Riding a motorcycle in winter: how to stay safe
Many people leave their two-wheeler in their garage during the cold season. You can also ride your motorcycle or Vespa in winter – provided you take the right safety precautions.
20.01.2026
iStock/keremberk
1. Can you ride a motorcycle in winter?
Getting on your motorbike in winter? Whether this is safe enough depends on several factors from:
Weather
Road conditions
Temperature
Equipment
In snow, ice and slippery conditions, it’s better to leave your motorcycle parked. Even at temperatures slightly above zero, damp, shady areas can be dangerously slippery. Bridges and forest roads are particularly prone to freezing over more quickly. Loose grit also increases the risk of slipping.
Can you ride a motorcycle when the temperature is below zero?
With good road conditions and warm winter protective clothing you should pay attention to the temperatures:
Above five degrees: You can ride your motorcycle or Vespa without issue.
Zero to five degrees: Dangerous ground frost may form. In urban areas, however, you’re still usually safe on the road. Nevertheless, increased caution is required. Make sure that the streets have been cleared. Drive slowly. Check the conditions continuously and adapt your journey time to the conditions.
Temperatures below zero: It is advisable to ride with winter tyres and suitable winter protective clothing. This will increase your safety.
Colder than minus five degrees: The risk of slipping or hypothermia is too great. It is best to be cautious. This is because the risk increases at low temperatures.
Riding a motorcycle in winter: tips on riding behaviour
When braking on slippery roads: use the rear brake. Use the front brake very carefully so that the front wheel doesn’t lock.
Make sure there is enough safety distance and ride slowly.
When riding your motorbike, keep your feet firmly on the footrests, and your hands in a relaxed position on the handlebar.
Riding on fresh snow is safer than on compacted ruts.
You should practise riding your motorbike on a slippery surface. If necessary, attend a skid control course. You can find options at the TCS, ACS or at driving schools.
2. Are winter tyres compulsory on motorcycles?
There is no legal requirement for winter tyres on motorcycles in Switzerland. However, you must be able to control your vehicle at all times. In case of black ice, packed snow, slush or ice, this is only possible on a motorcycle with winter tyres.
In good weather you may therefore also be on the road in December with summer tyres on. However, if you are on the road with summer tyres in snow or ice and lose control, you risk a fine or recourse from your motorcycle insurance.
Recourse in insurance means that the insurance company pays for damage, that it should not actually have to pay for. This is the case, for example, if you cause the damage due to gross negligence. The insurance company then claims the money it has paid back from you.
Winter tyres for scooters
The TCS has tested winter tyres for scooters. The result: they only provide more safety on snow. only provide more safety on snow.On wet and dry roads, summer tyres have the shorter braking distance.
To ensure sufficient grip at low temperatures and on wet roads, scooter tyres with a softer, cold-elastic rubber compoundare suitable. In addition, the tread should be designed for wet conditions. These so-called all-season or all-weather tyres remain flexible even in cold weather and thus offer a safer compromise than pure summer tyres.
3. Particularly important when riding a motorcycle in winter: check your motorcycle
In winter, you should check your motorcycle before each ride. The following should work perfectly:
Lights
Brakes
Indicators
Battery
Chain
Pay particular attention to the battery condition and dry electrical contacts. After riding on roads that have been treated with salt or other substances, a thorough clean is recommended to avoid corrosion.
Also check the level of the brake fluid, the tyre tread and the tyre pressure should be checked regularly.
4. The right motorcycle clothing for winter
High-quality winter gear is warm, windproof and ensures visibility. Sturdy, padded winter motorcycle boots keep your feet warm. It’s worth wearing warm Undergloves. Additional thermal underwear keeps you warm.
Because of the low sun, there is a risk of glare: glare hazard. Use a helmet with a sun visor, a darkening film or your sunglasses. A Balaclava under your helmet protects your face from the icy wind.
5. Which motorcycles are suitable for winter?
Do you want to buy a motorcycle, that you can ride in winter? The most suitable are light, robust motorcycles with low-maintenance engines and little electronics. These include, for example, travel enduros, naked bikes or smaller all-rounders. Examples: Honda NC750X, Suzuki V-Strom 650, Yamaha Tracer 7 or BMW F 800 GS.
| Honda NC750X |
|
|---|---|
| Suzuki V-Strom 650 |
|
| Yamaha Tracer 7 |
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| BMW F 800 GS |
|
6. FAQs about riding a motorcycle in winter
It is best to use all-season or all-weather tyres. Also make sure they have a sufficiently deep tread. The legal minimum is 1.6 mm, but deeper is better.
Good to know: From 1 November to 30 April, you can also use studded tyres on vehicles under 3.5 tonnes. However, you must display a sticker on the vehicle to indicate the use of studs. In addition, you are allowed to drive a maximum of 80 kilometres per hour outside the city. Spiked tyres are generally prohibited on motorways.
Yes, you can fit winter tyres on your motorcycle winter tyres on your motorcycle..
Below minus five degrees there is a high risk of slipping or hypothermia. Then you should leave your bike in the garage.
In principle, you can ride a motorcycle all year round. What matters are the road conditions. You should always be equipped according to the weather and temperatures. From about minus five degrees, the risk of hypothermia or slipping is also high.
In principle, you can ride a motorcycle in the snow. You should however adapt your riding style to the road conditions. As soon as it gets slippery, you should leave your bike behind.
This article was first published on 09.12.2014
