RC Components Winter Riding Checklist

Depending on where you live, winters could mean darker days, lower temperatures, ice, and snow. But a cold front doesn't mean you have to lock up your bike all winter.

Winter riding can be an absolute blast but it's equally important to stay safe.

If you'll be out riding in winter, here's a quick checklist from RC Components, a Bowling Green-based wheel company specializing in custom wheels and accessories.

Full Face Helmets

Wearing your helmet makes motorcycles safer, and in winter, the right headwear will keep you warmer. Get yourself a full-face helmet and make sure the headliners are intact and vents open and close with ease. Face shield fogging can be an issue in cold weather, so consider getting an anti-fog spray.

Correct Riding Gear

Riding at high speeds in cold weather can make your extremities numb. But with heated gear, it's not that bad. Wear layers and for outerwear, stick to something warm and waterproof.

Heated grips and warm gloves may be worth investing in if you have trouble keeping your hands and legs warm.

Roadworthy bike

In winter, you have to do more maintenance work for your bikes. Don't leave home without checking your tires, chain, brakes, and suspension. Before each ride, pay extra attention to your tires. Look for tread and wear indicators and check tire pressure. Decreased traction is a common problem in cold weather, so pay close attention to your tires to avoid running into this issue.

Winter Tires

If you want to be on your bike all year round, it's worth investing in the right set of tires. Swapping your motorsport wheels for winter wheels may help.

At a minimum, you need all-weather tires for winter motorcycling and treads should not be less than 50 percent if you're biking on wet and icy roads. For extra traction, winter tires are better as these wheels heat up faster than regular ones so they perform better on snowy roads.

Motorcycles were not designed for winter but it's still possible to ride a bike if the weather permits. Wear warm clothes and check the condition of your motorcycle before every trip. When needed, find winter motorcycle wheels for sale. If you're looking for high-quality wheels, visit RC Components, a Bowling Green-based manufacturer, to know the right tires to make winter riding more manageable.