Cold Weather Riding

As colder weather approaches, many riders choose to pack their motorcycles away and wait for warmer temperatures. If you’re someone who’s passionate about riding your bike regardless of the weather, then you’re probably not one of those people storing your bike for the winter. The good news is there’s plenty of ways to make cold weather riding an enjoyable experience. In fact, you’ll find the cool chill in the air creates a relaxing and pleasurable setting for your ride.

At Family Powersports Odessa, we encourage riders to enjoy their motorcycles as much as possible. We’ve gathered some essential tips for cold weather riding. If you’d like to learn more or want to check out our inventory, visit our dealership today! We proudly serve Midland, Andrews, Pecos, and Fort Stockton, Texas.

Wear the Right Gear

One of the most important factors to consider when you plan for cold weather riding is your gear. If you’re not wearing the right gear, you’ll be both uncomfortable and unsafe. It’s much more difficult to operate your bike when your body is fighting against the extreme cold. From hitting buttons to making last-minute decisions, you need to be in sharp shape to safely operate your motorcycle. Start by wearing thermal underwear and a few layers of socks. Your hands and feet get the coldest, so you should wear a good pair of boots and gloves, too.

If your budget allows and you’re really committed to the best experience when riding in cold weather, you can invest in heated clothing. These are often battery-operated and will keep you even warmer in cold weather. Some heated clothing options include leg liners and jackets. You can have peace of mind knowing that you’ll be safe and comfortable during your ride with heated clothing on your side.

When it’s cold, it’s often wet as well. This means that in order to stay comfortable and safe as you ride, you’ll need to stay dry. Once you get even slightly wet, you can start to feel extremely cold as the wind soars by at high speeds. Make sure your outer layer of clothing is waterproof to avoid getting wet. Your gloves should also be waterproof so you don’t have any issues manipulating the smaller buttons on your bike.

Check Your Tires

Be aware that colder temperatures can affect tire pressure. For every 10-degree pressure drop, you can expect to lose around one to two pounds of air pressure. Always be sure to check the pressure in both tires before you head out for a day of riding in the cold. Regardless of the temperature outside, you should always be riding with high-quality tires, but this is even more important during winter. Some riders go as far as to invest in special tires that are designed to handle cold temperatures. If you ride in the cold frequently, this might be worth considering.

Watch the Road Conditions

When you’re riding your motorcycle in cold weather, you tend to run into more hazardous road conditions than usual. You need to allow more time for acceleration, turning, braking, and changing lanes. There are certain snow-clearing hazards to watch out for, like salt or gravel, which can reduce traction. You’ll want to treat these hazards like you would when riding over ice. Keep your eyes peeled for black ice as well.

Outfit Your Bike

There are certain additions to your bike that’ll improve your cold weather riding experience. If your bike isn’t already equipped with a windshield, there are plenty of aftermarket options you can choose from that’ll help with wind resistance. A set of wind guards for your legs are another good investment. These will prevent your legs from freezing as you ride. You might find that even with weatherproof gloves, the chill will start to take a toll on your fingers. A set of heated grips is a great way to prevent sluggish response time when you need to squeeze the brakes.

You’re officially prepared to take on cold weather riding. If you need to stock up on some gear before you go, be sure to stop by Family Powersports Odessa. We’re conveniently located near Midland, Andrews, Pecos, and Fort Stockton, Texas. Our dealership offers financing options, insurance, trade-ins, test riding, parts, service, motorcycle training, and much more!