When the cold weather begins to set in, some motorcycle owners winterize their rides and wait until the weather becomes warmer before they venture out. But for adventurous motorcycle owners, who make the necessary preparations with Winter Motorcycle Accessories, a winter motorcycle ride can be rewarding and exhilarating.

“The cold weather is no excuse to stop riding.”

But whether you are riding during the summer or winter, it cannot be overstated that your comfort and safety are of paramount importance.

Come winter time, there are two important tasks that you need to do:

Use the right winter motorcycle accessories and prep your bike.

One key mistake that new motorcycle riders make is to put on layers and layers of clothing with the end goal of keeping themselves warm.

While that is not entirely a bad thing, donning unnecessary layers of clothing can only inhibit your movement which, in turn, can compromise your safety on the road.

What you need to do is to find a good balance between warmth, comfort and mobility.

In order to achieve that, you need to layer your clothes smartly.

The first or outer layer will serve as your primary defense against the elements. For this, you will need a jacket that is both waterproof and windproof which will protect you from moisture and prevent heat loss.

Consider investing in a jacket with zippered armpit vents that provide ventilation.

The next layer should provide you with insulation.

In some cases, winter jackets with inner thermal layers will suffice. However, if you are going to ride in extreme temperature, this type of jacket will not be enough.

For this, you will need a heated vest for your torso and heated gloves for your hands.

The final or base layer is the layer of clothing that is closest to your body.

Some riders prefer wearing wool which provides adequate warmth. However, there are several new products out there made out of synthetic materials which can do the same job just as well as, if not better than, wool.

Once you have dealt with your body, it is now time to turn your attention to your other body parts: your hands, legs, and head.

For your hands, you can opt for winter gloves that are waterproof. If this is not enough, you can use glove liners or heated gloves.

For your feet, consider investing in quality winter riding socks which keep warmth in while also keeping moisture away. Some riders swear by the benefits of heated insoles.

For winter riding, a full-face helmet is essential.

However, this type of helmet will not be enough to keep your head warm. For that, you can use an open balaclava supplemented by a scarf.

And now for your ride.

For winter rides, the best investment that you can make is to buy and install windshields, if you do not already have one. Of course, that will depend on the type of bike that you own.

Quite simply, a windshield greatly reduces that amount of wind that you will need to contend with. Other welcome upgrades for winter include hand-guards and heated grips.

So prepare your bike with these Winter Motorcycle Accessories and make sure your bike is ready to go in spring with a new oil cooler to save your bike from overheating!

Prep for winter with our Top 9 Harley-Davidson Winter Storage tips. Although it is possible to mitigate some of the risks associated with motorcycle riding during the winter or even boost your comfort during a cool season ride, many Harley-Davidson owners prefer to swap their bikes for their cars until the temperature becomes more conducive for motorcycle riding.

Here’s how you can properly winterize your motorcycle, ensuring that it is stored correctly and ready for spring.

Harley-Davidson winter storage will require you to address a few key points.

“How you store your motorcycle over the winter will depend on its type. But no matter what type of bike you own, your main concern would be moisture.”

1. Clean your bike

It may seem counter-intuitive considering the fact that nobody will see your bike for months. However, giving your ride a thorough cleaning before storage helps prevent the corrosion of its finish due to water spots and debris.

Wash your bike and allow it to dry completely. You can use an electric leaf blower especially in hard-to-reach areas. Once dry, apply a coat of wax which will act as an added layer of protection against rust and moisture.

Spray WD-40 on all exposed metal parts.

2. Give your bike fresh oil and filter

Replacing the oil of your motorcycle eliminates the need to change oil and allows you to start it with greater ease come riding season. Experts recommend using an oil with winter weight.

If you are going to store your bike for a full season or longer, you will also need to apply a thin coat of oil on the engine to protect it against moisture. Otherwise, moisture can cause the formation of rust in the pistons and cylinder walls.

3. Pay attention to moving parts

Another way to protect your ride from moisture is to lube all moving parts. This helps protect against binding as well as rusting.

4. Fill up the gas tank

Gas tanks can rust when bikes are not used for a long time. Additionally, the gas left in the tank can turn gummy. In order to prevent this, fill up the tank with fuel added with a stabilizer. Filling up the fuel tank leaves no room for extra moisture.

5. Use a smart tender for the battery

Some experts recommend unhooking the battery. However, you can use a battery tender which monitors the charge of the battery and keeps it topped off while preventing overcharging. Before installing a battery tender, make sure that you clean the electrodes and apply a thin coat of grease.

6. Keep the tires off the ground

Leaving the tires in the same position for an extended period of time can lead to flat spots. You can prevent this by investing in motorcycle stands. Alternatively, you can simply roll the tires every few weeks. If you opt for the latter, make sure that you put plywood or carpet underneath the tires to prevent moisture from seeping into the tires.

7. Put enough anti-freeze in your bike’s coolant system

If you live in an area where the temperature gets really cold, consider adding anti-freeze to your bike’s coolant system. This will prevent a cracked head.

8. Keep pests at bay

Small animals seeking shelter from the cold can wind up inside your bike air filters and exhaust pipes. Prevent that by plugging the exhaust pipe using a muffler plug or even plastic bags.

9. Cover your bike

A motorcycle cover protects your bike against dust and moisture. If you are going to store your bike outdoors, make sure that the cover is secured properly to prevent it from getting blown off. You can buy our Reefer Cold Weather Cover by clicking here or our Softail Cold Weather Cover by clicking here.

So prepare your bike with these Harley-Davidson Winter Storage Tips and make sure your bike is ready to go in spring with a new oil cooler to save your bike from overheating!

Riding Safety – If you ask people why they prefer to ride motorcycles, you will get a long list of answers. However, it is undeniable that one of the things that make motorcycle riding appealing to a broad number of people is the connection between man and machine that driving a car cannot offer.

But the thing that makes motorcycle riding enticing can also be the same thing that makes it risky. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned motorcycle rider, one of the important things that you need to know is that your bike is less stable and less visible on the road compared to a car.

“Additionally, motorcycles do not have the same amount of protection offered by an enclosed vehicle.”

If you are planning on investing in a bike, whether for practical reasons, for leisure, or a combination of both, here are a few motorcycle safety basics that you will need to learn and master.

Riding Safety to always keep in mind:

Choose the right bike

One riding safety measure that is especially applicable to prospective riders is choosing the right motorcycle. Ideally, the bike you choose should allow you to mount and dismount with little effort. Check for the fit. The handlebars and the controls should be easy for you to reach. Do not buy a bike that is too heavy for you. In terms of engines, choose a bike with a 250 to 300 cc engine if you are planning to use it for your daily commute, or a bike with a 500 to 750 cc engine if you want to use your motorcycle on a highway.

Upgrade to ABS brakes

If your bike does not come with ABS or antilock brakes, consider making the switch. This type of brake prevents lock-ups which lead to loss of steering control. In turn, the loss of steering control can lead to crashes, skids and injuries.

Invest in honing your riding safety skills

Investing some time and money toward a basic motorcycle safety course can sometimes spell the difference between life and death. Most of these courses cover the basics of motorcycle riding while others offer tips on how to handle emergency situations. Apart from boosting your safety, you can even get a discount for your insurance.

Wear a helmet

Wearing a helmet can substantially reduce the risk of succumbing to a fatal head injury by as much as 40 percent. Additionally, riders who wear helmets are three times less likely to suffer from brain injuries should they figure in an accident. Experts recommend full-face helmets approved by the Department of Transportation. Remember to buy a new helmet every five years or if you figure in a motorcycle crash.

Invest in the right wardrobe

Whether you are going for a short or long ride, you should wear the right type of clothing. These include a reinforced jacket, over the ankle footwear, full pants, and gloves. Avoid wearing T-shirts, sandals and jeans.

Be alert

In most accidents involving cars and motorcycles, it is the car driver who is at fault. As such, you have to be extra careful and defensive. Be always on the lookout for cars and avoid tailgating. Keep your bike at a safe distance, giving you enough space and time to react.

Don’t ride when the weather is bad

Unless you really have to, avoid riding out when the weather is bad. Apart from making the roads slippery, rain can cut down visibility. If you must ride when it is raining, avoid making sudden movements and be gentle on the brakes, throttle and steering.

Be watchful

Motorcycles are more susceptible to road hazards because of the reduced contact with the road. Always watch out for bumps, potholes, sand, pebbles and wet leaves which can lead to skids.

Check your bike before each ride

Make it a habit to do a quick but thorough check on your bike, especially the brakes, chain, belt, shaft, signals, lights and horn.

So after following these riding safety tips, get out and start riding your bike today along with a new oil cooler to save your bike from overheating!

In an ideal world, you would have all the time to explore and see the scenic bike routes you have always been dreaming of getting to. But unless you are a retiree or have a business that runs by itself, there is one crucial restraint that you should consider: time.

“When you are eyeing motorcycle routes you have not yet explored, ample planning can go a long way.”

Here’s how you can make the most out of the long scenic bike routes you are planning.

Let your interests guide you

During the initial stages of planning, it is a good idea to start with specific areas of interest that you wish to go to. From there, you can plan your route accordingly.

Determine how long you need to ride

For longer rides, you may want to pace yourself accordingly by calculating how many hours or miles you will need to cover in order to arrive at your chosen destination/s within a given time frame. Take into account breaks for rest and eating and even unexpected detours.

Consider renting a bike

If you are planning a considerably long ride and you do not want to subject your precious ride to too much wear on the road, you might want to consider renting a motorcycle. Alternatively, you can have your motorcycle shipped and delivered to a particular location on your route and ride from there.

Know thyself

In choosing which routes to take, take into account the terrain as well as your riding skill and experience. If you go out of your depth, you may prolong your ride — or worse, compromise your safety.

Timing is key

Determine what the weather is like in your chosen destinations during the time you intend to visit and then make the necessary adjustments of revisions. Broadly speaking, the best time to take long rides is between May and September. The weather is pleasant and most attractions are open.

Schedule some downtime

Things can happen unexpectedly: bad weather, bike breaks down, etc. By setting an allowance for downtime, you can keep pace with your schedule. And even if things go according to your initial plan, you can use your downtime to explore some places more.

Create a budget

An otherwise pleasant trip can be ruined by lack of funds. Remember, you are going to spend money not only on gas. Your budget should also cover a lot of the basics (meals, accommodations, entrance fees) as well as incidentals like repairs. If you think you are going to be short on cash, consider taking a shorter trip.

Be safe

Whether it’s a long or short ride, safety should always be a priority when on scenic bike routes. Click here to find a new oil cooler and save your bike from overheating on those scenic bike routes today!