How To: Beat the Winter Blahs
Nobody hates winter more than someone with a fully functioning motorcycle in their garage. For riding enthusiasts, nothing takes the air out of your proverbial tires faster than having to hibernate for the winter. What are you supposed to do for fun and entertainment between the time you put your bike to bed for the season and that joyous day when you can bust it back out of its cold-weather prison?
Search New and Used Motorcycles on the Cycle Trader Marketplace
We feel your pain, which is why we put together this list of suggestions to help you get through the winter blues and make it to riding season with your sanity intact.
Upgrades
If you enjoy working on your motorcycle and have a climate-controlled space where you can do so comfortably when it’s cold out, winter is a great time to make adjustments or upgrades you’ve been thinking about. It’s hard to take your bike out of commission during riding season, so take advantage of the downtime now.
There are plenty of do-it-yourself projects you can handle on your own, or with the help of a friend without investing in specialty tools or learning complicated procedures. Adding heated grips is one option, allowing you to start riding earlier in the spring and extend your season later into the fall. New graphics or running lights are also great ways to spruce up your ride and increase visibility when you’re back out on the road.
If you have a project in mind that requires special tools or extra hands, consider checking with riding friends or a local riding group to see if anyone else is interested in tackling similar upgrades. That way, you can share the cost of tools and help each other with installations.
What’s New (and Old)?
While not as many as there once were, there are still a number of large expositions in major cities across the U.S., showcasing new bikes, gear, and concept models from top manufacturers. Look for a show near you and bring along some friends to check out the latest motorcycles, products, and trends.
If you’re more interested in motorcycle history, there are plenty of motorcycle museums across the country worth visiting.
Here are a few great excuses for a road trip:
-
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama, is the Guinness World Record holder for the largest motorcycle collection, with more than 1,800 bikes on display (plus a racetrack).
-
The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, offers a comprehensive look at the iconic brand’s history.
-
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio, honors the pioneers of American motorcycling.
- Wheels Through Time in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, focuses on rare and historically significant American motorcycles.
-
The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, includes notable bikes in its American Motorcycle Exhibit.
-
The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, features a motorcycle gallery with rare vintage bikes.
The Need for Speed
Still craving the rush but not the winter travel? Look for an arcade near you that offers riding simulators. There are also plenty of motorcycle video games available for consoles and PCs, as well as specialized simulator rigs that offer realistic leaning and motion, although they require a sizeable investment.
You can also get your fix by watching MotoGP races or binge-watching the last 30 years of Isle of Man action through the recently announced TT Rewind streaming service.
Motorcycle Movie Marathon
Checking out motorcycle-focused films at home may help scratch the itch. A few notable recent releases include:
-
The Bikeriders (2023), a drama about a Midwestern motorcycle club that features plenty of bikes and club culture.
-
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024), a Mad Max prequel packed with post-apocalyptic action and unforgettable motorcycle sequences.
-
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), which includes a jaw-dropping motorcycle cliff jump stunt performed by Tom Cruise, six times in one day.
Classic motorcycle films are always worth revisiting as well. Titles like One Week, Easy Rider, The Motorcycle Diaries, Why We Ride, The World’s Fastest Indian, and The Wild One are great choices. Invite some friends over and make a day of it.
Develop a Plan
Nothing beats the feeling of the open road, but there are plenty of ways to stay engaged during the off-season so you’re ready to enjoy it again in the spring. One option is to plan your first ride or trip of the season with friends – whether that’s an organized rally like Daytona or Sturgis. If you’re up for trailering your bike to a warmer part of the country, you could explore some of these ride-worthy winter festivals.
We’re admittedly biased, but browsing Cycle Trader for your next motorcycle is a great way to pass the time until the weather starts to warm up again.
Barrett Baker
You might also like
