Here in western Canada we're having a long fall season this year, making for some bonus riding before the big deep freeze. Where I live we usually have a foot of snow on the ground and minus 20 degree C temps by now.
It always seems that I ride until the last minute and end up winterizing a bike with cold wrenches and numb fingers (no heated shop). I rode in the snow years ago but I don't make a habit of it.
So I'm wondering... When do you finally say enough is enough and put the bike away for the winter?
I guess all you TRat members who live in warm climes, (or who's summer is just starting!) can gloat a bit now and make the rest of us feel bad.
For me, anything above 5 degrees C (40 degrees F) I consider pretty good for riding as long as the sun's shining and the road is snow free.
I for one am a bit the same Paul, there comes a point when it is so hot, it's uncomfortable. I guess the same can be said for the cold. When it gets uncomfortable, put the bike away. RR
Dont usually get a lot of snow here.
I used to ride all the year round.
Black ice and banks of fog aint funny at night.
Wouldn`t even contemplate riding in snow...used to on a bicycle, that was bad enough,-grazed knees and elbows
I will ride all year round, only stopping if there is snow settled on the road. Can be irritating when main roads are clear, but I cant get along the local roads to get on the main road.
Once had to ride through falling snow when cold drizzle in London turned to snow once I was on the motorway and there was nowhere to get off the motorway. An 'interesting' ride.
Curious that we have had a warm October this year, last October there was a snowstorm that brought southern England to a halt.
I hesitate a little if the thermometer is 25 (F) or below, in the morning, before the sun comes up. Usually, the temps get above freezing during the day, but what I am worried about is the water that freezes overnight.
Recent snow storm and I will wait a week or so. Prediction of snow for that day and I'll usually take the truck instead.
I normally ride all year round. We get little snow here so It's possible. Winters are generally quite dry but cold, (it drops to about -8-10°C at night), but as its dry and the suns shining it still feels good to get the bike out. It's a big difference from Belgium or the UK/Ireland where it doe's not get too cold but the damp and drizzle is a killer!
The coldest i'll ride in, as long as it hasn't snowed, is 15F. Pretty cold, but the ol' girl starts first kick every time. NO CHOKE!! just tickler. May not stay running after the first kick, but it always fires. It's bad when you get frost on your helmet visor
We have relatively moderate temps here in Seattle, so I ride almost year round. I stay away from ice, snow and freezing rain; but I'll ride as cold as 35F in the AM. Thinking of investing in some heated gloves to make that a bit easier on the fingertips!
Humm, well with my "hippo hands" and a good windscreen about 16 degress F. is about as cold as I and the bike can stand. The fork
oil starts to get to stiff at that temp, and the clutch cable freezes
up. But proper gear can extent the riding most of the winter.
When my faceshield freezes over and I can't see, it's time to drive the truck. They sand the roads when it snows and the twisties get scary. I do prefer the old Dunlops in snow. Modern tires smear all the turns as soon as there's a dusting of snow. I used to drive sheet metal screws thru from the insides of the tires and run the tubes full of slime and get sideways on the lake, but I wised up.
im lucky,,, i can ride all year round here in sydney australia.....but it gets verry hot sometimes and when it rains it rains hardweather for monday is going to be over 40c thats to hot for the triumph, the old girl will not idle and lacks power in the hot hot days ..i like to get up eary in the morning and go for a bit of a ride befor work on hot days ,and then drive the ute to work,, albert the tiprat
The Texas Gulf Coast weather is rideable year round but I ride for pleasure. In my youth I spent many cold, wet, miserable mornings throwing newspapers. The bike was my transportation and I had to ride it to get the job done or to go any where. I'm much older now and don't function well when I get cold so if it is cold enough to need insulated pants (coat and gloves are OK), I drive one of my cages. If it is might rain, the bikes stay in the garage. Call me a sissy. I don't care.
Went for a little 10 mile ride yesterday and when I got home I checked the thermometer. 0 degrees C (see pic). Not "pry yer fingers off the twistgrip" cold, but getting there if I'd gone any real distance.
The forecast is for 14 below tonight and snow tomorrow so I guess that's it, time to winterize
It has been a banner year though - got the old pre unit on the road, got to a couple of rallys and had a bonus month of good fall riding to boot. I've learned a lot with this project, and still have a long way to go. And I've also learned that vintage motorcycle people are some of the friendliest and most helpful folks around, and that includes the people on this forum.
So Cheers, and if you live in a warm place try not to take it for granted, get out there and ride!
Ride while you can. Living also on the northern teir I usually go until snow or frosty roads, (they scare the "H" out of me.) Make sure you take extra time to warm up the machine before taking off, of course dress warm, I have a set of storm cloth long underwear, blocks the wind, but breathes. Limit the length of your routes, day light is short and once the sun starts heading to the horizion it cools off quickly. Late fall riding is somewhat challenging, but enjoyable. Enjoy, snow and ice are just around the corner.
I used to ride till there was snow on the ground. Not so much anymore everyso often though i will ride in the cold to show a friend what 70mph and 30ish F degrees feels like. Now I wont ride if its colder than 45 degrees F. Or i can see my breath in the morning.
Good point Otis about frosty roads. Gotta watch out for the bridges especially.
So does anyone have any experience with the new fangled cold weather riding gear? - not talking about the standard long johns and down vest under the leather - I mean the electric vests, gloves, etc. Seems a little strange to me but I've never tried any of that stuff, maybe it's great...
I have the Gerbing's heated jacket liner, pant liner and leather gloves hooked up to 2 temp controllers. I never really put the bike away for winter since there are always rideable days here and there and with the heated gear, there's more. I do toss some stabilizer in the tank when I do the mowers and lawn equipment, but she's always ready for a spin. BTW I never ride on ice or snow or frosty bridge decks. Too easy to bust your a$$. You gotta have the alternator capacity to run it, but it's like a warm summer day all winter.
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