Advice for Winter Riders

Living in Florida there's not too much in the way of cold or winter conditions to deter you from taking your bike on the road. But if you do decide to head north into colder climes and icy conditions, Destination Powersports, in Punta Gorda near Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida, wants you to stay safe and enjoy your ride. That's why we've prepared a list of suggestions and recommendations to keep you warm wherever your ride takes you!

Layer Up

First and foremost, you're going to have to equip yourself for a cold weather ride. This starts with layers of clothes. Make your underlayer light but protective, with a warmer mid-layer over that. With your riding jacket on top you should feel pretty well insulated, however an extra layer in colder temps will never hurt. Make sure you follow the same process for your legs, with a solid set of waterproof riding pants, and some sturdy waterproof boots. If you're the kind of rider who typically wears a half helmet, consider switching to an anti-fogging full face helmet, or a modular for the winter or you might wind up with a frostbitten nose. A neck warmer is also going to make a huge difference at highway speeds. Finally a good set of gloves are crucial, if your fingers go numb while you're riding you won't be able to complete your ride safely, so invest in a solid set of water and waterproof riding gloves.

Outfit your Bike

Your bike can do plenty to help you stay comfortable when you ride. If you're riding a bike that doesn't have much by way of fairing or wind protection, a detachable windscreen can be a great cold weather accessory to keep you from feeling the chill. Some wind guards for your legs can help to increase your comfort. For your hands, a set of heated grips are going to be a big improvement. If your bike is water cooled, you'll also need to make sure you've got fresh antifreeze, and that your water/antifreeze is mixed properly. You may also want to look into outfitting your bike with some new foot pegs provide better grip for your foot controls.

Tires and Traction

The cold weather is going to pull pressure right out of your tires which is going to give you trouble in terms of traction, and even a short stop can lead your tires to cool down so you get less grip. As long as the road conditions are safe, you can accelerate and decelerate quickly to build up some heat in your tires and improve your grip.

Road Hazards

There are a few different hazards that occur during winter riding that you don't otherwise have to watch out for. Black ice is the most notorious of these, as it can seemingly pop up out of nowhere. Keep your eyes open and avoid any patch that looks even remotely icy. Salt and gravel on the roads, like ice, can cause unwanted slippage if you enter a turn aggressively, story and stay out of the salty patches on the road. Tar snakes can also be a major hazard when wet, so watch out for these long sealed cracks in the pavement. For that matter, unsealed cracks caused by a recent snow plowing can pinch your tubes and bend your rims if your tire pressure has gotten low.

Safer Riding

An abundance of caution is one thing you should never leave behind on a winter ride. Keep your eyes well ahead of you, and give cars extra space so you can react accordingly.

Use Good Judgement

Simply put, be smarter than the road. If the road is wet in the morning and it could freeze in the afternoon, don't ride. If you're at the office and the forecast is calling for snow, get home. Don't ride in conditions that you or your bike can't handle, period.

Remember, layer up for cold weather and be sure to check your tires for wear or cracks; if you can, check the road conditions ahead of time and ultimately, if you don't feel safe, don't ride. The best tool you have at your disposal when going for winter rides is your own judgment. Wherever your next journey takes you, be sure to visit Destination Powersports, in Punta Gorda near Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida, and let our staff get you paired with the perfect motorcycle for your next on-the-road adventure!