Top 5 Winter Motorcycle Riding Tips

Yes, the weather is perfect for a motorcycle ride right now, at least in India. But before you make plans to head out for a longer ride, or even a shorter excursion, keep in mind that riding a motorcycle for fun in winter, particularly in northern India, needs some prep work. Whether you decide to head towards the desert, or up in the mountains, some groundwork to prep yourself and your bike, will go a long way in making that winter ride more enjoyable. Here are some tips to make that winter motorcycle ride better, more comfortable and memorable.

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1. Riding Style

Going on a long ride is all about the experience and creating memories. Whether in winter or summer, avoid that urge to try and reach your destination in record time. There’s no fun in just being focussed on how soon you can reach your destination. It’s not only fraught with danger, but the stress will tire you out sooner, and in cold weather, your reflexes may slow down and there’s always the risk of less traction, particularly in wet patches on the road which don’t get enough exposure to sunlight.

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Go easy – enjoy the ride, enjoy the scenery and be alert. A 10-20 kmph higher cruising speed will only tire you out sooner, and in the end, you won’t even make up that much time. A more relaxed riding style will help you relax easy at the end of the day’s ride. Practise safer riding techniques, using smoother throttle inputs, gentle braking, using engine braking and more anticipation while riding.

2. Winter-Specific Gear & Kit

But before you even make plans to embark on that ride in the winter months, get prepared with the right riding gear. Your summer mesh jacket will not be ideal, and it will be downright uncomfortable in the early hours of the day, and towards evening. Even with a warm liner, the wind chill through the mesh will not do a good enough job of insulating you from the elements.

Invest in weather-specific riding gear, including a sturdy jacket with a thermal liner made specifically for cold weather riding. Even proper winter riding gloves, and mid-season riding gloves from a reputed brand will make your ride more comfortable, even in bright sunshine in the winter. Choose a pair of riding pants which have a detachable thermal liner to keep you warm. And finally, invest in some woollen socks to keep your feet warm inside your riding boots.

3. Layering Up

And even if you do wear winter-ready riding gear, always consider layering up. This could range from wearing a warm base layer, or even a snug-fitting down jacket under your jacket in extreme weather. And just in case you encounter snow, or rain, always carry a waterproof liner, which can also double up as wind protection.

If you need to prioritise on which part of the body to layer up, keeping your core body warm will go a long way in maintaining a comfortable body temperature. Remember, it’s much harder to warm back up in cold conditions than it is to maintain your body heat. And while you’re at it, invest in a fleece lined buff, or a warm balaclava as well. Your neck and head also need some protection even under the helmet and jacket.

4. Hydration & Breaks

To make the most of your winter ride, always ride relaxed. Keep yourself hydrated and take frequent breaks, even if you feel tempted to cover one more hour, or a few more kilometres. A cup of hot tea or coffee will relax you and even 5-10 minutes off the bike will make your mind fresh and alert for the next stage of your ride. Remember cold-induced fatigue isn’t easy to understand. Your reaction times may be slower, and your limbs may be stiffer than usual because of the lower temperatures. Decreased mental clarity, shivering and difficulty in naturally taking deep breaths could all affect your concentration and result in unsafe riding conditions. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

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5. Motorcycle Maintenance

As with preparing for any long ride, riding in cold weather also needs you to take care of your machine and do some regular maintenance checks before venturing out. In cold weather, traction could be less than in warmer weather, so ensure your tyres are properly inflated, in good shape and have enough tread life to withstand the challenges of low traction conditions like wet roads, snow, sleet, ice and worst of all, black ice. Your tyres should ideally be less than 5 years old, even if tread depth is all right, and you should check tyre pressure. Lower tyre pressure in low traction conditions and carry a portable tyre inflator; a lot of compact air compressors are available online these days.

Check the drive chain for wear and tear, tighten it if needed, and clean and lube it before you set out on your ride. Also check engine oil, coolant and brake fluids and ensure that are all at correct levels before embarking on that ride. Check the life of your battery as well, and if your engine oil is nearing or over the manufacturer prescribed mileage, consider replacing the oil.

Most of all, enjoy your ride, go easy, and be prepared for all eventualities – prep your bike, choose the right gear, and wear a high visibility vest over your riding gear for additional safety.