Winter Motorcycle Riding Tips

Riding your motorcycle during winter isn’t always possible. Uncertain weather conditions can make riding very uncomfortable and in some cases, it can be very dangerous. If you’re lucky like us at BBV Powersports, you get to ride your motorcycle all year round in Las Vegas. Even then, unpredictable and cold weather can still happen. If you plan on riding your motorcycle this winter, keep these motorcycle riding tips in mind. They can make all the difference between an enjoyable ride and freezing your tail off.

We should preface by saying: never drive while it is snowing, and use your best judgment about whether or not you should ride your bike or stay in instead. Plan your ride ahead of time to make sure that you aren’t caught off guard by the weather.

#1 Dress for the cold

If you plan on riding in the cold, one of the smartest thing that you could do is dress appropriately for the cold! Unlike most motorists, you don’t have the luxury of heated seats and a heater… That means you’ll need to dress warmly!

Remember to dress in layers starting with a full-length base layer that covers your arms and legs. You should opt for a base layer that allows your sweat to evaporate so you don’t freeze as you sweat. On top of that, you could wear a fleece. If you need a layer above that, a windbreaker or waterproof outer layer should get the job done.

Don’t forget to wear gloves to keep your hands warm as well. You’ll need all the warmed in your fingers as you can get.

#2 Prep Bike For Winter

All the warm gear in the world is pretty useless without a properly prepped motorcycle. When you’re riding your motorcycle throughout the winter you’re dealing with a few variables that you need to be aware of.

First, low temperatures will affect the air pressure on your tires. This, in turn, will impact the amount of traction that your tires get. As temperatures drop, the air in your tires will condense and cause the tire pressure on your motorcycle to decrease. Tire pressure that is too low can make riding dangerous, so it is important that you stay on top of this.

Additionally, you will want to make sure that tires have enough tread to grip the road. A quick way to check if you have enough tread on your tires with a penny test.

#3 Keep Your Eyes On The Road

• Once you’re out on the road, you will want to keep your eyes open. Keep an eye out for slick and slippery surfaces from water or ice on the road.
• Watch out for other motorists and give yourself extra space between vehicles to react.
• Make yourself visible to other vehicles and watch out for any vehicles that may swerve to avoid ice on the road.