June 29, 2021

With winter well and truly here, it’s beginning to become a little less desirable riding in the early hours of the morning and late at night. To help battle these cooler conditions, here’s a couple worthwhile cheap tricks to keep you slightly warmer on the road.

Wind becomes your worst nightmare in winter. In fact the wind can actually make the temperature around you feel a lot cooler than it actually is. According to the Motorcycle Wind Chill Chart, wind chill drastically becomes cooler at faster speeds. Check out the diagram below…

Tip 1: Newspaper Shield (Last Resort Protection)

To help prevent wind, try putting a newspaper down the front of your jacket, almost as a chest plate. I know, this does sound a little silly and far fetched, yet it does surprisingly work. I’ve used this trick countless times and have never failed to deliver. The newspaper acts as an additional layer of defence against the wind. You can use the same method to help protect your legs, in particular, your shins.

Tip 2: Face Gaiter/ Neck Warmers

Even with a full face helmet, wind will naturally drift through the vents or under your chin strap, ensuring your lips, ears, cheeks and nose are extra frosty. If you are finding that this is too uncomfortable to bare, I suggest looking into a Face Gaiter/ Neck Warmers. The neck warmers can be worn under your helmet and riders can pull the fabric over their mouth, nose and ears for extreme comfort in cooler temperatures. They usually are long enough to cover your neck as well, so they cover a large amount of exposed skin. For riders that have a half face, or skull helmet, you should already be quite familiar with this product. You can pick a neck warmer for an affordable price and even selected Harley® dealerships will stock Harley® branded one.

Tip 3: Small Breaks To Keep Warm

If you’re heading out on a longer trip, it’s important to take small breaks to keep your body warm and blood circulating. After a good hour of continuous riding or if you feel unbearably cool, take a small break. Stop at cafes or restaurants to get snacks and coffee to help you warm up. Perhaps even do some small stretches to keep the blood flowing and prevent your muscles from going stiff.

Try out these tricks for yourself. If you are still struggling to keep warm, consider investing in appropriate warming gear, like heated gloves and jackets. Harley® has a great range of riding gear specifically aimed to keep your precious bodies warm and functioning on the bike. To see the full range yourself, come in-store or give us a call.