Be it for the ease of navigating through city traffic, the adrenaline rush, saving some money, or helping you in finding your Zen - there can be 101 reasons, but the truth is you love your two-wheeler.

However, there are perils associated and no matter how good a rider you are, things can still go horribly wrong! Even the most avid bike lover would agree that riding a bike is far from being child’s play!

For instance, compared to stopping a car, stopping a bike is a different ball game altogether. There are separate brake controls in the front and rear wheel in most two-wheelers and either one can lock during hard braking.

Such incidents can reduce the bike’s stability and substantially increase the likelihood of a fall. However, there is a simple fix available for the problem.

Fixing a simple looking technology can make your rides far safer! Yes, we are talking about the humble anti-lock braking system (ABS). Getting ABS on your favourite two-wheeler can reduce the chances of a fatal crash by 31%. Here is how.

How does ABS work?

During an emergency braking situation, the wheels can lock resulting in the skidding or falling over of the motorcycle. ABS functions in an anticipatory role. It has electronic sensors to detect locking before it actually occurs. So, when the biker actually applies brakes, ABS can kick in and apply the right amount of brake pressure.

This results in maximising the performance of the braking system. Thus, the bike can slow down without having to lose traction. An anti-lock braking system can reduce stopping distance and prevent skidding. Here, we list the advantages of ABS:

1. Reduction in stopping distance

Using ABS in the right way can reduce the stopping distance. From a starting speed of 80 km/hr, a bike without ABS would continue running for 30 meters after application of brakes. However, the same bike would have stopped 3 meters shorter, if fitted with ABS.

This becomes possible owing to the fact that with ABS, the tyres are constantly getting traction. Thus, there is more effective scrubbing off of speed in ABS fitted motorcycles.

However, without ABS, the wheels can lock and lose traction as hard braking is applied. This results in skidding of the motorcycle as the tyres are trying to grip the surface.

As a biker, you know that even a meter can make all the difference between a safe ride and a collision, or between life and death. Make a wise, life-altering decision. Choose ABS and ride stress-free.

2. Better control

A biker knows the importance of control in having a steady ride. ABS helps you have better control over your ride in emergency braking situations.

Fitted with ABS, there are greater chances for the bike to stop in a straight line and shed speed in a controllable manner. Thus, it helps you retain your control over the ride and reduces the chances of skidding.

However, two-wheelers not fitted with ABS are likely to lose traction in emergency braking conditions and leave the rider without much control over steering. In tough weather conditions, this might result in a tumble or a crash.

3. Prevent Stoppie

Whether you are a professional stuntman or not, you would obviously not like your bike performing stoppie without your will. Yet, this is what can happen when your two-wheeler is not fitted with ABS.

Even when the weather is bad and the roads are slippery, your two-wheeler can offer far more traction when fitted with ABS. Additionally, when fitted with ABS, braking is more linear. In comparison, when your bike is not fitted with ABS, braking is much more abrupt and can result in a stoppie, skidding or tumble.

In an ABS-fitted bike, the hydraulic system controls the braking pressure and thus the rider feels mild pulsation on the brake lever. Thus, if you are pushing the braking system, the ABS in combination with the hydraulics gives you the warning signals.

Thus, as you can well appreciate, ABS is useful irrespective of whether you are riding for the first time or are a veteran. The technology is beneficial and can save your life in most on-road situations.

While choosing a new motorcycle, choose one with ABS. ABS helps you stay safe and be on the road. Also get yourself a comprehensive two wheeler insurance. Bike insurance cushions you from the financial impact following an accident with your two-wheeler.

If you are a bike riding enthusiast, you must have dreamt about freely roaming in the magnificent landscapes of the Himalayas on your two-wheeler. You can embark on a journey of new experiences, and unleash the adventurer in you, that can seldom be done otherwise. You could have already started feeling the pump of adrenaline in your blood!

This article is all about discovering some of the best motorcycle routes in the Himalayas that will immediately beckon the rider in you. Here’s our lowdown of some of the must-experience Himalayan motorbike tours that will leave you with a bucket-full of adventurous experiences:

1. 1. Motorbike tour in Ladakh




A tour to Ladakh is one of the most desired fantasies among the bike-riding fanatics in India. It is one of the most popular destinations among the adventure seekers, riding on their two-wheelers. Challenging circuits combined with the beauty of mountains have attracted the tourists from all over the world. The one thing that is sure to pump up the adrenaline is the unpredictability of the rocky terrain.

Add to them the glimpses of Tibetan culture, monasteries and nomadic tribes, and your motorbike tour will turn into something magical. You can explore numerous routes in this region to have a breath-taking experience, like Manali to Ladakh, Srinagar to Manali, Chandigarh to Ladakh and back, or you could simply take a flight to Leh and indulge in short motorbike trips within Ladakh.

2. 2. A tour in Spiti Valley




Just like Leh, Spiti valley in Himachal Pradesh is another very popular destination for the adventure seekers, who are driven by the wanderlust. The motorcycle circuit is full of scenic towns and villages that will totally mesmerize you. You can take various adventure-filled routes to Spiti from Shimla, Kaza, Chandratal, Manali and back which will take you through lush-green orchards, aromatic apple gardens, and impromptu waterfalls amid the spellbinding mountain peaks.

You will fell in love with the immense cultural diversity of the area and a wide range of wildlife found here. You can stroll in the untouched landscapes and even come face to face with animals like snow leopards, griffon, red foxes, ibexes, and bearded vultures.

3. 3. Motorcycle ride from Sonmarg to Kargil




After Leh and Spiti, a drive to Sonmarg is one of the most challenging yet pleasing tours, even for the hardcore bike riders. It will take you through the narrow winding roads along a gushing water stream. You can admire the lush green meadows and stop by the sides to have a cup of hot tea. You will come across the famous Zozilla pass, which gets washed away by heavy rainfall every year.

Once across, you ride on to Drass, rated as the second coldest inhabited place in the world. You can also take a stop to pay your tributes to the real heroes of the infamous Kargil war of 1999. The narrow lanes and rugged terrains without a black top will surely test your riding skills.

4. 4. A ride to the Nubra Valley




A motorcycle ride to the Nubra valley can be one of those landmark events of your riding life. Here, you’ll get to ride to the world’s highest motorable pass, the Khardung La situated at 17,582 ft. This is the highest point you can reach via a motorcycle on this planet. Be sure to cherish the moment before you leave the pass to ride down on the other side.

You can now cross over to the beautiful Nubra valley, riding through some of the highest altitudes. You can grace the lovely view of the organic farm fields and the famous Hunder sand-dunes. Additionally, you can plan a night-stay at this beautiful place to observe its culture and the scenic beauty from close quarters and even get engaged in some local desert sports.

5. 5. Motorbike tour to Mustang, Nepal




The motorbike tour to Mustang in Nepal can be the classic bike adventure tour that you’re craving for. It has been luring the rookie as well as pro-bikers from different parts of the world for quite a long time. On the way, the roads are really picturesque and the entire route is capable of giving you perpetual goose-bumps. You can even spot some regional wild animals while riding through the magnificent Annapurna range.

While these adventurous bike tours will revitalise your body, mind and soul, you also need to be wary about the threats and dangers associated with it. Since the weather conditions in these areas can be unpredictable and harsh at times, remember to pack accordingly. Also, make sure to protect yourself and your bike against any unforeseen situations with a comprehensive two-wheeler insurance plan which offers complete financial security for the motorcycle and its rider.

Apart from basic skills, you must know the art of advanced braking, taking sharp turns and reading the hand signals.

Given the current state of affairs where the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic still looms large, riding a bike to commute to the workplace and even otherwise provides the much-needed safety as per the social distancing norms.

Having said that, it’s vital to master some other essential bike riding techniques other than basic ones to ensure a smooth and safe ride. So, what are these bike riding tips that further elevate your experience? Let’s find out.

Advanced braking techniques

Before riding a bike, you were probably instructed to wrap all four fingers across the throttle and apply only the front brakes when the throttle was closed. While this is fine when you are just learning to ride or are in a parking lot, the situation is vastly different on roads.

While riding a bike on a busy road, you must have observed how difficult it is to cover the front brake with all the four fingers when the situation demands applying them soon. In such a scenario, you need to master the art of applying brakes with only two fingers, allowing you to shorten the reaction time, should the need arise for the same.

Advanced braking techniques also entail applying brakes when you roll off the throttle. You need to practise the art of blipping the throttle for downshifts while maintaining consistent pressure on the brakes. It is also essential to note that learning advanced braking techniques while riding a bike is not only limited to the front brake. It also includes learning the deft art of using the rear brake with prudence.

Imbibing lessons on advanced braking techniques can come to your rescue in challenging situations. Learning the art can save not only your life but also of the pillion rider  and others.

Situational awareness

Unfortunately, two-wheelers account for the lion’s share of fatal accidents in India, claiming thousands of lives each year. While not wearing a helmet, over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, etc., are the major culprits, lack of situational awareness also contribute to mishaps.

Situational awareness means being alert while riding and constantly looking out for potential hazards. These may include animals or humans or other vehicles coming across unexpectedly, sudden change of traffic light to red and even the road itself.

Note that situational awareness comes with time. Equally essential is to keep your focus on the road while driving and avoid distractions at all costs.

Often while riding bikes, people use mobile phones or talk with the pillion rider. All such activities affect concentration and can lead to an accident. Thus, while riding, make sure to keep a hawk’s eye on the road. It will not only make your journey safe but also prevent loss of life and property to a great extent.

Mastering the art of turning at sharp turns

This is one of the most essential bike riding tips that’s often ignored. Turning your bike at sharp turns requires skill and the challenge compounds multi-fold if the space is small. Often while riding a bike on hilly terrains, riders encounter sharp turns too often. If you don’t practice well-enough, it can lead to a mishap.

Note that while turning, you also have to manage the accelerator and keep it smooth. While taking such turns, ensure you turn your bike at a 90-degree angle and look ahead. Often most riders make the mistake of looking down while turning, which is an absolute no.

While doing so, extend the elbow away from your body. This prevents the elbow from cramping and gives you more space to take a turn. After you have completed the turn, release the accelerator fully and have a firm grip on the handlebar.

At the same time, when you are approaching a turn, make sure to reduce the speed of your bike as accelerating may prove fatal. If, however, you are not confident of making the turn correctly, stop and manually take your two-wheeler to the other side.

In its efforts to tackle rapidly increasing air pollution in the country, the government of India is planning to run only electric vehicles on the roads by 2030. It has launched a series of policy measures and incentives to promote electric two-wheelers and hybrid cars in the country. It will not only pave the way for cleaner air but also help check the country’s burgeoning oil import bills.

So, as we gear up to embrace complete electric mobility in the upcoming years, automobile manufacturers have also decided to ride this ecological wave and launch many electric vehicles in the upcoming years, replete with modern features and technology. A major portion of these are electric two-wheelers which are already finding increased adoption in India, thanks to their negligible refuelling prices and zero maintenance charges as compared to those running on fossil fuels.

Here is a list of some of the top upcoming electric scooters and motorbikes in India that are due to be launched in 2019:

1. 1. Honda PCX

The makers of top-selling scooters in India like Activa and Aviator, Honda showcased its all new electric scooter named PCX at the Auto Expo 2018. It comes with a new innovative design language that provides a stylish and premium feel to the vehicle. The LED lightning at front, full-digital instrument console, and the sporty alloy-wheels gives it the appeal of a maxi-scooter.

The scooter will pack Honda’s own electric motor with two detachable batteries termed as ‘Honda Mobile Power Pack’ under the seat for enhanced range. The detachable batteries will provide both the options to the user, that of swapping the batteries or charging them at a station. The scooter which is expected to be launched in the latter half of the year should be priced between Rs.1 to Rs.1.2 lakh.

2. 2. TVS Creon

TVS has now come up with an electric scooter named Creon. You can get TVS bike insurance from ICICI Lombard. As seen during the Auto Expo of 2018, it looks striking with its sharp and futuristic design. Visual bits like diamond cut alloys, stylish front apron, sharp tail-end LED lights makes it look more appealing. It also packs a number of features such as cloud connectivity, riding modes, parking assist, GEO fencing and anti-theft mechanism.

The scooter derives its power from a 12 kW electric motor that allows it to accelerate from zero to 60 kmph in only 5 seconds. Also, the engine is efficient enough to run for a distance of about 80 km on a single charge. Again, we are expecting a price tag of around Rs.1 lakh to Rs.1.25 lakh when it makes to the final production model.

3. 3. Hero Duet Electric

One of the largest two-wheeler manufacturers in India, Hero has showcased its tried and tested Duet scooter but in an all new electric version. The design and components draw many similarities from the petrol version of the vehicle. The engine can churn out close to 5 kW power and 14 Nm of maximum torque which is sufficient for a two-wheeler.

The scooter will be capable of reaching 60 kmph in just 6.5 seconds. The company has also revealed that the scooter is efficient enough to cover the distance of about 65 kilometres on a fully charged battery. This e-scooter from the Hero MotoCorp is expected to come with a launch price of Rs.75,000, an attractive choice for price-conscious buyers.

The response to a Right to Information (RTI) query made by a leading media outlet in India revealed that a total of 2801 vehicle theft cases were reported in Mumbai in 2020, of which 2019 cases were of two-wheeler theft. Meanwhile, the situation is much worse in Delhi. As per another media report, Delhi reported 25153 cases of two-wheeler theft in 2020. In 2021, as of 30 November, 25078 were reported stolen in Delhi.

On any given day, you can be in for a shock knowing that your dream vehicle is not there in the place you parked it. Studies suggest that possibility of recovering a stolen two-wheeler is lesser when compared with a car since it is easier to hide and dismantle them.

A comprehensive two wheeler insurance plan can protect your bike against such unforeseen events apart from providing mandatory third-party coverage for your vehicle. You can breathe easy even if your bike insured with a theft cover is stolen. When you purchase insurance online, the insurance company will pay you an amount equal to the monetary value of your stolen bike. Just follow these steps to register the insurance claim against theft of your bike.

What is depreciation?

Depreciation is the decrease in the value of an asset over time. Depreciation refers to the loss in the value of your bike due to regular wear and tear over time. In the context of two-wheeler insurance, it helps the insurer determine your bike's current market worth. Like all machines, Two-wheelers undergo wear and tear during their lifetime, which reduces their market value over time. For insured two-wheelers, policy providers offer a complete list of depreciation rates (as per the Indian Motor Tariff) for different stages during the two-wheeler’s lifetime.

In simple terms, depreciation is the key factor that assists in determining Insured Declared Value (IDV) while also assisting in determining the policy premium.

What is the insured declared value (IDV)?

IDV plays a key role in chalking out the maximum sum assured in case of theft or damage to your two-wheeler. The maximum value payable by the insurer in case of an accident, theft or damage of a two-wheeler is called the Insured Declared Value or IDV. Simply put, IDV is the current market value of your two-wheeler. If your two-wheeler meets with an accident, then you will be given the IDV as compensation by the two-wheeler insurance company. This compensation gets reduced as the age of your two-wheeler increases. The premium you pay for your vehicle insurance is directly proportional to the IDV.

How do we calculate the insured declared value (IDV)?

A very important point to remember here is that IDV is not calculated on the price you have paid for purchasing the vehicle. Instead, it is calculated considering the market value of the two-wheeler on the commencement of the policy. This value varies largely with time.

Ideally, you should get your vehicle insured within six months of the purchase to get the maximum IDV. The older your vehicle, the lesser will be the IDV and the premium.

Scroll down to understand the insured declared value (IDV) calculation through a formula.

Insured declared value (IDV) = {Bike's current market value - depreciation costs} + {Accessories cost - depreciation value of accessories}

To fully comprehend the insured declared value (IDV), you must first understand the influence of depreciation in percentage on the age of a two-wheeler.

As per the Indian Motor Tariff Act, the depreciation on the bike will be such:  

Vehicle’s lifetime	Percentage of depreciation
Less than six months	5%
Exceeding six months but less than a year	15%
Exceeding one year but less than two years	20%
Exceeding two years but less than three years	30%
Exceeding three years but less than four years	40%
Exceeding four years but less than five years	50%

 

If your two-wheeler is five years old or more, you would still get the IDV amount, depending on the condition of your two-wheeler’s body parts and its serviceability. Even if your two-wheeler is an obsolete model, you will still be able to get its IDV value through a mutual agreement with your general insurance company. You can also use an IDV calculator to calculate your bike's insured declared value.

Depreciation in IDV rates

Ideally, depreciation is adjusted on the vehicle’s selling price listed by the manufacturer. If a vehicle is not more than six months old, the deprecation value is 5%. This goes up periodically and reaches a value of 50% of the market price in 4-5 years. If the two-wheeler is more than five years old, the insured declared value (IDV) is calculated by an agreement between the insurance company and the policyholder. While insuring your two-wheeler, the right amount of IDV is the first step towards ensuring an infallible financial backup. So, get your ride insured and ride without the fear of any financial roadblocks.

Lost your two-wheeler policy document? No need to panic, just follow the below steps

Insurance policy documents are among the important documents that we normally keep in a safe location. Losing some of your important documents is not very common, but sometimes it does happen. There could be a situation where you misplace your two-wheeler insurance policy document. You’ve made every attempt to find it, searched every nook and cranny of your house, but to no avail. Your two-wheeler insurance policy is an important document, without which you would be at risk while riding your two-wheeler.

How to Get a Duplicate Insurance Policy Document

The last and only solution for you now, is to request your insurance company to issue a duplicate insurance policy document. But, getting a duplicate policy document is not easy. There are certain pre-requisites that you need to perform before you could make an application for a duplicate policy document.

Teenagers between 16-18 to get valid driving license to drive e-scooters in India

The Road and Transport Ministry of India decided to amend the motor vehicle rules in order to provide a valid driving license to youths between 16 to 18 years of age to drive e-scooters in India at a maximum speed of 70 km per hour. The government also notified that vehicle registration would be mandatory for these electric scooters and they will have a green number plate.

Under the current regulations, people between the age of 16 to 18 can obtain a license for driving two-wheelers with an engine capacity of less than 50 cc. However, while the legislation exists, no such vehicle is being manufactured in the country.