Winter/cold weather riding

[Deanna777]

It's the salt that stops me (Spyder). Get our cold weather riding on our sleds. Enjoy & Happy Holidays !! :riding:

the salt, brine, that they put on the roads. I put my spyder into hibernation (in Oct.) then I go right into the riding the sleds, and back into the spyder riding season, so we( vtrider, & I) we don't get a brake.

Happy Holidays!

Deanna

 

[Bob Denman]

How cold; is cold?

At 50 Degrees: Californians reach for their sweaters
At 40 Degrees: Floridians start looking to move South.
At 30 Degrees: British cars don't start
At 20 Degrees: Arizona real estate starts to seem reasonably priced.
At 10 Degrees: Canadians go swimming!
At 0 Degrees: folks in Michigan play football
At -10 Degrees: Folks in Wisconsin will shovel paths to their lawn furniture, and have a barbecue!
At -20 Degrees: German cars don't start
At -30 Degrees: Alaskans will close the bathroom window
At -40 Degrees: even Venezuela is looking pretty nice!
At -50 Degrees: Swedish cars don't start
At -60 Degrees: The term "Three Dog Night" becomes a reality
At -70 Degrees: Politicians will actually put their hands into their own pockets!

 

[pegasus1300]

Winter/cold weather riding

Hi All Bikers (2 and 3 wheel)

As I sit here on Christmas Morning 2017, North of Boston on the NH border and watch the snow softly fall, I realize that I will not be riding today!!! But soon it will stop, the roads will be plowed, and a couple of days of sun will dry them out. Then I will be “on the road” again. But few bikes or trikes will follow. I often wonder why that is.

The two common answers are “it’s too cold”, and “don’t want to get the bike all messed up”. While I ponder those answers I would like to comment on my cold weather riding and get opinions from others.

I purchased my 2013 St Limited in April 2016. I road for over 16,000 miles last year and about 17,000 this year. Now single, riding “Trixy” is my major recreational activity. I see no reason to stop. If “cold” was the problem there would be no snowmobiles or skiers. Once the roads are cleared of snow, sand and salt it’s safe to ride. Certainly for three-wheelers. I never road my VStar after the first snow.

The coldest day so far that I have ventured out was last week at 28*F with a brisk wind. I was comfortable all day. About 5 hours. The roads were dry and the sun was out. Ice in a parking lot showed that Spider drive wheel traction can be fun.

I have no electric warming clothing. I use LLBean Snow pants with DuoFold long johns, Riding Jacket with liner, Thermal undershirt and wool sweater. Riding boots and wool socks. LLBean Gortex gloves finish the protection. I use an open helmet with a face shield and winter liner.

A couple of the reasons I like to ride in winter are: the smell of wood stoves heating homes along the back roads and being able to see into the woods along the roads. With no vegetation on the trees and brush, the unobstructed view displays brooks, lakes, barns and pastures along with wild life. Most are not visible once the leaves come out.

If a few wet spots on the road make “Trixy” less than pristine, $3.00 and 10 minuets at the local car wash makes her shine. I like to think that CanAm, who makes snowmobiles, uses materials in the Spiders that can withstand winter use.

Your comments will be appreciated.

I have ridden year round here in Utah without heated clothing. I found out that here I have to wash the bike off as soon as I am done or the salt begins to attack the finish. I now do have heated clothing and wonder why I waited so long. I still ride in every month tho not as much in the winter as I used to,and the salt is still terrible, I try to wait a few days after a storm so it gets blown off the road. I still go to the car wash to get rid of the rest.

 

[asp125]

The two wheelers are parked for a while. But when the side roads are finally clear and the main roads are dry, we'll take advantage of the rare days above 50 degrees and go out on the Spyder.

 

[UtahPete]

I have ridden year round here in Utah without heated clothing. I found out that here I have to wash the bike off as soon as I am done or the salt begins to attack the finish. I now do have heated clothing and wonder why I waited so long. I still ride in every month tho not as much in the winter as I used to,and the salt is still terrible, I try to wait a few days after a storm so it gets blown off the road. I still go to the car wash to get rid of the rest.

I'm in awe of you, bro'. Just like the pioneers...tough as nails. nojoke

 

[UtahPete]

How cold; is cold?

At 50 Degrees: Californians reach for their sweaters
At 40 Degrees: Floridians start looking to move South.
At 30 Degrees: British cars don't start
At 20 Degrees: Arizona real estate starts to seem reasonably priced.
At 10 Degrees: Canadians go swimming!
At 0 Degrees: folks in Michigan play football
At -10 Degrees: Folks in Wisconsin will shovel paths to their lawn furniture, and have a barbecue!
At -20 Degrees: German cars don't start
At -30 Degrees: Alaskans will close the bathroom window
At -40 Degrees: even Venezuela is looking pretty nice!
At -50 Degrees: Swedish cars don't start
At -60 Degrees: The term "Three Dog Night" becomes a reality
At -70 Degrees: Politicians will actually put their hands into their own pockets!

You had me at 20 degrees! nojoke

 

[SpyderBears]

Cold weather!!

Here in Massachusetts, we pretty much ryde as long as we can into November (two years ago until December), then park her in the garage to wait patiently (not really) for April. We live on a gravel road that stays muddy long after the paved roads are clear and dry. No way we can take the Spyder thru the mud!!

Last year we rode in 33 degrees once and this year a short test drive at 35 degrees (after picking it up at the dealership after a 3 month repair). We geared up with beanies under our full face helmets, lined jackets over lt wt fleece and turtlenecks, fleece gators, long johns top and bottom, lined overpants, wool socks and riding boots, and leather gloves. Heated hand grips definately helped as well! Basically the cold riding makes us miserably cold, but is doable with those layers on, we just choose not to do it!!
Once the temps drop to the 40's its time to park the Spyder!
We envy the folks who can ryde year round!!

 

[ARtraveler]

How cold; is cold?

At 50 Degrees: Californians reach for their sweaters
At 40 Degrees: Floridians start looking to move South.
At 30 Degrees: British cars don't start
At 20 Degrees: Arizona real estate starts to seem reasonably priced.
At 10 Degrees: Canadians go swimming!
At 0 Degrees: folks in Michigan play football
At -10 Degrees: Folks in Wisconsin will shovel paths to their lawn furniture, and have a barbecue!
At -20 Degrees: German cars don't start
At -30 Degrees: Alaskans will close the bathroom window
At -40 Degrees: even Venezuela is looking pretty nice!
At -50 Degrees: Swedish cars don't start
At -60 Degrees: The term "Three Dog Night" becomes a reality
At -70 Degrees: Politicians will actually put their hands into their own pockets!

Right on with Alaska. :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

:roflblack: When do you stop skinny-dipping in the neighbor's pond? :roflblack:

:shocked: Oh wait... I really don't want to know! :shocked:

 

[den1953]

Ten above zero and icy roads here. Lots of salt and gravel has been spread on them. I've seen quite a few sleds (snowmobiles) out and about but that's about it.