Best Ways to Prep Your Motorcycle For Winter
Wintertime in Baltimore can be a beautiful and wonderful time of the year, but when it comes to driving and staying safe on the road, preparing for the winter can be stressful. If you’re a motorcycle owner who has no other means of transportation, getting ready for the winter roads may seem daunting, as well. However, at Murphy, Falcon, & Murphy, our team is dedicated to helping Baltimore residents like you stay safe on the roads throughout every season! We’ve gathered together some of the best ways to prepare your motorcycle for the harsh winter weather and potentially dangerous winter roads, so keep reading to learn more about ways to prevent winter road mishaps. If you or a loved one are injured in a winter motorcycle accident, the attorneys at Murphy, Falcon, & Murphy are here to help. Call us to get started with a consultation about your case.
Staying connected to the road and in control of your motorcycle is the first piece of the puzzle when it comes to keeping yourself safe in winter driving conditions. Check the tires on your motorcycle before the winter starts to roll in and be sure that the tread is looking good, there are no cracks or punctures, and that your tires are at the right pressure, too. If any of these components on your tires are looking less than satisfactory, consider switching your tires out for new ones or obtaining a set of winter-specific tires designed to fit your driving needs and your motorcycle. As winter progresses, continue to check your tire pressure as temperature fluctuations can reduce the air density in your tires, too.
Prep Your Tires
Your motorcycle may be running perfectly in warmer weather, but harsh temperatures and sudden drops in temperatures can cause malfunctions in your motorcycle’s battery. Check your battery in the month or weeks leading up to the first cold forecast of the season, especially if you store your motorcycle on the street or in an outdoor parking lot. Because there is less protection for the interior components of your motorcycle’s engine and the battery, engine oil can thicken and cause dragging within an engine, causing your battery to work harder to compensate, so keeping your battery charged and resting at a voltage that indicates a good condition.
Check Your Battery
Don’t get frozen out when maintaining your motorcycle’s radiator fluids by topping up with water instead of proper coolant. Because motorcycle engine-specific fluids have ingredients added to prevent freezing, your radiator will be less likely to freeze in the wintertime as long as you’re using the correct coolants and fluids for your motorcycle. In addition, be sure to check and use the correct kind of engine oil and lubricants on the controls for your bike so that your riding experiences are safer, smoother, and less likely to end in a breakdown or accident on the road.
Use The Right Fluids
Staying safe on the road for motorcycle riders means being visible to other vehicles that are around you, and sometimes, your life may depend on whether or not a driver can see you. This is why making sure your lights work before winter rolls around is so important. Check that your lights are functioning, and be sure to clean off any road grime, dirt, or fogging on your front and tail lights so that they’re casting bright light that is easy to see from a distance. If you notice dim, fogged, or malfunctioning lights or turn signal indicators, fix them immediately so that you don’t put your safety at risk while navigating the winter roads.
Make Sure Your Lights Work
Of course, your bike needs to be able to respond quickly and correctly to your intentions when you’re navigating snowy roadways. Be sure to rid your bike of any rust, road grime, or debris before the cold season sets in, and once it does, be sure to inspect your motorcycle regularly for road salt buildup on your tires, chain, or other components. This will help to prevent corrosion on your bike from the chemicals in road salt, which can in turn prevent control malfunctions or damage to your wheels.
Take Care of Your Bike’s Components
Lastly, make sure you can see at all times by wearing a visor that prevents fogging. There are many options on the market for helmets that have built-in anti-fogging technology, or if you already have a helmet, you can easily find and use sprays, inserts, or other tools to prevent internal humidity and fogging from your breath from blocking your vision while riding.
Keep Your Vision Clear
Stay safe on your motorcycle this winter with the help of these tips from Murphy, Falcon, & Murphy. If you or a loved one have sustained injuries from a motorcycle accident, call us today to get started with a consultation about your case.