Winter and Fog Riding in Araria: Starting and Safety Tips

Winter in Araria is not mountain cold, but it is damp, foggy and long. From November the mornings turn chilly, fog sits on the Forbesganj and Purnia roads until mid-morning, and bikes that started easily all summer begin to sulk. This is what we see in the workshop every year, and what you can do about it before the first cold week.

Why does my bike struggle to start on cold mornings?

Two things change in the cold. Engine oil gets thicker, so the engine turns over more slowly. And a battery delivers less power when it is cold. A battery that was only just coping in September often gives up in the first cold week, and that is the most common winter visit we get.

If the bike is slow to start, press the self-start in short bursts of a few seconds and wait between them. Holding the button down drains the battery and gains nothing. Once it fires, let it idle for half a minute before you pull away, and keep the throttle gentle for the first kilometre. Revving a cold engine hard is what wears it. If your battery is more than two or three years old, our guide to when to replace the chain, tyres and battery explains the signs.

What should I check before the cold weather starts?

An hour at the workshop in October saves a dead bike on a December morning. This is the short list we run through with winter in mind:

• Battery: terminals clean and tight, and a proper load check rather than a glance at the voltage.
• Spark plug: an old plug is the first thing a cold start exposes.
• Engine oil: fresh oil of the right grade flows better when the engine is cold.
• Lights: headlamp, tail lamp and indicators all working, and the lens clean.
• Brakes and tyres: damp roads and fog leave less room for error, so pads and tread matter more.

Most of this is part of a normal service. Book it at our service centre and mention that you want it winter-ready.

How do I ride safely in fog on district roads?

Fog on the roads around Araria is worst in the first hours after sunrise and again after dusk. The danger is not only that you cannot see. It is that a truck, a tractor trolley or a cart without lights cannot see you. Leave later in the morning if you can, and switch your headlamp on even in daylight so you are visible earlier.

Slow down more than feels necessary, keep a longer gap than usual, and stay off the white line at the edge, where gravel and damp collect. Wipe your visor or glasses before you set off. A reflective strip on the back of your helmet or jacket costs very little and makes a real difference to a driver coming up behind you. Wear a helmet every ride, and in winter wear gloves too, since cold hands brake and steer badly.

Does winter affect an electric scooter?

Yes, a little. Batteries give up some range in the cold, so a TVS iQube that comfortably does your daily run in summer may show a smaller number on a cold morning. For a normal town commute this rarely matters, but plan more carefully before a long run, and charge fully the night before. Fog does not harm the scooter, but wet roads call for the same care as on any other bike.

If you are choosing a bike partly for winter, a light and easy scooter like the TVS Jupiter is simple to handle on slippery mornings, and a fuel-injected motorcycle will generally start without complaint. Prices are indicative ex-showroom, so call us for an on-road figure.