Ice, Snow and LOW Temps!

[solidgranite]

We've experienced a bit of "severe winter" here in NC, and my 2012 RT SE5 has to remain outdoors. Thankfully, I have an old car cover that's permeable and fits over the entire bike. We've had an ice and snow storm, along with a week of ultra-low temps (in the teens). I've had my Battery Tender Jr. plugged in throughout, and when I check it, the light is solid green, which means the battery is still "alive and well". I'm hoping to take the cover off and check out the bike this weekend. I'll wipe her down with a chamois, check everything visually, then start her up. If all goes well, I'll take her for a 5-10 mile ride. I'm hoping and praying that the ice, snow and low temps didn't do any damage...

 

[DGoebel]

Other than road conditions affecting your ride, the cold shouldn't have any negative effect. They (Spyders) are after all, made by the same company that makes Ski-doo snowmobiles, <G> shoot up here in MN you see bare snowmobiles sitting out in yards and all covered in snow and ice between rides... I envy you considering a ride this week, we've still got snow/ice, and cruddy salt covered roads everywhere.....

 

[lewisalice]

Do not even worry

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: The bike can take anything that Old Man Winter throws at it! :thumbup:
One word of caution:
If you DO take your bike out for a ride: make sure that you get it up to full operating temperatures, before shutting it back down. nojoke

Okay... that was more than one word!

 

[quasi]

We've experienced a bit of "severe winter" here in NC, and my 2012 RT SE5 has to remain outdoors. Thankfully, I have an old car cover that's permeable and fits over the entire bike. We've had an ice and snow storm, along with a week of ultra-low temps (in the teens). I've had my Battery Tender Jr. plugged in throughout, and when I check it, the light is solid green, which means the battery is still "alive and well". I'm hoping to take the cover off and check out the bike this weekend. I'll wipe her down with a chamois, check everything visually, then start her up. If all goes well, I'll take her for a 5-10 mile ride. I'm hoping and praying that the ice, snow and low temps didn't do any damage...

only thing the cold will hurt on your bike is if the antifreeze has been flushed and replaced with just water.

 

[Deanna777]

I would not take spyder out for a ride, you will get salt, road brine( if they use it in your area) on the spyder. It is not worth it. Roads might be icy, snowy. To each his/or her own! Deanna

 

[Jetfixer]

:agree: The bike can take anything that Old Man Winter throws at it! :thumbup:
One word of caution:
If you DO take your bike out for a ride: make sure that you get it up to full operating temperatures, before shutting it back down. nojoke

Okay... that was more than one word!

Not just full coolant operating temperature, but get the oil up to temperature which takes more time.

 

[solidgranite]

Not Cold Right Now

Other than road conditions affecting your ride, the cold shouldn't have any negative effect. They (Spyders) are after all, made by the same company that makes Ski-doo snowmobiles, <G> shoot up here in MN you see bare snowmobiles sitting out in yards and all covered in snow and ice between rides... I envy you considering a ride this week, we've still got snow/ice, and cruddy salt covered roads everywhere.....

The Spyder ran just fine. I only went about 10 miles, but it was great to ride even this short distance. I keep the Spyder covered mainly so that falling tree branches, pine cones, etc. don't smack it directly, but will bounce off the cover.

 

[solidgranite]

Did That

:agree: The bike can take anything that Old Man Winter throws at it! :thumbup:
One word of caution:
If you DO take your bike out for a ride: make sure that you get it up to full operating temperatures, before shutting it back down. nojoke

Okay... that was more than one word!

I started it and let it idle for 2-3 minutes before taking off. Everything sounded fine, and it rode like a dream!

 

[solidgranite]

No Salt Out Here

I would not take spyder out for a ride, you will get salt, road brine( if they use it in your area) on the spyder. It is not worth it. Roads might be icy, snowy. To each his/or her own! Deanna

I'm outside the city limits, in "the county", and they don't use salt or brine (mainly because of the expense!) on the roads out here. Two days of 50-60 degrees melted everything, so no danger of ice remaining. I will have to wash off a significant amount of mud, though. My yard is waterlogged, and even walking on it leaves deep footprints. Can't wait for Spring!

 

[solidgranite]

Full Antifreeze

only thing the cold will hurt on your bike is if the antifreeze has been flushed and replaced with just water.

Got her all filled up with 50/50 antifreeze back in October, so should have no problems on that end.

 

[2loves]

Irode home from work yesterday morning at 27 degrees. Spyder ran perfectly as long as roads are dry. experienced a bit of riding on some snow last weekend. does slip around fairly easy on snow but sure is fun to ride any time.