As an adventurer and lover of the outdoors, Paulette Dotson has found riding ATVs and dirt bikes as a favorite activity all year round.
Making an excuse to go outside anytime she gets, Paulette Dotson enjoys riding during the summer, spring, and fall as well as the snowy winter months. Though the riding is a little different and takes a little more preparation, it is just as fun and a great activity for the whole family.
How to prepare for dirt bike and ATV fun in winter
Winter is upon us and most of us are curled up under the blankets, sipping on hot chocolate in front of the TV. Winter has a tendency to make hermits of the most social of us. However, the sight of rain, snow and cold does not stop adventurers like Paulette Dotson from having a fun and exciting time outdoors.
Plunging temperatures hold no reason to not ride your dirt bike or All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). Riding in winter offers a new experience and will make winter riding enthusiasts out of most who try it. It does need a bit of preparation of your equipment and vehicle, but nothing that will damper the experience.
Dirt bike prep
For a ride down the road, a trail ride or off-roading your bike does need a bit of prep work. Here are a few tips from Paulette Dotson and her experience to make sure your bike is winter ready.
During winter you do not want the liquids to freeze in your bike, so you will need to top your bike up with anti-freeze. If you have already filled your bike with a coolant that has anti-freeze properties in summer, the job is done.
To prevent your pistons from popping due to more air than fuel occurrence during winter, make sure you have re-jetted your carbs for colder weather. Colder weather creates denser air that creates more air than fuel. If you have a 2-stroke bike, you will need to do this. Most modern 4-strokes are fuel injected, which will counter the lean air-fuel ratio.
In regions with snow and ice, it is advisable to get your tires studded. You can do this by investing in actual studded tires, buy special screws that go into your existing tires and or use dry-wall screws you already have in the garage. Should you choose the two latter methods, make sure the screws are not too long that as they can cause your tires to puncture.
ATV prep
For ATV riders like Paulette Dotson, winter certainly does not mean you have to place you ride in storage until spring has sprung. With a little prep winter fun can be had by all who own an ATV.
It is the advice of Paulette Dotson to start the prep by changing your old spark plugs for new ones. This is important for ATVs with a few years on them, as spark plugs do wear and the old plugs may not be sufficient for winter temperatures.
ATV design tends to leave the rider open to the elements. To combat the icy chill of snowing weather, you can outfit your ride with a winter-edition fairing and hand guards. This investment will ensure that you have some relief from the winter winds while you are riding, and it can be used over for many seasons to come.
An oil change is a vital part of regular maintenance, but even more so for winter riding prep. Make sure you change your oil to a full-synthetic type to prevent it from freezing up.
For winter riding, there is nothing more important than ensuring ample traction. Especially in snow or icy conditions. It is advised to invest in tire chains. Tire chains are not expensive and can easily be packed away on your ride when not in use.
With a little prep and some small investments winter riding can be hours of fun. Paulette Dotson encourages families and individuals to get outside this winter season and enjoy some time together.