Riding Warm on your Harley-Davidson®

When it comes to the cold time of year, we need to be prepared. The winter months open the door to some lower temperatures and if you plan on riding, you need to be prepared by making sure you stay warm on your bike, especially if you plan longer rides. Here are some tips for staying warm for when you ride during the colder months. It is important to us at Barnes Harley-Davidson® that you stay safe out there riding at all times. If you ever have questions, please contact us and let our friendly staff assist you with all of your winter concerns. You can also stop by one of our Harley-Davidson locations and we will be happy to help.

Pick the Right Clothes

The kind of clothes you should pick will depend on the type of cold you’re contending with. A frigid but dry morning may require a different set of gear compared to heading out into a light drizzle. The key to staying warm in any environment is layers, so make sure you’ve got a good under-layer with long sleeves underneath your riding jacket. Having a waterproof shell over top of your standard riding jacket may be necessary on a wet day, and if you’ve got a rain layer on you’ll want to have some rain pants to match. No matter what kind of outfit you’re wearing you’ll want to make sure you have a tight fit between your gloves and jacket, and boots and pants. Our selection of riding jackets will zip far up your neck for a good fit, protecting you between your neck and your helmet.

Keep Dry

As we mentioned above, a good set of rain gear will make a huge difference when you’re out on the road. Your boots can become a weak spot in your armor against the wet and cold, so make sure you’ve got a set of thick insulating socks (wool or synthetic) to keep your feet warm even if some water gets in. Our rain gear is designed to be donned quickly, and provide an easy and solid fit so you’ll have great rain protection. So come in and see us if you’re worried about riding when things get wet!

Ride the Right Bike

If you’re trying to head out on a cold day on a Sportster, you’re going to be fighting an uphill battle. Not that you can’t stay warm while you ride, but other bikes will provide much better protection from the elements. For example, we’ve got an awesome selection of touring bikes including the Street Glide, the Road Glide, and the Ultra Limited, which all provide outstanding wind protection thanks to the carefully designed fairing. These touring motorcycles can even be outfitted with heated grips and seats to give you an awesome buffer against the cold.

Modern Conveniences

If you’re really trying to get the edge on the cold then you could probably use a little bit of high tech assistance. First of all, we can help you get into a full set of heated riding gear that will keep you feeling cozy no matter how low the mercury goes. When picking up heated riding gear, make sure you pick a set that will work with your bike, as some heated gear is powered by the motorcycle, while other outfits are equipped with a portable power source. If you’re not looking to make the full investment in heated riding gear, some hand warmers tucked into your gloves and into the inner pockets of your jacket can provide some relief from the cold.

Whether you’re trying to stay dry with some good motorclothes or looking for some more modern conveniences to make the ride more pleasant during the cold season, Barnes Harley-Davidson® has you covered on all fronts. Stop by one of our Harley dealerships today to get all of the information you need to ensure you stay warm and safe this winter.