10 Tips For Safe Motorcycle Riding In The Winter

Winter brings its own set of challenges for motorcyclists. Cold, icy and wet conditions can make riding a motorcycle difficult. But for those who love the open road, winter riding can be exciting if done safely. In this article, we will explore 10 essential tips for safe motorcycle riding in the winter.

1. Preparing Your Motorcycle

Before hitting the winter roads, make sure your motorcycle is in great condition. Here's what you should do:

• Proper Maintenance: Regular upkeep is crucial. Check your brakes, chain and fluids to ensure your is in excellent working condition.
• Get Cold-Weather Tires: Invest in winter tires for improved grip in low temperatures. Keep an eye on tire pressure—it tends to drop in cold.
• Installing Heated Grips and Handguards - Cold hands can lead to reduced control and safety concerns. Heated grips and handguards can keep your hands warm and functional, making a big difference.
• Check and Improve Your Lights and Signals - Winter means shorter days and limited visibility. Make sure all your lights and signals are working properly. Think about adding extra lights or reflective materials for better visibility.

2. Dressing For The Cold

• Layer Up for Warmth - Layering is essential to stay warm and comfortable during winter rides. Begin with thermal base layers add insulating layers for warmth and wear a waterproof and windproof outer layer. Invest in a high-quality motorcycle-specific winter jacket and pants.
• Protective Gear - Your protective gear is your best friend during a winter ride. Wear a full-face helmet with a fog-resistant visor for warmth, wind protection and clear vision, along with gloves to keep your hands warm and maintain dexterity and choose armored riding suits and pants for added safety in case of a fall.

3. Grip and Control

• When riding on slippery winter roads, ensure your ride smoothly by lightly using the gas and brakes to prevent loss of control and approach corners with caution while maintaining smooth and gentle leans and distribute your weight evenly on the bike and practice proper body positioning to maintain balance, which is really important especially on slippery surfaces.

4. Riding Techniques

• In tough conditions, it's essential to slow down and follow distance for safer reactions, brake gently with both brakes and avoid hard stops to prevent skidding on ice, stay in a straight line whenever you can to reduce the risk of sliding while turning or changing lanes and scan the road for hazards like ice patches or obstacles to plan your route accordingly.

5. Road Conditions and Maintenance

• In winter, understand that different road surfaces, such as asphalt, concrete and metal, can have different levels of grip and be extra careful with ice and black ice, which are often difficult to see, ride as straight as possible and avoid sudden movements when encountered. Road authorities may also use salt and sand, be cautious as these substances can be slippery, especially when mixed with moisture. Riding through snow and slush requires slow and steady pace, avoid sudden acceleration, deceleration and sharp turns.

6. Plan Your Rides

• Before you head out, make sure to check the weather forecast, avoid riding in extreme conditions and have a plan for taking shelter if the weather worsens. Considering that winter days are shorter and visibility can be limited, opt for daytime rides and wear high-visibility gear. Winter riding can be physically demanding due to the cold, plan shorter rides and take frequent breaks to warm up and always inform someone about your route and expected arrival time, as this information can be extremely helpful in case of an emergency.

7. Stay Hydrated and Warm

• Riding in the cold can lead to rapid heat loss, It's essential to stay warm to remain alert and maintain your body's functioning and don't forget the importance of staying hydrated, as dehydration can affect your focus and reaction time, so carry water and energy-rich snacks during winter rides.

8. Carrying Emergency Supplies

• Pack your emergency supplies like a first-aid kit, a thermal blanket and a flashlight in case of emergency and unexpected issues.

9. Motorcycle Maintenance During Winter

• During the winter, it's important to Regularly inspect your bike for issues and address any problems promptly, properly store it when not in use in the worst winter conditions and protect your bike's metal surfaces from the corrosive effects of winter road treatments by using corrosion-inhibiting products.

10. Lexin Must-Have Products While Out On The Road

For winter motorcycle riding, here are 3 LEXIN must-have products to enhance safety and comfort:

• LEXIN Bluetooth Headset: Stay connected with your riding buddies, receive navigation instructions and enjoy hands-free calls and music with Lexin's Bluetooth helmet, enhancing your overall riding experience and safety.
• LEXIN P5 Advanced Smart Pump With Integrated Battery Pack: Tire pressure is crucial for safe winter rides. Lexin's P5 Advanced Smart Pump lets you monitor tire pressure in real time, helping you avoid low-pressure issues, especially in cold weather. Plus, it features a USB-A output for convenient mobile device charging on the go.
• LEXIN RAM® X-Grip® Wireless Charging Phone Mount Bundle: This bundle includes a secure phone mount and a powerful WPC™ Qi Wireless Charger with a built-in USB port. Simply attach the X-Grip® and plug in the charger to your battery tender for a hassle-free experience.

These LEXIN products are designed to tackle specific challenges faced in winter riding, ensuring you stay warm, connected and well-prepared while on the road.

Riding a motorcycle in the winter can be an enjoyable and thrilling experience if done safely. By following these 10 tips, you can reduce the risks and prioritize safety. Remember that safety should always be your top priority, so take the time to prepare your bike and yourself for the unique challenges of winter riding. With the right gear, mindset and skills you can make the most of the winter riding season while staying safe on the road.

If you have questions you can contact Lexin at this number 1-800-380-8248 or Email us at info@lexinmotorcycle.com anytime! We would be happy to respond to your concern!