The liberating experience of zipping past the roads on a bike is perfectly matched with the fact that biking is an economical and low-maintenance way to fast commuting. Diehard bikers would attest that empty roads in the monsoon are as thrilling as they are therapeutic. With the monsoon’s arrival, it is once again time to take the off-road route, just when the clouds begin to rumble. After the tedious summer, let the cool pre-rain wind soothe you as you dart past a thickening forest on both sides. The temperature dips, and eventually, the first drop of rain trickles down your helmet. On this note, Flipkart has curated a list of essential billing products to help you brave the rain, though the products are also useful throughout the year.
Helmets
This monsoon, don’t just beat the rain and road clashes with solid helmets but also sport the classic sleek biker look. In other words, helmets have gone beyond the road safety essential and have become a statement piece for bikers, an extension of the fierce look bikers sport.
Premium helmets
So that bikers can accurately gauge the road, premium range helmets must have optically-corrected polycarbonate visors complemented by an internal sun visor, which also works against glare. Moreover, it goes without saying that premium means maximum protection. The ISI and DOT-approved helmets are made of resilient ABS material with breath and chin guards so that you get the optimum protection. Adding to the strength of the headpiece is the strong, dual EPS liner, built to absorb high impact. Further, matching the expectation for the comfort of a premium product, the helmet has an upper air intake vent and back outlet vent that maximize air circulation, giving the bikers a breezy feel, which they hold dear. Finally, premium range helmets also come with anti-theft features such as pin lock systems.
Some of the notable labels for premium helmets are Axor, Royal Enfield, TVS, Yamaha, LS2, and SMK.
Mid-segment helmets
Sport the dashing biker looks without compromising your safety on the road with the host of mid-segment helmets. The ISI-marked helmets are marked with unbreakable and scratch-resistant polycarbonate visors and high impact-resistant thermoplastic shells, ensuring protection sans the obligation to pay a premium. Comfort-inducing features such as the overall breathable design and the high-quality, sweat-absorbent and irritation-free interior add to the solid frame. Additionally, in terms of aesthetics, the lightweight helmets have an attractive matt finish and edgy designs and are sure to be among the prized pieces in your helmet collection. To find the best options, seek out helmets from Vega, Steelbird, and Studds.
Budget helmets
Under 999, grab a high-impact-resistant open-face or full-face helmet that is not just easy on your pocket but also a great option towards your safety and that of your pillion rider. For budget helmet purchases, here are some names to consider: Studds, Vega, Coffars, Steelbird, and Tizzy.
Superhero Helmets
Unless they are superheroes, few match the chutzpah of seasoned bikers. Given the massive following of the Marvel and Transformers series in India, the Marvel and Transformers helmet series by Vega and Steelbird, respectively, are a massive hit. Hurry to add them to your collection!
Riding Gear
Bikers, needless to say, seek unalloyed adventure around the year, and the chaotic monsoon streets in India only add to the thrill. As someone who seeks adventure in everyday life, riding gear is much more than the protective layer you need before you tear through the winds. The riding gear you choose also reflects your unique on-road persona. This season as you shop, take your gear game up by a notch to accentuate the appeal of your signature bike manoeuvres.
Rider Protective Jacket
With the monsoon in full swing, consider a sleek, waterproof Rider Protective Jacket, your all-time companion for the road. Due to the rain, streets are getting slippery, pot-hole-ridden, and accident-prone, but that doesn’t have to dampen your riding experience. The abrasion-resistant jackets with Neoprene collar and cuffs are nothing short of armours, given the stretchable panels and robust mesh padding in the shoulder and elbow, that not only cushion impact but also add definition to your muscle gains, helping you clock the urban ranger look you are gunning for. At the same time, while sturdy, the mesh is breathable and skin-friendly, making for a comfortable and itch-free fit. Further, befitting the protective quality of armour, the first-in-line jackets come with 3M Scotchlite Traditional Polarization Reflectors (TPR) at eight strategically-located reflective points, lending you low-light-visibility so that you can successfully navigate the late-night rides.
Be it summer, the cold or the rain, it’s no secret that biking, especially long-distance biking, is a sweaty affair. Keeping in mind how hot biking gets, the premium range of jackets has been made with a breathable outer shell that allows efficient airflow within the jacket. Moreover, by investing in the right jacket, you can brave the rains, unworried of your mobile, given the waterproof pockets, with additional rain liner, secured by double stitches that run across the piece.
In sync with the progressive spirit of our times, bike riding is no longer the rugged man’s business. Thus, riding gears, too, have an expanded portfolio of products in terms of size, gender, and sensibility. Protective Rider Jackets now come in all sizes for both men and women and in a varied range of patterns and motifs to cater to differing tastes. To find the best options, browse for Royal Enfield, Axor, HRX, Yamaha, and TVS’ Rider Protective Jackets, in addition to the host of leading names in the market.
Riding Gloves
Be it the motorcycle rings, the empty road zipping, or the sharp turn to save yourself from a tricky road situation, a firm grip on the bike is imperative. Helping you maintain a firm hold on the bike handle comes another riding gear essential: the riding gloves. Consider using quality gloves with anti-skid polyester fabric at the palm, which not only are ideal for the daily dose of on-road adventure but also are an excellent choice for motorsports and adventure.
While previously it sufficed riding gloves to just strengthen the grip, that no longer is the case. With the advent of GPS and Google Maps on every mobile device, people explore roads less taken, with much enthusiasm. Therefore, addressing modern needs, the latest, good-quality riding gloves are touch-screen compatible so that bikers have a smooth ride without having to remove their gloves mid-journey.
For the best riding gloves, we recommend brands such as Steelbird, Royal Enfield, TVS, HRX, Axor, and Probiker, among others.
Bike Tyres
As the monsoon has arrived, riders need to ensure their tyres are skid-proof and resilient so that they can smoothly enjoy long rides in the rain. To choose the best tyres, look out for good tyre threads and, on the other hand, maintain proper tyre pressure and rotate the tyres from time to time to ensure optimum performance. Ceat, JK Tyre, MRF, TVS Eurogrip, and Bridgestone are some of the sought-after tyre brands.
Tyre Air Pump
To avoid the hassle of looking for a nearby garage on your off-road exploration, carry the nifty tyre air pump. Tyre air pumps come in various sizes and capacities, but to meet your versatile needs, go for sturdy, portable and compact models that do not just promise strong power and great capacity but also light, saving the trouble of lugging dead weight.
The best-in-line tyre air pumps are not just resilient and give several years of service but also have an auto shut-off feature that helps you manage optimum tyre health by avoiding pumping excessive air. Take, for example, the Portronics Vayu, 150 psi Tyre Air Pump for Car & Bike, which has the smart feature of auto-detecting and regulating pressure. The pump has 4 intelligent modes: car, bike, bicycle, and ball, along with an impressive 4000 mAH battery capacity, which can be replenished by charging via the C-type charging port.
Apart from Protonics, in a saturated market, Qubo, Mi, and Agaro are some of the noteworthy companies offering quality tyre air pumps that are not just ideal for bikes but also cars, footballs, etc.
