Tips for Safe Winter Riding

The holidays might be behind us, but summer is still out of sight. If you’re like most motorcycle enthusiasts, you probably don’t want to let a cold front keep you off of your motorcycle. While winter riding can be an absolute blast, it’s important to make sure that you stay safe during your rides. In this blog, we’ll give you a few tips that can help you safely ride your bike this winter. RC components is your go-to resource for custom motorcycle wheels, exhausts, and rims. Don’t forget to browse our extensive online catalog when you’ve finished reading this post!

Helmets

We get it – riding without a helmet can provide you with an intense adrenaline rush and a sense of empowerment while you ride. However, wearing a helmet at all times is perhaps the most important thing any motorcycle enthusiast can do, regardless of the season. The brain is, without a doubt, the most vulnerable part of the body during a crash, and a good helmet often makes the difference between life and death. Several states have mandatory helmet laws for motorcyclists, but the importance of wearing a helmet should be understood by motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported in December 2017 that for every mile traveled in 2015, motorcycle deaths account for nearly 29 times the number of automobile deaths. This is a staggering figure, but properly using a helmet will improve your chances of surviving a crash by about 37 percent, and a helmet can improve your chances of avoiding a brain injury by about 67 percent. Ideally these figures will approach 100 percent as helmet technology improves, but as it currently stands, wearing a helmet is the best way to stay safe on a motorcycle.

Account for Wind Chill

Accounting for wind chill is complicated, but the bottom line is that the average winter day will feel much, much colder when you’re out on the road. Wear the warmest jacket, leggings, and helmet that you can afford, and be sure to cover your face to prevent frostbite. Specialty riding gear designed for cold conditions can help your body stay warm without compromising your range of motion. Your torso and legs will tend to stay warmer than your hands and feet due to how heat is distributed throughout the body, so you’ll have to take extra precautions for your extremities. Invest in a pair of riding gloves designed for subzero temperatures, and you may also want to pick up some of the hand and foot warmers commonly used by skiers. 

Making sure that your hands and feet stay warm is important for the safety of everyone on the road, including you. Wearing gear that won’t keep your hands warm may cause your hands to go numb, which makes it difficult to work the levers on your bike.

Leave Extra Space

It’s always important to make sure that you leave enough space between yourself and others while you’re on the road, but this point is particularly important for winter riding. Even when the roads look clear, black ice and moisture on the roads can create slippery and hazardous conditions that might require you to stop suddenly. Moreover, staying behind the cars ahead of you can prevent you from being covered in road spray.

Be Mindful of Your Tires

Most car owners know that cold weather tends to cause a decrease in tire pressure. Motorcycle owners should be aware that not only can cold weather decrease your tire pressure, but it can also decrease the traction that your tires have with the road. Accelerating and decelerating can help warm your tires up, but be sure to be mindful of the road conditions as you go.

While we’re on the topic of tires, it’s crucial to note the importance of tread. Having adequate tread is always important, but adequate tread is particularly important when you’re on the road during the winter. Enough tread to grip the road can be the difference between an accident and a smooth stop – never skimp on the quality of your tires!

Watch Out for Salt and Ice

If you live in a state where snow and ice are common on the roads, be sure to watch out for salt. Salt can reduce the traction that your tires have with the road, leading to slips and accidents. Salt and ice actually have quite a bit in common: they’re difficult to see, they’re hazardous for riders, and they can cause damage to your bike.

Prep Your Bike

If you enjoy the process of swapping out the parts on your bike, winter riding can provide you with a great opportunity to try out new parts. Earlier we noted that road spray can be a hazard for riders during the winter, and installing a winter-specific windshield on your bike is one way that you can stay dry and retain your ability to see when you’re on the road with other drivers.

Routine maintenance is important in every season, but you should make sure that you bike has been serviced before the first day of the winter season. Make sure that your brakes are working properly and that your brake fluid is full. You may find yourself stopping more frequently during the winter, and having healthy brakes is essential to staying safe during a winter ride. 

Check that the antifreeze has been topped off and that your bike’s battery is charged and current. Batteries tend to become less efficient in cold weather, and the last thing you want is to be stranded because of a battery failure! Your bike’s paint is important, and you may want to seal your bike before you take it out on the road in order to preserve the integrity of your bike’s paint.

RC Components is your top resource for custom motorcycle wheels, exhausts, and rims! Stay safe this winter, and be sure to browse our catalog as you prepare your bike for the spring and summer! Contact us today with any questions you have!