[bender_cbr]

This will be my first winter riding, the coldest if ridin in was like 45 degrees or something. here in south georgia it doesnt always get that cold. but for those guys that live in the northern states. do you still ride when the ground is coverd in snow?

 

[Nick Name]

No. Not only do your tires lose considerable grip. There is also salt on the roads, and the bike itself (plastic and metal) become more brittle.

I will ride until the first snowfall, and then judge it from there. Some days the temp will rise considerably and there will be no snow, then I'll consider going out if the roads look clear of grit.

As for riding in actual snow/ice? Good luck unless you're properly equipped for it. You might as well try to ride on a puddle of oil.

 

[acalliste]

There are a few members here who have posted pics of their bikes out on snowy roads. Too scary for me, but then again I live in the south for a reason. 45F is about my limit. And not for long. It was 48F when I left one morning (at 8am) to go to Daytona for Biketoberfest the week before last. At 85mph on the highway, that's chilly enough for me.

Though, there was one track day we did where it was 27F when we came out of the tent that morning. There was ice on my bike, and this was in FL. North FL, granted, but still. That's pretty darn cold.

 

[bender_cbr]

yea i missed biketober fest this year, but my buddies left at 5 am, and they froze their asses off. i think it was like some 30 degrees when they left.

 

[bender_cbr]

I've heard of guys who live up north selling their bikes when the winter comes, then buying a new one in the spring time?

 

[acalliste]

Interesting... I don't think I could do that. I get pretty attached to my bikes.

 

[Tripped1]

I don't usually bring my bikes down for the winter. We get enough days over 40 that I'll leave at least one in running order. Yes, that is snow beind the bikes.

 

[inpayne]

As long as there is no ice. But when it starts snowing it gets put away.

Once it thaws then its ok. There was lots of snow still on the ground when I started riding again last year.

 

[alpineski26]

As mentioned earlier, it isnt the cold thats the issue (heated/insulated gear) but the snow/ice, salt/sand and other road gunk that accumulates. Throw in drivers that dont expect a motorcycle in cold weather...recipe for disaster. I keep the bike inside from first snowfall to when the street sweepers are out.

And yes, I have heard of the sell in winter, buy in spring. Its usually done by those who live in apartment complexes with nowhere to store the bike in the winter but in a storage unit for a few months. When you factor in money saved on insurance, storage unit and such, it really isnt a huge loss to constantly change bikes.

 

[Rhetorik]

I put my bike away November long weekend. By then the mercury's consistently under 0 (that's 32*F) and it starts snowing around then.

 

[User Name]

I have in previous years, but probably won't be dong much this winter now that I have a baby to care for during the day (daddy daycare). I tested out my newly installed heated grips on a day when the temp was, I believe, 8 degrees. They didn't do shit! But anything 30 and above, they definitely helped. If you bundle up, you (or at least I) can ride without too much discomfort down to 20 degrees or so, much below that and it's just not enjoyable.

Yes, that is snow beind the bikes.

That's not snow... THIS is snow: :twofinger

 

[Scissors]

Giving up on riding simply because of winter is something a crybaby/pansy/post-reporter would do.

This winter I'm hoping to beat my record of 12 degrees. The only time I won't ride is if there's significant ice or snow on the roads themselves.

Soft compound tires are best for winter riding and their grip is no worse than hard-compound tires are during the summer. You just have to be smart about your riding and stay vigilant.

 

[Fourstring]

When I had the Concours, I could run it 52 weeks a year in Chicago. Heated gear kept me warm, and I found I could run in the wheel tracks of the car in front of me to keep things grippy. Road crews here are pretty fastidious about keeping the interstates clear, so I never had a problem. It also helped that the Conc's forks are raked out enough that the bike never got too twitchy.

When I got the ZX, that pretty much stopped. The upright forks of a sportbike don't lend themselves to low-grip stability, not to mention less wind protection.

I'll still ride regardless of the temp, but I'll drive on the days when snow is in the forecast.

 

[binx_19]

Giving up on riding simply because of winter is something a crybaby/pansy/post-reporter would do.

This winter I'm hoping to beat my record of 12 degrees. The only time I won't ride is if there's significant ice or snow on the roads themselves.

Soft compound tires are best for winter riding and their grip is no worse than hard-compound tires are during the summer. You just have to be smart about your riding and stay vigilant.

wanna have a contest this year? see who can match miles for degrees?














































it will hit -32 here, i win.

 

[Scratch33]

Coldest I've ridden so far has been 17 degrees. Treated winter roads can just plain tear up bikes unless they're washed well after each ride (often problematic if it's freezing out) - that's something to take into account.

 

[BeeGee]

fawk that - cold IS an issue. I normally will ride if it is above 40 degrees But sald and sand can be deadly. if it snows but then warms up I will not ride unless there have been a couple days of rain to wash the sand and salt away.

And I stay off of the backroads too

 

[Scissors]

Below 40 degrees and it's time for heated gloves. Below freezing and it's time for a balaclava. Other than those two items, I simply put on more layers during winter.

 

[woodrow]

If the weather is above 45 I will ride in the winter time as long as it hasn't snowed in weeks/or snow on the ground and the roads are cleared of salt. Thankfully it snows once a year if that up here

 

[MoxieATS1]

Yep. Next month the spot in my garage where my bike sits will be occupied by my snowmobile. :dblthumb

 

[arcticamt6]

My record was 20 degrees on my second day riding ever last January :twofinger

I plan on buying insulated gloves and a balaclava in the very near future. Well, after I sell my 250 that is. That should extend my riding season into December and maybe January again. All depends on if the roads are dry and clear. If they are then I don't mind riding. Thats what layers are for.

You can also wear 1 or 2 pairs of latex gloves on underneath your motorcycle gloves. Actually works decent. Not as good as insulated gloves or heated gloves will, but extends the range slightly. Every little bit helps.