When to Stop Riding Your Motorcycle for the Season
It can be dangerous to ride a motorcycle through Canada's cold, snowy, and icy streets, so many bikers opt to put their motorcycle away at a certain point rather than riding year-round. Experienced motorcyclists usually have an established riding season, but newbies may not yet have a personal one. Keeping certain tips in mind can help you determine when to stop riding your motorcycle for the season.
Consider Your Personal Temperature Preference
Not everyone has the same personal temperature preference for motorcycle riding. For some, their preferred temperature might be lower, especially if they're wearing a full-face helmet and heated riding gear that helps them warm up during cold temperatures. Deciding yours can make it easier to determine when to stop riding for the year.
There's Bad Weather Approaching
Looming bad weather may be your sign to put the motorcycle away for the winter months. Depending on the current Canadian weather conditions, you might be able to get one more ride in before the pending snow or ice arrives.
You Want to Start Winterizing Your Motorcycle
Give yourself ample time to winterize your motorcycle for the winter months, especially if you'll be doing the task outdoors. Start it when you have time to finish, not when bad weather and cold temperatures are expected in your area of Canada within a day or two.
There's Ice on the Roads
The temperature needs to hit 0 degrees Celsius and there has to be moisture on the roads for ice to form on streets. You don't want to be riding around Canada risking that you'll hit black ice. Pay attention to the current and upcoming weather conditions to determine when your bike should go into storage.
You No Longer Feel Comfortable
Riding when you don't feel comfortable being on the motorcycle can be dangerous to you, your passengers, and others on the road. Whether it's that you don't feel comfortable in the cold temperatures or you're worried about bad weather conditions and icy road surfaces, you should consider putting the bike away for the season once you reach a point where it's no longer an enjoyable experience.
You Don't Feel You Can Ride Safe
How safe you feel can stem from a variety of places. For example, you might notice you no longer feel safe because of the current weather or road conditions. Regardless of the reason, feeling unsafe while riding is a precarious and uncomfortable situation to be in.
Start Making a Winter Plan for Your Motorcycle
Start planning now for what you'll do with your motorcycle once your riding season ends. Get what you need for winterization, complete any maintenance tasks, take any final trips you want to go on while the weather is still favourable and decide where you'll store the bike. Establishing a winter plan now means you have time to get everything in order rather than rushing through the process.
