What precautions should be taken when riding a motorbike in winter?

Published on : 16 April 20213 min reading time
Winterization does not mean that you should not ride your motorbike at all during the winter. There are times when you have to take your motorbike out of the garage and get on the road despite the cold, snow and ice. However, this should not be done indiscriminately. You should take the necessary precautions before riding your motorbike in winter.

Maintenance of your motorcycle

Motorbike maintenance is essential during the winter season. For example, you should make sure that your motorcycle is kept dry in the garage to avoid rust. It is necessary to cover it with a special polycotton cover to protect the engine from dust and also from the humidity that can eat away at the motorbike from the inside. In winter, motorcyclists must take precautions, especially when it is time to take the machine out of the garage. First of all, you must make sure that the bike is ready for winter riding. This means keeping the tyre pressure at the normal level, i.e., as specified by the manufacturer. The battery should always be well charged. The chains should be greased and the braking system should be in good working order. Warm up the motorbike well before taking it out of the garage.

Necessary equipment for the motorcyclist

The cold is the biker’s enemy. In order to avoid numbness and loss of reflexes when riding a motorbike, you should wear the right equipment to maintain your riding skills during the cold season. This is a good precaution for winter motorcycling. Among the necessary accessories are a helmet with an anti-fog system, a balaclava, a neck strap with a bib, leather jacket and special winter trousers or a biker suit, gloves and thermal socks, as well as ankle boots that go up to the legs.

How to ride on the road

As a precautionary measure in winter motorcycling, make sure that your motorcycle jacket and trousers or motorcycle suit are equipped with fluorescent and reflective strips for better visibility. Low beam headlights should be on at all times. In case of fog, the motorcyclist is entitled to switch on the long-range lights. It is advisable to ride at moderate speed, around 70 km/h, sometimes even 50 km/h on slippery and dangerous roads. It is necessary to keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. If you have to brake, it is important to do so gently to avoid falls.

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