When was the last time you saw the sun climb up the sky from behind a lush mustard field? When was it that you breathed the fresh air atop a hilltop or roasted sweet potatoes over a bonfire? When did you truly feel free and connected with the world around you?
Even if we skip the profundity above, it is a fact that such experiences aren’t as unattainable and distant as they are made out to be. We live in a world where economical and fun ways of commuting, called ‘motorcycles’, exist. And whenever you think things are getting too monotonous and pointless, all you need is half a tankful of fuel before you can think straight again.
Riding motorcycles in India, where landscapes and people change with every few kilometers, can be a really enjoyable experience. However, motorcycles can be unpredictable, and the following tips may help you ensure that the ride is what its supposed to be- refreshing and memorable
RIDING GEAR: While open face helmets look nice, always go for a full-faced helmet that is a lot safer. In case of a fall, most riders fall face down, hence the chin area takes the maximum impact. A full-faced helmet with a visor also offers good protection to the eyes, which can otherwise turn red and itchy after a ride through polluted or dusty areas. Wear bright clothing so you can be easily spotted by other vehicles on the road. Consider a rugged, full-sleeved jacket, denim pants and protective gloves as bare essentials during any ride.
PACKING FOR THE RIDE: If you’re riding solo, a large rucksack should be able to contain most of the things that you might need during the trip. You can tie this on top of the pillion seat with the help of bungee cords that are now easily available at hardware shops. If you have a pillion rider, the luggage can be evenly distributed and tied to the sides of the bike. If all the weight seems a bit too much, be sure to loosen the chain a little and allow some play in it. If its too tight, the excessive friction and heat produced during the ride can damage the sprockets.
IS THE BIKE READY? Get your bike serviced a day or two before the ride and ride it in your surroundings to make sure there are no glitches. While general service usually takes care of major things like engine oil levels, carburetor adjustment, tyre pressure, chain play, etc, it can sometimes unknowingly introduce new problems-like shot electricals or poor braking. Get these fixed.
At the same time, beware the rider who says a well-maintained bike never breaks down. When you set out even on a short ride, be prepared for absurd and unexpected situations despite all the precautions. While you can’t carry all the spares and tools with you, there are some things that are more likely to fail than others. Carry extra bulbs for the headlight and backlight, a spark plug, and clutch and brake cables at the least. If your bike has tubeless tyres, you can take along a puncture repair kit that is compact, inexpensive, and easy to use.
KEEP IT UNPLANNED: While most travelers advise planning your route well in advance, short rides are generally more fun when you only have a broad idea of the places en route and do the major part of the exploring yourself. If you precisely know the roads to be taken to your destination, it will only be a matter of transporting yourself from point A to B through point C, and that’s boring. You will also miss out on the variety of answers people give when asked for directions. However, in situations when getting lost is getting irritating, free and downloadable mobile softwares like google maps can come in very handy.
Happy riding!
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