When does it become too cold to ride a dirt bike?
It’s a significant question, especially considering the arctic blasts the entire country has faced lately. The good news is that a well-tuned dirt bike can withstand quite a lot from the elements. Here’s what you need to know about dirt biking in frigid conditions.
Believe it or not, your dirt bike can handle temperatures that humans cannot. Most bikes can operate within a wide temperature range between -30 degrees and 200 degree Fahrenheit. That doesn’t mean you should push it to those levels, though.
As a rule of thumb, we’d say you and your bike are safe for almost any riding until you get down to around 20 degrees. Then you may need to make adjustments or wait until it gets warmer. Once it gets below the freezing point, you could see snow and ice, but there’s not too much risk for hypothermia until the outside temperature falls to the 20s.
There are a few riders (not many, however) who can handle the temperatures down to about -10 degrees. It’s not a good idea for beginners or anybody with less than optimal physical health. Even so, sub-zero riding won’t last long without a severe risk of hypothermia and frostbite.
We’d recommend not riding in anything below 10 degrees to be on the safe side. Finally, don’t forget to check for wind chills, which can make things even more frigid. Now, let’s look at some ways to cope with colder weather and still enjoy riding.
Cold Weather Dirt Biking Tips
- Are you experiencing freezing conditions and snow? Consider switching to a snowmobile for a while or converting your dirt bike into a snow bike temporarily. You can do that by altering the wheels or replacing them with a front ski system.
- Install studded snow tires if you’re going to ride on snow or ice.
- Add heated grips to your bike to help stay warmer.
- Make sure your bike has plenty of antifreeze.
- Check all your other bike upkeep items such as the oil, brakes, and anything else that’s essential for difficult conditions.
- Also, remember that although you CAN ride in lower temperatures, it doesn’t mean you should. If you force your bike to endure temperatures below 20 degrees for a while, you’re bound to ruin the tires, damage the battery, and risk catching hypothermia.
If you found this information helpful and would like to learn more about dirt biking or find cool places to race, then reach out to Colorado DirtBike Info. We’re the Rocky Mountain Region’s best area for riding and learning how to ride dirt bikes. Contact us anytime for more information and happy riding.
