Despite the colder temperatures, winter is a popular time for motorcycle riders to get away on a road trip. Roads can be less crowded and the crisp, cool conditions can be ideal for an invigorating experience. But there are some steps that riders can and possibly should take in order to maximise the enjoyment of winter motorbike riding, whether in the country or the daily city commute. They include preparation and extra gear which could be possible to include in the motorcycle loan.
We cover off on a range of aspects around winter motorbike riding including where to go, preparation and motorcycle loan options when purchasing a machine for road trips in cooler months.
Prepare for Weather Conditions
Fog, wet roads, snow and ice and rain can make for challenging riding conditions on country roads. Extra gear in addition to what is required for daily urban riding may be required. Tip: when buying a new bike, plan ahead so any extra gear might be included in the loan for the bike. Your Jade Bike Loans consultant may be able to include the price in your motorcycle loan.
The gear and extras may include equipment for the bike or for yourself. Protective clothing is a must for riders under all road conditions. A cheap tip we picked up from experienced riders is to wear latex gloves under the riding gloves as additional insulation and water protection. Another is to protect socks and feet from wet dripping into boots by putting on plastic bag on over socks. Recyclable plastic of course and re-use when dried.
Protective clothing such as pants, jackets, gloves and of course a helmet are essentials. If planning to ride in wet weather, having spare pairs of gloves on hand could be a very welcome move.
If planning a longer road trip, extra saddle bags and storage could be advisable to stow clothes and other belongings. A dry change of clobber can be most welcomed after a long day’s ride in inclement conditions.
Novice riders and those that rarely venture out of urban areas can be assisted by referring to experts for tips and advice for country and winter conditions riding. A few tips we sourced are, on country roads keep a sharp eye out for cattle grids, change of road camber, potholes and rough patches, animals especially wildlife and the crests of hills. Be ready to alter speed and riding position to skillfully handle changing road conditions.
Of course, prepare your bike for the trip. If planning to head to more remote areas or even on less-used country roads, you don’t want mechanical issues to strand you. Remember, mobile coverage is not completely reliable everywhere.
Destination Suggestions
If looking to venture to new areas, riders have a wealth of resources available for suggestions on great motorcycle rides and roads in Australia.
Some of the popular suggestions include:-
- NSW Kangaroo Valley Ride
- South Australia’s Adelaide Hills
- The Great Ocean Road in Victoria
- NSW Oxley Highway
- Queensland’s Lions Road
- In Tasmania, try Strahan to the Derwent Bridge
- Queensland’s Mount Glorious
- The Putty Road, just north-west of Sydney is very popular for a day ride
Use the resources available which often have reviews by riders including their bike details.
If you’re keen to camp, why not consider a camper trailer. Road Warrior Campers have a trailer which can be towed by motorcycles. Great for taking a bit of extra luxury for the trip especially in winter months. But check the specs of your bike for suitability. If interested in purchasing this trailer, speak with your Jade Bike Loans consultant regarding finance options.
Purchasing and Loan Tips
Unlike many things, motorcycle loans are not seasonally affected or adjusted. Lending interest rates are impacted by RBA changes to the cash rate, but those changes are made in response to economic not weather conditions.
Our Secured Motorcycle Loan is the most widely-used bike finance as it suits most buyers and most new motorbikes. It has a simple to grasp concept where our lender accepts the motorcycle as the loan security and the loan is repaid in equal monthly instalments over a fixed period.
To provide certainty for our customers, we source Secured Motorcycle Loans at the cheapest fixed interest rate. With a fixed rate loan, the interest rate and hence the repayments, do not change when the RBA announces a rate hike.
If considering an upgrade to a machine more suited to long rides, now could be a good time to buy with finance. The RBA increased interest rates for the first time in 12 years in May and indicated further rises were ahead.
Applying for motorcycle finance prior to a rate rise, could represent a significant saving over the full life of the loan. To estimate repayments on different machines you are considering, use our Bike Loan Calculator or just give us a call for a quick quote.
Winter motorcycle riding can be a great recreational and holiday experience, so get organised, prepared and get going.
For a motorcycle loan on a machine suited to long, winter rides contact Jade Bike Loans at 1300 000 003
DISCLAIMER: IN REGARD TO ANY ERRORS OR MISREPRESENTATIONS IN THIS MATERIAL, NO LIABILITY IS ACCEPTED. THE DETAILS, CONTENT AND DATA ARE PRESENTED PURELY FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES FOR MOTORBIKE BUYERS AND THOSE SEEKING MOTORCYCLE LOANS. THIS IS NOT INTENDED AS THE SOLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR FINANCIAL DECISIONS. IF SPECIFIC ADVICE IS REQUIRED AROUND FINANCIAL DECISIONS, READERS SHOULD SEEK THEIR OWN FINANCIAL ADVISOR.
