Most motorcyclists do not ride for close to three months every year due to the conditions that come with the winter season. For example, riding becomes more difficult with cold hands resulting from the cold temperature. Cold hands can cause loss of sensation and mobility in your fingers, and as a result, you might need to use thermal lined gloves to supply some heat to your hands, keeping them warm as you ride. The use of handlebar muffs is another technique for keeping your hands warm while riding during winter.
The winter season will require you to have the right kind of tires. If you live in a place where it snows a lot, you will need to consider investing in fat tires as you go through the season. The broader rims will make it easier to glide through snowy surfaces while still helping you maintain stability.
Having said all of these, it’s most important to have the bikes with the kind of features that can deal with the challenges of winter. This article will provide you with a list of the best brands available.
1. Triumph Tiger 800
The Triumph Tiger 800 is a middleweight bike and is effective for all weather. Triumph is reputable for creating bikes that can provide every needed feature for commuting and touring at an affordable price. This motorcycle is road-oriented and has an incredible throttle response, a slick gearbox, and a light clutch.
These features will make you confident regardless of the location or weather. This bike offers decent under-seat storage, seat height adjusters, and an adjustable headlamp for pillion use.
2. Honda Blackbird
This motorcycle brand is reputable for its reliability and versatility. Honda began the creation of the Blackbird in 1996 and ran it for ten years. Although many modern sports bikes may be more rated than the Blackbird in terms of top speed, it’s still widely acclaimed as a top option for winter. It weighs 223kg, has a top speed of 180mph, and has a liquid-cooled four-stroke engine of 1137cc. It allows for speed and comfort simultaneously, which is vital for an all-year-round ride.
3. Suzuki GSXR 1000
The GSXR 1000 is more than a track bike as Suzuki has continued to improve this model since it was launched in 2001. Three key areas where the Suzuki GSXR 1000 excels are handling, power, and speed despite its weight. This bike weighs approximately 200kg and can hit a top speed of 178mph. The liquid-cooled engine is fitted with a 999cc four-stroke 4-cylinder. The seat has an adjustable height of 810mm with a 120mm ground clearance.
4. BMW R1200GS
BMW launched the R1200GS first in 2004. During their Long Way Round documentary, Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor used this bike for their iconic bike road trip from London to New York. That tremendously added to the sales boost as it proved that the BMW R1200GS was a convenient and powerful touring motorcycle.
The motorcycle is reinforced with a boxer twin-engine of 1,170cc. Its wet weight is approximately 256kg with a top speed of 131mph. This versatile machine has two versions, with the Adventure version having a longer travel suspension and a larger fuel tank capacity.
This guide has provided you with the top motorcycle brands we consider suitable for winter, given their features. With this list, you no longer have to hang your riding boots during the following winter.