How to Ride a Motorcycle or Scooter in The Winter

Member

By blackcoffee
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (5 Ratings)

Ride a Motorcycle or Scooter in The Winter

as the cold winter weather takes its grip on parts of the country, riding a motorcycle becomes challenging. Ice, Snow, winds and biting cold weather make riding a motorcycle in winter more dangerous. Motorcycle safety comes first! With preparation and a few gizmos you can ride comfortably when its freezing outside.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A motorcycle
Winter Riding Gear
jacket leather
gloves
other motorcycle accessories

Step 1

Whether you ride a custom Harley Davidson motorcycle with accessories, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki or scooter, the most important step to winter riding is having your motorcycle in good working order. This means fresh oil and a oil filter change with appropriate oil for the cold temperature, excellent treads on the tires, good breaks and a freshly charged battery. Also proper insurance.
Step 2

Full Face Helmet...

Hypothermia is your biggest enemy. Even if you feel slightly cold it can cause frostbite and death if you are not prepared. So use a department of transportation (DOT)approved Full face motorcycle helmet. This will insulate your head and face from the cold as well as protect you better from a fall on ice or snow. prepare your helmet with anti fog spray.
Step 3

Heavy Leather Motorcycle Jacket-
Leather stops wind from getting through to your skin. A decent leather motorcycle jacket is needed for winter riding. I have a Joe Rocket which keeps me warm. Make sure it has vents and velcro straps to hold it tight.
Step 4

Leather Chaps
Chaps will keep the cold off of your skin and protect you from road rash better than any denim or fabric! Chaps are leather pants designed to put over jeans. I suggest a pair of long johns. Check with your local camping/hunting store such as modells or dicks sporting goods.
Step 5

Gauntlet leather Gloves..
Leather gloves aren't enough. Icy wind will crawl up your arms and distract your riding ability. Gauntlet gloves are needed. These are gloves that are long and go over your sleeves.
Step 6

Peripherals
Even with a full face motorcycle helmet, leather riding jacket and leather chaps icy winds will find its way to your neck, up your sleeves and around your ankles. Go to your local ski shop and buy a neck warmer. This is a piece of clothing the pulls over your head and stays around your neck. You can also get a full face mask fabric hat but with a full face helmet this may not be needed.
Step 7

You can also purchase heated gloves, heated socks, heated pants and heated vests from gerbing.com. These attach via wire to your motorcycles battery and will keep you toasty warm. riding boots which go above your ankles are important.
Step 8

Make sure your bike gets equipped with a large windshield and adding lower wind deflectors and hand deflectors will help. Some bikes like the honda goldwing actually have warming vents but if even with motorcycle accessories like heat, motorcycle clothes are very important for winter riding. Its a hasstle but if you love to ride... It's worth it!!! Ride ON!

Comments

motherNN said

Flag This Comment

on 12/5/2009 I have a co-worker who rides all year long and here in WI we get plenty of snow! He hooks up a side car to his Hog in winter for more stability. Great article for gearing up properly! 5* and I recommended you.