Driving a motorcycle in winter is not something that you should back out if you follow some logical guidelines. Winter does not have to mean keeping your motorcycle in the garage until the temperatures rise again and not enjoying all the advantages offered by your beloved two-wheelers. A well-chosen equipment, observing some basic principles of driving and controlling a little more mechanics can be the keys to continue riding on a motorcycle at low temperature.

Warm and waterproof clothing

To make winter motorcycling as pleasant as possible it is important to wear warm and waterproof clothing. Nothing is so annoying as to get completely cold and soaked after reaching your final destination. Furthermore, extreme cold can reduce your alertness, which can lead to dangerous situations. The harsh wind can enter through the smallest gaps or openings and soon you are completely cold. Therefore wear thermal underwear under your clothes. You can also use a windshield. For your hands, there are electrically heated gloves that keep them warm. There are also winter motorcycle suits available that retain the heat and repel the rain. When purchasing your motorcycle clothing, make sure you choose a suit that makes you stand out on the road. Remember not to leave any crack where the wind can sneak.

Clean and scratch-free helmet

To protect your head, the most practical is a thermal hood that will also protect your neck. Of course, a helmet is also a very important element to remember regardless of the weather. Do not forget to buy awesome motorcycle helmet that will also be warm enough!

 

Even in winter, the view of the engine is of great importance. Clean your helmet regularly and free it of grease so that no rain will remain on it. Rain on your helmet ensures that you have less vision. Splashing mud or brine can also obstruct your view while you are riding a motorbike, so clean your helmet immediately after your ride. In addition, a scratch-free helmet is also very important for the best view of the road.


Put the good boots on your feet to feel comfortable and warm enough. Even a low cane for daily use will be worth it without problems. Once again, remember not to leave gaps in the fittings of the pants with the boots for correct air conditioning.

Good tires

As a motorcyclist, when you suddenly end up in a snowstorm or if it starts to freeze, it is important that your tires have a good profile so that you have a strong grip on the road and do not slip away with your bike. Also in heavy rain, a good profile is important so that the water can be drained better. It is also essential that your tires have the right tension for a pleasant location on the road.

Motorcycling to the office – how to handle with clothes?

Those of you who live outside the city and have to travel to the centre by road have a hard time changing the motorcycle to public transport. If you really have to go many kilometers and it is very cold, you should definitely try some heated cuffs. You can find them in the auxiliary industry and they are good for any motorcycle.

Motorcycle equipment looks quite specific. It’s hard to imagine that you will come to the office dressed that way, right? Especially when in some workplaces you cannot be dressed all day as if you were on a motorcycle. But what is also true is that every day there is more and more discreet and elegant motorcycle equipment which looks as good as normal clothes. Good equipment also lets you go in normal clothes underneath. It is not necessary to wear too many layers of clothing. Below your motorcycle clothes, you can wear normal pants and your favourite shirt. The best thing is that at work you have a place where you can easily take off your motorcycle suit and you will only need a jacket and some elegant shoes to do your daily work in the office. Find a corner to store your motorcycle wardrobe and start motorcycling to your job!

Pay attention to smoothness

The chance of slipperiness is of course very high with night frost. The first spots that become slippery are wooden bridges, viaducts and access and exit ramps. In addition, everything that is already smooth is even smoother. Think of lines, manhole covers, bitumen, tram rails and also railway crossings. As soon as the temperature dips below 5 degrees, it is good to be extra careful in these places. Keep your motorcycle upright as far as you can drive over it.

Remember to stay safe!

To protect the engine from winter showers, it is important to check it very carefully. Make sure the oil is fresh and does not contain any dirty residue. It is also good to control the coolant and antifreeze and possibly to refresh them. In addition, test regularly if the lighting is working properly and replace the lights if necessary. In winter, visibility is often less and poor lighting can cause dangerous situations. The chain of the engine has a lot to endure with the wintry weather. It is therefore wise to regularly check and clean these. Rain, brine, dirt and mud can cause enormous damage to the chain. Grease the chain with a special spray to prevent this as much as possible.

Below four degrees, the asphalt could be covered in some frost or ice that could give you some fright. As a general rule, do not play too much in roundabouts or areas where a lower temperature can occur with humidity, for example in the vicinity of open spaces, parks, the proximity of rivers or areas where humidity can occur. In case you feel that the bike starts to move, keep calm and correct very gently not pressing the brakes and trying to get out of trouble with the gas. Always drive away from cars, with a vanishing point in case there are a sharp retention and a lot of margins.

During every motorcycle trip, regardless of the weather, remember to be adequately protected against attempted of theft. Motorcycles are frequently desired objects for thieves. Buy a stun gun, take a pepper spray with you and always secure your bike properly. The ideal situation is when you always leave it in a garage or at a guarded parking lot!

Mechanics for motorcycles in winter

Although your motorcycle sleeps in a garage, low temperatures also affect it. Especially the two points such as the battery and in the motorcycle oil. The battery works worse at low temperature, has less strength. The oil in your gearbox becomes somewhat more viscous with cold and it costs more to move the gears until the engine takes its operating temperature. Check carefully if the battery is well charged, beware if you use the bike for short trips. If your motorcycle is old, it is possible that one morning it refuses to start.

Make sure that the brakes work properly. When it’s slippery and the brakes don’t work optimally, this can cause dangerous situations. The brakes can also be exposed to brine and moisture. That is why you should also keep it clean regularly with a special brake cleaner.

Adjust your driving style

It is important to adjust your driving style in both rain and slippery conditions. Your braking distance is a lot longer, completely on vowels or cobblestones. Keep driving as smoothly as possible in these cunning circumstances. Gradually accelerate and brake. Make sure you drive less fast than you normally do and keep more distance from other vehicles. When pulling out of the curves, pay attention to the gas and try to keep your engine as straight as possible before you open the gas.

Watch out for road salt

Very often on the roads, road service spread salt to prevent ice from occurring. This can really help you during your motorcycling, but sometimes, this resource is used too often. The salt and some motorcycle parts do not get along too well. Chrome, tires or low engine accumulate salt that ends up damaging the pieces. Wash your bike frequently also in winter and use protective products in the most exposed areas such as silicone cleaners.

Is it really starting to snow? Or do your colleagues see polar bears because the traffic information warns of freezing rain or fog? Then be conscious and consider leaving your motorcycle.