike bare. Look for covers with elastic hems, heat-resistant lining (for post-ride use), and a snug fit that won’t flap around in stormy winds. And no, those flimsy ₹300 roadside ones won’t cut it. While India doesn't offer the best-of-the-best options you'd find abroad (at a sane price, anyway), Raida's SeasonPro range is a good all-rounder that comes with adequate stitching, fitment options and a handy duffel bag for storage when not in use.