5 Winter Riding Essentials You Shouldn’t Miss
With the pandemic restrictions gradually being lifted all around the world, and its coincidence with winter, people around the world are taking long distance road trips on their motorcycles. If you are planning something similar, here are 5 of the essential things should not miss while going on a road trip.
The first and most important of all things that you need to go on a road trip, irrespective of the weather, is a premium helmet that comes with the latest safety and comfort features. Also make sure that the helmet is certified by the relevant authorities in your country in order to prevent being penalized by the law enforcement authorities.
Full face helmets are superior when it comes to providing the ultimate weather protection command that is why we strongly recommend you to go with a full-face premium helmet rather than and open face or a modular helmet specially if you’re considering riding the bike extensively throughout winter. Another thing that you need to check while purchasing a helmet for winter rides, is the presence of wind blocker below the chin section of the helmet. Does the helmet have air vents? If it does, make sure that it can be closed to keep the cold wind out when you are riding.
In addition to keeping the head and face protected against a cold when, you will also need a pair of leather riding gloves to keep your mitts from freezing up on you! Sub optimal writing temperatures can lead to very uncomfortable conditions and since your hands are at the most forward position command a bear the brunt the most. Unless you have a full gauntlet leather gloves to protect your hands, it might not be possible to ride longer than a few kilometers at a stretch before losing the sensation in your hands. But given the severity of the winter, just a pair of gloves might not be the only thing you need.
Do you plan on using the motorcycle extensively throughout winter? If that is your plan, having heated seats and grips on the motorcycle will completely change your experience. If the motorcycle does not already come with these facilities, consider looking at the aftermarket section for solutions that will keep your hands warm even when the temperature drops significantly. The latest adventure motorcycles come with this additional comfort features straight out of the factory. Heated seats and grips will complement the riding gear that you use and keep you comfortable even on long distance rights and in harsh weather conditions.
The human body is not made for being seated continuously for several hours at a stretch, which is why you must take breaks in between and let the body reach we need for a moment. During winter rides commands becomes even more important than the body struggles to maintain its core temperature against the ambient coldness. Consider taking a break for 10 to 15 minutes after every 100 kilometers and sleep on a little bit of hot beverage. You can carry a thermos flask with you fill with tea or coffee, or get it from a roadside vendor. Just don’t give in to the temptation of consuming alcohol while you’re riding a motorcycle or a car!
One of the least known secrets of riding during winters is to wear thermal wears in layers under the motorcycle riding gears which is extremely efficient in keeping the core body temperature trapped within, and keeping the cold temperature out. Instead of fitting the motorcycle luggage boxes with large winter quotes, make sure to have multiple pairs of thermal wears that you can change in and out conveniently depending on the ambient temperature.
