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Snow tires on a Spyder? Why not?
Hi folks,
Posted a similar question on facebook but thought I might get more constructive replies here.
People have asked if Spyders can be ridden in the snow and the general response seems that the tires don't have enough traction. But since our tires are basically automotive sizes, what's wrong with putting snow tires on a Spyder? Studdless or studded?
I live in Seattle so we don't see much snow but I would love to take the Spyder east of the mountains. I do ride year round BTW.
I did consider the possibility of snow gumming up the belt but I think as long as much snow isn't getting kicked up from the ground, it should be manageable... ??
2015 Spyder F3-S SM6
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Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie
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I seem to recall that SethO gave studded tires a try...
I don't remember how it worked for him; you might want to PM him, to find out.
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Any salt use in the area ? Very nasty stuff, I always come off the road before that appears. Good luck.
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So do I.
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Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie
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Very Active Member
You can....
Mostly it is a maintenace thing being so low to the ground. salt, chemicals and sand do make for many problems if not cleaned off right after a ryde. Pure snow would be fine but one still wonders how well things under there hold up if packed with snow....
Gene and Ilana De Laney
Mt. Helix, California
2012 RS sm5
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
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Studded tires are illegal in MI, and they were also banned in NY when I still lived there (Bob, have they repealed that?). It seems utterly insane to render us helpless, but their excuse is that studs cause excessive wear and tear on the pavement.
2015 Sypder RT-S SE6
2016 Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV
2003 F250 SuperDuty
American Saddlebred Horses
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As far as I know: they're legal in New York... from Mid-October through Mid-April.
But since I haven't used them in years: my information may be out of date.
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SethO used a studded tire in MN. He said he could drive through 6 inches of the white stuff. Also said they are illegal, but he is disabled vet. They didn't give him any trouble. That's what he told me.
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Very Active Member
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I've ridden with the stock tires over patches of snow / slush - keep the inputs smooth and the Spyder gets through it fine as long as it's not too slick or deep. Snow tires would greatly enhance traction. Mostly the folks who don't ride in the snow don't want the added cleaning/maintenance afterwards or like me, don't have a second set of wheels (or the lift/tools) to swap in and out each season.
When life throws you curves, aim for the apex
Current stable: 09 Thruxton / 09 FZ6
Sold List: 97 Ninja500R, 03 SV650K3, 01 Ducati 750Sport Dark, 73 CB350/4, 03 F650GSA, 08 Gixxer600, 03 Gixxer600, 91 VFR750F, 09 KLX250, 06 Thruxton 900, 08 Spyder RS , 12 Street TripleR, 15 RC390, 02 VFR800, 09 KLX250S, 10 F650GS
JLohPhotos
... Motorcycles are kind of like Baskin Robbins... You're looking at 31 flavors of ice cream, don't you kind of want to know what they all taste like?...
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Very Active Member
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Snow travel with a Spyder
I was on a site the other day and noticed snow chains for bikes. Anyone use them?
Good Luck
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman
As far as I know: they're legal in New York... from Mid-October through Mid-April.
But since I haven't used them in years: my information may be out of date.
Yup, you're right. According to legalbeagle.com:
Technically speaking, it is unlawful to operate a vehicle outfitted with tires that have metal devices extending from the tire tread in New York. It is, however, legal to operate vehicles equipped with studded tires that meet certain tread specifications, but you can only drive them between October 15 and May 1.
The law against studded tires does not apply to tires outfitted with metal studs that have a diameter less than three-eighths of an inch and a length less than three thirty-seconds of an inch. Furthermore, your studded tires cannot have a contact area more than three-fourths of one percent of the total surface area of the tire. You can determine the surface area of your tire by taking the circumference of the edge of the tread and multiplying it by the width of the tread.
2015 Sypder RT-S SE6
2016 Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV
2003 F250 SuperDuty
American Saddlebred Horses
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I think that they did that in order to keep folks from filling their tires with sheet metal screws, and then scattering them all over the highways. (Causing all kinds of tire punctures! )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVGOtumdDLY
Last edited by Bob Denman; 01-12-2017 at 03:27 PM.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Aracknoid
I was on a site the other day and noticed snow chains for bikes. Anyone use them?
Good Luck
A broken or loose tire chain would wreak havoc on belts and plastic components. I would not use chains under any circumstances. Also, chains are usually made for slow speed operation. 30 or so is pushing the limit.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)
MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles
IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman
I think that they did that in order to keep folks from filling their tires with sheet metal screws, and then scattering them all over the highways. (Causing all kinds of tire punctures! )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVGOtumdDLY
Holy Moly! The stuff people come up with!
Oh, and FWIW about MI, it's actually not illegal, per se, to use studded tires, it's just that the mfrs must prove that their product will do zero damage to paved roads, and zero mfrs have presented acceptable stats. I don't know if they're incapable of producing a harmless stud, or if they just don't care to try. But it sure is a PITA, 'cuz I really relied on my studded tires in the hills and mountains of upstate NY, and I wish I could use them here. They do make a difference.
2015 Sypder RT-S SE6
2016 Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV
2003 F250 SuperDuty
American Saddlebred Horses
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Saluda
Any salt use in the area ? Very nasty stuff, I always come off the road before that appears. Good luck.
I so the same here! Due to insurance purposes. Deanna
Current Spyder - 2023 F3 LTD Special Mineral Blue
Red LED NANO Saddlebag Marker Lights with Full Illumination
Sequential Fender LED'S (Amber/Red) with Safety Reflector
Dual Power Plate (12 V & USB ports)
Gremlin Bell
Rear Trunk Organizer (4 holders, 2 Elastic Holders)
Lamonster "Top Cuff" with adjustable drink Holder
SpyderPops Missing Guard Belt
Console Accent Trim (Carbon Fiber Domed Black)
Ultimate F3 Floorboards
Front Fairing Service Access Door Covers (Carbon Fiber Doomed Black)
Sway Bar with Links
Rolo Laser Alignment
Half Cover
A-Arm Daytime Dual Color LED Running Lights with Blinker Module
Hi-Viz DRL and Sequential Mirrors lights
Marinco 12Volt Power Receptacle with polarized leads & slide lock
Show chrome Trunk Shock
Former Spyder - 2014 RTS SE6 Cognac SOLD
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Very Active Member
Current Spyder - 2023 F3 LTD Special Mineral Blue
Red LED NANO Saddlebag Marker Lights with Full Illumination
Sequential Fender LED'S (Amber/Red) with Safety Reflector
Dual Power Plate (12 V & USB ports)
Gremlin Bell
Rear Trunk Organizer (4 holders, 2 Elastic Holders)
Lamonster "Top Cuff" with adjustable drink Holder
SpyderPops Missing Guard Belt
Console Accent Trim (Carbon Fiber Domed Black)
Ultimate F3 Floorboards
Front Fairing Service Access Door Covers (Carbon Fiber Doomed Black)
Sway Bar with Links
Rolo Laser Alignment
Half Cover
A-Arm Daytime Dual Color LED Running Lights with Blinker Module
Hi-Viz DRL and Sequential Mirrors lights
Marinco 12Volt Power Receptacle with polarized leads & slide lock
Show chrome Trunk Shock
Former Spyder - 2014 RTS SE6 Cognac SOLD
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by griffontamer
Hi folks,
Posted a similar question on facebook but thought I might get more constructive replies here.
People have asked if Spyders can be ridden in the snow and the general response seems that the tires don't have enough traction. But since our tires are basically automotive sizes, what's wrong with putting snow tires on a Spyder? Studdless or studded?
I live in Seattle so we don't see much snow but I would love to take the Spyder east of the mountains. I do ride year round BTW.
I did consider the possibility of snow gumming up the belt but I think as long as much snow isn't getting kicked up from the ground, it should be manageable... ??
IMO, you would want to change all three to winter tires, not just all season. But traction will still be an issue I think because there is so much less weight on the tires, both for drive and steering.
2014 Copper RTS
Tri-Axis bars, CB, BajaRon sway bar & shock adjusters, SpyderPop's Bumpskid, NBV peg brackets, LED headlights and modulator, Wolo trumpet air horns, trailer hitch, custom trailer harness, high mount turn signals, Custom Dynamics brake light, LED turn signal lights on mirrors, LED strip light for a dash light, garage door opener, LED lights in frunk, trunk, and saddlebags, RAM mounts and cradles for tablet (for GPS) and phone (for music), and Smooth Spyder belt tensioner.
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The more I read this thread the more I think I should ditch the "summer tread" tires. My Spyder is actually our all weather two up ride. When it's nice out we usually ride two wheelers, saving the Spyder for touring in all sorts of weather and in winter when roads are sketchy. In that vein I should probably look at all season tires. We'll take Spydie out when there's frost on the road - or run it through patches of snow in early spring or winter. Pure winter tires are too soft to last, but a set of aggressive tread all seasons.. hmmm...maybe.
When life throws you curves, aim for the apex
Current stable: 09 Thruxton / 09 FZ6
Sold List: 97 Ninja500R, 03 SV650K3, 01 Ducati 750Sport Dark, 73 CB350/4, 03 F650GSA, 08 Gixxer600, 03 Gixxer600, 91 VFR750F, 09 KLX250, 06 Thruxton 900, 08 Spyder RS , 12 Street TripleR, 15 RC390, 02 VFR800, 09 KLX250S, 10 F650GS
JLohPhotos
... Motorcycles are kind of like Baskin Robbins... You're looking at 31 flavors of ice cream, don't you kind of want to know what they all taste like?...
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Very Active Member
The two front tires act as two nice little snow plows. Snow tread or not, that extra resistance will cause the rear tire to break loose.
I am a pretty gung ho ryder. I have tried riding in snow and ice. It's your money, it's your spyder, do what you want and be safe out there. Mine stays parked from first to last black ice.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)
MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles
IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
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