Cold Weather Motorcycle Riding Tips
Riding your motorcycle in cold weather is not for the faint of heart. You’ll need to bundle up tight to deal with the wind chill and be extra careful around any snow or ice you might encounter. If you do brave the elements, though, you’ll experience riding your motorcycle in another way. If you’d like to try cold-weather motorcycle riding and want a place to start, check out this guide from the experts at The Cycle Exchange.
Wearing Warmer Gear
Your normal riding gear might not be up to the task of protecting you on a cold-weather ride. After all, even speeds of between 20-30 MPH can create significant wind chill. A windshield can help somewhat, but you’ll still want to take some extra steps. We recommend either investing in some insulated riding gear or adding layers to your normal ensemble. Warm riding gloves are a must, as you don’t want to lose your grip on the controls due to losing feeling in your fingers. It’s also important that you make sure that your gear is waterproof because getting wet can make you feel colder.
Watch for Road Hazards
In addition to the usual road hazards, you’ll need to look out for cold weather-specific pitfalls. For example, the gravel or salt used to help discourage ice formation can ironically slip you up. Naturally, the ice itself can make your life difficult, particularly black ice since it is so difficult to spot. Give yourself extra time while braking, turning, changing lanes, and accelerating during a cold-weather ride.
Check Tire Pressure
Cold temperatures can cause the air in your tires to contract, lowering your overall air pressure. Low air pressure leads to reduced traction and fuel efficiency, so make an effort to monitor your tire pressure during cold weather. If you’re in a safe area like a low-traffic street or empty parking lot, you can try rapidly accelerating and decelerating to warm your tires up a bit before a long ride.
For more information or to view our selection of motorcycles, visit The Cycle Exchange. Our dealerships in Andover and Ledgewood, New Jersey offer convenient access to communities like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New York, New York. We also offer financing and trade-ins.