You don’t need to stop riding your motorcycle completely in winter. By spending a bit of extra time on the right maintenance and upkeep for your motorcycle, you can keep your bike on the road all year-round.
Here are our 8 tips for winter motorcycle riding…
Protect your bike from road salt
Keeping your motorbike clean and free from road salt is critical. If left untreated, road salt can speed up the rusting process and has the potential to eat away at the paint on a motorcycle gas tank and frame. After a winter ride or commute, rinse your bike thoroughly with cold water. Heat speeds up the corrosion process so never use warm water!
Check the Health of the Battery
Cold winter temperatures can inhibit a motorcycle battery’s ability to start a motorcycle, so it’s worth checking battery health regularly. Check the voltage first (a healthy bike battery should be above 12. 6v) and then make sure everything is free from dirt. If the battery’s down on power, charge it thoroughly before your next ride and keep checking the voltage regularly. If the battery is draining regularly, it may need looking at by a professional or replacing entirely.
Check the Tyres
Since tyres are the only link between your motorbike and the road, it’s vital they’re checked regularly. Checking tyre pressure becomes even more vital during the winter months- when the temperature decreases by 10°C, tyre pressure drops between 0.07 to 0.14 bars (or 1 to 2 pounds per square inch (PSI)). Likewise, don’t take risks on low tyre tread. It may also be worth fitting specific winter tyres if you’re a regular winter rider.
Use Coolant
On very cold nights, the water in your radiator can freeze without coolant, so make you to regularly check your coolant level so it can keep your engine at the right temperature. If you do need to top up, use coolant – never top up with water. Ready-mixed coolants with the required additives are available from most dealers.
Keep the Chain Lubricated
Prevent rust and corrosion by applying lubricant to your chain after each ride to create a clean, durable, and protective layer. We think R&G’s Wet Chain Lube is one of the best lubricants on the market for harsh riding conditions.
Lubricate Moving Parts
During winter, you need to keep all your motorbike’s working parts greased to avoid a seizure. Make sure to grease the following: brake callipers, any bare threads, folding pegs, keyholes, drive chain, and the front and rear suspension, clutch and brake lever pivot points, clutch cable, switch clusters, fasteners, and wheel spindles. Greasing your bike can feel like a long and tedious job, but it really is worth doing to keep your bike in tiptop condition!
Treat helmet visor to prevent misting
Rain, cold air and chilly winds all dramatically lower the temperature of your visor. As a result, the moisture from the air you exhale when the visor is on will condense on the surface, causing it to mist up. The best way to maintain good visibility during the winter months is by installing an anti-fog insert like this one. Speedo Angels universal anti-fog inserts are made from high quality, ultra-transparent polycarbonate and treated with a special anti-fog coating which will keep your visor mist-free all winter.
Wear the right gear
We all know the importance of being comfortable on our bikes, and this becomes even more important in winter. Wearing several layers is much more effective at keeping you warm – we love Knox’s range of base layers. Icy and wet road surfaces can also increase the chances of you coming off your bike, so good quality gloves and boots are a must. Head to SportsBikeShop for both.