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    SBF
    The trend shift towards electric mobility solutions has been quite evident, with more and more manufacturers joining the line-up and going ‘Green’ governments around the world are also encouraging the clean electric mobility solution initiative. Now a motorcycle manufacturer synonymous with performance could be planning to enter the EV space in the near future. Piaggio Group, which owns brands such as Vespa and Aprilia, has recently been found trademarking the name Aprilia "eSR1" which has cause quite a bit of stir in the motorcycling world.

    According to a media report, Italian premium motorcycle manufacturer Piaggio has filed patents for a new trademark eSR1 in the European market leading us to believe that the company is planning to bring an electric-powered scooter under the Aprilia brand. While the brand has not officially revealed if it plans to bring an electric scooter the evidence is in the moniker itself. The ‘SR’ marque is used for scooters in the brand’s two-wheeler portfolio and the ‘e’ prefix could be short for electric. The design of the logo is also quite similar to the one’s branded on the ICE powered scooters.
    It is also being speculated that Aprilia eSR1 will share its powertrain and technology with other Piaggio group of products, specifically Vespa Elettrica which is already on sale in many international markets. Since it is a common practice by Aprilia to share technologies among its sibling brands this shouldn’t come as a surprise. This means Elettrica’s electric motor and batteries could be repackaged for Aprilia eSR1.

    The Vespa Elettrica - From which the eSR1 is expected to borrow its drivetrain from
    If eSR1 borrows its powertrain and technology from Vespa, much of its development would already be complete even though the e-scooter hasn’t yet been revealed in flesh. This means that launch of the new Aprilia scooter could be as early as next year for European markets.

    In terms of design and styling, the new electric-powered Aprilia could be based on the internal combustion engine-powered Aprilia SR-series scooter which is currently not sold in the Singapore domestic market but is being sold elsewhere in Asia. The powertrain could be borrowed from the Vespa Elettrica which is currently for sale in the international market. 
    The Vespa Elettrica is powered by a Piaggio electric brushless motor coupled to a lithium-ion battery and makes use of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) to recharge during deceleration. The power unit is rated to generate 4kW of maximum power and 200 Nm of torque at the wheel. The battery pack manufactured by LG Chem is a 4.2 kWh 48V 86 Ah lithium-ion battery that has a life of 1,000 cycles and has the capability of propelling the e-scooter to a top speed of 70 kmph. The battery can be charged using a 220V outlet which takes approximately 4 hours to recharge. 

    If the powertrain is employed on the Aprilia eSR1, the brand is likely to tune it for higher performance and offer a sportier experience to the rider. The brand is also likely to bring the electric-powered scooter to the Singapore market and compete with rivals such as the Scorpio X and the recently spied Suzuki Burgman Electric. 
    SBF
    CandyMotor, one of Singapore's most established and popular bike accessories shop, launched their towing service as an additional arm of the business just 1 week ago on the 12th of January 2021 with an announcement made on Facebook. Just barely 5 days since that announcement however, they have had an incident with a customer that has hogged headlines all over Facebook and various riding groups today (17th January 2021).

    Apparently, based on various sources that we have seen, a customer (Mr Yusof) reached out to CandyMotor on Sunday morning at 9am to request for a tow at 10am at Tampines Street 22. CandyMotor being ever efficient, reached the location at 930am instead of the initial estimate time of 10am only to be faced with a cancellation request from the customer.
    Said customer then proceeded to block CandyMotor's towing number from WhatsApp and no further correspondence was had, and there was no offer of payment even though the towing truck has arrived at the location as requested.
    CandyMotor in due frustration (which is completely understandable) then proceeded to post on Facebook about the incident and at 1230pm, the said customer reached out to CandyMotor and threatened legal action under the PDPA act as his phone number was published within the screenshots of the conversation. CandyMotor has since hidden the customer's phone number in their subsequent screenshots.
    You can see the conversation screenshots attached:

    The original post on Facebook has garnered over 300 comments and over 300 shares as of the time of this publication and has gone viral with bikers in Singapore divided over who is in the right and who is wrong.
    From our unbiased perspective (SBF does not have any ties to CM or Mr Yusof),
    What the customer could have done better:
    He could have offered a small token of goodwill payment for the trip made down by the towing team although the towing was not required in the end He could have followed up with CandyMotor promptly when the service was not required so as not to incur time and fuel wasted by the towing team Not block the CM team but instead engage with them on a suitable settlement for both parties What the CM team could have done better:
    Not publish the customer's contact details as this is in violation of the PDPA act Follow up with customer from another number privately Require pre-payment before dispatch to customer's location Put SOP's in place to prevent or reduce instances of 'aeroplane' customers As a business, there will always be such pitfalls and 'bad' customers - to take it in their stride and learn from this It is very rare in any incident for any one party to solely take all the blame and responsibilities and from this, we can see that both parties could have taken certain steps to mitigate this issue.
    What do you think? How would you react if you were in this situation? Let us know in the comments section below!
    P.S. If you ever need a tow, SBF has a consolidated list of towing services around Singapore so that you will never be left stranded! You can find the List of Motorcycle / Bike Towing Services in Singapore here:
    P.P.S. Support Ms Candy and her team and show them that not all bikers are 'pilots'!

     
    We have reached out to Mr Yusof for his side of the story and this thread will be updated with new information at a later date.
    SBF
    For the month of January 2021, Kymco's exclusive distributor in Singapore - Motor Sport Pte Ltd, is having a massive blowout sale on LIMITED units of the Kymco Xciting 400I and this sale will only last until 31st January 2021. On top of CASH discounts that are too low to list online, there are FREE gifts worth up to S$1,700 and many other included goodies.
    Undoubtedly one of the most popular Class 2A scooters in Singapore, right after the standard offerings from Yamaha and Honda, the Kymco range of scooters and maxi-scooters are a common sight on our roads due to their value-for-money pricing, tons of technological features, and handsomely good looks.

    Additionally, the Xciting 400 is the largest displacement scooter in the Class 2A range, with most of its competitors coming in at only 300cc (can you say "bang for your buck").
    January 2021 Promotional Offer:
    Cash discount (too LOW to publish online! Inquire in store!) S$1,700 of freebies and goodies 3 free engine oil servicing 1 year unlimited warranty coverage SHAD branded rear top box DVR (incl installation and warranty) Helmet Raincoat VERY limited units are available so contact Motor Sport Pte Ltd today to secure your unit! Remember to quote "SINGAPOREBIKES.COM (SBF)" to get the best price from them!
    MOTOR SPORT PTE LTD (SHOWROOM)
    Blk 3006, Ubi Road 1, #01-350, Singapore 408700
    6281 9778 
    MOTOR SPORT PTE LTD (WORKSHOP)
    Blk 3007 Ubi Road 1, #01-446 Singapore 408701
    6749 6717/8
    KYMCO XCITING 400 Features
    ABS system made by BOSCH (German Engineering) Belting from Mitsubishi (Japanese Engineering) All parts made and assembled directly at KYMCO Factory (Taiwan) Keihin EFI System





    SBF
    The Yamaha Sniper is distributed by Yamaha's Singapore authorised distributor:

    Hong Leong Corporation - Yamaha Motor Singapore
    Address: 178 Paya Lebar Rd, Singapore 409030
    Phone: 6749 0588
     Click HERE to ENQUIRE now! Special price for SBF members! 
    If this is the future of the underbone (affectionately known locally as a "cub" or "kup kia") - we want one!

    HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE YAMAHA F-155 (CONCEPT) WHICH WAS SHOWCASED DURING THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW 2021 YAMAHA EXCITER 155 VVA.


    Yamaha Vietnam ended the year with a bang last week with the launch of the much anticipated Yamaha Exciter 155 VVA. During the launch, alongside the production Exciter 155 VVA,  Yamaha Vietnam presented the Prototype F-155 moped concept developed by Yamaha Japan.

    Although it gets inspiration from the production Yamaha Exciter 150 and the new Exciter 155, the Yamaha F-155 concept is entirely different from the ground up. According to sources, Yamaha Japan spent around USD 100,000 (approximately SGD 135,000) in the development of this prototype. Given it is a moped prototype, it’s safe to say Yamaha has poured in a lot of cash in the development of this beast. So the question is, how special is it?

    Starting with the design, the F-155’s styling is sharp and aggressive. Upfront, it closely resembles the front fascia of the Yamaha Exciter, however, Yamaha has given the F-155 numerous added touches to make it more special.

    If you look closely,  the F-155 gets MotoGP inspired winglets upfront alongside a functional ram air intake in the centre.
    On the inside, the F-155 features a minimalist handlebar and instrument cluster which blend in well with the sharp look of the bike.

    To make it look more sporty Yamaha has added in a lot of ducts and vents on the side. The F-155 is a single-seater so it features a multilevel sporty seat.
    At the rear, the F-155 features R1 inspired rear cowl and taillight design. Moreover, to make it look more muscular, Yamaha has added in a twin underbelly exhaust system as well a set of sportier alloy wheels. We personally love how the orange accent complements the stealth matte grey base colour.

    On the inside, unlike the Yamaha Exciter, the F-155 is built around a delta box frame and gets an aluminium swingarm. In the case of the suspension, the F-155 features an upside-down fork at the front and a mono-shock at the rear. As for the brakes, the F-155 features a 2 pot calliper upfront and single-pot calliper at the rear.

    In the case of the engine, Yamaha hasn’t announced any details yet. However, sources claim the model uses a 155cc liquid-cooled engine that’s found on the new Exciter 155 VVA. However, thanks to the deltabox frame, the engine looks bigger and looks a lot more packed than usual.

    Would the F-155 ever make it into production? Well, most likely not. However, judging from the Exciter Concept 202X badge found on the side, we think Yamaha would most likely use the F-155 as the design benchmark for the next generation Exciter/Y15ZR/Sniper. We can't wait!

    Let us know what you think about this exciting development from Yamaha in the comments section below! With such an awesome looking bike, Yamaha might just have the edge over Honda when it comes to low-displacement runabouts unless Honda launches an exciting concept soon!


     
    SBF
    For those of you who have been itching to hit the race tracks once again at Sepang or Pasir Gudang (sadly, RIP) but are unable to do so due to the current COVID-19 restrictions have always been able to find some solace right here in Singapore by attending track days organised by the fantastic team over at SingaMoto.

    Just an example of a recent track day time attack battle which they held at the KF1 was held last year in December and we here at SBF have posted the event in our calendar over here. And if you've been meaning to scratch that itch again, fret not because the next one will be held very shortly on the 23rd of January 2021 at the same location. You can RSVP for that event in our event calendar here.

    For the layman motorcycle rider however, if race days and high-octane competition is not your thing, we have good news for you! SingaMoto has started a "Members Night Academy" which you can sign up for just S$550 per year and there will be weekly classes held on how to prepare your race bike, how to properly join a race, and many other lessons!

    For just the price of a year's membership, you will get exclusive access to weekly track time and personal coaching, discounts of products and services, member's price for races and track-days and much more. If this is something you are keen on, do contact them at  8201 5132 / 9720 4367 and quote "SingaporeBikes.com (SBF)" to let them know we sent you!
    SingaMoto has just commenced their first weekly lesson and here are some pictures for your enjoyment!






    SBF
    With the rainy monsoon season upon us, there have been more incidences in the news and various biking groups that more and more potholes have been appearing on Singapore's roads. This has also lead to an increase in bikers meeting with an accident or even fatal outcomes as unlike our four-wheel counterparts, a pothole could actually do some serious damage to us motorcyclist.
    Especially so in Malaysia, where potholes have been taking the centre stage in news lately, ever since Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar met with a minor accident caused by a pothole, and two unfortunate deaths reported after the incident.

    We're so used to seeing and avoiding potholes that sometimes we forget how dangerous it can be especially for those who are riding bicycles or motorcycles. 
    While statistics in Singapore are not publicly shared, referencing from our neighbours up north we can see that potholes are actually a very serious problem. “A total of 4,091 public infrastructure complaints were received by the ministry and PWD till November 30. From the total, 1,473 complaints were regarding damaged roads. All complaints have been processed and action has been taken by JKR. Almost 200,000 potholes were found and repaired through monitoring and patrols by PWD in 2019 while 64,000 potholes were recorded with action taken as of last June,” the statement read.
    So, what causes potholes and why are there so many of them during the rainy season?

    According to Universiti Putra Malaysia Department of Civil Engineering lecturer Prof Dr Ratnasamy Muniandy, there are several reasons for this. 
    Potholes form when there are cracks on the roads, which, over time, joins and causes the road materials to dislodge. 
    "There are couple of factors involved in road failure. It can be road design, it can be material design, sometimes construction and not forgetting environmental factors such as moisture and temperature," Dr Ratnasamy told Rojak Daily in an interview in 2018.

    In the same year, the Malay Mail wrote an article quoting Public Works Department (PWD), the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) regarding the issue. 
    In the article, all four departments have insisted that the standards of roads in the country meets the standards set by World Road Association, of which Malaysia is a member of.
    The association specifies clear standards for the design and safety aspects of road.
    The departments said that problem occurs when third party contractors are involved.

    City Hall had said that 70 per cent of potholes and damaged roads were caused by sub-par remedial works by contractors, especially those hired by utility and development companies.
    The other departments echoed the statement. Rapid development also does not help the situation. 
    What can be done?

    Dr Ratnasamy said that in light of the shortcomings in the road pavement performance, universities worldwide, including UPM, have been working on technologies to make roads better. 
    One of the technology the university has worked on is called the Fiber Mastic Asphalt (FMA). 
    "Fiber Mastic Asphalt is basically asphalt mixture that has more fiber in it. Fibers basically forms a micromesh. 
    "Micromesh is like tiny steel fibers in concrete and so on," he explains. 
    FMA helps to prevent the drain down of water and keeps the binder in the mixture for a long time. This makes the road structure itself stronger and more resistant towards environmental elements such as moisture. 
    If our roads aren't that bad and meets the standards that most developed countries follows, perhaps it's time to look at technologies such as FMA to make the roads last longer. 
    That, and perhaps taking stern action against contractors that damage our roads, might just be what we need.
    How to report an incident to the LTA?
    If you notice a pothole on the road (or any other road defects) that has recently developed, is large enough to cause harm to a motorcyclist, or will cause danger to other road users, the best thing that you can do as a motorist is to report the issue to LTA immediately for them to take action and to get the issue sorted by fixing the said pothole.
    You can do this either via filing a report via the ONEMOTORING app on your phone MyTransports.SG - Android / Apple
    Or the other method would be to contact LTA directly at the hotline below: Customer service hotline: 1800 2255 582
    Have you ever been involved in an accident due to a road defect or pothole on the roads? Please share with us your views and tips for other riders to be safe, especially during this rainy season! Ride safe and defensively!

    SBF
    SingaporeBikes.com (SBF) has tied up with local motorcycle and bike rental company - Auto Exchange Bike Rental, to offer to all SBF members an UNBEATABLE price on bike rentals for the month of January 2021! Read below for special offer!

    Auto Exchange has a fleet of over 150 bikes, ranging from Class 2B all the way up to Class 2. All of their bikes are:
    Brand new, excellent working condition, latest model version Full insurance coverage (including commercial delivery) CHEAPEST in the market - Why pay more for COE bikes? Comes with rear top box, handphone holder, just ride and go! (subject to availability) No guarantor required Flexible arrangements and no-frills service
    Whether you want to try out being a delivery rider and do not want to commit yet to purchase a new motorcycle, or if your bike is in the workshop and you need something else to get around, or even if you just want to test the brand new Yamaha NMax V2 before making a purchase - Auto Exchange is the one-stop shop for all your rental needs!
    List of bikes available:
    Class 2B (ONLY $25 PER DAY!!) - BRAND NEW Yamaha NMax V2, Yamaha Aerox, Honda ADV150, Yamaha FZ-S V3, Honda CB190X Tourism, etc Class 2A (ONLY $35 PER DAY!!) - Yamaha XMax, Honda Super4, etc Class 2 (ONLY $60 PER DAY!!) - Kawasaki Z1000, Honda X-ADV, Yamaha TMax, etc
    Prices quoted are NETT and there are no hidden charges. Look no further with brand new quality bikes at the LOWEST price possible in Singapore.
    All you have to do to rent a motorcycle from Auto Exchange is to click on the online booking form located here and a sales representative will get in touch with you within 1 hour.
    Alternatively, you can contact Auto Exchange at +65 8500 0420 ( WhatsApp - https://wa.me/6585000420 ) and quote "SingaporeBikes.com (SBF)" to take advantage of the offer today!
    Auto Exchange Motorcycle Rental
    Address: 81 Ubi Ave 4, #01-16, Singapore 408830
    P.S. SBF members are also entitled to FREE rental days for longer term rentals (>5 days).

    SBF
    The Yamaha Ténéré 700 is distribution by Yamaha's Singapore authorised distributor:

    Hong Leong Corporation - Yamaha Motor Singapore
    Address: 178 Paya Lebar Rd, Singapore 409030
    Phone: 6749 0588
     WhatsApp to ENQUIRE now! Special price for SBF members! 
    OTR Price at time of editorial - S$29,000 including COE, excluding insurance
    The Ténéré 700 is a great midsize adventure motorcycle that comes in at a price of S$29,000 including COE, has finally arrived in Singapore. It undercuts the competition, but will its price advantage be enough to overtake the competition, more notably the KTM 790 Adventure?

    Overview
    The Yamaha Ténéré 700 is 2021′s highly anticipated midsize adventure motorcycle. It was first introduced to the European market for 2020 and now makes its Singapore debut as a 2021 model. Yamaha takes the revered MT-07 engine, the 689cc CP2 parallel twin, and broadens torque for dirt focus via revised EFI mapping, a Ténéré-specific airbox, and new muffler. The middleweight ADV is designed to appeal to everyone with its overall accessibility, affordability, and on- and off-road versatility.
    Pricing and Variants
    The Ténéré 700 is priced at an MSRP of S$29,000. It is available in three colorways: Intensity White, Matte Black, and Ceramic Ice.



    Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance
    The Ténéré 700 is powered by the great and plucky 689cc CP2 parallel twin which was pulled from the MT-07 but tuned for off-road. It recorded 63.78 peak hp at 8,870 rpm and 44.09 pound-feet of torque at 6,640 rpm on our in-house dyno. Smooth throttle response and snappy power delivery make for a hoot of a ride on road or off.
    Handling
    Sprinting through the dirt roads or Malaysia or Thailand, the Ténéré 700 is surprising in its combination of nimbleness and stability. The motorcycle has uncanny road feel and traction with a flickability more befitting of a naked sportbike than an ADV. Overall, the bike is supremely stable in most regards, just finding the right angle of attack on the front tire while managing the rear track is not the set-it-and-forget-it operation that modern ADV riders have become accustomed to.

    Brakes
    Slowing 466-pound ADV bike are Brembo four-piston calipers clamping dual 282mm front rotors matched to a Brembo master cylinder and a single-piston caliper at the rear.
    Ergonomics: Comfort and Utility
    The Yamaha new ADV bike proved to be plenty comfortable. Only after a few hours would you feel any discomfort from the stock seat (as with most bikes), while a taller Rally Seat offered via Yamaha’s accessory catalog reportedly offers more comfort. A measured 34.6-inch seat height places it on the taller side, but is exceptionally narrow between the legs which would allow for most people to be able to comfortably reach the ground. Handlebar bend is spot-on for seated or standing riding positions as well. We'd well recommend for you to head down to Hong Leong's showroom to get a feel for yourself and give the friendly sales-personnel over there a shout that you're from SBF - Discount maybe?

    Electronics
    ABS comes standard on this ADV and compact LEDs illuminate the way. Other electronics like ride modes and traction control are not available. Information is displayed on a vertically oriented LCD gauge.
    Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
    The Ténéré 700 includes a one-year limited factory warranty by Hong Leong.
    Quality
    Overall, the quality of this model is sleek and Dakar-inspired to serve the versatile rider. Although it may lack some of the up-spec electronics that seasoned ADV riders are familiar with, it presents an affordable no-frills package that is still suitable for the masses.
    Technical Specifications
    689cc 4-stroke CP2 engine, with high torque. Lightweight double cradle tubular steel frame. Slim, compact and ergonomic body and seat. Aggressive, rally-bred face, with 4-LED headlights. Adjustable, long-travel, 43mm upside-down forks. Remotely adjustable rear suspension. Rally-style cockpit, with tapered handlebars. 21-inch/18-inch spoke wheels, with adventure tyres Slim, long-range fuel tank, with 16-litre capacity Compact, rally-style, multi-function instruments. Switchable ABS, for on-the-fly adjustment. Screen and handguards give good rider protection
    SBF
    The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has confirmed in their recent press release that Ducati North America's Mountain View, Calif., offices were raided on December 17, just 1 week before Christmas.
    While the FBI would not comment as to the specific reason for the raid, a post from a local on the Bay Area Riders Forum as well as sources who spoke with Asphalt & Rubber said that agents were searching for financial documents.

    Ducati North America's Headquarters that was raided by the FBI - Located at Mountain View, California
    Roughly 30 armed FBI agents conducted the search, per eyewitnesses who spoke to several motorcycle publications. Only two employees were on site at the start of the raid and three at the end, per Bay Area Riders Forum moderator Shawn Keane, who posts as elskipador. Local COVID-19 restrictions have kept most workers out of the office, but Keane posted that it was a harrowing experience for whose who were there, as he said that agents pointed pistols at his face. "Never been so scared in my life!” Keane posted of the raid. 

    While the FBI did not confirm they were at any other sites, unnamed sources who spoke with Asphalt & Rubber said that several high-level Ducati North America employees' homes were searched by FBI agents as well. Those same sources also said that it was related to a financial crime, however, the FBI has not confirmed this nor were we able to find any potentially related cases in public federal court records. 
    The FBI released the same statement, confirming when they were at Ducati North America's office, but declining to give a reason for the raid: 

    “I can confirm that FBI San Francisco was at that location on December 17, 2020, to conduct court-authorized law enforcement activity.  As of today’s date, no public records are available. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, I cannot comment further at this time.”

    “It is Ducati North America’s practice to cooperate fully with inquiries from government agencies," Ducati Marketing Director Phil Read told reporters. "As part of that cooperation, Ducati North America does not comment on those inquiries.”

    SBF
    It seems to be raining almost every single day without fail here now in Singapore as we are right smack in the middle of the monsoon season. While most will enjoy the coolness and low temperatures that we rarely see in Singapore, and most car drivers will not notice the difference as they have sheltered transport to go around in - This is a very different case for us motorcyclist.

    With the wet weather comes a whole host of issues, problems, and safety concerns that us as bikers need to be aware of. Gone are the days of riding in the dry, trusting the grip levels of your brand new Pirelli tyres, and leaning the motorcycle into the corner to take that perfect apex. And it is not just our own machines that we need to worry about, as the rainy season also increases the risk of motorist in other vehicles being unable to see us bikers resulting in an accident.

    Our good friends over at Budget Direct Insurance - whom have been supporting SBF for many years, have put together a fantastic list of tips, tricks, and points to look out for from them resident experts on motorcycling. We think that this is a very important list, more now than ever as safety is paramount and it is our job to make sure we are safe for our friends and family.

    From Budget Direct Insurance:
    Staying safe on your motorcycle in Singapore is always a challenge. And wet roads pose challenges of their own. Here’s what to watch out for:
    Braking
    A modern motorcycle (particularly one equipped with ABS - or anti-lock braking system) can stop in a shorter distance than a car on a dry road, but it still takes a lot of rider skill to do so. Once the road is wet, the motorcyclist’s braking distance increases even more drastically. The rule-of-thumb for car drivers is to leave a two-second gap to the vehicle in front in the dry, and four seconds in the wet. Motorcyclists should err on the side of even more caution in both cases. Remember: slower speeds mean drastically reduced braking distances. Also remember: unless you’re lucky enough to have ABS, you need to moderate the pressure on the brake levers to reduce the chances of skidding – jamming the brakes on suddenly is likely to lead to a fall.

    Accelerating
    A lighter touch is required with the throttle hand on a wet road as well. In a straight line, most motorcyclists can cope with a little wheelspin by backing off the throttle. If you’re too aggressive getting on the throttle when the bike is leaned over in a corner, there is a very good chance you will end up on the tarmac. Rolling the throttle on gently is the safest way.
    Cornering
    On dry roads bikes can be leaned over through corners much, much more than riders think. On wet roads this is less true, and it takes a very brave rider to try to find those limits. The key – even for highly-skilled riders – is smooth inputs. If you get on the throttle too suddenly, you’re likely to lose grip at the rear wheel. If you change direction too suddenly, you’re likely to lose grip at the front – and almost no rider has the skill to stop that being a crash.
    Lane placement and road conditions
    Your position in the lane makes a difference for two important safety reasons – visibility and grip. You should ride in the right-hand wheel tracks of the lane, even in the dry, because it places you in the best position to be seen by drivers. The wheel tracks tend to be cleaner than, say, the centre of the lane, which collects dust and grit as well as any oil leaks from passing traffic. Counterintuitively, light rain can make the surface more slippery than heavy rain, because it brings that oil to the surface and doesn’t wash it away – so the centre is likely to be even more slippery in those conditions. Be aware of any paint on the surface as well – it may offer less grip.

    Visibility
    Unfortunately, the old “I didn’t see you” excuse is applied all too frequently when car drivers fail to give way to motorcyclists. Doing everything you can to ensure you can be seen is important, particularly if visibility is reduced in heavy downpours. Making eye contact with drivers around you is one way to know you’ve been seen. High visibility clothing may also improve your odds.
    Equipment
    Decent waterproof riding gear with crash protection is a purchase you will never regret. Likewise, a good-quality helmet, which should provide enough ventilation to keep the visor clear. I cannot stress the importance of quality tyres enough. You need all the grip you can get, and cheap tyres are a recipe for disaster. 
    Other dangers
    The perfectly fog-proof visor is yet to be invented, so be aware that your ability to see what’s going on around you is also diminished. Very heavy rain also reduces your forward vision (and seems to result in more rear-end crashes) – exercise your judgement and pull well off the road into a safe spot if the you feel the traffic is too close in those circumstances. Watch for telltale rainbow-hued slicks on the road surfaces – oil or diesel spills are like ice, and require yet more caution. Be aware that our tropical trees often topple over in intense squalls – if conditions are very windy, you’re probably better off stopping in a safe spot until it passes.

    What do you think of the list above? Have we missed out any points that would make riding in the rain safety for fellow bikers? Share your thoughts, comments, and experiences in the comments section below so we can all keep each other safe on the roads!


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