Tips for riding motorcycles in winter

ArabiaWeather - Driving motorcycles in the winter requires some special preparations, and in order for motorcycle enthusiasts to enjoy a fun and safe drive, they must take into account some things.

Andrea Valesi, of the Motorcycle Safety Institute, explained that the bike must be in sound technical condition, and regular care and disposal of salt and dirt in cold times protects the bike.

Manual cleaning For this purpose, Valesi recommends relying on manual cleaning with a water hose instead of high-pressure cleaning devices, which may cause water droplets or even chemical detergents to penetrate the steering head bearing, wheels, fittings, switches, or fuse boxes, which leads to the spread of rust in the end.

For his part, Michael Linzen of the Federal Motorcycle Association recommends that metal parts be protected with special oils and parts coated with hard wax, and key contacts should be taken care of with a special spray, in addition to that the wheel bearing and chain should be well lubricated during the winter.

The German Automotive Club (ADAC) stressed the need for the tire to have a deep tread during the winter season, with a tread of more than 1.6 mm.

Protection from the cold To provide effective protection against the cold, the German club recommends relying on steering wheel protectors and handlebars with heating function; Since warming the fingers is an integral part of effective safety, and extreme cold may cause the inability to fully use the keys, steering wheel and transmission.

Motorcycle drivers, who continue to drive for long periods in cold weather, should wear heavy protective clothing, and it is up to the motorcyclist himself to choose the type of clothing between regular summer plus thermal overalls or special winter clothing.

The German Automobile Club added that it is also important that these clothes include tested protectors, and for driving with cloth coats, it is necessary to use a raincoat to provide additional protection against cold and moisture.

It is also important to wear insulated and waterproof gloves, and there is a new anti-scratch helmet visor that prevents scattered radiation and dazzling from sunlight and vehicles coming in the opposite direction when driving in the evening and at night, and it is necessary to stay away from the dark visors of the helmet in the winter season.

Regardless of whether you are driving a motorcycle or a scooter, driving in winter is not without its risks, so the motorcyclist must adapt the driving style to the conditions of slippery roads and poor visibility and avoid load shifting, hard acceleration and hard braking as much as possible.