Winter Care Tips For Two Wheelers

Winter months are truly special, what with the holiday cheer, vacation plans, and the thought of enjoying good food with loved ones. But it can be a tricky season for bikers and two-wheelers. As the temperature drops outside, foggy and breezy conditions can make riding challenging. Therefore, you must dress appropriately and take extra care of your bike to keep it running efficiently. Also, make sure you have adequate insurance for bike for those uncertain times. A two-wheeler insurance policy financially covers your vehicle against accidents, natural calamities, manmade events and more. It also takes care of third-party liabilities, theft and fire-related damages and saves you from stress and financial setbacks.

Now, here are some important tips you can keep in mind for safe and easy bike rides in winter:

1. Wear essential riding gear:

Before stepping out, make sure you wear a helmet, thick jacket, riding pants, boots, gloves and other essential riding gear. These will keep you warm and comfortable and ensure a safe ride every time. Waterproof and breathable jackets are the best for the winter season.

2. Keep rain gear handy:

The weather can be unpredictable during winters. It may be sunny in the morning but can start pouring heavily in the afternoon or evening. And since you will be on a bike with nothing to protect you from bad weather, you must always carry proper rain gear.

3. Stay warm with thermals and neck gaiters:

When it’s cold and windy outside, proper winter clothes such as thermals and neck gaiters will keep you warm and comfortable. These clothes are lightweight and perfect when it comes to beating the winter chills. However, do not wear many layers of warm clothes as it may feel suffocating after a point of time.

4. Ride slow and maintain distance from other vehicles:

Riding a two-wheeler can be risky during the winter season, thanks to the dense fog and slippery roads. Fog often makes it difficult to spot other vehicles on the road and this can lead to an accident. On the other hand, slippery roads can make you lose your grip, and this can be quite dangerous. Therefore, make sure you maintain the speed limit and keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Plus, you should plan for adversities by taking insurance for bike.

5. Check engine and other components often:

Winter is not the best time for your bike as the engine usually becomes a little stiff due to cold weather conditions. This is the reason why two-wheelers and four-wheelers take more time for ignition. Hence, make sure you check the bike’s engine and other components from time to time to ensure everything is in order. Also, after starting your bike, wait for a couple of seconds to warm it up before you hit the road. This is important to prevent rapid piston expansion, scuffling and other issues. You must also check the clutch, brake, gear levers and other mechanics now and then.

6. Check the tyres:

Cold weather isn’t good for your bike tyres either. When it is chilly outside, the air pressure in tyres drops by a certain percentage. This causes them to lose a few PSIs (pounds per square inch) and make riding a bike difficult. Therefore, it is important to check tyre pressure from time to time for better comfort and mileage.

7. Change engine oil:

Engine oil is an important component of a bike as it protects the motor from getting damaged. Hence, check the oil often and change it whenever you notice any dirt or debris in it. Old oil is usually contaminated with particles and feels gritty when you rub it between your fingers. Hence, it may harm the bike’s engine and make starting it more difficult, especially during the winter season.

8. Keep headlights and taillights clean:

Dense fog and smog make visibility is a major issue during the winter season. Therefore, you must clean your bike’s headlights and taillights regularly to see the path clearly and avoid accidents. These lights also make your two-wheeler visible to other drivers on the road on foggy days. Cleaning them helps remove dust and dirt that make the lights appear dimmer. Also, keep the headlights and taillights in good shape to avoid issues on the road.

Conclusion

So, these are some important things to keep in mind to ensure a safe and comfortable bike ride in winter. In addition to these, take insurance for bike and keep your two-wheeler covered against accidents, natural calamities, fire and theft. A bike insurance policy also covers third-party liabilities on your behalf and keeps your savings intact.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.