As the temperature drop, riding a motorcycle gets more and more uncomfortable and unsafe. These sub-freezing temperatures in the Granite State get even worse in the low coverage and high speeds on your bike. But that doesn’t mean you have to give it up entirely! There are a few ways to combat the cold and keep on chasing that horizon.

We here at Seacoast know how important your motorcycle is to you, so we’ve put together a few of our favorite winter riding accessories and tips. If you want more information, or you’re looking for a new bike to try these tips out on, contact our store in North Hampton, New Hampshire. Our friendly and experienced staff will help find what you need at the prices you want!

Layer Up

Combatting the cold always begins by adding layers. This is especially important for motorcycle rides. The minimal protection your bike provides you on your high-speed trips mean you’re being exposed to frigid air and strong winds that can rip the warmth from you in no time flat. But don’t just grab the fluffiest coat you own and call it a day—with layers, if you end up a bit too warm, you can always remove a layer to increase comfort. This way, you’ll stay exactly as toasty as you want to on the road and can hang up a coat and sweater or two if your destination is well-heated. 

For your base layer, we recommend a synthetic material of some kind. Thermal underwear, for instance, helps isolate you from the cold while also trapping in body heat. Next, throw on a fleece or wool layer to assist in holding in body heat that your thermal cloth lets slip. This can be a long-sleeved shirt, a sweater, vest, or anything else that gives you full torso and arm coverage. It’ll help more than you might think!

Finally, your outer layer should be waterproof. We get more than our fair share of rain and snow, so having something to keep your other layers dry and warm can be vital. Soaking up cold water can leech away your body heat in no time flat. If your usual riding jacket is waterproof and will fit over those other layers, that will do just fine. If our winters are especially hard on you, though, you might look into jackets that have electronic heating elements. Be careful with these, as they present a potential fire hazard, but with correct usage they’ll keep you warm and happy in conditions your usual outfit wouldn’t survive.

Cover All Extremities

As important as your core body heat is, it’s just as important to keep your hands and feet warm. Cold extremities risk losing feeling and flexibility, which can present a serious danger on a motorcycle. Start with thick, durable pants. For reasons we’ve covered already, these will ideally be waterproof. 

Next, make sure you’re wearing long, warm socks and sturdy riding boots. Boots with extra padding can help keep your feet toasty if that tends to be an issue for you. Gloves, of course, are vital for keeping your hands and fingers warm, which means you can still grip and control your handlebars. We also recommend a neckerchief or scarf to keep cold wind from traveling down your shirt or up into your helmet. 

Safety 

When it comes to helmets, the risk of fogging up is a serious hazard in the winter. Some come with built-in anti-fogging elements, which are of course ideal. If your helmet doesn’t have this feature and you aren’t up for getting a new one, there are a number of products that might help. These include add-ons for extra ventilation, visor inserts or treatments, and anti-fogging masks to wear under the helmet. 

Other Tips

Wearing the proper gear for a winter motorcycle ride is important, but that’s not the only consideration. Always make sure your bike is in the best condition it can be before going out, and make sure you are as well. Your bike and body both require proper maintenance to function correctly, so sleep up, eat and drink plenty, and make sure you’re awake enough for your ride.

And in some conditions, even all of these tips won’t make it safe enough to go out. With the amounts of snow we get, roads may end up buried and invisible, and two wheels just aren’t stable enough to forge your own path. Ice on the road is especially dangerous, so if there’s enough moisture or precipitation, we recommend finding other means of transportation. 

We hope these tips help you stay warm and safe out on the road! For more motorcycle tips, or to browse our selection, contact us at Seacoast Harley-Davidson. We proudly serve the people of Manchester and Portsmouth, New Hampshire—let us serve you today!