Whenever winter comes, motorcycle enthusiasts, although frustrated by the extremely cold weather, still can't stop the love of motorcycle riding. They will organize convoys for cycling challenges to conquer this cold extreme weather during rapid cycling, and of course, you can imagine the jealousy of other people who stay at home all winter. You may be curious, isn't it painful to ride under 40 degrees? What makes them not afraid of the cold?
To this end, I asked my friend Sean in Pennsylvania. He loves motorcycle riding and also participated in the local motorcycle riding team. He told me the necessary equipment for winter motorcycle riding. If you also want to participate in this kind of adventure, you need to prepare the right motorcycle riding equipment, keep warm and safe, so that you can enjoy riding in cold weather.
1.Motorcycle helmet
The motorcycle helmet is arguably the most important part of motorcycle safety equipment. It can protect the head from impact in the event of an accident. Data shows that in 2018 alone, motorcycle helmets protected the heads of 1982 motorcycle riders in the event of an accident, and some states now require helmets to be worn when riding. When buying a helmet, it is best to choose a full-face helmet, which can protect the head in all directions, at the same time protect the head from wind and prevent various debris from entering the eyes. Since the rider will remain crouched while riding, choose a helmet with a higher chin opening than a helmet with an upward opening, leaving more room for head movement and vision. At the same time, there is enough space for air circulation to evaporate sweat to prevent fogging of the sun visor.
2. Helmet liner
Because the helmet needs to leave enough space for movement, the helmet may rub the scalp during riding and cause hair to become rough or even fall. Therefore, a helmet liner is required to act as a buffer between the hair and the helmet to reduce the helmet's Friction of head skin prevents hair from becoming rough or falling. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a good helmet liner. After all, no one wants to damage their hair and scalp after riding. The helmet liner used by Sean is made of polyester fiber and spandex. It has strong breathability, can absorb moisture and wick away sweat in time, and prevents sweat from flowing into the eyes or becoming cold sweat attached to the scalp. Moisture absorbs heat when it evaporates, which can cause head cold and head pain. The helmet lining can avoid sweating and gathering on the head to produce sweaty and greasy, keeping the head dry. Besides, the helmet lining can also extend to the ears to keep the ears warm. If the ears are affected by cold, the head nerves are likely to be affected. It is no exaggeration to say that the ears may lose function due to cold in extremely cold weather.
3. Heated gloves
We all know that under rapid driving, the increased wind speed will exacerbate the coldness of the hand, resulting in poor blood circulation in the hand, and the decreased flexibility of the palm will weaken the control of the motorcycle grip, which is for motorcycle riding Very dangerous. The hand is the key to controlling the direction and speed of the motorcycle. Therefore, keeping the hand warm and comfortable is extremely important. Choosing a perfect heated glove for the hand is the basis for ensuring safety. Normally heating gloves can adjust the battery to keep the gloves at the right temperature to provide heat to the entire hand and avoid becoming stiff. The heated gloves also need to be waterproof to ensure normal operation in humid weather, and at the same time, the inside of the gloves is made of a material that can absorb moisture and sweat to keep the inside of the gloves dry. The heat-filled gloves can evaporate the moisture generated by the hands during riding, avoiding slipping and losing control of the grip.
4. Heating jacket
Riding a motorcycle outdoors in the cold winter is a challenging thing, and the body heat will quickly dissipate, so it is very important to maintain the body heat. Wearing a heating jacket can heat the body to ensure that the heat does not disappear, make the body comfortable, and ensure that the rider rides for a long time. When choosing a heating jacket, you should pay attention to choosing a jacket with excellent battery life to ensure that the clothes can always be heated during a long ride, to avoid heating the jacket in the late stage of riding, which can lead to a cold body. Heated jackets must also be waterproof and windproof because cold outdoors tends to be wet or snowy. Waterproof jackets can prevent moisture from entering the body and absorb heat to cause cold; jackets with strong wind force when riding, windproof can help block the cold wind from entering the body and avoid freezing.
5. Heated vest
If you encounter extreme cold during the riding and accompanied by heavy snow, choose the middle and bottom layers that have a strong warming effect, which can resist the cold and ensure physical comfort. The heated vest can provide heat to the core of the body, ensure normal blood circulation, and provide continuous energy for the limbs of the body, so as not to stiffen the limbs. The weight and area of the heated vest are very small, it will not burden the body and restrict physical activity. If the battery of the heating jacket is exhausted, the heating jacket can also provide heat to the body, maintain the body temperature, and ensure that there is enough time to find a gas station to charge the battery. Maintaining a crouched state for a long time while riding is likely to cause stiffness in the waist and back. Heated vests can provide heat to the waist and back, alleviating discomfort in the waist and back caused by muscle stiffness.
6. Heating pants
Although heating jackets and vests can provide heat for the body, the lower limbs of the human body are far away from the heart and the blood circulation is slow, resulting in lower energy and oxygen transport in the blood, so the lower limbs feel the cold twice as much as the upper limbs, so riding The choice of trousers is a part that needs attention. Heating the pants can provide heat to the cold legs, ensure blood circulation to provide energy for the legs, and ensure normal movement of the legs. Heating pants should have the same long battery life as heating jackets, which can continuously provide heat to ensure the temperature and comfort of the legs; pants also need to be waterproof and windproof to isolate cold air and moisture to ensure dryness. It should be noted that the heating pants need to be selected to be longer, to ensure that the pants can be inserted into the jacket, to prevent the wind from entering the body through the gap and causing heat loss.
7. Warm skinny trousers
In extreme weather, wearing only a pair of heated pants is not able to withstand the cold. You also need to wear warm pants on the inner layer of the heated pants, preferably tight pants. Skinny trousers can compress the legs to speed up blood circulation and relieve the soreness and stiffness caused by keeping the legs bent for a long time. At the same time, the pants that fit the legs only take up less weight and space, ensuring that the legs can be sensitive Activities, timely control of motorcycle engines. The trousers also need to have the function of moisture absorption and sweat-wicking. The body is prone to sweat under the dual effects of physical activity and heating clothes during cycling. The material of the trousers must ensure that the sweat can be absorbed in time to avoid the evaporation of water and reduce the temperature of the skin on the legs. ; Pants choose materials with high air permeability, which can remove the body's moisture in time, keep the body fresh when riding, and maintain the temperature of the legs to maintain comfort.
8. Motorcycle boots
The motorcycle boot looks very cool, but in fact, it can protect your feet in the event of an accident, avoid rubbing your feet on the ground and reduce the risk of fracture. Choose boots with thermal insulation, which are the best fit to the feet, which can reduce heat loss and maintain the proper temperature of the feet; at the same time, it must be waterproof and windproof to prevent the feet from being wet and invaded by the wind, which can cause frostbite and lose consciousness. The choice of motorcycle boots covering the length of the calf can securely lock the pants in the boots to prevent the wind from entering the feet and bring coldness, and the boots must have good traction to ensure that the ankles can move up and down freely. The soft design of the ankle part of the boots does not restrict the movement of the ankle and can control the motorcycle engine and maintain the balance of the motorcycle at any time. It is more important for motorcycle boots to have a non-slip effect because slipping occurs when controlling the engine, which is a very dangerous action, especially when braking is required.
9. Warm socks
Some motorcycle riders do not pay attention to the choice of thermal socks, but in fact, thermal socks will have a great impact on riding. Excellent thermal socks can keep your feet warm, make your feet circulate in extreme weather, and help relieve the swelling and pain caused by keeping your feet on for a long time. The feet and boots will constantly produce friction when riding, so the thermal socks also need to have abrasion resistance, especially the reinforced design of the ankle and toe area can prolong the service life, avoiding the socks to wear out directly after riding, exposing awkward toes. Choose long thermal socks so you don't have to complain about the socks slipping from your feet and losing your warmth or the discomfort caused by the socks when riding. Socks need to have the same high breathability as other linings, which can absorb moisture and sweat, evaporate moisture, and ensure that the feet are dry and comfortable; at the same time, it can prevent the accumulation of sweat on the feet and produce odors and dirt.
10. Heated cushion
Winter cycling is subject to lower temperatures, so the need for a heat source is significant. Riding is to keep sitting for a long time, the hips and back may be uncomfortable, and the body pain will be unable to maintain focus. This is a great safety issue for high-speed riders. If a heated seat cushion is installed on a motorcycle, it can provide cushioning between the waist and the motorcycle, reduce vibration and friction, and provide support for the waist and back. The heat source provided by the seat cushion can keep the hips warm and comfortable, relieve hip muscle pain and stiffness, and reduce cramps. Possibility. Generally, the cushion can provide 8 hours of heat. Sean's battery of heating pants is exhausted during a ride. He feels very cold. Fortunately, he has prepared a heated cushion to provide him with a continuous heat source and keep the rider warm.
The most important thing for outdoor adventure sports in winter is to maintain warmth and safety. Safe and effective equipment can provide heat to the body and ensure safety in the event of an accident. Therefore, it is very important for motorcycles to prepare in advance. Ensure safety and comfort while riding to avoid frostbite and injuries. For cold weather, the content of the riding equipment can be selected according to the degree of insulation it can withstand. I hope you have a pleasant motorcycle adventure.
