Riding your Ather through the Chennai monsoon

Rain is fine; floods are not

Ather scooters are built and tested for riding in rain, with sealed electrical components. The motors are rated IP67 on the Konarc and Rizta and IP66 on the 450 series, which means they are protected against heavy water jets and, for IP67, temporary immersion in controlled conditions.

That does not make any scooter safe to ride through a flooded street. Water hides potholes, open drains and debris, and deep water can enter places no rating covers. Our rule: if you cannot see the road surface, do not ride through it. Wait, or take another route.

Riding in the wet

• Switch to Rain traction mode on the 450X and 450 Apex; the Rizta Z's SkidControl works automatically.
• Avoid Warp and hard acceleration — smooth inputs keep the tyres gripping.
• Treat painted lines, manhole covers and metal plates as ice.
• Brake earlier and more gently, using both brakes together.
• Check tyre pressure and tread before October — worn tyres are the biggest wet-weather risk.

Charging in wet weather

Keep the charger and the socket dry. Never charge with water pooled around the charging point, and do not handle the plug with wet hands. If the scooter is parked in the open, charge it under cover. Ather's chargers and charging ports are designed with safety in mind, but common sense around electricity applies.

If your scooter has been in deep water

Do not try to start or charge it. Push it to higher ground, call us, and we will advise or arrange to inspect it. Water damage caused by riding through floods may not be covered by the warranty, which is one more reason to avoid it. Our four showrooms keep monsoon-season slots open for exactly this.