Cold Weather Riding

 

 

 

Stay warm when riding your motorcycle in colder weather...

Motorcycling can be a great way to connect with your surroundings, but when temperatures start to drop, the line between pleasure and pain can start to blur. Knowing how to stay warm and comfortable when the weather turns cold, is not only safer, it also extends your riding season!

Here are 10-ways to stay warm from head-to-toe
while riding your motorcycle in cold weather.

 

 

1. Close Your Vents

Here's a simple but often overlooked trick to escaping the cold on your ride: close the vents in your helmet, jacket, and pant vents.

 

 

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2. Wear a Balaclava

Constructed of silk or other materials with high wickability (which are designed pull moisture away from the skin), balaclavas fit over your head and under your helmet in order to insulate you from the cold. Different styles offer varying levels of coverage, but most cold weather riders agree that almost any type of balaclava will make a noticeable difference when it comes to staying warm.

 

 

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3. Wear a Thermal Layer Underneath

While an outer layer of gear can block some of the heat-sapping wind, layers underneath will help keep your body heat from escaping. Layering underneath is essential to staying warm when temperatures dip.

 

 

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4. Go Electric

Electric gear adds a layer of complexity, as it requires an electric outlet to be added to your motorcycle (or a connection to be made directly to the battery.) But it's hard to beat the comfort of heat created by electric elements such as heated-vests, heated-jackets, heated-pants, and heated-gloves. If you choose to go electric, be sure to experiment with layering, since wearing electric items directly against skin can be scalding - while wearing too many layers in between will reduce effectiveness.

Similar to heated clothing, there are several third-party ("after-market") options available for heated-handlebar grips and heated-seats.

 

 

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5. Waterproof Outer Layers

Especially when moisture is involved, it's key to create an impermeable membrane between the elements and your body. Rain suits come in all configurations — individual jacket/pant combinations, one-piece units, etc. — but they are all especially effective at keeping out moisture and blocking wind, which ultimately keeps you much warmer.

 

 

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6. Close the Gaps

Although cold weather gear can block out the cold, one tiny crevice can let in enough cool air to undermine all these efforts. Be sure you wear gauntlet-style gloves that fit over your jacket, and boots that overlap against your pants. That way, cold air will flow over your gear instead of through it.

 

 

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7. Get an Insulated Suit

Easily one of the most expensive options listed here, an insulated suit is an option for those who ride in cold weather often enough to warrant the considerable investment. Look for materials like GORE-TEX and removable layers, and you'll have an all-in-one solution to beating the cold.

 

 

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8. Seal Your Gear From Moisture

Spray-on sealers like Scotchgard can make the difference between getting soaked in water, and having moisture bead up and blow away. Make sure your textile and/or leather gear is compatible with sealers before you try them, though.

 

 

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9. Heated Handlebar Grips

Once you’ve tried heated motorcycle grips out on a cold-weather ride, it can be really hard to go back to standard grips on a cold day. Our fingers are one of our most susceptible parts to chill winds, so heated grips can add a lot more fun to cold-weather riding days. Colder, stiffer hands make it more difficult to maneuver your bike safely, and solid grip control is what it’s all about on your motorcycle. As heated grips warm your hands, thick gloves aren’t as necessary to do the job. So heated motorcycle grips can allow you to wear lighter gloves for better grip on your handles and greater control over your bike.

 

 

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10. Get a Tall Windscreen

Wind protection can make a huge difference when it comes to staying warm. If you've got an adjustable windscreen (as seen in this photo), make sure it's set in the highest position. You might also want to check into an aftermarket windscreen that's taller and more protective; staying inside a cushion of still air will go a long way towards keeping you warm at highway speeds.

 

 

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Final comments:

And remember to be extra careful when riding in colder conditions - not only because of the possibility of snow and ice on the roads, but also because your tire's rubber compound doesn't warm up as quickly or as much, and that will cause reduced traction compared to what you're typically used to in warming riding.

If you're far from your final destination and you're caught in unexpected cold conditions, find a way to stay warm to avoid hyperthermia. I've been caught like this and if it's only a short distance I'll brave-the-elements for a brief ride - but other times when I have many more miles to ride, I've stopped to purchase an extra layer or two just to keep me safe for the remainder of the ride. And one time when I was caught riding well-past sunset and in fridge temperatures (long story as to why I was a riding in these conditions), I bought a local newspaper to stuff inside my jackets just to help fight-off the cold (it worked).

Do you ride your motorcycle in cold weather?

 

Ride on!

—Michael Murray
Owner | Rider | Enthiusiast

michael@motorcycletraveldvds.com

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