10 Best Motorcycles for All Year-Round Riding (Winters Specifically!)

Motorcycle riding is not the same throughout the year. The feel, experience, and rideability vary hugely in different weather conditions. Most motorbikes are not practical during a specific season, such as winter. This is especially true in states where it is either too cold to ride in winter or it snows during the season.

Most riders have to store their bikes when the weather is cold and have to wait until spring. However, most bikers are aware that there is something special about winter riding.

Winter, especially the extreme one, offers a lot of problems to bikers. How to ride the bike all through the year? Are there motorbikes that are suitable for all year-round riding, especially during winter? These are the questions that we are going to answer in this article.

It is possible to ride the bike all year round with the appropriate bike and gear. You must have a bike that is useful in cold weather. This translates to heated grips, high performance, wind protection, and secure handling. ADV dual sport bikes tend to be the best since they can cope with various riding conditions.

Continue reading this article to learn about the 10 best motorcycles for all year-round riding, especially in winter.

The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure is the king of ADV bikes, perfect for winter riding. It is an adventure bike that is perfect for both paved roads and unpaved terrains, making it a breeze in cold weather. This ADV bike also features heated grips and a heated seat as an option.

The large windscreen on the R1250GS Adventure offers excellent wind protection. This keeps you warm and also helps you avoid fatigue, even on long-haul journeys. The Boxer engine in this bike is also quite beneficial, especially while riding in cold weather. The horizontally opposed twin cylinders are installed, such that they blow warm air to your boots. This makes your feet warmer compared to the majority of other bikes.

The R 1250 GS Adventure has an enormous 7.93 US gals (30 L) of fuel storage capacity. This implies that there will be decreased refueling stops. This can be very useful in freezing weather when the fuel stations may be closed. It also features various riding modes, such as Rain mode for slippery weather. Others are Road and Eco. The Pro Package will allow riders to have access to the Enduro, Dynamic, Enduro Pro, and Dynamic Pro modes.

The high-tech electronics installed in the R 1250 GS Adventure come in handy during winter riding. The traction control system helps you to ride safely in icy road conditions. The ABS is also effective on wet and dry surfaces.

The Honda Africa Twin is also a very capable adventure bike designed to work under all conditions. The bike is fitted with heated grips to keep the hands warm during cold weather. The taller windscreen is adjustable to provide enhanced wind protection.

The Africa Twin includes the Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). The system helps maintain traction on slippery roads during the winter season. This bike has many different settings which enable you to adjust the bike to suit any weather condition. The cruise control feature is great when making long trips on the highway during winter.

The Honda Africa Twin is a preferred choice of many riders for cold-weather riding. It is very well equipped for this purpose. A fuel tank capacity of 24 L allows more than enough range for long rides. The electronically-controlled suspension varies depending on road conditions.

The tubeless tires of the Africa Twin are popular with winter riders. In cold weather, these tires are easier to fix compared to the tubed ones when you get a flat. The LED headlight on the bike makes it possible to ride through the dark and poor visibility in winter.

The Ducati Multistrada 1200 introduces Italian styling in winter riding. This sport touring bike has four riding modes. The Enduro mode is used in case of rough riding conditions. The Urban mode is suitable for slippery urban roads, offering less power and a slower throttle response.

The electronic suspension is automatically adjusted to match the bike's conditions. This will help maintain control during winter weather on uneven or slippery roads. The traction control system features eight adjustable levels, catering to a wide range of riding conditions.

To stay warm during cold weather, the premium Multistrada trims feature heated grips. There is decent wind protection on this bike, especially for highway cruising. The riding position offered by the Multistrada ensures that you ride comfortably when going on long journeys in winter.

The Multistrada has high-tech electronics, such as the cornering ABS. This assists in being in control as it turns into curves on wet or icy roads. The throttle positioning system offers a ride-by-wire that provides a smooth delivery of power in all weather conditions.

The Yamaha Tracer 900 GT is a very successful sport touring bike for all year-round riding. It comes with a standard heated grips feature with 10 different heat settings. A simple scroll wheel allows riders to adjust or fine-tune the temperature for winter riding.

The LED cornering lights installed on the Tracer 900 GT are very useful while riding in winter darkness. These cornering lights automatically turn on once the bike leans past 7°. As you lean further, it becomes even brighter. This allows you to have a better view around the corners.

A taller, adjustable windscreen provides protection against the wind. It can be adjusted in different height settings. This gives you the chance to get the ideal feel you prefer while riding. The Yamaha Tracer 900 GT also comes with stock hand guards to protect you against cold winds and weather.

The Tracer 900 GT is also equipped with hard side cases if you love to go on long tours during winter. Each offering enough space for riders to carry useful items on the trip. The 6-axis IMU installed on the bike manages an enhanced safety mechanism that assists riders in riding on slippery surfaces.

In cold weather, winter riders have good results with the Yamaha Tracer. It is perfectly suited for even long rides during the winter season. 

The Suzuki V-Strom 1050 has good winter performance at a low cost. The V-Twin engine of the bike offers a smooth power supply in any weather conditions. The engine produces 106 hp of horsepower, which is more than enough to ride in winter without being overly aggressive.

Riders can also choose to install heated grips, hand guards, and fog lamps for riding in the winter season. These features will make winter riding on the V-Strom 1050 a lot more comfortable, easier, and safe.

Everything about the Suzuki V Strom 1050 makes it a perfect contender for all year-round riding. To start with, this bike has one of the most reliable V-Twin engines, good weather protection, and a comfortable upright riding position. The saddle on this bike is also quite comfortable for long journeys.

The reliable engine on the V-Strom 1050 also ensures a good fuel economy. Being equipped with the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (SIRS), it is also safe for winter riding. Also, if you plan to do two-up riding on the V-Strom 1050, it is very suitable for this purpose, too.

The Triumph Tiger 1200 is an exceptional all-year-round ADV bike, thanks to its exceptional abilities and features. This bike is perfect for long-distance touring, especially if you prefer a bit of adventure, too. The bike is highly comfortable, and with adjustable features, it is perfectly suited for most riding conditions.

The large windscreen ensures that riders have enough wind protection in cold weather. The heated grips ensure that your hands do not get frozen and numb even on the coldest day.

From the reviews, we can see that the Triumph Tiger 1200 is a very effective all-year-round bike. Advanced electronics make it possible to ride even in slippery conditions. The traction control, along with the ABS, is excellent in avoiding the spinning of wheels in extreme cold weather.

The radar-based, blind spot system of the Tiger 1200 assists during winter weather. In times of low visibility, the system alerts you to vehicles in your blind spots. The adaptive headlights can be adjusted automatically to various conditions.

The Tiger 1200 comes with a 30 L fuel tank for long winter rides. It is comfortable with a good seat and ergos that allow one to ride for hours. There is a majority of riders who ride the Tiger 1200 all winter without problems.

The Kawasaki Versys 1000 is another great option when it comes to motorcycles that are good for all year-round riding. This bike comes with a capable engine, a comfortable riding position, spacious ergos, and offers decent versatility. The modern rider aids are also decent in terms of better control and safe riding in all seasons.

However, with minor improvements, riders can improve the level of comfort on this bike. The versatile Versys 1000 is suitable for most riding scenarios, including touring, commuting, and even spirited riding, thanks to its strong low-end engine performance.

The Versys 1000 features a 1043 cc inline four engine, offering a great, balanced performance. The punchy low-end to mid-range torque makes it easy to ride in different conditions. One of the best features that makes the Versys 1000 stand out from the rest is its agile nature. Despite being a bigger bike, it still feels quite light and easy to handle at both slow and high speeds.

The weather protection on the Versys 1000 is also quite decent, making it suitable for riding in varying weather. The windscreen is decently tall for great wind blocking.

The DRZ400 is the actual lightweight dual sports bike on this list that is good for riding in most conditions. It does not come with the factory-installed heated grips, but they can be easily installed. The lightweight of this bike also helps in navigating the slippery roads as compared to the big adventure bikes.

In addition, if you actually prefer a lightweight adventure bike for dirt riding, the Suzuki DRZ400 fits perfectly for this purpose. The updated 2025 DRZ400 models now feature electronic fuel injection, which makes cold starts much easier.

The high ground clearance of the DRZ400 provides a great advantage for adventure riding in winter. The bike is capable of dealing with the harsh winter conditions, thanks to its robust and rugged design.

Many owners of the Suzuki DRZ400 have reported good reviews regarding its performance in cold weather. This bike is designed in a simple manner. Therefore, there are only a few things that can go wrong during the winter season. 

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is comparatively a newer brand than its competitors in the low-budget ADV segment. Though it is not equipped with factory heated grips, the bike can still be customized for winter use.

The new Himalayan 450 has a better and refined engine that is easy to start during cold weather. The liquid-cooling system ensures that the engine remains at optimal temperature in all seasons.

The RE Himalayan 450 has been reported to be very practical for all year-round riding in different conditions. The dual sport design allows the bike to deal with various riding situations. The weight is relatively low and the bike is quite easier to handle compared to large ADV bikes.

The RE Himalayan 450 has simple controls and easy handling, making it suitable for riding in the winter season. The ground clearance assists this bike in riding in even tough riding conditions. There are a good number of riders who use the Himalayan 450 for cross-country and camping trips in winter.

Ural is not a typical bike; it is a bike with a sidecar. Being fitted with three total wheels. It can serve as a perfect winter bike. It has no issues with sliding down, unlike two-wheeled bikes. The three-wheel design helps stay stable and balanced even in snowy or icy road conditions. The sidecar ensures the bike remains upright irrespective of how wet or slippery the road is.

The Ural bikes are available in two-wheel drive, as well. This implies that power is directed to the rear wheel, as well as the sidecar wheel. This allows the Ural to cling to the road. A lot of Ural riders like the winter period more than the summer time since the bikes perform well in such cold conditions.

The Ural starts easily in cold weather with no issue. If it is properly maintained, the three-wheeled bike will show no problem in the whole winter season. The powerful Russian design is more effective in coping with the severe winter weather compared to other normal bike designs.

Above all, the Ural sidecar offers great storage space for your winter riding gear. You are able to bring most of your winter luggage on a long trip. The passenger in the sidecar can also stay more comfortable and warmer compared to the passenger on the bike due to increased wind protection.

Regardless of the type of bike you have, winter riding is something that you must be prepared for. The good winter motorbike tires make the most difference when it comes to riding during the winter season. There are many different motorbike tire brands that make specialized tires for winter riding. These tires help you ride your bike in cold weather conditions.

Riding thick, warm, and multi-layered riding gear is important when the weather is too cold. Your core must remain warm while riding. You can use a heated jacket liner for this purpose. You can use heated gloves or use hippohands to keep your hands warm while riding in winter.

It is also very crucial to properly maintain your bike for winter riding. The bike must be properly observed. Battery life is affected by cold weather, so make sure to keep a check on your bike’s battery. Wash your bike to avoid the effects of winter roads on it due to salt.

Before you get on the bike for riding in winter, make sure to perform a thorough inspection. Also, in certain U.S. states, it can either rain or snow at any time. Riders must plan their routes to avoid high-risk zones.

The perfect winter motorcycle will be determined by your needs. The BMW R1250GS Adventure and the Honda Africa Twin are very good options in case you desire better comfort and protection. They both have factory-heated grips and great wind protection.

The Yamaha Tracer 900 GT and the Ducati Multistrada 1200 are good choices if you want both sporty nature and touring ability in a motorcycle. These bikes are also great for comfortable winter rides.

If you are a budget-conscious expert rider, you must consider the Suzuki V Strom 1050 or the Kawasaki Versys 1000. Both can perform well in winter with comparatively lower prices than premium brands.

The Triumph Tiger 1200 is another premium ADV bike option to take you anywhere you want. At last, we have the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, which is for beginner riders who don’t want to spend a lot on an ADV bike.

Above all, nothing can be better than a Ural sidecar when it comes to riding in snowy conditions. The three-wheel stability and two-wheel drive make it perfect for all year-round riding, especially in winter.

Riding a motorcycle in winter is a new world of experience. The cold weather is marked by clear air, less traffic on the road, and beautiful winter landscapes. You can ride all year round with the right bike from this list.

These ten motorbikes have a unique feature for winter riders. Every bike on the list is suitable for winter riding and can fit a particular rider. The point is in the selection of one that suits your style of riding and the winter climate in your region.

Weather conditions do not keep you off your motorbike. If your bike is well-equipped, the winter rides can be one of the most satisfying miles that you can ever cover on your bike. With these ten bikes, there is a possibility of riding safely and comfortably regardless of what winter can offer you.