Riding safely in the winter is possible with some preparation and maintenance. Follow these tips put together by OilWerx in Mandan, ND, for safe riding during the winter months. 

Follow Your Winter Maintenance Routine

Driving any vehicle through rainy, snowy, or icy conditions can be challenging; doing so on a motorcycle can be even more so. One of the best ways to ensure your bike will not let you down in your next ride through a winter wonderland is by having a regular winter maintenance routine that will help you keep it in the best condition possible through all sorts of winter weather. Your winter maintenance should include:

• Change out your tires for winter for ones with better traction on snowy or wet roads.
• Ensure that the brakes on your bike are in good working order.
• Refill your coolant with a high-quality one.
• Change your bike’s oil and oil filter.
• Keep the chain and other moving parts lubricated.
• Hose off your bike after each ride as mud and dirt can get into crevices that can be harder to get out of later.

If you know your way around your motorcycle, you can do these things yourself, but it’s still a good idea to have a professional look at it to ensure everything is in top condition before taking it for a ride.

Having a motorcycle maintenance routine is key to keeping it in top shape. Do so with AMSOIL's full line of high-quality products. Call Oilwerx at (701) 426-8970, or visit their online store to place an order today.

Check the Weather Before Leaving

Another tip for riding safely in the winter is to check weather conditions before leaving. Being on your bike means being much more exposed to the elements than you would be inside of your car. This means that there’s not much to protect you from weather conditions other than the gear you have on you. It’s vital to your safety and comfort while riding that you check the weather before heading out. Remember that weather can change very quickly, and if there are bad conditions like rain, snow, or strong winds, you could be caught in an unsafe situation. Try avoiding getting caught in bad weather as much as possible for your safety, and if you notice a sudden change in conditions like snowflakes falling or temperatures dropping, turn around or look for shelter until the storm passes.

Wear Winter Riding Gear

Riding safely in the winter also means wearing the right gear for your ride. Once you know the weather conditions, you’ll know what type of gear you should take with you. First of all, you must always have your helmet to keep your head protected in case of an accident. For the cold, it’s essential to wear shoes, warm motorcycle gloves, long sleeve shirts, and pants. All of this gear is to keep you safe while you ride. If you’re riding in harsher conditions, your protective gear should also protect you from the elements. Wearing layers to keep you warm is one way to go. Many winter motorcycle jackets have a thermal layer inside to help you retain body heat to ride more comfortably. For gloves, some also have a thing insulating layer, and others include a waterproof layer to keep you warm and dry. Make sure you’re prepared with the right gear, and you’ll be riding comfortably in no time.

Keeping up with your motorcycle’s maintenance can keep you safe on the road and keep your bike in good condition for longer. Call the friendly oil pros at Oilwerx at (701) 426-8970 today, or place an order online anytime!

Avoid Distractions While Riding

If you’re an experienced rider, you know how important it is to avoid distractions when on the road. Still, it can’t be stressed enough that harsher winter conditions deserve more attention than others. Many obstacles come with winter, like ice on the road and reduced visibility. That’s why it’s so important to pay extra attention while riding to avoid any road issues and react to them as quickly as possible to avoid getting in harm’s way.

Practice Defensive Driving

Lastly, riding on a bike makes you much more vulnerable to sudden changes in road conditions. Accidents on the road increase in the wintertime due to the added challenges; that’s why learning how to be a defensive driver can be so valuable in preventing accidents on the road. Some examples of defensive driving you could try out are riding at a slower pace than usual, keeping distance between you and other vehicles on the road, and having your headlights on to see better and permit other drivers to see you as well.

We hope you find these tips for riding safely in the winter useful for your next winter motorcycle ride. The oil pros at Oilwerx can advise you on the best products for your bike. Call them at (701) 426-8970 or visit their online store to order the best synthetic oil in Mandan, ND, for your motorcycle's maintenance.

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