The Preacher Speaks About...
Riding in the Snow by Franz “The Preacher” Hoffer Do any of you up-north riders venture out in winter snow, ice, sleet, etc. on your motors? I did some research on it and it appears that many riders do. I think you’re all nuts but to each his own. After perusing several articles, it seems that enthusiasts can ride manageable areas by adhering to some rules or advice from experts, I’ve summarized the most important ones: 1. Clothing. Seems like most experts on the topic recommend full leg, full sleeve, breathable clothing. The brand name UnderArmour seemed to come up most often. Keep in mind that even in winter and sub-zero temps, you are going to sweat and you need to keep warm while at the same time controlling the perspiration. Nothing
will get you cold quicker than accumulated sweat. The UnderArmour breathable base layers will help the sweat evaporate rather than turning into cold perspiration on the body. Do the same for your socks. It might seem obvious but you can’t just go and jump on your bike and go. You really need to think about your apparel. And make sure you wear a water-proof outer layer. Gore-Tex, due to its waterproofing and breathability features, is the choice of most. When considering boots, the name most often mentioned is Gore-Tex. As far as gloves, most experts seemed to recommend Klim Element or the Held Freezer Glove. A neck warmer is a must; choose a good one and always take an extra one in case the first one gets wet. As far as a choice of helmet, anything other than a full face that covers your head - front, back and ears - is a mistake and a “facemask” probably makes sense TM
Midwest Motorcyclist
as well. Heated gear should be considered. Heck, I’d say required. It certainly can’t hurt. 2. Prep your Motorcycle. A bigger windscreen/shield is a must, don’t cut corners on that and get the biggest hand guards you can find. Heated hand-grips should be standard for winter riding as well as good crash bars. Yes, crash bars. You increase your chances of crashing in the winter by about 100%; it’s a conservative estimate (ha,ha) but you decrease your chances of getting hurt if you are lucky enough to fly into a snowbank. If your motorcycle is liquid-cooled engines, be sure to check the antifreeze.
3.Tires. A simple law of physics - or shall I say winter - to remember is that cold weather means cold tires which means limited or poor traction. Probably a good idea to also check the condition and tread depth on those tires you just rode on all summer. Check your tire pressure often; like everytime you stop. 4. Road Conditions. Salt or sand will diminish your traction as bad as if you were riding on ice. Don’t forget, those snow plows and salt trucks that are such a welcome sight on icy roads also damage the road. New pot-holes could appear out of nowhere on roads you know well. In addition, the cold/thaw cycle will cause roads to heave or sink so be weary of uneven road surfaces. They will be out there. Don’t forget to wash that salt off your motor after riding or you will end up with a
Michigan
Harley-Davidson
Dealer Events
For a complete list of Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealer Association Members, see the dealer locator on page 19. December 24 Last Minute Christmas Eve Shopping Come in and get your last minute Christmas shopping done! We’ll even wrap them for you! Battle Creek Harley-Davidson 5738 Beckley Road, Battle Creek, MI (269) 979-2233 December 24 Big Snack Saturday Enjoy a variety of free snacks while catching all the big football games on our big screen tv. Plus, you can enter for a chance to win a $100 gift card!
ABC Harley-Davidson, Inc. 4405 Highland Road (M-59), Waterford, MI 248.674.3175 December 31 Big Snack Saturday Enjoy a variety of free snacks while catching all the big football games on our big screen tv. Plus, you can enter for a chance to win a $100 gift card! ABC Harley-Davidson, Inc. 4405 Highland Road (M-59), Waterford, MI 248.674.3175
“LOOK TWICE, SAVE A LIFE” MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE
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