Know how to control your bike after a tyre burst 28^th December 2021

When you go out for a drive, hearing your tyre burst is the last thing you want. It can lead to a deadly accident. Many companies have now introduced tubeless tyres to reduce the chances of a blowout. However, there is very minimal time to control your bike if one does happen.

Since time is of the essence in such emergencies, it is important to know exactly what you need to do. So before going on your next ride, make sure you go through the following tips on controlling your bike after a tyre burst.

1. Do not hit the brakes instantly:
Whenever something goes wrong while driving or when we sense an emergency on the road, our natural instinct is to hit the brakes. However, this is not the universal solution to all emergencies. When you press the brakes suddenly, you may be thrown off your bike into the oncoming traffic.
If you are travelling at high speeds, more than 90 kmph, applying brakes suddenly can result in dangerous situations. Pressing brakes at high speeds can make the vehicle wobble, causing you to lose control of it. Instead, you should try rolling on the bike without using the brakes at all.

2. Maintain appropriate speed:
Speeding is one of the leading causes of accidents occurring on the road. When you go over the speed, say, more than 100 kmph, you are more likely to face a nasty collision in case of a tyre burst.
The chances of safely coming to a halt on time are much higher when travelling at slow/safe speeds. On the other hand, speeding will make your bike uncontrollable during a tyre burst and reduce or eliminate the chances of recovery afterwards.

3. Use engine braking:
If you have a bike with good engine braking, you can use that to slow down your vehicle instead of hitting the brakes. When your bike suffers a tyre burst, shift down the gears and accelerate using engine braking to slow down gradually. By this method, your bike will not suffer from the shock of sudden braking, and the chances of losing control of your bike will reduce significantly.

4. Keep your bike straight:
When experiencing a tyre burst, there isn't much time to avoid an accident or think about directions. However, to save yourself, you should try to keep your bike straight and steady. Turning the motorcycle or veering can worsen the situation.

Of course, if there is a danger zone in front of you, making a turn is the only choice. However, do this with acute linearity because a sudden directional change can unbalance the bike and result in a mishap.

Accidents are unpredictable and can happen when we least expect them. Keeping a check on your bike and conducting regular maintenance can prevent an unexpected tyre burst. In addition to it, secure yourself and bike in such uncertain times through individual accident insurance. Ride safe so that you enjoy riding your bike again!

Click HERE to buy the best individual accident insurance.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.