10 major pieces of equipment for biker safety in winter

Winter is the period when the harsh climate is very pronounced, especially for motorcyclists. Exposed to low temperatures, motorcyclists must be well equipped to avoid the cold. On a motorcycle, snow, rain and wind are elements to take into account when equipping yourself. Precautions must also be taken to drive safely in foggy conditions. Are you a motorcycle enthusiast and don't want to leave yours in the garage in winter? Here are the top 10 pieces of equipment you need to safely skim the roads during the winter period.

A motorcycle helmet adapted to the cold

The helmet is one of the pieces of equipment that every motorcyclist must think about when it comes to hitting the road or riding on a track, whatever the season. In France, the Highway Code, in its article R431-1, makes it compulsory for motorcyclists and passengers to wear helmets. This equipment protects you from head trauma in the event of a fall. In winter, the risk of falling is higher than in summer due to snowy, wet or icy ground.

The helmet to wear for motorcycle riding during this period should be designed to insulate your head from outside temperatures. Once worn, this equipment should give you some warmth. Then choose a full-face or modular helmet in the closed position. Some models of this type of helmet are designed to receive additional flaps above the nose and below the chin. Depending on the brand, you will have these accessories included with the helmet or as an option.

The downside of wearing a fully closed helmet is fogging which hampers visibility. To avoid this, opt for a helmet whose screen can be adjusted to several notches. The accessory will thus be ajar, allowing the mist to escape to the outside.

A dual lens helmet is also a good option to consider, as it is made to prevent fogging. If you rarely use your motorcycle in winter, you can opt for a classic full-face or modular helmet and use an anti-fog product on each ride. As a biker, to protect yourself well with quality equipment, it is strongly recommended to contact recognized shops specializing in the field of motorcycles.

For the purchase of your winter helmet, check compliance with the ECE 22-04, ECE 22-05 standard or the NF standard which is tending to disappear. Only helmets meeting one of these standards are authorized in circulation on French territory. Make sure your model has reflective strips on the sides to signal your presence to other road users.

One or more pairs of motorcycle gloves

A pair of gloves is essential for the motorcyclist. This protects the hands from broken bones and open wounds in the event of an accident. According to the decree of September 19, 2016, applicable since November 20 of the same year, the wearing of gloves by motorcyclists is compulsory. In winter, the gloves reveal even more importance since they are used to prevent the hands from freezing under the effect of the cold.

During this season, there is nothing better than winter gloves to keep your hands at an optimal temperature. You will probably tend to turn to very thick gloves. However, be sure to find a compromise between the thickness and the sensitivity of your vehicle's controls. A glove that is too thick can make it difficult to grip the handlebars.

Ventilation is also an element to pay attention to. Avoid gloves without an air layer that compress your fingers and prevent them from breathing.

If you're struggling to find winter gloves that offer good handling or want to save the expense, then opt for a pair of liner gloves and a pair of standard gloves. In this case, the gloves will need to be a little larger than what you are used to wearing. Be sure to buy approved gloves, i.e. those complying with the CE or EN 13594 standard. For the safety of the motorcyclist in winter, depending on the cold, the use of heated grips will sometimes be necessary.

A high visibility vest

The high visibility vest, commonly known as the yellow vest, is one of the regulatory equipment for riding a motorcycle in France. Since January 1, 2016, this garment must be worn by the motorcyclist in the event of parking at the side of the road due to breakdown or accident. It is signaling equipment. The law provides that the high visibility vest must be present at all times in the top box of a motorcycle in circulation.

His absence is sanctioned by a 1st class fine in case of control. In winter, you may be required to wear a fluorescent vest except in accident or breakdown situations. You can wear it over your motorcycle jacket if it's foggy or to make yourself visible in the rain and snow. Your high visibility vest must have the CE marking and comply with the EN 471 or EN 1150 standard.

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winter underwear

Unlike the equipment mentioned above, thermal winter underwear is not compulsory for riding a motorcycle from the point of view of the law. In winter, however, they are essential for any motorcyclist. This category of clothing makes it possible to constitute the first of the three layers to be worn to protect the body from the harshness of the climate during this season. It includes in particular underpants, T-shirts, under-trousers, under-gloves and neck warmers. These are in direct contact with the skin and provide it with a certain thermal comfort.

Make the choice of winter underwear according to the level of freshness of the environment in which you will be riding. You don't have to wear all winter underwear at once. When shopping, avoid cotton underwear, as this material does not dry quickly and retains moisture in contact with the skin. Choose thermal underwear with an outer side that dries very quickly (wool) and an inner side that wicks away perspiration (polyester, polypropylene or polyamide).

An insulation garment

For the safety and comfort of the rider in winter, an insulation garment will be necessary. It is a garment made of fleece (synthetic fibers) ensuring the maintenance of the heat produced by the body. A fleece suitable for motorcycling constitutes the second layer of clothing. It insulates the body from the ambient temperature. We recommend that you choose a thin fleece garment that allows the wind to circulate since you will have to cover it with another layer.

Go for softshell under-jackets which guarantee the ventilation and therefore the drying of thermal under-garments once wet with sweat. A motorcycle jacket designed for winter can also be used as an insulation layer. Depending on the level of freshness, opt for a three-quarter or long-sleeved jacket.

protective clothing

The third layer to put on for riding a motorcycle safely in cold weather, it is a protective garment against snow, wind and rain. While large raincoats are adequate for some winter outdoor activities, they are not suitable for motorcyclists.

Go to a shop specializing in the sale of motorcycle equipment and explore its range of clothing made of membranes such as Windstopper, Windbear, Gore-Tex, Antifreeze, etc. This type of clothing acts as a windbreaker and is waterproof. For the choice, make sure that the garment has a breathable outer face which guarantees ventilation and thermal comfort. The outer face must also be water-repellent to slide off the drops of water as soon as it collects them.

Note that the protection differs according to the number of layers of clothing. An aesthetic material, leather is very popular with bikers who want to sport a vintage and chic look, but it easily soaks up water. Leather protective clothing is not recommended, unless it has undergone a specific treatment which makes it hydrophobic. However, a waterproof and water-repellent leather jacket has a significant cost.

winter pants

For winter motorcycling, choose pants made to adapt to the weather conditions during that season. Opt for textile pants made of waterproof membranes that make them waterproof. This type of pants can be worn over underpants, which will be practical for dealing with very low temperatures. You can wear it with reinforced denim or leather pants.

For safety, choose a model with protections at the knees and hips, to protect these parts from abrasion in the event of a fall. Some models have a windproof effect. Be sure to choose pants with a significant thickness thanks to its thermal lining. You have the option of opting for trousers with a connection zip that is used to attach them to the jacket. Choose a technical membrane model to take advantage of ventilation and limit perspiration.

A motorcycle suit

Mandatory to participate in a motorcycle race, the motorcycle suit is also useful for driving on the roads, especially in winter. This garment provides maximum protection to the motorcyclist. With a quality suit, you will no longer have to fear the cold in winter. You can choose a two-piece suit consisting of a jacket and pants or a one-piece suit.

If you are not a professional or a circuit regular, we recommend the two-piece suit. This will allow you to adapt it to the climate and use it even at other times of the year. Regardless of the type, a motorcycle suit is equipped with various accessories that enhance the safety of the motorcyclist. In particular, we have protective shells for the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees.

Modern motorcycle suits have an aerodynamic hump on the back. The latter reduces aerodynamic disturbances. Thermal regulation is ensured by linings of different aspects. Along the arms and legs of the garment there is an elastic textile that combines with the accordion inserts on the sides to guarantee freedom of movement for the rider.

There are suits made specifically for riding in the rain or snowflakes. This type of combination should not be missing in your motorcycle bag. You need it especially if you are used to making long journeys. The motorcycle suit does not replace other protective clothing. She wears them to cope with the weather.

Quality shoes

Like the hands, the feet are very affected by the cold and require optimal protection. To drive your motorcycle in winter, we recommend boots with a high upper that will cover the ankles. You will have to wear thick socks to insulate your feet from the cold. The ideal would then be to choose shoes with a size larger than those you are used to using. When choosing your winter boots, make sure they are waterproof and offer remarkable abrasion resistance. Look for your pair of boots or ankle boots among the models certified by the EN 13634 standard. In the event of a shower, you may need overboots.

A motorcycle airbag

In recent years, new equipment has appeared in the world of bikers. This is the motorcycle airbag that fits into the motorcycle jacket, suit or vest. The equipment has the same operation as the car airbag. In the event of a violent impact, it inflates to protect the user's rib cage. Two main types of motorcycle airbags exist: the cable airbag and the autonomous airbag.

The first type is the most affordable on the market. It comes in the form of a vest and is connected to the motorcycle. In the event of a fall, when the motorcyclist is ejected from his motorcycle, the cable stretches and triggers the firing pin of the vest. The gas cartridge is then punctured and the airbag inflates. The more sophisticated autonomous or electronic airbag is recommended above all for professionals.

In addition to the equipment mentioned for the safety of the motorcyclist in winter, some accessories can be used for this purpose, such as scarves, heated saddles, heated soles or neoprene masks to protect the ears from the cold.