Amid Heavy Downpours, is it Safe to Ride?

Don’t let rain days bring you down with these basic motorcycle safety practices

Tanauan, Batangas – [August 14, 2021] - As the country continues to implement quarantine protocols to prevent the pandemic from worsening, riders face new challenges, particularly amid the rainy wet season—not only do people need to worry about contracting COVID-19, they also need to consider the sudden downpours.

Despite the heightening restrictions, motorcycles remain the better, practical, more reliable, and more convenient mode of transportation amid the current global health crisis. As riders—from delivery couriers to essential workers—use motorcycles to tackle their daily work tasks, ensuring safety both from the virus and rain is an important aspect they must never take for granted.

As an advocate of road safety, Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI), the No. 1 motorcycle manufacturer in the country, lists some safety measures that riders must be mindful of when driving in the rain or along a wet road.

Inspection Protection

It pays to check the motorcycle's fluids as it may not mean big trouble under dry conditions, but when oil leaks are mixed with water, it becomes a recipe for slippery and dangerous situations. For beginners, still unfamiliar with motorcycle parts yet, you can have it checked with a mechanic, but plenty of easy-to-use and easy-to-check motorcycles are made for a starter's skill level. 

For instance, The New BeAT is an AT motorcycle perfect for first-time riders and millennials for its user-friendly features, ensuring safety, comfort, leak-free engine. Its advanced features such as the Enhanced Smart Power (eSP), Combi Brake System (CBS), Informative Semi Digital Meter Panel with Eco Indicator, and the Idling Stop System (ISS), allows riders to ride on their own beat.

It is available at all Honda dealerships nationwide with a suggested retail price of Php67,400 for the standard variants and Php70,400 for the Premium (ISS/CBS).

Gear Up Your Rainy Day Essentials

Riders understand that proper riding gear such as helmets, pads, raincoats, rain boots, or riding jackets are the most effective safety measures. And it only makes sense to protect yourself from the elements with waterproof or water-resistant gear. But if you are worried that these gears might take up too much of your luggage space, no need to worry as some motorcycles can carry them after using them.  

For instance,  AirBlade150 with its powerful 150cc, SOHC, liquid-cooled engine has the maximum capability to operate in stop-and-go situations. And still provide you the capability to carry essentials with its 22.7L U-Box. 

It is also equipped with other cutting-edge features, such as Smart Key, Power Socket for recharging devices and smartphones, and a front-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which helps determine and prevent wheels from locking up. Its suggested retail price starts at Php109,000.00.

Ride Smoother with Better Brakes

Preparation is much different when riding out under the sun compared to when you're under the rain. Slippery roads make turning and braking trickier for motorcycles. Ensure tires are properly inflated with the pressure suitable for wet roads and have proper brake padding to stop when needed.

Motorcycles also come in various forms of brakes that will suit any riding style, just like The All-New PCX160. The next level motorcycle comes in two variants such as the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) type and the Combi-Brake System (CBS) type. Both variants are equipped with front and rear disc brakes.  

The one-channel ABS variant comes with a Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), guaranteeing smooth stops even during sudden brakes and added traction control. It has a starting price of Php133,900.  On the other hand, the motorcycle's CBS variant combines its front and rear brakes, allowing riders to achieve smoother operation and handling while braking. It comes with a starting price of Php115,900.  

With quarantine protocols heightening once again at the same time as the weather will make it harder for riders to hit the road, safety has never been more crucial. Luckily, Honda motorcycles such as The New BeAT,  AirBlade150, and The All-New PCX160 are here to provide the joy of mobility to Filipinos of every stature in life fulfill their everyday tasks to achieve their goals.

"With motorcycle once again serving as a major mode of transportation to deliver essential goods to our doorsteps and for workers as they go to their workplaces, riders must ensure even more their safety on the road. At Honda, we will do our best to keep providing value-added, high-quality motorcycles for Filipinos to face the pandemic and show support to our hero riders," said Hervic Villa,  Motorcycle Planning Department Manager.

Explore more from Honda and its wide array of motorcycles. For more details about Honda products and promos, visit our website at www.hondaph.com and follow us on Facebook, Honda Philippines, Inc., and Instagram, @hondaph_mc. You can also contact us through our landline number, (02)-8581-6700 to 6799, and mobile number, 0917-884-6632.