Don't Ditch Your Bike This Winter

If you’re new to motorcycling, you may not be familiar with the unique challenges of riding in bad weather. While we believe that a motorcycle is the best form of transportation year-round, many novice riders choose to ride only in fair weather. This may be the responsible choice, but it’s not necessarily the best choice. After all, you love your bike, and using it every day is the easiest way to show it off in your community. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe and warm on the road when the weather finally turns icy and cold.

Wear Layers

Your motorcycle leathers do more than protect you in the event of a fall; they also keep you warm. However, once the temperatures drop, your regular sweatshirt underneath your leather jacket may not be enough to keep you from shivering at stoplights. When you’re riding in the cold, layer up. Wear long underwear beneath your clothes, opt for polar fleece jackets, and other thin, but warm layers. You want to avoid wearing too many bulky items as large sweatshirts often make it difficult to move.

Pay Attention to Your Feet

On long rides, it’s not uncommon for your feet to become fatigued, cold, or even swollen. Keep them warm and dry, even in foul weather. Wear sturdy leather boots or insulated waterproof boots and wool socks. This way, you’ll stay warm even on the coldest of days.

Check the Weather

Before you head out in the morning, be sure to check the weather forecast. Knowing what the morning and the rest of the afternoon will look like can make the difference between being comfortable and being frozen on your ride home. Checking the weather will tell you if you should expect snow, icy conditions, or extreme windchill, so you’ll be able to plan accordingly.

Inflate Your Tires

As the temperatures drop, your tire pressure drops as well. On average, your tires will lose about 2 PSI for every 10 degrees of temperature drop, so it’s a good idea to check your tires more frequently in winter. Many tire manufacturers have recommendations on the right PSI for winter riding, so check your brand’s specifications for more details. Furthermore, be sure to consider your bike’s tire temperature. When the rubber is cold, the tread won’t grip the road as well, leading to sliding, slipping, and skidding Spare yourself the trouble of a potentially disastrous ride and take it slow. Accelerate cautiously and give your bike more distance than you think you need when braking until your tires are warmed up.

Don’t Forget the Gloves

While you may view gloves as optional safety gear in the summer, they’re absolutely essential in the winter. Since wind chill can make riding on warmer winter days feel absolutely miserable, gloves can make all the difference. Remember, if your fingers go numb from the cold, your grip on the bars weakens. When this happens, you run the risk of losing control of your bike or not being able to feel the brake levers when you need them. In extreme cases, riding for long periods of time in cold weather has led to severe injuries including frostbite. Look for a good pair of windproof and waterproof gloves, and you’ll be set to ride year round.

Winter riding may pose its own challenges, but it doesn’t mean you have to stop riding altogether. Stay safe on the road and upgrade your bike with new custom motorcycle wheels from RC Components. If you’re looking for a simple way to tell your family what you’d like for the holidays, add your favorite set of wheels to your wishlist!