Cold Weather Motorcycle Riding Tips
Snow in the forecast marks a pretty definitive end to the riding season for most of us. However, there are some dedicated riders who simply can’t bear to be off two wheels, even when the weather turns brisk. If you’re one of them, or thinking you’d like to ride through the wintery weather, we’ve assembled some important elements to consider for you and your ride.
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First, Keep Yourself Warm
The most crucial component to keeping safe and comfortable during cold weather riding is you. While each of us have different internal “thermostats” that let some individuals manage colder or hotter weather better than others, physiologically, we all have our limits. We’re exposed to the elements when riding, so you could be battling the wind, as well as the cold and the wet.
When your body gets cold during a ride, you will likely first notice it in your hands and feet since they’re the furthest extremities from your heart that pumps all that warm blood around. This is particularly problematic when riding since you need both your hands and feet consistently to operate the machine. When fingers get cold, they become slower and less effective at operating the clutch, throttle and brakes. The solution, of course, is to have warm gloves, ideally with waterproof material (like Gore-Tex), and a taller gauntlet style that covers your wrists.
Layering up is key, but beware of too much bulk as it will hinder movement on the bike. Don’t substitute a simple winter jacket for proper riding gear since it won’t be constructed with the armor and protective materials you will be thankful for in the event of a slide or collision.
Plan Ahead
The human body fatigues quicker when it’s cold, which means a rider’s alertness and reaction times will get sluggish. It’s a good idea to plan rides that are shorter in duration than ones you might be able to easily manage when the weather is warmer. If you plan to cover a long distance, break up the trip into shorter segments to warm up and get your blood circulating.
Tech to the Rescue
Heated gear is a revelation. There are several companies who produce not only heated gloves, but heated vests, and even pants to keep your essentials toasty. These battery-powered garments can stay warm for extended periods of time, often with varying temperature levels to suit conditions and different riders’ desires. Modern lithium-ion battery packs are more compact, charge faster, and are more powerful than previous iterations.
Heated seat pads will warm up your back side if your bike isn’t equipped with a heated seat. Similarly, many bikes have heated grips, which do wonders to keep your hands warm and flexible. If your bike wasn’t offered with heated grips from the factory, there are aftermarket options available that are usually simple and easy to install.
Bike Choice Matters
While it doesn’t actually lower the temperature, windchill can certainly make it feel a lot colder than it is. That’s especially true with naked bikes where the rider receives very little protection.
Purpose-built machines that feature fairings will help move air away from and around the rider, reducing the effect of the windchill. What’s more, those same fairings can often keep some of the engine’s heat closer to the rider, too, which isn’t much fun on a scorching summer day, but can be welcomed when the temperature drops.
Motorcyclists really keen on road riding throughout the winter might want to consider a three-wheeled machine. A Can-Am Canyon Redrock, trike or a two-wheel-drive Ural with a sidecar will all provide more stability if the roads become unexpectedly icy. An ATV, side-by-side, or better yet – snowmobile – will all provide winter time fun but are more restricted in where they can be ridden.
Bike Preparation
Your bike probably won’t complain much about the cold unless it’s got some old, cranky carbs. Modern, fuel-injected machines tend to just keep happily motoring along unless it’s well below freezing. Still, if you’re consistently riding in temps that get close to or below freezing, it’s wise to check your owner’s manual to see if a different grade of oil is recommended to suit the conditions. As oil gets cold, it tends to thicken up, and if your bike runs on a 10- or 20-weight oil most of the year, it may benefit from a lighter oil in the winter.
Get a Grip
Most motorcycle tires are not designed to operate at their best in cold conditions. Soft, grippy rubber, particularly the kind found on sportier tires, gets hard when the temperature drops. Adventure bike tires often provide more grip thanks to their composition and tread construction. Those looking to do full-on winter riding may want to seek out the few manufacturers who create proper winter tires for motorcycles, complete with a grippier tread and a rubber compound that’s less susceptible to hardening in the cold. The next step is to go for specialized studded tires, or tires that are made specifically to have studs installed. Keep in mind that studs will provide excellent traction on ice and hard-packed snow, but will be loud and offer little traction on concrete or asphalt.
Rust Never Sleeps
Motorcycles don’t have the same sort of anti-corrosion protection that most cars and trucks do, so they can be susceptible to rust, especially if ridden through gritty, salty conditions. Be sure to thoroughly clean and lubricate the bike, particularly the chain and components, more frequently than you would during warmer weather.
It takes a dedicated die-hard rider to still enjoy motorcycling in the winter. If you’re one of them, take your time, bundle up and ride safely!
Jeff Wilson
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