Spyder in the Snow???

[Saluda]

To me once you get salt into your machine you can never clean it out. It starts acting on pretty much everything it comes in contact with (metals).
Seeing articles about snow bikes lately, apparently becoming popular. Not for me though.

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

Hey Dean, that was quite the interview/commentary. Keep up the good work. Unfortunately for some of us the cold is not a factor, but the foot of snow on the roads is more than enough to shut it down for another year. I like Bob's cartoon/sentiment about the bike being in the garage SO TRUE........

 

[SL Ken]

Here it is....

Thanks. I just can't figure out how to put a link there. That is my Spyder that he's riding. (Now).

 

[sandeejs]

Hello, Neighbor!

I love riding so much that i want to know if there is a way to ride in the colder winter in Michigan.

Can't add any thing to the previous comments about riding in snow and on ice. I'll ride if it's above 40 F, and the roads are clear. No garage, so I feel like the infrequent ride mid-winter is my reward for putting up with "white fungus".

I'm right "next door" to you, in Ann Arbor. Practically neighbors!
~Sandee~

 

[noboot]

I'm glad to live in Australia where the winters are mild compared to The Northern part of the world and we ride our Spyders all year round.
We have to ride all year in order to get value for money a 2015 RTS Special Series runs at about $42,000 AUD.

 

[Deanna777]

To me once you get salt into your machine you can never clean it out. It starts acting on pretty much everything it comes in contact with (metals).
Seeing articles about snow bikes lately, apparently becoming popular. Not for me though.

:agree: and I 2nd that Deanna

 

[robmorg]

Yes, But How About Riding in the Winter WITHOUT Snow?

The OP didn't asked about riding in the snow... He asked about riding in the winter. There are LOTS of snow free winter days in most states. If you don't mind the cold and dress appropriately, I don't really see a problem with winter riding when there's no snow or ice on the roads. As for any salt and grime, Spyders don't seem to mind water... why not just rinse it off, including the undercarriage, and then dry it when you finish riding and after the bike cools down? :dontknow:

 

[robmorg]

As my only vehicle, i used to kit out my spyder with heated grips, larger windshield, wind defectors, layer up for the cold and watch the forecast, approaching clouds and forecast like a hawk.

Thought I'd share this interview I did with BRP back in 2011:

February 25th, 2011
RIDER PROFILE: GREETINGS FROM NEWFOUNDLAND

Dean,

Great interview. Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:

 

[Rogue Hawk]

Another option is to just pick up a cheap, crappy bike for winter use.

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: You can call me "spoiled" if you like...
But I don't want a, "Cheap, crappy" ride... :shocked:

 

[easysuper]

Spyders in the Snow

We just came off a great 1,400 mile ride up the West side of the Sierras and Eastern Oregon, through the Sequoias then Yosemite Park acros the pass at 7,000 feet then to Bend Oregon, we only had to lay over one day for the roads to clear in Lakeview, as the Spyders DO NOT like snow
on the roads .

 

[PistonBlown]

• Snow/Ice - Yeah Nah. The back wheel spins and slides all over the place. Try pulling away up hill and it spins, goes sidewise and then nanny kicks in cuts the power so you don't go anywhere. The other issue is your rear wheel is where all the other vehicles are pushing the slushy snow to.
• Very cold roads - Standard rear tire tends to loose traction pulling out at junctions etc. I solved that by replacing with a different make.
• Rain - No issues, lovely and stable. Riding a bike in rain is normally a bit of a chore but with the Spyder it's almost more fun than when its dry.
• Protection from elements - even my RS with it's standard screen is pretty good. Obviously hands get cold on the RS but I solved that with gloves I'd got when going to Antarctica and some of the famous 'Rain-Off' gloves. Stuffing a newspaper down the front of your jacket works wonders if normal gear isn't enough.
• They don't salt the roads here, instead the sprinkle them with very fine stone chips which tends to form into small dunes on the corners. Can be very dangerous on a bike but of course Nanny keeps you on track with the Spyder.

This is my preferred transport in snow