The Honda Monkey has a body that is tiny in size. This motorbike with a distinctive design has a length of 1,710 mm, a width of 755 mm and a height of 1,029 mm. The seat height is only 776 mm and the lowest distance to the ground is 160 mm. Not a few doubted whether the Honda Monkey was safe to use by breaking through high water or flooding.
Moreover, the end of the year is usually marked by quite high rainfall in several regions. In some areas, they even experience heavy enough rain to cause flooding.
When faced with flooding, some people choose to make a U-turn to find a safer route. However, there are also some people who prefer to brave the flood.
Please note, each motorbike has a safe limit if forced to crash into puddles. However, not all motorbikes have the same safety limits.
Endro Sutarno, Technical Service Division of PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM), said that if you are forced to cross a puddle, make sure the water level is still below the exhaust.
“As long as the water level is still below the exhaust tip, the motorbike is still safe when passing in a flooded location. The level of flood that is safe for motorbikes can be seen from whether or not the motor can pass the flood, ”said Endro, quoted from Kompas.com.
However, this safe limit does not seem to apply to the Honda Monkey. Because, this motorbike uses a scrambler exhaust model that is located above. So, it is not advisable to bypass the high floods.
Ade Rohman, Assistant Technical Service Manager of PT Daya Dicipta Motora (DAM), a Honda main dealer in West Java, said that when a motorbike passes through a puddle or flood, there is a risk of experiencing a water hammer.
Water hammer is a condition in which water enters the combustion chamber. This incoming water cannot decrease in volume when compressed. Thus, the piston handlebar or connecting rod will lose, resulting in bent. If it’s like that, the engine will suffer damage and break down. Need to get off the engine to repair the damage.
For that, Ade warned, do not let stagnant water passes through the engine breathing. There are three things that must be avoided when the Honda Monkey is forced to pass through a high puddle
These three things, including engine breathing, exhaust holes and air filter holes. These three holes must be free of water to avoid the risk of the engine breaking down.
“If you are not sure about the water level, you should take another route that is safer,” said Wahyudi.
