Practical guides – Motorcycles in winter: how to ride in the cold? – Fighting the cold on a motorcycle: practical advice

Posted on by admin

Motorcycles in winter: how to ride in the cold ?

Practical guides - Motorcycles in winter: how to ride in the cold? - Fighting the cold on a motorcycle: practical advice

How to equip in winter? What protections against the cold? Discover the tips and essential equipment to protect yourself from the cold on a motorcycle or scooter. Special winter practical guide … intended for bikers who are not afraid of anything !

Fighting the cold on a motorcycle: practical advice

Whether for pleasure or necessity, all French bikers and scooter users do not put their two-wheelers away from the first cold or after December 21, when winter officially takes its quarters….

Because the cold and humidity, the main inconveniences associated with the winter practice of the motorcycle or the scooter, can very well be combated thanks to an appropriate outfit taking into account some basic physical factors..

Different according to the individuals, their geographical location and the protection of their mount, the perception of cold also varies according to the temperature and the speed..

Real cold and cold felt

This relationship between speed and perceived cold is scientifically established thanks to the wind chill index (IRE): when the outside temperature is 0 ° C when stationary, it can drop to -10 ° C when driving at 90 ° C. km / h and even at -15 ° C at 130 km / h. When stationary -10 ° C, a motorway trip at 130 km / h can even lead the driver to brave temperatures of the order of -25 ° C. !

Site Tips

  • The cold and excessive sweating caused by "over-equipment" accentuate dehydration. Remember to drink regularly during long winter trips and take more breaks to warm up with a hot drink

  • Contrary to popular belief, alcohol does not warm the body: it only moves internal heat to the surface of the body by skin vasodilation. However, it is this influx of warm blood to the surface that gives this sensation of heat, while the ingestion of alcohol actually causes a not insignificant cooling of the order of half a degree for 50 g of alcohol (i.e. five glasses of wine). In addition, alcohol dangerously impairs reflexes (already slowed down by negative temperatures), promotes drowsiness and, in general, has a negative influence on driving.

    • Slowing down in winter is therefore strongly recommended, especially since this increases your safety margin in more difficult driving conditions: precarious grip, reduced visibility, reflexes slowed down by the cold, etc. Not to mention that it contributes to the preservation of a highly endangered species: the points capital of your driver’s license !

    Exposed to cold, the body burns more calories to produce heat while its energy needs are greater. An adapted and balanced diet is therefore particularly recommended for "roule-toujours" !

    Favor slow sugars (pasta and starches), foods rich in protein (meat, fish, eggs, dairy products) as well as fruits and vegetables. Also take advantage of the magnesium and trace elements of dark chocolate and do not hesitate to snack on dried apricots, rich in carotene.

    Finally, a body kept in shape fights more effectively against the rigors of winter: doing a minimum of sport is therefore more than ever to (re) put on the agenda! Favor outdoor activities such as jogging or cycling, because the body will learn to "protect" itself against temperature differences..

    Nevertheless, the main factors to take care of to practice motorcycles or scooters in winter with maximum comfort remain the rider’s equipment and the accessories of his mount. Update on the essential criteria for choosing a garment and their essential technical characteristics on the next page.

    Related articles

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *