{"id":5297,"date":"2021-10-18T06:39:22","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T06:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advwisdom.com\/a\/how-to-protect-your-motorcycle-in-winter\/"},"modified":"2021-10-18T06:39:22","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T06:39:22","slug":"how-to-protect-your-motorcycle-in-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advwisdom.com\/a\/how-to-protect-your-motorcycle-in-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"How to protect your motorcycle in winter"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Judging by the temperature reading on my Triumph Tiger over the past few weeks, winter is really here. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop riding.<\/p>\n

In fact, I can hardly imagine a better winter activity than wrapping up warm and going on a brisk Sunday excursion. However, if you plan to ride a motorcycle in the winter there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your bike is protected from the elements and the loads of salt on the roads during the colder months.<\/p>\n

For this reason we have teamed up with the team of motorcycle care experts Muc-Off<\/a> to bring you a winter driving checklist.<\/p>\n

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It’s a simple guide to help you keep your pride in tip-top shape well into the spring. We’ve also added some key controls to keep you safe in the saddle.<\/p>\n

Protect the exposed parts of your motorcycle in winter<\/h2>\n

\"Motorcycle<\/p>\n

The first and foremost task is to protect the exposed metal parts of your motorcycle.<\/p>\n

In the winter months, the municipalities distribute large quantities of road salt, which helps prevent snow and ice from forming on the roads. This is a necessary job, but it comes at a cost – the salt is extremely corrosive when it hits your metal and gets anywhere when combined with standing water on the street.<\/p>\n

The solution? Protect your exposed metal parts with an anti-corrosion spray such as HCB-1. The formula was specially developed for protection in harsh conditions and forms a permanent protective barrier that lasts up to 12 months, so you can protect your bike through the winter and the rest of the year.<\/p>\n

Your tires in winter<\/h2>\n

As the only point of contact with the road, it is critical that your tires are in good condition in winter when the roads are often wet, cold and slippery.<\/p>\n

Take the time to regularly check your tire pressure and tread depth, and make sure that the tire pressure is within the manufacturer’s recommended limits and that the tire tread depth is well above the legal limit. This will ensure that they will function properly on cold, wet mornings by directing water away from the area in contact with the road.<\/p>\n

Although some drivers think they can deflate their tires during the winter months, manufacturers do not recommend it as it can deform the tires and prevent them from heating up quickly.<\/p>\n

Check your lights and signals<\/h2>\n

\"Motorbike<\/p>\n

Although checking the operation of lights and signals should be part of the pre-drive checks, I cannot be the only driver who does these checks less often when the sun is shining and the streets are calling.<\/p>\n

This relaxed posture changes in winter when only my lights keep other road users visible on the unlit country roads around the ABR offices. However, it is not enough to simply check that your turn signals, headlights, brake lights and high beam are actually working.<\/p>\n

You should also check that they are clean and easily visible to other road users. Winter grime and grime build up quickly on these surfaces, so use one Helmet, visor and Google Cleaner<\/a> to make sure they are clear of anything that could tarnish an otherwise bright headlight. Make sure you have a small bottle with you when you are driving to clean it at every stop.<\/p>\n

Make sure the coolant and oil are topped up<\/h2>\n

The technology behind modern oils has come a long way, meaning you don’t have to switch them just because the temperatures start to drop. It’s important, however, that you don’t miss out, as there is nothing worse than breaking down in winter, far from home, when you’re out on a motorcycle.<\/p>\n

When it comes to coolant, make sure it is topped up with antifreeze, which will keep the liquid in your radiator from freezing in sub-zero temperatures.<\/p>\n

Clean and lubricate your chain regularly<\/h2>\n

\"Protect<\/p>\n

While it’s important to maintain your chain year-round, it’s especially important that you take some time to give it some love in the colder months because of the road salt, sworn enemies of the winter driver.<\/p>\n

If left unprotected, corrosion and rust can set in, which quickly shortens the life of your chain and increases the likelihood of cracking or irregular wear. Every 300 miles or so, clean thoroughly with a Powertrain Cleaner<\/a> and a Motorcycle chain brush<\/a> to remove any remaining salt and dirt.<\/p>\n

After you’ve rinsed your chain, let it dry, then apply a generous coat of either of the two wet weather<\/a> or All weather chain lubricant<\/a>, depending on the conditions to keep it protected.<\/p>\n

This muc-off package<\/a> offers everything you need to maintain your chain.<\/p>\n

Charge your battery with trickle charge when you are not driving<\/h2>\n

Of course, motorcycle batteries lose their charge over time, and cold temperatures can speed up this process significantly. Since we generally drive less in winter, there are fewer opportunities for batteries to charge themselves well during a long journey.<\/p>\n

Allowing your battery to run out of power can be detrimental to your health. To avoid killing it and spending it on new money, plug it into a trickle charger if you leave your bike without a charge for more than a few days.<\/p>\n

Wash your bike with cold water after every ride<\/h2>\n

\"Wash<\/p>\n

There’s nothing like coming home after a cold drive and putting your hands around a hot cup of tea. But before you go inside, it’s important to rinse your bike thoroughly before putting it away.<\/p>\n

While HCB-1<\/a> We applied it earlier to keep corrosion in check, your bike will still be covered in road salt and dirt after a typical day in winter. A thorough hosing down with cold water (hot water dissolves the salt crystals, which allows them to spread better) will remove it and make sure it doesn’t settle and cause damage over time.<\/p>\n

I connected the Muc-Off pressure washer in my garage so that I can hose down my bike right away at home without taking off my gloves. It’s motorcycle friendly and this bundle<\/a> offers you everything you need for a quick and convenient wash after every trip.<\/p>\n

Finally, keep your own perspective clean and clear<\/h2>\n

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Although we tackled Dressing for a winter in the saddle<\/a> In a separate article, one thing is important enough to mention twice – keeping the visor clean and keeping your view clear while driving.<\/p>\n

The first thing to be aware of is visor fogging, which occurs when your warm breath hits the inside of your cold visor. The gold standard of anti-fog technology is a Pinlock visor that uses an anti-fog insert to absorb the exhaled moisture. But if you don’t have one on your helmet, Muc-Off will deliver one Anti-fog spray<\/a> This creates a transparent, micro-thin coating over your visor to prevent fogging and keep your vision crystal clear.<\/p>\n

It’s also important to keep your visor clean and scratch-free during the winter. Dark nights fall quickly and the glare from headlights and street lamps combined with a dirty or scratched visor will seriously affect your vision.<\/p>\n

the Muc-Off helmet care set<\/a> includes a bottle of visor cleaner that we mentioned earlier to clean your lights, which can be used to keep your visor clean. In addition, a microfiber polishing cloth ensures that you do not scratch the surface of your visor.<\/p>\n

The ABR and Muc-Off motorcycle winter driving checklist<\/h2>\n

Follow these eight steps to enjoy a brilliant winter in the saddle without harming your bike.<\/p>\n

Even if it may seem like a lot at first glance, each of the tasks only takes a few moments and is important when it comes to taking care of yourself and your bike.<\/p>\n