With cold weather coming right around the corner, you might be wondering if you need to stow your motorcycle in the garage for a few months. At Robert J. Debry & Associates, this is a question that we often get asked this time of year. While you should never drive your motorcycle in conditions you are not comfortable with, it is more than possible to go in snowy or icy conditions if you take proper precautions. If you happen to get in an accident, we have an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who can represent you.
Make Sure Your Bike is Protected from the Ice
Frozen water is not a motorcyclist’s best friend. Ice can damage components on your bike and make it unsafe to drive. However, this does not mean that you cannot go in snowy or icy conditions. It simply means that you need to make some preparations before you head out.
Remember that icy components can jam up on you and cause a crash, after which you will need to call a motorcycle accident attorney. The key is to keep that from happening. The most important thing you can do is keep your drive train adequately lubricated. A frozen drive train can cause the bike to seize upon you in icy conditions. Make sure that you have fresh antifreeze in your water tank if you have a bike with a liquid-cooling system.
Perform Routine Maintenance Before You Head Out
A motorcycle accident attorney will also tell you that you need to check the following parts of your bike before heading out on a cold-weather ride:
- Tires
- All of the control indicators
- Lights
- Oil Levels
- The chassis
Many accidents in snowy conditions occur when the tire pressure is too low. Make sure your tires are at the correct pressure. It is also an excellent idea to let the engine warm-up sufficiently before you take off in snowy or icy conditions.
There is no reason you cannot drive your motorcycle throughout the winter months as long as you are prepared for the challenging road conditions that you may encounter. If you happen to find yourself in a motorcycle accident, Robert J. Debry & Associates has qualified attorneys ready to help you. We will work hard to ensure that your legal rights are protected and get the compensation you are entitled to.