Ask the Editors: Help Me Get Ready for Snow Riding
Sure do- and fortunately your ATV is better equipped at dealing with the cold and snow then we ourselves are! As for the quad, not a bad idea to keep the battery on a trickle charger during the periods out of the saddle. Cold temps do a number on their ability to hold a charge.
Consider adding a little fuel stabilizer to the tank to prevent any water in the fuel from separating and freezing. If the temps are particularly low and you’re planning on starting the engine/ riding, it’s not a bad idea to swap your engine oil for a lighter, more viscous weight to counteract the cold’s natural temperature to thicken up oil, especially during initial start.
Reduce your tire pressure by a couple of pounds for increased traction. If that’s not enough to get you going, there are tire chains on the market and if that’s still not enough, there are dedicated track systems available. Now keep in mind if your machine is going to be stored for long periods of time between use, do the opposite and add additional pressure to compensate for pressure loss over time.
If you have the means, a winch is an affordable method of peace of mind. If not for yourself, there will most certainly be others on the trails who have gotten in over their head and could use a tug.
Other than that, the remaining aftermarket bits we’d recommend are more for rider comfort than anything else: Heated grips can be priceless on long cold rides. Even hand guards help greatly in cutting down the cold air flowing over your gloves. Windshields and even canvas cockpits can also be extremely valuable in keeping the elements off.
We often recommend shopping in the snowmobile section of your catalogs for proper attire; things like full coverage helmets and gloves/ boots that can be found in their department won’t let you down when things get cold and ugly. Turns out these guys know a thing or two about riding in the snow.
