Cold weather winter riding - get the right gear to brave the cold and wet weather
Many people ride their bikes even in winter, whether voluntarily or rather involuntarily. To brave the cold on your motorcycle, you need the right equipment to stay healthy, safe, warm and comfortable on the road even in cold temperatures.
It is best to „know“ the cold to fight it more effectively. When riding a motorcycle, due to the windchill factor the perceived temperature when riding is lower than the one indicated on the thermometer. You can use a formula to estimate the temperature that the body will have to bear on a moving motorcycle or scooter. The results and the risks to the body are shown in the following tables:
It is therefore really important to protect yourself against the cold so you can sit comfortably and perform all the necessary manoeuvers. In recent years, motorcycle gear producers have made great strides in materials and technologies used for winter gear. You can choose from different options, taking into account individual needs and budget.
A guide to winter motorcycle gear
Apart from the unpleasant feeling of being cold, the cold can also affect the way you behave at the handlebar. Unprotected, the cold can quickly affect driving behavior and thus become a hazard. It is important to make sure that there are no openings that could let wind and cold in.
We recommend clothing that focuses on thermal insulation instead of wearing several layers on top of each other, which can quickly become uncomfortable while riding. The 3-layer principle is ideal: warm thermal underwear, warm sweater and, most importantly, a waterproof windbreaker or jacket.
Protect head and face against the cold
Helmet and neck tube
Full-face or flip-up helmets in the closed position are recommended, because only they effectively protect against the cold. A pinlock is strongly recommended to prevent the lenses from fogging so you have a clear view even on winter rides.
For even more protection against the cold, it is recommended to use a balaclava or a neck warmer or neck tube. This special equipment prevents the cold from getting in between jacket and helmet, thus increasing comfort.
Keep hands and feet warm
Winter motorcycle gloves
Motorcycle gloves are part of the indispensable and also legally required pieces of equipment. In addition to their protective function, motorcycle gloves must also protect against the cold to avoid numbness.
For motorcycle gloves, the inner lining should be rather thin so as not to impair the feeling for the controls. If you are not sure what size you need, you should rather go for gloves that are a little larger to avoid pressure points that make the hands cool down even faster.
You should definitely choose gloves with long cuffs to prevent air from entering at the wrists and forearms. They should be equipped with a waterproof and breathable membrane. For additional protection, you can use undergloves.
There are also heated gloves that warm the back of the hand and fingers. They are either equipped with a battery or connected to the battery with a cable.
Boots
As a matter of course, protecting the feet is equally important and should not be neglected. The boots must be high, waterproof and breathable to be effective and prevent air from entering.
In addition, for riders who still have cold feet, there are heated and thermal insoles.
Upper body and legs
Thermal underwear
Thermal underwear is the foundation of any effective cold protection that you should definitely not ignore. It keeps you warm, and it also wicks moisture away from your body instead of absorbing it. There are different types of base layers for all parts of the body (base layer shirts, linings for gloves, base layer pants, socks).
Jacket
We recommend to wear a slightly longer jacket that covers the hips and lower back to prevent air from entering below the waist. Jackets with warming thermal lining and an outer waterproof, breathable and abrasion-resistant membrane are a great option.
Many jackets are equipped with removable linings, so they can be used as mid-season jackets as well.
Pants
Like all other clothing, pants are an important part of protection against the cold. There are special winter pants equipped with technical membranes that have properties such as thermal protection, breathability, water resistance and so on. Some models can be worn over regular pants.
Heated motorcycle gear - the ultimate weapon
In addition to everything we mentioned above, you can supplement your equipment with numerous heated technical accessories. Heated grips, hand guards and muffs are very effective and guarantee high riding comfort even in very cold conditions.
Winter motorcycle gear at SCOOTER-ATTACK
In summary, you should go for waterproof and breathable thermal gear for winter riding, which you can combine with accessories that will increase comfort in everyday life.
WINTER MOTORCYCLE CLOTHING – THE ESSENTIALS
So now you know what clothes you need for scooter riding in the winter and can hop on your bike and stay warm and safe. Please note that not only the equipment must be adjusted for the cold, but also your riding style. Poor visibility due to bad weather or darkness as well as the bad road conditions make riding in the cold season more difficult and dangerous. Drive carefully!
