Should A Beginner Ride a Motorcycle in Winter?

This is the question that most new riders ask when the winter season arrives: “Should a beginner ride a motorcycle in winter?” The answer to this question is in short: “Yes”. However, it is a ‘yes’, only when you are well prepared and careful.

Riding a motorbike in winter can be an option for new riders. Nonetheless, it requires more consideration and effort than riding in summer. In this article, we are going to get into the details of this question and answer whether a beginner should ride a motorcycle in winter.

Whether expert or a novice, everyone is afraid of riding a motorcycle in cold weather. As a beginner, you are still learning how to ride a motorcycle and developing your riding skills. Each ride is an opportunity to develop and acquire knowledge.

Put winter into the equation, and riding becomes hard in so many ways. Riding a motorcycle in winter makes things twice as hard for riders. If you are a novice thinking of starting to ride in cold weather conditions, the challenges you may face will likely be beyond your skill level.

The fact is, winter motorcycle riding is not the same as riding in spring and fall.

• The road gets slick.

• Your body feels cold.

• Your bike is not capable of handling snow and ice.

Even experienced riders are challenged by these conditions. Such riding challenges are likely too much for a beginner.

According to most experienced and skilled riders, the basic skills must be learned before winter arrives. They can develop these skills during the summer riding season. Develop your fundamental riding competencies by riding in weather that is in your favor and not against you. Next, when you have learned these skills,. You can consider going on winter motorcycle rides.

There are certain risks involved in riding in cold weather, especially when it is freezing. Let’s break down the main ones:

Among the primary threats is the wind chill. The cold is even more aggravated by the wind when you are riding quickly on a motorcycle. Even at 50° F, it feels like 10° F when cold breezes are on their way and you are going fast. This sudden lowering of temperature in cold weather can have a serious impact on your body.

It can be easy to lose control of your core muscles as body heat is lost while riding in winter. When this occurs, you may experience frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite is likely to damage your skin.

Hypothermia, commonly known as the ‘Low Temp Disease’, can occur, too. This can cause confusion, fatigue, and difficulty thinking. Such a condition can make riding very risky.

Low temperatures make tires hard and stiff. Such a situation is also called hard/cold tires. Riding the bike becomes dangerous when the tire is cold, as it simply does not grip the road as well as a warm one. Road grip is what matters the most while riding. The bike tires must grip the ground, as they are the lifeline for a rider. The weaker your grip, the more your bike will slide, increasing the risk of a crash.

Further, bad roads make riding even worse. Wet spots, snow, slush, and ice may be on dark roads. You can run over black ice, which appears like wet blacktop. However, it is quite slippery. One moment you are okay, the next moment you fall on the ground.

New riders may struggle to survive on low-grip roads. They should only ride and practice on roads with decent grip.

Winter is associated with wet roads, rain, snow, and fog. All these make for bad sight and vision for riders. You will not be able to identify or spot a danger that is right in front of you in such riding conditions, especially if you are a beginner. In winter, the days are not long as the sun sets earlier. You will have to ride most of your way in darkness.

When you ride in the dark and in low-visibility conditions, you are at greater risk of crashes. It is because motorcycles, compared to cars and other large vehicles, are small. They are less visible to other vehicles, especially in bad weather. A large number of motorcycle accidents occur because drivers fail to notice motorcycles in time.

On top of that, new riders are slower to perceive approaching danger. They fail to respond to dangers in a timely manner.

When you are cold, especially when riding a motorcycle, your hands and feet get numb in no time. You cannot feel your fingers and toes. This can happen even with gloves on, especially if it is extremely cold. This may lead to bad things.

When your hands and fingers get numb, this means you will not be able to engage or control the clutch and front brake. In extreme cases, your hands will get stuck. You will not be able to move them or at a certain pace. You may lose control of the handlebars and the bike. As a result, an accident can occur.

You will have a delayed response if you are riding in cold weather. Such a situation is horrible for new riders.

It is advised that beginners not ride a motorcycle in winter. They should only ride the bike in cold weather if they are fully prepared, well-equipped, have adequate riding skills, and are aware of the consequences. The point is that you should not begin your riding career in winter.

If you are new to motorcycling, you should wait until spring or fall to get familiar with the basics of riding. You may completely discard the idea of motorcycle riding if you start in winter as a new rider.

Nonetheless, if you have been riding for a couple of months and are good with the basics, then you can ride in winter. To do it safely, you must be smart enough as a rider.

In case you have made up your mind that winter motorcycle riding is the right thing to do, here are some tips that will make you stay safe and warm:

This is the first rule of riding a motorbike in cold weather. Don’t just put on a thick coat if you want to stay warm. It will not work well. Instead, put on thin, warm layers of clothing that don’t restrict your movement.

Begin with a base layer to push sweat off your body. Use performance wear or gym wear for this purpose. It is usually made of moisture-wicking material that helps absorb moisture.

Next, add a mid-layer for heat. Good choices include fleece vests or light jackets. Finally, wear your riding jacket, which not only prevents wind but also moisture. This shell is important because it keeps cold air out, keeping you warm.

For the bottom, wear thermal pants under your riding pants. Thick socks help too. Do not wear the same summer riding shoes that have a breathable surface. Use insulated, waterproof riding boots, especially designed for winter, when riding in cold weather. Make sure that the riding boots fit with thick socks.

The first part that gets numb while riding in cold weather is your hands. When they do, then the ride becomes extremely tougher. It becomes very hard to stay stable and keep riding. It becomes very painful to ride with numb, frozen hands. Buy specialized winter riding gloves. These gloves should be thick yet allow finger movement. Other riders even cover their grips with hand muffs to keep the cold wind away.

If you have the urge or you prefer to ride in a half-face helmet, drop this idea. A half-face helmet doesn’t work at all for winter riding. Only a full-face helmet will work and can help prevent freezing. It keeps the wind off your face and covers almost every part of it. Find one that has a fog-free face shield. This is another must-have quality of a full-face helmet if you want to ride in winter.

If your helmet visor remains foggy, your vision will be severely compromised, increasing the risk of a crash. On the contrary, you will need to open the helmet visor to prevent fogging. You will avoid visor fogging, but you will expose your face — eyes, nose, cheeks, and mouth — to freezing-cold wind.

Your bike needs prep, too. Check your motorbike tire tread before winter arrives. Worn-out tires offer poor grip. Good tires have good treads, which make them safer for road use.

Also, make sure the tire pressure is at the optimal level. Cold air reduced tire pressure as the air contracted. Therefore, you must check the air pressure before every ride.

Motorcycle engine oil thickens and becomes more viscous at low temperatures. As a result, it flows slowly. Look up your owner's manual to find the correct type of oil to use during cold weather. Some bikes require a thinner oil during cold weather.

You also have a battery that gets weak in cold weather. Ensure it is not old and effective, and that it can provide a charge in every condition. Carry a jump starter in case of any emergencies. Remember! Cold starting is a big issue. It becomes even worse if you are a beginner rider, as you may not know what's wrong with your bike or how to fix it.

Riding a motorcycle in cold weather requires a smart mindset and a defensive riding approach. You have to go slower than you do in hot months. Your bike doesn’t grip properly as well. There will be ice or water along the road. Low speeds provide extra time to respond and recognize the threat.

Staying smooth is also key to safe winter riding. Do not be crazy with the throttle, clutch, and brakes. Be mindful of what you are doing. Cornering must be done smoothly. Rapid movements can make your bike slip.

Leaning the bike while turning a corner is also not the same. You will naturally feel less confident while turning a corner. Therefore, the key is to go slow. You cannot lean so much with cold tires. Rather than using extreme lean angles for cornering, slow down to take turns safely.

Plan your ride before you go. Make sure to choose roads that are clear and salted. Small country backroads may be covered with ice or snow that is not visible. Primary roads are well-kept, treated, and cleaned more often.

Check the weather and road news, and then go out for a ride. When it snows and the road is iced, then leave. It is not worth it, even to an experienced rider.

Try to ride when the sun is up. The days during winter are short. Still, you should ride during the day as much as possible. This will ensure maximum visibility and vision of the road ahead, and avoid any threats. You will also be seen clearly by other drivers and riders.

If you have to ride in darkness for some reason, make sure that your bike lights are good. Wear bright gear and use reflectors on your bike, vest, and helmet to ensure that riders and drivers can see you clearly.

If you are a beginner rider and want to test the winter conditions of bike riding:

• Ride slowly.

• The first time you ride in winter should be over a short distance in light cold, not the deep frost.

• Ride during the daylight on the main road.

• Do not make it more than twenty miles.

Once you have taken a couple of rides, you will get to know how your bike behaves in cold conditions. You will learn how to make your moves more smoothly. As time and rides pass by, winter riding begins to become normal. The trick is to go step by step. Every cold ride that you complete is a step forward towards developing skills.

• Never ride your bike in case there is ice or snow on the ground.

• Don’t ride in storms.

• Do not ride when your bike is not in good condition.

• It is no use riding when you are tired or cold already.

• On some days, it is wise to ride the bus.

It is not about being weak or light-hearted; it is about being a smart rider. The road will be there once the weather gets better.

Your motorbike requires extra care during cold seasons. Rinse your bike with water after every ride, especially if you live in a place where roads are salted. Salt speeds up the rusting process.

Have your motorbike chain well-oiled and clean. Cold weather makes the chain dry and stiff. A dry chain is likely to snap, and you will be stranded on the roadside.

Make sure to check your motorbike brakes each time before every ride during winter. Wet and cold are not good for your bike brakes. Always ensure that you use thick brake pads and fresh brake fluid.

There is no doubt, winter motorcycle riding is challenging. It may be good and feasible for certain riders, as there is less traffic on the road. The number of bikes is also less in winter. So, you are left with more space to ride. The air is fresh and cool. The entire ride feels more authentic and raw during winter.

On top of that, you learn a lot faster. Spring will never teach you anything that winter does. Skills help you to be a better and safer rider throughout the year. After you have learned to ride in the wintertime, the spring riding comes as easily as a breeze.

It is a fact. When you are a beginner rider, do not begin your riding journey in winter. Start your riding career in the warm months or season first. Build your core skills. Learn how your bike feels. Make use of good weather to strengthen your basic skills.

Then, if you feel like riding in the cold, you will be ready. You will be able to cope with winter challenges. The initial months of being a rider are too crucial to be spent in challenging riding conditions.

New riders with some experience can do winter motorcycle riding. You can do it with good equipment, riding slowly, and making wise decisions. However, begin with a sincere analysis of your skills. Are you willing to take the extra test of your riding skills? Do you have the right gear? Is the weather safe for riding?

If your answer is ‘Yes’ to all three above questions, then you are ready for winter riding. If you are not sure about these, then you must wait until the weather gets a bit warmer and clearer. Your safety is more important than just proving to anybody that you can ride in winter as a beginner.

Riding a motorbike in winter is a challenge. It demands more from you and your bike than warm rides do. To an absolute novice rider, winter may be too excessive at an early stage of your riding career.

However, with a few months of riding experience and the right things to do, winter can be a wonderful season to develop as a rider. You will acquire new skills and gain real confidence.

The choice is yours. Consider carefully your abilities, your gear, and the road conditions.. Winter rides are wonderful, but they can become a nightmare for a new rider.