How to prepare your motorcycle for winter riding
Chain, tires, battery, lighting, preventative maintenance ...
10 tips for your motorcycle to ride safely all winter
Well that's all, we are in it: winter. So yeah, some people are throwing childish rhymes based on big white coats, all of that. Still: winter, for a biker, sucks. So, there are two options: to protect your motorcycle, and for that we have already presented all our tips for a good winter on Le Repaire. Or ride because you have no choice, or because it suits your lifestyle.
Here are all our maintenance tips to keep your machine cold, rain, salt resistant and do you a favor under all circumstances ...
1. Battery
To ride, your motorcycle must have already started. No bowl, though: Batteries hate the cold, and if your car sleeps outside, the energy needed to start the engine room may end up lacking in the cold early morning. A battery is generally best if used regularly (don't expect miracles when restarting after three or four weeks of extreme cold), and it might be wise to charge it regularly. Their life is not infinite, however, and if you absolutely have to get away in a fixed time, investing in a booster (there are very compact models nowadays such as the ST12 Minibutt which weighs less than 500 grams) can allow you to start and observe your appointments. And to learn more about battery technology, click here!
2. Do not neglect liquids
Again, two scenarios: you have a liquid cooling machine. In this case, check the coolant level and add antifreeze if necessary. Do not forget about this important point, because old coolant loses its anti-freeze and anti-corrosion capabilities; however, there is sometimes a tendency to ignore its replacement at the time of revision. In the case of an air or air / oil cooling machine, choosing a lubricant with a lower viscosity will facilitate a cold start. Viscosity is the X of the XW-YY index (genus 5W40), which characterizes each oil. And the same rule applies to coolant: old oil loses its quality. When was the last time you were empty?
3. Safety: tires
Once the car is refueled, you will be able to drive the car. And what are we driving? On tires, sorry! Many bikers tend to repair in the spring, mount new tires on the ground in the summer, and then finish them off in the winter. Gross error, because in fact the opposite has to be done: it is in low grip conditions that you need the tires in the best condition for the rubber and carcass to perform in optimal conditions, which includes the fact that the grooves can do their recovery job. Also be aware that sports tires have difficulty heating up in winter and that more rain-adapted road tires will be more suitable. We can also increase the pressure slightly to widen the grooves precisely ... For scooters, some manufacturers offer winter tires, also called 4 seasons, such as the Michelin Citygrip winter with Metzeler Wintec.
4. Safety (bis): lighting
Driving, vision is life, said the old road safety pub. And on the steering wheel, all the more so because you must not only see, but also be noticed. So check your headlights' illumination and beam settings and range. Feel free to collect a high power bulb within the limits of what your alternator can support and what is legal. If you are driving in areas heavily exposed to fog, installing a fog lamp in the back and additional LEDs in the front can be a plus. Don't forget that the tiny little flares or smoked glass covered wedges you find as an accessory can give your frame a cool look, but it makes you even less visible. But what did we say at the beginning? View is life!
5. Safety (ter): brakes
Of course, winter is not the ideal season for multiplying hunter braking. Between the front tire that doesn't heat up, the big gloves that give you the same sensitivity on the controls as it did over time, Bryce Hortefeo oversees the charter vacation for Yamoussoukro and the rather low grip on the shiny asphalt, nothing really suits exercise. ...
But, as Mulder put it so well, the truth is elsewhere: because in the winter a lot of shit comes to the most unlikely places on your motorcycle, and you find out that brake calipers are especially susceptible. Regular disassembly and cleaning to remove salt and other dirt will ensure proper function. There are special cleaning bombs for discs in particular (not necessarily greasy).
6. Put on the oil!
The electric beam can suffer from excess moisture, just like some candle caps. Some bikes are very sensitive to this, like the Suzukis from the 90s. Used as a preventative measure, silicone spray can save you a lot of trouble. In the same vein, we will also think about protecting simple, but especially open elements that can become immobilizing: for example, the side switch of the rack.
7. Chain lubrication
Do you have a gimbal bike? Happy man and happy woman (same for all our LBGT friends)! Do you have a channel? This is more difficult here, because of course the chain is especially susceptible to salt and various projections. Therefore, it will be necessary to pay close attention to it, whether for lubrication, which should be more intense; on the other side of the coin, with more lubrication, the chain will aggregate dirt, which will eventually turn into a kind of disgusting abrasive paste. Thus, we will prefer a lubricant designed for off-road vehicles over a lubricant for the road, which is often thicker. On the back of the coin, it should be given more often. Therefore, we will have to think about cleaning the chain from time to time. For those who really travel a lot this season, installing an automatic lubricant kit (special Scottoiler or Cameleon Oiler) may be wise.
8. Thin trigger case
The descent is one of the most exposed parts and, unfortunately, one of the most difficult to defend. Resist the temptation to apply a protective lubricant, as it will cook on the exhaust with smelly smoke. So, other than the all stainless steel exhaust fumes, there really is no miracle solution other than board # 9, yes, just below, admire how well done!
9. Washing, rinsing, spinning ...
Even more so than in the summer, washing your machine regularly is essential. Contrary to beliefs, do not prefer hot water: it increases the corrosive effect. On the other hand, a sponge and soap finish is desirable: it removes the salt and allows you to trace possible leaks and weak points. Some people expect salt-sensitive parts such as fork tubes to be damaged by covering them with a resistant plastic film. It is being held ...
10. Protect it!
If your car sleeps outside or in an ice garage open to four winds, it's nice to have it sleep under a protective tarp. Caution: Do not wear protection on a hot car that has just been rolled. This will lead to the development of condensation and residual moisture.
By following these few tips, your motorcycle should keep you busy throughout the winter. But don't forget the main thing: you! In these other two articles, you will find passes on the pilot's equipment dedicated to tips for driving in the snow and cold, as well as driving in the rain.
