In this guide we’ve provided our top tips for riding a motorcycle during winter, helping to ensure it’s a safe and enjoyable experience.

Wrap Up Warm

An obvious one, but it’s quite surprising how much speed makes you colder. Michelin detail that when it’s 10°C outside, riding at 30mph (50km) will result in felt air temperature on bare skin being -2°C and -6 °C at 80mph (130km/h)!

Another interesting fact from Michelin – your body cools down 5 times faster when it’s wet.

To combat this, you’ll want to layer up properly:

  • Base layer – sports brands can sometimes be cheaper and just as effective.
  • A hoodie or fleece – but remember the hood on a hoodie can be cumbersome.
  • Motorcycle jacket – leathers are not really suited for winter. Instead go for a warm and waterproofed textile option.
  • Onesie – if it really is hammering it down with rain, a onesie is your best option.
  • A neck warmer or a snood – can be a great investment, especially if you’re riding on the motorway.
  • Reflective materials – these can be a lifesaver, literally, so don’t neglect these when gearing up. Same goes for anti-fog tech. The best in the business is a Pinlock visor.
  • Gloves – and finally, gloves. Never skimp on the gloves.

Keep Your Battery Charged

The winter months can cause problems for your battery as the lower temperatures slow its chemical reactions, which can stop it from working. In order to keep it charged you’ll need to regularly ride your bike for extended periods of time. However, if you’re unable to frequently take your bike out, we recommend using a trickle charger to allow the battery to remain fully charged.

Adjust & Lube Your Motorcycle Chain

A smooth ride is essential if things might get a little bit slippery out there, so correct chain tension is important if you want the bike to respond in good time to your inputs. One of the fastest and most effective ways of setting chain tension is using a Chain Monkey, the world’s first tool designed to help you set the tension on your motorcycle’s drive chain. This innovative product enables you to set your chain tension quickly, easily and with minimal knowledge required.

You also need to make sure you’re regularly cleaning and lubricating your chain too. Any moisture trapped in your bike will freeze during the colder temperatures, and if your chain freezes, not only will it slow your acceleration, but your chain could even snap. By using a high-quality and trusted lubricant and frequently cleaning your chain, you can provide long lasting protection and reduce the likelihood of it icing over.

Check Your Tyres & Warm Them Up

Check that your tyres are correctly inflated and have plenty of tread left. With the overly wet and slushy roads that inevitably accompany the winter months, it’s crucial your tyres have good tread depth – it’s never worth the risk just to get a few extra miles out of a pair of tyres.

At this point, it’s also worth checking other things that can go wrong while your bike is wrapped up for a long time in the cold, such as fluid levels.

Cold tyres on a cold surface provide less traction than hot tyres on a hot surface, so it’s important you warm them up before setting off. Many bikers think the best way to warm your tyres up is to ride side to side – it’s not. Accelerating quickly and then braking hard is far more effective – just be careful and conscious of your available grip.

Take it Slow

If it’s been a while and you’re just popping out to keep things ticking over and your battery charged, take it slow to begin with. You’ll be a little rusty and it will take your bike some time to get up to temperature.

Keep Your Distance

Rain, ice and even cold roads significantly increase stopping/braking distances when compared to a hot day, so be sure to increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front.

We advise you avoid riding in snowy or windy conditions as well as ungritted roads. If you are out and about riding and are unfortunate enough to come across a patch of ice, try to remain calm and do not brake – slamming on the brakes can make you skid and lose control of the vehicle. Instead, stay composed, look ahead and ride it out.

Also, be careful of white or yellow road lines or paint too – these can be very slippery in the wet.

Clean Your Motorbike

It’s critical that you wash and clean your bike after every ride in the winter. You’re certain to come across grit, dirt and alike whilst riding during these months, all of which can make your bike become rusty if not cleaned.

Safe to use on all surfaces, the Monkey Juice Gel Bike Cleaner is extremely popular among motorcyclists. Specifically formulated to instantly lift and remove stubborn grime generated from riding, the degreaser clings to the surface of the motorbike and penetrates microscopic holes within the dirt, quickly lifting particles away from the surface. It also leaves a micro layer protective coating which reduces dirt build up and makes future cleaning a breeze.

Have the Right Breakdown Cover

Things tend to go wrong more often in the cold, and because it’s cold, you’ll feel a lot worse about it! Make sure you’ve got proper, bike-specific coverage for breakdown recovery.

Motorcycle Maintenance with Tru-Tension

Here at Tru-Tension, we specialise in designing and manufacturing industry-leading motorcycle maintenance products. From chain tensioning and chain alignment tools to lubricants, wax and cleaning gels, we offer a comprehensive range of maintenance solutions at affordable prices.

Whether you are an inexperienced rider, a daily commuter or a competitive racer, our products are right for all levels of enthusiast.

Shop our motorcycle maintenance products >

See more: The Best Products for Cleaning Your Motorbike’s Chain

See more: How to Keep Your Motorcycle Clean