Motorcycling: Riding in Cold Weather

Riding a motorcycle in cold weather is possible. So I'm going to go through it for anyone who wants to know.

There are many cold days when the roads are clear and dry, pick one of those days if you feel the need to ride in cold weather. And only go out when it's daylight, you don't need two problems at the same time. Don't go on snow and ice at all, it is not safe enough with a two wheeled vehicle, even with studded winter tires.

If you just go for a short ride, say a half hour, you don't need anything special, just dress nice and warm, for example a full snowmobile suit, and hope for the best. But watch out for fogging of the faceshield (yes, you need a faceshield, unfortunately). Flip it up a notch when you stop at a traffic light, because in still air it fogs up the most. If you're careful you can get by without a heated faceshield or a snowmobile helmet, because you should not wear those on the road. Apparently it's better to be blinded and hit something with a street helmet than to see where you're going with a snowmobile helmet, I don't pretend to understand Ministry of Transport rules.

It's only when you take a longer trip that things get complicated. Because you will occasionally need to stop for gas, pee breaks, food etc. At these breaks you need clothing that does not get in the way too much. Also, when you are out longer, your core body temperature will drop, which can cause hypothermia (in simple English, death). On a motorcycle, death comes quicker because of (A) wind chill (B) brain freezes up causing lack of judgment leading to an accident.

To combat hypothermia without making the clothing too cumbersome, you need a varied approach. Yes, there are other things you can do to stay warm besides clothing. Car drivers do it all the time. First, block the wind with your vehicle, you can add a windshield and leg or feet guards. Also, it is possible to mount temporary handlebar muffs that actually allow you remove your hands from the controls and put them back on while moving. These muffs block the air on your hands.

The second tactic car drivers use is turning on the heater. With a motorcycle, you can get heated grips, a heated seat, and a heated vest. (gloves, socks, pants, helmet, too, but I'm going to explain why not). I actually find the most effective is the heated vest, and that's the only one you really need. If you have too many electrical things, you will get too hot, and run down the battery. Also it's a good idea not put all the anti-cold eggs in one basket. Diversification is best. Then when you blow out the wire to the vest, you won't freeze immediately. (I have done that three times so far, all far from home on different trips.) The vest is surprisingly good, because it counteracts the one place exposed to cold air that you cannot cover with clothing. It is the inside of your lungs. And if you have a source of heat, in addition to clothing, you can go indefinitely in reasonable cold without hypothermia.

So balance everything out. Some electric heat, quality cold weather clothing, and motorcycle accessories to block the air.

Then you need to practice a bit and find out how it works in the cold, and where the drafty parts are. Be sure to be aware of the real air temperature every time you go out, and just forget about "wind chill" readings, they mean nothing on a motorcycle. Upgrade any equipment found wanting. Don't strike out for Florida before you are sure everything works.

Maybe you would be satisfied just reading about riding a motorcycle in the cold, if so here is the most extreme story I have ever read. It starts out bad and gets worse as Paul Mondor gets into Labrador in the middle of winter.

Or maybe you want to skip over the motorcycle ride across Canada in winter, and just jump to the start of the road to Labrador here.