Riding motorbike in the Winter | Ultimate Guide & Gears

If you are a bike lover, you would know it doesn’t matter whether it is summer or winter to ride a motorbike. You have to ride a motorbike because it gives you inner happiness and peace. However, riding in cold weather demands different considerations to stay safe and comfortable as possible. Beyond this, biking in the winter is different in many ways. People who ride in winter know that with the correct gear, a little common sense, and a lighter touch when riding. Except for the worst weather, you can continue riding safely and improve your riding skills by spring.

When you become skilled professional at riding your motorcycle in the winter, you can wave goodbye to cabin fever. Riding a bike in the winter may be an absolutely thrilling experience, but the fun and advantages are tremendous. The following suggestions will help you make the most of your winter riding.

[su_heading size=”18″]Check out The Weather Conditions[/su_heading]

There is no harm in winter riding a motorbike but considering weather conditions is crucial. The wind chill is one of the important factors you must consider first. The impact of quickly moving air on your body’s temperature perception is known as wind chill. It feels like pleasant cold weather when you are in your garage, but it feels freezing cold when you are on the road riding your favourite motorbike. You run the danger of getting hypothermia if you are in subfreezing conditions. Your body experiences this potentially fatal condition when your body temperature goes below 95^o Fahrenheit.

So, a temperature below 32^o Fahrenheit should be considered high risk after sunset temperature starts to drop rapidly. To stay safe and ride comfortably, you should consider the time of the day because your life is more precious than a motorbike ride.

[su_heading size=”18″]Choosing The Right Type of Clothes[/su_heading]

The best thing you can do for your safety is to ride in full gear. Wintertime only strengthens this. You should focus on two key objectives when selecting and wearing your cold-weather motorcycle clothing. The first step in preventing hypothermia is to maintain core temperature. The second is to avoid exposing extremities to the chilly air.

[su_note note_color=”#edfeff”]

[su_list icon=”icon: check-square” icon_color=”#0d4eae” indent=”3″]

Layering

Choosing the right clothing and layering is the key to riding comfortably in chilly weather. Base layers (whole leg, full sleeve) are essential, like those sold by many motorcycle clothing manufacturers. Even while riding, we sweat, and the base layers allow for proper skin ventilation and moisture wicking. This aids in sweat evaporation rather than the body’s chilly perspiration.

Motorbike Gloves

Winter motorcycle gloves are essential to protect your hands from getting cold. It is very important to keep your hands warm to hold the grip. Both wind-blocking and heat-retaining insulation should be present. Finding warm gloves that give you decent control is a delicate balancing act. Use electrically powered gloves that connect to the bike’s electrical system. Don’t think heated grips can take the place of wearing riding gloves during the cold.

Footwear

Once you’ve taken care of the fingers, focus on selecting the proper footwear for your feet because the limbs will become cold. Look for some good-quality motorcycle socks to match your waterproof motorcycle boots. There is no need to spend much money, but long-term investment in the best you can afford can pay off.

[/su_list] [/su_note]

Choose The Correct Winter Motorcycle Gear

Some essential changes to your motorcycles can make riding this season safer for you. Consider these given winter gears before riding.

[su_note note_color=”#edfeff”]

[su_list icon=”icon: check-square” icon_color=”#0d4eae” indent=”3″]

Windshield

Windshields can be a great help in keeping the icy air off of your body. Most likely, if you ride a touring motorbike, you already have one. If not, a variety of aftermarket windshields are readily available for practically all motorcycle models.

Winter Tires

There aren’t many winters or snow tires available worldwide, and they only come in a few sizes and are rarely seen here. There are studded tires for ice racing, but they are not suitable for everyday use. The news regarding winter motorcycle tires is both good and bad. The thread compound is made to be sticky down to roughly 40 °F, which is a piece of wonderful news. However, the bad news is that they lose effectiveness and can quickly break down above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

[/su_list] [/su_note]

Pre-ride

Pre-ride checks are something you already perform, but winter is the time to start paying close attention to them. Be thorough when inspecting the standard suspects, such as the lights, brakes, chain, fluids, and tire pressure. The importance of checks increases during the colder months, but the colder months also make checks more challenging.

Starting

In winter, the battery performance declines, and motor oil’s viscosity increases. If your battery is so old, you must consider replacing it in winter as motors require more energy in winter.

Warm up

Warm up your bike’s engine before setting off on a winter ride. It helps to protect the high-stress components by heating the oil and circulating it through the top of the motor. It is crucial because different metals heat up at different rates in motors because they are constructed with various metals for various components.

Lubricate: Your motor can run at its best if the oil is changed to match the typical winter temperature range.

[su_note note_color=”#deffde”]

• Keep An Eye Out For Salt: Salt is bad for grip as well as metal. If you observe highly crystalline surfaces on the roadside, avoid the area and treat salt as you would ice. Once, I made the age-old mistake of entering a sharp corner too quickly, and I low-sided my V-Strom. Due to the excessive lean angle, I was forced to run; my front tire immediately blew up. But I could avoid getting hurt since winter by sliding into a snow bank.
• Take Necessary precautions to prevent moisture: First, be sure to clean and lubricate your drive chain regularly. Even in good weather, this is something you should be doing, but it becomes especially crucial during the winter. It can be challenging to drive smoothly if your drive chain freezes, and it might even break. Lubrication and cleaning are also helpful for clutch cables. If the water tank of your motorcycle has a liquid cooling system, check the antifreeze level frequently. And make sure it is thoroughly drained through the bike.
• Take It Slow: There is no hurry; take it slow at first if it’s been a while and you’re popping out to keep things moving and your batteries charged. You’ll be rusty, and your bike will take some time to warm up.

[/su_note]

[su_box title=”Conclusion” style=”soft” box_color=”#008c01″]

It can be unsafe to ride a motorcycle in the cold. If you’re not careful, the cooler air temperatures, probable snowfall, and slick roads can all result in serious problems and accidents. When travelling on the open, icy road, you may be sure that you’ll be as safe as possible by paying attention to these suggestions. So, don’t hesitate to ride in winter; take some precautions and avoid riding in the snow.

[/su_box]