Snow tires on a Spyder? Why not?

[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... ??

[Peter Aawen]

GriffonT, I've run 'all-weather M&S' rated tires (non-studded) on my 2013 RT Ltd AND ridden some significant distance in snow (some of what little we have Down Under) on effectively 'un-cleared roads' without any problems!!

So if you keep to the same sort of tire sizes that are known to work, make sure the more aggressive tread isn't going to catch on anything underneath, & keep your control inputs smooth & gentle to avoid wheelspin or traction loss when attempting sudden direction or speed changes, you should be fine!!

Others besides myself have also managed OK ryding in the snow, there are even vids posted on youtube of this occurring; altho there are also some few who've demonstrated that it is pretty easy to wake the Nanny up & thereby trigger limp mode thru those aforementioned 'control inputs' to avoid (ie, the aggressive stuff!) But I feel sure that if you try to avoid bringing that sort of thing upon yourself by ryding smoothly & slowly with gentle control inputs, & the snow isn't too deep or icy, then you shouldn't have too much trouble.

[Bob Denman]

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.

[Saluda]

Any salt use in the area ? Very nasty stuff, I always come off the road before that appears. Good luck.

[Bob Denman]

So do I.

[Peter Aawen]

Any salt use in the area ?.....

We don't hafta worry about that salt stuff too much in our snow fields here - just about everywhere that we are likely to see snow much at all is either in a National Park or a Conservation Area, and salt is definitely NOT PERMITTED!!

They can use grit on the roads, but not salt - that might hurt the rare roadside weeds or the even rarer pygmy possums, corroboree frogs, etc!

[Chupaca]

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....

[ruralgirl]

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.

[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.

[Machinegunner]

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.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Hey girl how you doing ...... IMHO this is silly, but think about these issues ..... Tire size, a 225/50-15 Snow tire is quite a bit larger than that size in an ALL-SEASON tire so it may not fit ...... I would PM Seth-O and find out EXACTLY what He used /did etc......... The rubber compounds they use today in GENUINE SNOW TIRES are very different than other tires ...... that's why they DON'T GIVE WEAR WARRANTIES on them ...... and I have seen video's of Spyders in the snow .... they aren't going over 20 mph and none have slammed on their BRAKES ...... things to think about ......... please don't try this, I like you ..................... Mike

[asp125]

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.

[ARtraveler]

I spoke in detail about studs and snow tires in the most two recent threads on the subject. I am against their use.

[Aracknoid]

I was on a site the other day and noticed snow chains for bikes. Anyone use them?

Good Luck

[ruralgirl]

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.

[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

[ARtraveler]

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.

[ruralgirl]

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.

[Deanna777]

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

[Deanna777]

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....

Deanna

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

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.

[griffontamer]

You guys have made some good points... I didn't want to elaborate too much but in the back of my mind I have thoughts of building a dedicated "adventure" Spyder that can go out and play where I wouldn't take the shiny new F3S... I actually bought my white RS-S with that in mind but then foolishly sold it later (trying to be responsible, whatever that is!), now I miss it! Anyway, I appreciate the replies and it sounds like it's doable if one uses their brain, which I generally try to do...

And Mike, don't worry, I won't do anything TOO crazy

[asp125]

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.

[ARtraveler]

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.