Most people's solution to staying comfortable and safe during the coldest months of the year is to simply put their bikes in storage and wait to ride them until spring. There are, however, some adventurous types who love heading out for a ride on a chilly winter day. If that sounds like you, take the time to learn what you need to know about riding your Harley long distances during the colder months.

 

If you want to ride in the winter, that's fine. Most experts don't recommend it in wet, below-freezing conditions because no single-track vehicle handles well on ice, but the truth is that it's perfectly possible for adventurous riders to get themselves and their motorcycles rigged up for relatively comfortable cold-weather riding. Read on to find some tips for how to make that happen.

Prep Your Bike

The first thing you should do is to make sure your motorcycle is really well-built enough to handle winter riding. If you have any doubts, don't risk putting it on the road after the temperatures start to plunge. You can find a used Harley Davidson for sale at a reasonable place online and have it shipped to anywhere in the country, and HD motorcycles mean business every month of the year.

 

Already the proud owner of a Harley cruiser or another highly capable bike? Here's how to get it prepared for winter riding:

Check the Coolant

When mixed correctly, antifreeze is designed to keep your engine operating as intended at temperatures Changing out the coolant before that first winter ride is always the best solution, but if you don't have the time and money for a full coolant swap, at least check it with a hydrometer to make sure the ratio of antifreeze to water is right for the climate.

Use the Right Oil

Some types of motor oil are designed to maintain a proper viscosity down to -10, -15, or even -20 degrees Fahrenheit. You can tell how well any given grade of motor oil will work in the cold by simply checking the label. The "W" on there doesn't stand for "weight," as many riders believe. It stands for "winter" and refers to the minimum temperatures for correct operation. You should also note, however, that motor oil runs slower and thicker in the cold, so the grade of oil you use for winter will likely be different from what you're used to if you've stuck to three-seasons riding so far.

Avoid Corrosion

Snow, ice, and especially road salt can all take their toll on motorcycles just like they do on a car's undercarriage. There are a few ways to stop them from leading to serious corrosion issues. You can:

• Commit to cleaning the bike every day using a jet washer or power washer to remove the salt.
• Greasing all of the metal parts with WD40 before each ride.
• Applying ACF-50 or another anti-corrosion formula to all exposed metals. These products are designed specifically for corrosion protection and typically only need to be applied once at the beginning of the season.

No matter what option you choose, plan to give your bike a thorough detailing once winter is over or you're finished riding it for the season. You should also plan to clean and re-grease exceptionally susceptible parts like the rear suspension, footpegs, center and side stands, and brake pins regularly with WD-40.

Wrap the Fork Slider

This may sound unusual, but veteran winter riders almost universally suggest it. Before heading out for that first cold-weather ride, wrap the front fork slider in shrink-wrap film. Cover at least the front of the slider to avoid taking excessive damage from salt and road grit.

Switch Out the Tires

A lot of riders erroneously believe that they should outfit their bikes with sport or soft compound tires for colder weather, but they rarely get up to working temperatures, which can cause some serious issues. Touring and street sport tires generate more internal heat. They'll provide some extra dry grip, perform better on wet roads, and last for longer. Just be sure to keep them at the lower end of their acceptable PSI range.

Get a Full Tune-Up

If there's a local shop or mechanic that you usually go to for service, give them a call before that first winter ride. All of the components of your motorcycle need to be working optimally to keep you and your bike safe. Engines are under more stress, braking systems are more important, and breakdowns on the side of remote roads can be deadly. It's worth having the entire bike checked by a professional.

Make Some Upgrades

If you've been thinking about investing in some minor upgrades for your bike, now's the time to do it, especially if they involve safety features. Helpful upgrades to make your Harley both more comfortable and safer on winter roads can include:

 

• Installing heated hand grips.
• Using mudguards and/or extenders for front tires.
• Upgrading to brighter lights.
• Installing hazard lights.
• Replacing the battery.

 

These and other minor upgrades are quite affordable, whether you perform them yourself or head to a shop. They can make a large difference when it comes to both your comfort and safety and how well your bike holds up to harsh winter riding conditions. The absolute last thing you want is to find yourself stuck on the side of the road in the cold with a dead battery as it starts to get dark.

Buy the Right Gear

When riding in cold weather, you need to dress for the occasion. There's a big difference between how cold it feels outside when you're just standing around and what the temperatures will feel like once you get on your bike and start to feel the biting wind. Wear at least three layers of clothing, including riding gear, and keep the wind chill in mind. The faster you go, the colder you'll feel, and it's always worth buying specialized winter gear.

Wind-Proof Motorcycle Jackets

One of the three layers of clothing worn during winter rides should always be a wind-proof outer layer. Textile gear generally does a better job of blocking cold winds than leather and offers more room for layering underneath it.

Balaclavas for Face and Neck Protection

There's more space than you might think for the wind to get in between your head and torso. The best way to cover it up and reduce exposure to the chilling winds is to wear a balaclava. They're thick enough to provide adequate insulation but thin enough to fit comfortably inside a helmet.

Lens Inserts for Helmets

There is no excuse for heading out on a winter ride in anything but a full-face helmet. Unfortunately, though, they tend to fog up in cold, damp weather, and cracking open the face shield isn't always a possibility. Instead, invest in a lens insert made of moisture-absorbing plastic.

Riding Gloves

There are plenty of riders who wear motorcycle gloves year-round to avoid issues with calluses, muscle fatigue, and hand cramps. Letting your hands get numb from the cold will loosen your grip on the handlebar, making it more difficult to control your bike. Buy winter riding gloves and wear them during every cold-weather ride.

Winter Boots

Just having sturdy boots with plenty of grip isn't enough to face winter rides with confidence. Your winter motorcycle boots will also need to be extremely well-insulated and have excellent traction. In some cases, you might be walking on snow and ice in addition to riding on recently cleared roads.

Follow Winter Riding Best-Practices

Now that you know how to prepare your bike and body for your upcoming winter adventure, it's time to discuss how to handle your bike, and yourself, on the road. It's important to follow common safety standards year-round, but there are also a few additional things to remember when making long trips in the winter.

1. Make Your Presence Known

Motorcycle riders are always in more danger of serious accidents than people in cars and other enclosed vehicles, largely because few drivers pay as much attention as they should to motorcyclists. In the winter or in poor weather, almost no one expects to see you out on your bike. Consider it your job to make your presence known by using brake lights to help drivers see you in dark or foggy weather conditions. On foggy roads, you'll want to apply the brakes at least once every five minutes to make sure whoever is behind you knows exactly where you are.

2. Maintain a Safe Following Distance

In the winter, maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you is incredibly important. Most riders follow the two-second rule, meaning it would take at least two seconds to travel the distance between at your current speed. Ideally, you should be following this rule all the time, but the winter creates extra road hazards that make it even more important to maintain a safe following distance.

3. Use Extra Caution When Overtaking

Overtaking other vehicles is more complicated in the winter than it is in the summer. The roads are often slippery and in cold, foggy conditions you may not be able to see clearly beyond five yards. Take the time to double-check for other vehicles in the vicinity and use a horn if necessary to alert drivers that you plan to pass. Most importantly of all, don't get overzealous and forget to follow the all-important two-second rule.

4. Avoid Speeding

The constant cold and difficult riding conditions that come along with winter can take their toll on your ability to concentrate, and reductions in focus can be deadly. The faster you're going, the more you'll need all of your powers of concentration. Speeding is never wise, but in the winter, you should aim to ride no faster than 50-55 mph, even in 70 mph zones. It's just not worth the risk.

5. Schedule More Frequent Breaks

Ask ten veteran motorcyclists how often you need to take a break while out on a long ride, and you'll likely get ten different answers. Some people set themselves the goal of stopping as soon as they can each time the odometer rolls over the 100-mile mark. Others wait until they're feeling hungry or thirsty, sometimes riding for many hours. In the winter, it's always wise to plan for frequent breaks. Aim for a 15-minute break after each hour of riding, for example, and don't underestimate how nice a hot cup of coffee or another warm beverage can be after even a short ride out in the cold.

6. Don't Ride After Dark

Some people don't mind riding at night, and that's all well and good for the warmer months. In the winter, though, it's not worth the risk to keep riding after the sun goes down. For local long-distance rides, take the dwindling light as a sign it's time to head home. On longer trips, start looking for a motel room to get a good night's sleep and feel fresh and alert for the next day's ride.

7. Always Share Plans

Finally, if you're planning a long, multi-day ride in the winter, let someone know. Come up with at least a general itinerary with the route you're on and where or when you plan to stop. Keep in touch with your contact person by calling at the beginning and end of each day, or plan to check in at certain times. On remote roads, especially, letting someone know where you are and when to worry can make a life-or-death difference.

Enjoy the Ride

Your top priority on long winter rides should always be personal safety, but what's the point of hitting the road at all if you're not having any fun? Staying warm, protecting your bike from the elements, and following essential winter riding best practices can all increase your comfort and give you the peace of mind required to focus on the open road. Take the time to prepare as best as you can, whether that means buying new gear or upgrading your bike, then shift focus and start making plans for that exciting winter adventure tour.