With the onset of winter, even experienced motorcyclists are faced with quite a number of very different difficulties. This is not surprising, because only driving a high-speed vehicle at a time when the weather, visibility and quality of the road surface leave much to be desired is in itself not only difficult, but also very dangerous. Nevertheless, if you choose the right equipment and properly prepare your bike for use in winter conditions, as well as constantly adhere to the rules that determine the correct riding technique, you can minimize all possible risks, while making your rides as comfortable as possible. But let's talk about everything in order.

First of all, you must mentally prepare yourself for the fact that the situation on the winter road at any time can turn into the category of extreme, therefore, while driving, you should always remain attentive and as collected as possible. Frosty weather, strong winds, snow falling - all this can be a great distraction from driving an open vehicle, which is a motorcycle, therefore, you should take the most responsible approach to the selection of clothes and equipment, because this will help you to protect yourself from the winter bad weather.

It should be noted right away that your motorcycle clothing should not only be warm and comfortable, but also simply must contribute to increased safety while riding, while all things should be bought only in specialized stores, which will allow you to be confident in their quality. Speaking in detail, when the weather is very cold, experts recommend that you wear comfortable thermal underwear, as well as several warm and light items of clothing made of so-called fleece. It is recommended to use a special windproof overalls and a motorcycle jacket as outerwear, which will protect you not only from bad weather, but also from some types of injuries and damage if a fall occurs.

It is also necessary to constantly use special protective accessories, which include gloves, a helmet and a comforter, a set of shields, as well as knee pads and elbow pads. Remember that such equipment will not only preserve your health and protect your body from injuries, but can also save your life in the event of a traffic accident, so approach its selection with the maximum degree of responsibility, and also never be shy about what you put on yourself all the above things, you become like a soldier of a special forces squad.

Particular attention should be paid to driving technique, because winter weather greatly complicates any maneuvering, therefore experts recommend never to drive at high speeds in winter, but to observe the correct speed limit. In other words, set a mental speed limit for yourself, which should be about a third less than when riding in favorable conditions, when the weather is great for operating the bike, the road is dry and level, and visibility is not limited by anything.

Maximum caution should be observed in the early morning, when ice may form on the roads, and the snow that has fallen overnight has not yet been "tamped" by other road users. And although in the morning there are usually not many pedestrians and other vehicles, be very careful when entering a pedestrian crossing, as well as when entering a circular traffic zone. Experts on such sections of the winter road recommend not to resort to sharp, even short-term, accelerations, but to reduce speed, use only the rear brake, transferring your body weight closer to the front of the bike. And try to run into road markings as little as possible, because these areas are usually the most slippery.

Unfortunately, the weather in winter is also often extremely windy, which also significantly complicates the control of the bike, as a result of which many motorcyclists have a desire to settle down while driving behind any large vehicle (for example, behind a truck) in order to ride in a more comfortable an area devoid of oncoming airflow. However, experts do not advise doing this, especially if the road surface is very slippery, as well as in conditions of limited visibility, because any sharp maneuver of the vehicle in front can provoke a collision or fall if you do not have time to adequately react to a change in the situation on the road.

By the way, windy weather can be even more dangerous if the wind speed and direction are constantly changing, because this can lead to unexpected horizontal displacement of your bike relative to the road. It is almost impossible to deal with this scourge, so try before each next trip, especially if it must be quite long in time, to watch the weather forecast in order to know what weather conditions will await you on the way. And if a significant deterioration in the weather is expected, it is not a bad option to refuse the trip, in extreme cases - postpone it until the moment when the weather becomes more favorable.

Another important condition for safe motorcycle riding in winter is the good condition of your bike tires. Of course, in winter, for driving on slippery roads, it is advisable to use special winter tires, which are designed to operate at low temperatures. It is worth noting that studded rubber can be a good solution, but only if you constantly have to drive either on ice or on snow that is tightly compacted by other road users, otherwise studded pads that can be put on and off will be the best option. as needed.

But even if you use special winter tires, you should understand that frosty weather can lead to chilling if the bike is left in the open air for a long time without movement, for example, during an overnight stay outside a heated garage or box. This is a very dangerous situation, as rubber hardened from frost is extremely poor in grip of the motorcycle wheels with the road surface, which can lead to loss of control over the bike while driving. It is possible to warm up the rubber only in motion, therefore, after such long downtime in the cold, try to drive at least the first kilometer of the way at a very low speed, periodically resorting to smooth braking.

Now you know what will help to make winter motorcycle operation more comfortable and enjoyable, and most importantly - as safe as possible. But never forget that winter weather is very tricky, so always use extreme caution and be attentive during winter travel, and remember the helpful tips and tricks that you learned after reading this material. Good luck on the road!