Taking any sort of vehicle into the snow can be a perilous act. Naturally, the situation can become even more dangerous when riding a motorcycle.
However, the vagaries of life may put you in a situation where you have no other alternative than to ride your bike through snowy and inclement weather. If this is the case, be sure to take the proper precautions and safety measures before setting out.
Here are 5 tips to help ensure that your travels in the snow are done safely:
1 – Check the weather
It’s always critical that you check the severity of the weather and the various road conditions before you depart. Map out your route and determine what is the safest course of action. If there are no immediate resources online, contact friends, peers, or neighbors. Ask if they have driven recently along the route you have traveled, and whether it is safe to ride through. Using social networking sites like Twitter may also get you the information you need by querying a larger pool of local drivers.
2 – Use Caution
Ride with extreme care and caution. Although technically you should always ride that way, the reality is you will likely drive far more carefree during the summer days than in the winter. Regardless, you must assume that you are invisible to everyone on the road. Most drivers will not be expecting a motorcycle to be on the road during the winter, and that perception coupled with the decreased visibility will make it difficult to see you. Always pay attention to what the drivers around you are doing and be prepared to react at a moment’s notice.
3 – Ride Slow
It’s best to ride at an extremely slow pace, almost as if you were riding a bicycle instead of a motorcycle. Depending on the severity of the weather, most of the other riders will have slowed down as well, but it’s best to take an especially leisurely pace and keep your distance. Stay in the far right lane to limit the number of cars adjacent to you, and be prepared to use the shoulder if necessary.
4 – Ride Up on the Tank
By clutching your thighs against the gas tank, you can give yourself more control when steering. This is especially helpful when your bike is slipping and sliding on the snow, as it will decrease the chance that the bike will spill out from beneath you in a fishtailing motion. Although in truth a motorcycle has no business out on the snow, but if circumstances force you to use your motorcycle, doing this will allow you to make turns more succinctly.
5 – Employ Tire Chains
This may seem like a no-brainer, but if you are going out in the snow, attach tire chains to your motorcycle. It will slow down your bike considerably, and you will still run the danger of having your bike slide out on the ice, but the chains will at the very minimum provide more traction.
As a two wheel machine is far less stable than a normal car, ultimately it is best not to ride your motorcycle out in the winter. However, if you must, following these tips will help decrease the risk of an accident, even if they can’t preclude one from happening.
About the author: Claire Richards is a writer for www.bikeinsurance.net covering biking related topics and news.
Credits: Photo courtesy of Daniel Veazey.