Summer is gone and the winter has set in. Bummer, where did that time go?

I still have the feeling of the wind in my hair, bug splatter on my teeth and the rumbling vibration itch on my butt, however I just cannot get over the feeling that the long set in winter is going to be dismal and gloomy. I'm going to miss hanging out with my friends at my buddies garage, I'm gonna miss wing night at Scooters and the chicks in leather chaps and booty pants. The time spent polishing the bike, putting on those really cool new parts that I ordered online or from the catalog that sits in the bathroom and on the garage bench is all but gone, I won't see it again until the spring. I'm so miserable. But how can I get over these Winter Motorcycle Blues?
I've been in the same situation many times but now I've compiled a short list of ways that you can get over those Winter Motorcycle Blues and they are as follows. Remember, you don't have to take my word for it, but these are some suggestions that get me through those short days and long nights of winter.

1. Repair Manuals - Reading the complete repair manual for your motorcycle takes your mind and puts it right there with your motorcycle. You see every part thats on your bike, you find out new ways to maintain the bike, where things bolt on and how you can now upgrade your bike with parts and accessories. This gives you an opportunity to learn more about the bike that you ride.

2. 10 Point Maintenance - If you've got a motorcycle, you really need to take this down to time to do some real work on the bike. Check the following items on your motorcycle and take care of them. I'll elaborate more in another article. Fluids/Oil/Transmission/Brake - Chain/Belt - Tire Tread - Tire Pressure - Brakes - Battery - Electrical / Lights - Tighten Nuts and Bolts - Filters / Air / Oil etc. - Cables - Wheel Spokes and last but not least make sure your license and tags are up to date.

3. Wing Night - Your favorite watering hole still has specials going on in the winter time and you can still keep up with some of your buddies talking about bikes, rides and upcoming Poker Runs or talk about what happened over the past year. This also gives you an opportunity to hear what others are doing with their bikes over the winter to fight the Winter Motorcycle Blues, it's like a support group.

4. Put New Parts On - You may get some gift cards or extra cash for Christmas and now you can get that set of grips or some new floor boards to put on your bike. Pull out your favorite catalog or get online and find the stuff that you've always wanted and now have the money for and get a little dirt on your hands. Just like doing the maintenance, this gives you a chance to get to know your bike better, the more you have your hands on it, the more likely you are going to find something that could have become a disaster on the first ride of the year.

5. Watch motorcycle movies, pull out the Wild Hogs or Easy Riders DVD and put it in to get back in the zone of riding and having fun with friends.

6. Treat your Leathers - Nows also a good time to get some of your favorite brand of leather treatment and rub down your leather coat, chaps, gloves and vest. This keeps your gear in good condition and ready to go when the weather allows for that first 50 degree day to get things going again.

These are just some of the things that I do to get over those Winter Motorcycle Blues and keep my mind on the road, thinking about the good times with friends, straightening the curves and feeling that rush of throwing a leg over your steal stallion, hearing the squeak of leather as you toss the coat on your back and turning the key and pushing the start button on your motorcycle. Until the next article, Ride safe and we'll see you on the road.

Until the warm breezes start to blow again and the sun begins to shine at 6 am, keep your thoughts on the road, two wheels in your heart and the open road on your mind. One last point, get that new pair of boots that you wanted and start to break them in wearing them around the house.


Shannon Appleby has been in the motorcycle industry since 2005 and has had the opportunity to become friends with some of the most influential people in the world when it comes to the Two Wheel passion. Regularly attending Daytona Bike Week, Biketoberfest, Sturgis and many more, along with building his first bike by finding a basket case and completely rebuilding it just to understand the bike more. Shannon has created over 300 videos covering motorcycle parts and accessories, custom bike builds and motorcycle rallies and events. You can see more of Shannon and his passion for motorcycles at his website http://www.motorcyclepartsandaccessoriesvideos.com