MLavore
09-24-2012, 07:02 PM
So winter is just around the corner, and where I am (Norfolk, Virginia) is starting to see the weather dip into the 50s now. I am an all year no nonsense rider. Cold, rain, fog, whatever, I ride. The only exception being iced roads as I am ballsy, not suicidal.
I feel that it would be beneficial for everyone if we complied a nice big pile of winter/rough weather tips. I will start and feel free to add!
1. Be extra careful of cage drivers, they are not expecting motorcycles in the winter time
2. With appropriate technique, a motorcycle can be ridden safely at ~80% of the normal speed on most wet roads.
3. Always dress properly, if you are shivering cold or soaking wet you will not be able to focus as well as you should.
4. It may benefit you to keep a set of waterproof gear, such as the nelson-rigg set, in a pouch in your trunk. This has saved me many times and I
don't need to worry about which jacket to wear based on weather, if it rains. I just toss it over my jacket and pants.
5. When the rain begins to fall, if you can get off the road. All of the oil and slippery fluids will leach out of the pavement and make the center section of the road, and whichever direction the water rolls very slippery until a sufficient amount of water has washed over it.
6. If you do not have a pinlock or similar fog resistant visor insert, I highly suggest getting some type of fog treatment so you don't have to open your visor to clear fog and get cold air or rain in your face. Personally, I use a pinlock but have had good luck with FogTech in the past.
7. Be very mindful of speeds and throttle input when approaching puddles or areas of standing water, hydroplaning is not as fun as it looks.
8. Be extra careful in areas where winds are over 60mph or concentrated, I have seen gusts across bridges push cars halfway into another lane on an otherwise calm day.
9. Don't trust anyone regardless of the weather, yes the guy in the car may have looked at you, but that doesn't mean he's processed your presence. I have had a few "come to jesus" moments, the vast majority being with people merging or swerving from behind stopping vehicles because they're impatient aholes.
10. Don't feel like a wimp if you need to stop because the weather is too harsh, there are many people who do this and it is always smarter to minimize the risk, i'd rather sit on the side of the road than get rear-ended because someone can't see 20 ft in front of their car.
I feel that it would be beneficial for everyone if we complied a nice big pile of winter/rough weather tips. I will start and feel free to add!
1. Be extra careful of cage drivers, they are not expecting motorcycles in the winter time
2. With appropriate technique, a motorcycle can be ridden safely at ~80% of the normal speed on most wet roads.
3. Always dress properly, if you are shivering cold or soaking wet you will not be able to focus as well as you should.
4. It may benefit you to keep a set of waterproof gear, such as the nelson-rigg set, in a pouch in your trunk. This has saved me many times and I
don't need to worry about which jacket to wear based on weather, if it rains. I just toss it over my jacket and pants.
5. When the rain begins to fall, if you can get off the road. All of the oil and slippery fluids will leach out of the pavement and make the center section of the road, and whichever direction the water rolls very slippery until a sufficient amount of water has washed over it.
6. If you do not have a pinlock or similar fog resistant visor insert, I highly suggest getting some type of fog treatment so you don't have to open your visor to clear fog and get cold air or rain in your face. Personally, I use a pinlock but have had good luck with FogTech in the past.
7. Be very mindful of speeds and throttle input when approaching puddles or areas of standing water, hydroplaning is not as fun as it looks.
8. Be extra careful in areas where winds are over 60mph or concentrated, I have seen gusts across bridges push cars halfway into another lane on an otherwise calm day.
9. Don't trust anyone regardless of the weather, yes the guy in the car may have looked at you, but that doesn't mean he's processed your presence. I have had a few "come to jesus" moments, the vast majority being with people merging or swerving from behind stopping vehicles because they're impatient aholes.
10. Don't feel like a wimp if you need to stop because the weather is too harsh, there are many people who do this and it is always smarter to minimize the risk, i'd rather sit on the side of the road than get rear-ended because someone can't see 20 ft in front of their car.