Why Can’t You Ride a Motorcycle in the Winter?

Finally, winter is here, and you don’t want to lose your motorbike experience in the winter too. Still, some experts recommend avoiding riding a motorcycle in the winter. Now, why can’t you ride a motorcycle in the winter? 

Experts never recommend riding the motorbike in the winter because of no or less friction which can lead to severe accidents, no vision, and the cold weather causing severe problems in the motorbike. These factors can make your motorbike journey worthless, and that’s why experts recommend storing the motorbike in winter instead. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about riding a motorcycle in the winter. 

Why Can’t You Ride a Motorcycle in the Winter? 

Riding a motorcycle in winter can be remarkable for you. Still, some experts never recommend riding a motorbike in the winter. But have you ever wondered why you can’t ride a motorcycle in the winter? 

Experts never recommend riding a motorbike in the winter because of no or less friction which can lead to severe accidents. No vision and the cold weather also caused severe problems with the motorbike. These factors can make your motorbike journey worthless, and that’s why experts recommend storing the motorbike in winter instead. 

However, not being able to hold the motorbike properly can lead to more problems with your motorbike, and that’s why you only need to store the motorbike in the garage. 

Things Occur While Riding a Motorbike in Winter? 

So far, you understand some factors why you should avoid riding the motorbike in winter. In more detail, let’s understand some things that can occur while riding a motorbike in winter. 

Things Occur While Riding the Motorbike In Winter:	Details
No or less friction	To move tires an inch, we need suitable friction; without it, the motorbike could slip, which can cause severe accidents, especially while riding the motorbike at high speed.
Less vision	Winter means snow and high winds, which can create an inclination while riding the motorbike at high speed. In simpler words, snow and high-speed winds can cause a loss of vision which could cause severe motorbike accidents.
Micro ice crystal formations.	Because of sub-low temperatures around, the moisture in your motorbike gas tank starts to freeze, making the micro ice crystals. These microcrystals won’t hurt your motorbike at the beginning. Still, it slowly starts to block motorbike gas circulation across the engine.
Danger of Hypothermia	Hypothermia is when a rider loses its body heat more rapidly than it produces. In this situation, riders’ metabolism activities become slow or diminished, so their heart rate decreases until they die.
Motorbike engine rusting.	Although it’s rare, prolonged exposure to a motorbike engine in snow can cause engine rust. It’s because snow contains salt and an abundance of water responsible for engine rusting.

No Friction:

Basic science tells us that we need suitable friction to walk, and without friction, we can slip on the surface, and this is even more for the motorbike. 

To move tires an inch, we need suitable friction. Without it, the motorbike could slip, which can cause severe accidents, especially while riding the motorbike at high speed. 

It occurs because of snow or moisture on the surface; the water droplets act as a barrier between the tires and moisture, which doesn’t allow the motorbike to move an inch away. 

Apart from moving a motorbike inches away, friction is much needed to stop the motorbike within a second. The less friction, the more time your motorbike will take to stop, which can also lead to severe highway accidents. 

And that’s why it’s better to avoid riding the motorbike in the winter. It’s better to store the motorbike and continue riding it when it’s spring. 

Less Vision:

So far, you understand that winter can cause no or less friction on the highways; now the question arises, how winter can cause less vision? 

Winter means snow and high winds, which can create an inclination while riding the motorbike at high speed. In simpler words, snow and high-speed winds can cause loss of vision which could cause severe motorbike accidents. 

It is better to ride slowly if it’s urgent when you cannot see clearly on the highways.

Micro Ice Crystals Formations:

Indeed riding the motorbike in the winter can be bad for you, but it can also be bad for your motorbike. Let’s see how riding the motorbike in winter can cause engine problems. 

Because of sub-low temperatures around, the moisture in your motorbike gas tank starts to freeze, making the micro ice crystals. These microcrystals won’t hurt your motorbike at the beginning. Still, it slowly starts to block motorbike gas circulation across the engine. 

Because of no or less gas circulation across your motorbike engine, your engine will starve for energy which further decreases motorbike engine health. 

Not only this, but the water droplets will also start to form micro ice crystals in the engine. And that’s why experts recommend avoiding riding the motorbike in the winter. You can put the antifreeze into the gas tank if riding the motorbike in winter. 

Can Cause Hyperthermia:

So far, you understand that micro ice crystal formations can drastically decrease motorbike health. Now the question arises, can winter impact the rider’s health? 

Hyperthermia is when a rider loses its body heat more rapidly than it produces. In this situation, riders’ metabolism activities become slow or diminished, so their heart rate decreases until they die. 

And to tackle the risk of hypothermia, it’s advisable to always layer yourself properly so no wind can enter between your clothes. Or better avoid riding the motorbike until it’s too urgent. 

Motorbike Engine Rusting:

Indeed riding the motorbike in winter can cause hyperthermia which can be fatal for anyone. Now the question arises, does winter or snow cause motorcycle engine rust? 

Although it’s rare, prolonged exposure to a motorbike engine in snow can cause engine rust. It’s because snow contains salt and an abundance of water responsible for engine rusting. 

However, you can protect your motorbike engine by cleaning the outer walls of the motorbike engine frequently. 

If you own a garage then you should read my previous post where I discussed how can you protect your motorbike by storing it in the garage, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Why can’t you ride a motorcycle in the winter? Experts never recommend riding the motorbike in the winter because of no or less friction which can lead to severe accidents, no vision, and the cold weather causing severe problems in the motorbike. 

These factors can make your motorbike journey worthless, and that’s why experts recommend storing the motorbike in winter instead. And suppose it’s urgent and you need to ride the motorbike at any cost. In that case, it’s advisable to use all precautionary steps.