Winter Motorcycle Riding
With the temperature dropping by the day, it’s either time to store your motorcycle or take the extra precautions to protect yourself from the cold weather. If you’re in the second category, make sure you’re ready for winter riding. You won’t want to approach it the same way you approach summer riding and you’ll need to be ready for sudden weather changes. Here at Peak Honda World, we’ve provided some of the basics for preparing yourself, but none are more important than making sure your bike is in peak working condition. For all your regular maintenance and repair needs, stop by our location in Littleton, Colorado, near Denver. And while you're at our dealership you can also take a look at our extensive collection of motorcycles for sale.
Safety Gear
The most important thing you’ll need, even outside the winter months, is safety gear. We’ll get into staying warm in a moment, but prioritize safety, especially when you can expect slippery roads. This should include a properly fitted helmet with eye protection. Some full-face helmets come with a face shield, but if it doesn’t then find goggles. You’ll be particularly grateful for this if it starts to rain.
Many of your other standard bike gear can have padding or hard plastic covers, like the knuckles over your gloves and knee and elbow padding under your riding clothes. You’ll also want to make sure you’re wearing proper riding boots, as your normal sneakers won’t provide you with the right protection.
Stay Warm
The difference between your riding gear in the summer and your riding gear in the winter is the importance of staying warm. Being too cold can hinder your focus and your dexterity, not to mention it’s incredibly uncomfortable. The key is layering. This is generally better for insulation, but if you find you’re overheating, it’s easier to cool off if you can remove a layer or two. You’ll also want to keep your neck covered to avoid lowering your body temperature. And now, there are lots of gear manufacturers that include internal warming mechanisms. This might come in the form a jacket, pants, or even gloves. However, this may only be necessary for the particularly cold days, as layering is usually sufficient.
Double Up for Hands and Feet
As the extremities furthest from your core, your hands and feet are usually the most susceptible to cold weather, but they’re essential for maintaining control over your bike, so pay particular attention to them. Let’s start with your hands. You might be able to get heated grips for your bike so you’ve got added warmth. And heated gloves might not be a bad idea. If you can retain your dexterity, you can layer your gloves, just make sure it won’t hinder your ability to control your ride.
Your feet should be protected by proper riding boots, prioritizing safety over insulation. It’s smart to have warm boots, but if you don’t have access to boots that are built for the winter, then wear a normal pair of socks under a thick, warm pair. This should keep your feet warm.
Be Ready for Extreme Cold
Even if the thermometer says it’s 45 degrees Fahrenheit out, the wind chill you’ll experience when riding at high speeds will make it feel as though it’s 20 degrees colder. Even if you’re traveling at a fairly average speed, expect the air around you to feel a lot colder. For this reason, you’ll want to over prepare, even if it looks like you’re headed to the mountain for the day. And don’t forget combating that kind of cold can be exhausting. If you’re traveling a long way, consider making more stops than you normally would to give your body a rest and warm up a bit.
Dealing with Snow and Ice
Snow and ice can be dangerous even for car drivers, but motorcyclists should be even more cautious. Keep a particularly close eye on high-risk areas, like tunnels, shaded areas, bridges, and valleys. If you think you’re about to pass over ice and there’s no way to avoid it, simply maintain your speed and your direction. Odds are your momentum will carry you through as long as you don’t try to make any sudden changes. If you must turn or change speed, don’t do so quickly or sharply, as this could cause you to slide.
If you find yourself stuck in the snow, start by avoiding compact snow as it doesn’t provide much traction. Stay away from high-speed areas and try to stay in second gear while coasting as much as possible. At this point, the safest way to stop is to use your feet, so don’t go so fast that your feet can’t help you.
Keep in mind that the last two suggestions are only if you’re surprised by these weather conditions and need to get home. If you know snow is in the forecast or if the roads could get icy, it’s best to stay home. If you need additional tips for winter riding or if your bike needs routine maintenance or repairs, stop by Peak Honda World in Littleton, Colorado, proudly serving the Denver area.