Car vs Bike...in the snow!

[rac3r]

With all these snow topics going on I was wondering what is actually better and easier to control in the snow?

With my very limited experience of either I think that at slower speeds the bike is easier but at higher speeds the car is easier to save if you loose control
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[Skudd]

Both have pro's and con's, but if we are honest the car is the better all round tool for poor weather, I still like the bike in any weather though.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
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[Whosthedaddy]

Controlling and handling of a bike in the snow compared to a car? Do you even need to ask?
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[G]

My KTM is easier to 'control' than the BMW I'd say - but has trail tyres on, vs fairly wide 'sports' tyres on the car.
The KTM starts to feel a bit concerning at speed, but it seemed to feel a bit better in more marginal situations - where the car would have absolutely no control without the very finest of touches, you had a better range of control on the bike.

However, still some cars going faster than me when I was out last night.

Reading's been a lot more sensible this time around, but before Christmas when people weren't being, a bike was about the only sensible way to get from A to B thanks to the roads being solid.

[Darth]

There are brave and hardy folk like G who will always argue that the bike is better but for me there is really no contest- car everytime.

Main reason is that a lock up on the brakes (front in particular) of a bike causes instability, most likely resulting a fall or at least a close call. Lock up on a car and at least the thing is in no danger of falling over is it? Sure, it might cause more damage as a result of the slide but at low speeds certainly, you are far less likely to be injured in the process.

I have been glad of our freelander this past few weeks even if not being on the bike to try out my new can and lid (xmas presents!) has been driving me nuts!
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Harold_Shand wrote: I suppose it's like anything, you get your fingers burned when you start out, you learn from it and eventually become a complete arsehole about the whole thing.

[locked]

Well comparing my CBF 125 and my Pug 207, I couldn't get any grip in the snow on my CBF, must be the shitty stock rubber.

For me the 207 is better in the snow, 4 wheels to use combined with ABS = control and stability
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[Kickstart]

[Ariel Badger]

Nominated for "No brainer question of the year" it is very hard to lay a car on its side, bikes are easy.
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[rac3r]

[G]

[Skudd]

[smegballs]

Overall I'd say that I have to give it to the cages on this one.

One thing I'd bare in mind is that a car at 20 has a fair chunk of momentum, more so than a bike. With a bike I can always "bail out" in the worst case scenario, a feat which is much more difficult in a car.

I don't drive but I imagine the low weight and nature of the bike gives more versatility for obstacle crossing, for instance being able to walk the bike over ice, push it along etc etc. It seems that in a car, if it won't get up a hill it won't get up and theres not much you can do about it.

I know of a whole cul-de-sac in bodmin who can't escape as none of their cars can climb the icy hill to get out to gritted roads!

[Kickstart]

[Bru]

[cyberglass]

The thing you need to think about is while you may know how to drive in the snow others dont.
Picture this a 4x4 or transit van sliding down the road into the side of you which do you want to be in a car a bit of damage but survivable or a bike.... helmets cant take the weight of the engine block at 15mph pushed against a curb they squish

So my votes on car its safer having a cage around you when playing in the snow with the masses.
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[Kickstart]

[locked]

[Syx]

That was brilliant - although I've no idea why they bailed out...

[Kickstart]

Hi

That's what I would think, possibly unless there is a particularly nasty thing you were going to hit (ie, going into a canal, or heading towards a closed set of railway crossing barriers). And would doubt that is the case in a small housing estate.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Skudd]

[27cows]

Bike is better. Car is much heavier, which makes it difficult to control on sheet ice - and the size of a car means you're a lot more likely to cause damage to other vehicles/pedestrians/the like if you slide away. You can get off and push a bike if need be - but you can't push a car.

Car has warmth on its side. Bike has agility.

End of the day, people who ride year round through all weathers like to sit back at the height of summer mocking the fair weather bikers for their lily livered, limp wristed, nancy boy lack of balls

[Kickstart]

Not really, speeds the effect is noticeable is very low (you can feel it at walking pace).

True about greater loss of steering. But I suspect most would prefer to lose that (which they can gain back if required) and have a minor issue getting rid of a couple of inches of built up snow from in front of the wheels if it means they can stop in time.

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Skudd]

[Skudd]

[Kickstart]

You miss the point entirely. As usual.
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing