There are some things in life that are better when cold such as a beer after a hard day’s labor or your bed pillow in the summer. Unfortunately, motorcycle tires do not fall into this category. I am always surprised at how many riders are not aware of the hazardous situations caused by cold tires. Just as many things are affected by climate changes, tires lose traction when they do not reach their operating temperature. So when the mercury dips, be sure to keep that in mind.

One cold Saturday morning I noticed a NYC street sweeping truck leaving behind a thin layer of water which quickly turned into a slick layer of “black ice”, as if the truck was doing the job of a Zamboni machine. The moral of the story is that during the cold months, though there may not be snow on the ground, there are still places ice can be found. Riders should be especially cautious around the many construction sites in the area. Leaky cement trucks, concrete saws, and jack hammers are all indicators of water on the street where you may not expect it.

Happy New Year to all and hope we see you at the Javits International Motorcycle Show January 20th, 21st, and 22nd. Please be sure to look out for our complimentary shuttle.

* Steve Sergi