Anybody riding the winter out?

[binge]

Who will be riding through this winter.
I've changed jobs, and now live around 10 miles from work via the motorway route. But by going directly through town I can get it down to 7 or 8 miles, and 10 to 15 minutes on a clear run in the car, or when im on the bike (filtering).

Now come winter, I think im going to be screwed with the car.
My front bumper has about 3" grounder clearance on the R5, not to mention the extreme wheel camber and rear end practically on the bump stops.

So the bike is my better option for when it snows I think.



Most of you know, its an 04 YZF450 with shortened forks, lowered rear end, and Smoto wheels/tyres.
The tyres currently fitted are 160/60-17 and 120/60-17 Maxxis Supermaxx Sports. They have a similar amount of treaded area as the Pirelli dragon supercorsa Pro, They just dont warm up as quickly.

In the snow, I expect them to be completely pointless, however, given my job, I can change the tyres over pretty easily, just not sure what tyres to go for that will be good in the snow, and fit onto 17" wheels.

Swapping to MX wheels isnt an option as everybody wants well over £250 for a pair of YZF wheels.


Just after general advice from people who hack it every winter. The last snow vs bike experience I had was with this:

https://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac227/pitbikeben/Photo1114.jpg

[Handsome]

Raises hand...

Yep, not to bad by the time I set out for work but coming home it's getting icer/iceier/icyer, had a few hairy moments coming to a stop at junctions at the bottom of hills and a main island I have to use is getting worse, went round it sideways on Thursday, by the time I got home and got off the bike the seat had a mohican from where my arse had gripped it...
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[Acemastr]

no chance, a mint CBR600RR in snowy conditions? I'd cry if i dropped it, struggling in the car as i work out in the middle of no where
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[binge]

[Gazz]

Nope, not me.

I turned a bit gay a couple of weeks ago and bought a car for the winter.

I am sorry guys..... I have let you all down.

[G]

There are a few options for knobbly style tyres on 17" wheels - see the R1 at Erzburg. The knobs do help a bit, but you really need a paddle style tyre for the snow (useless on road - my sand tyres which are supposed to do something on snow as they have 'scoop' knobs got knackered with about 10 miles of tarmac riding - expect proper paddles to be worse as well as being bumpier.)

Let pressures down as much as you dare whatever tyres you have.

As you work in a tire shop, I'd be tempted to try making my own studded tyres if you can find some knackered road tyres in the correct size to use - only small studs - I'd try using some kind of fat threaded screw, clipped off so it's quite short, then make sure there's a decent protection for the tube etc.

[bEN_]

[Handsome]

[binge]

Might have to nip to Watlings and get a half decent set of runners/part worns off Alan, then have a shot at making some studded tyres. Sounds like a good idea.

Thing is, it'll only be my road which is snowy, then the roads into my work area.
The main roads wont be so bad, but will certainly be icy.




Ben

[Ingah]

Be prepared to crash/drop it imo. I would look into studded tyres myself, but at the moment i can ring work and tell them i'm not coming in (in fact with my current job they don't want me to if the conditions are bad as i'm riding their bike on the job ), and my university is within walking distance, and i'm paid pittance so it's not worth the cost!

Really want to get a move on with putting my CG125 back on the road for winter as i truly believe lighter (and cheaper) bikes are better in the snow. No choice for me though, if i want to go anywhere it's either CB500, CG125, or walk!

Sort your tyres out imo, as they are by far the most important thing in poor weather.
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-- Ingah

[flumpy7]

[G]

Studded tyres won't really make a difference on fresh snow. But will help on compacted/semi compacted/icy stuff.

Knobbly tyres will help you dig down a bit, but too much fresh snow and it's just churning it up and won't be making that much more progress.

[ms51ves3]

I'll be riding my ER5 with BT45s. I'm guaranteed to be going down It's going to be interesting, but I need to get to work, and that's why I bought a crap bike.

[Itchy]

Suppose you could always try motorbike skis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNYhl4BCh98

I've ridden in snow on the CBR using BT21s, had to kick me foot down to prevent it going down a couple times. Did it about 6 times in total, then the weather cleared up.

Also did it on my NTV with BT45s too, didn't drop it but did end up jumping off a couple times to push it through knee deep snow.

Both times at the time it seemed ok and not a problem, looking back at it I think that was nuts.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[27cows]

Done the previous 25 winters on a bike and will be doing this one too, death/the like permitting
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The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[binge]

Some good advice here.

Just seen these on ebay, Not sure if they'd really be that great?
Being wet tyres, surely they'll warm up really quick? Also a fair amount of tread for grip.

It's only going to be getting out of my street and getting into Sittingbourne center which will be snowy, The rest will be your usual gritted and slushy roads.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/120-70-17-160-60-17-HR-Avon-Azaro-Pro-Xtreme-Rain-SP-/360237622442?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item53dfd5e4aa

Although setting off at 7am-ish, I'll probably be one of the early birds around here, and find myself on fresh snow for the first day.

[Whosthedaddy]

[Acemastr]

[dodger]

Been riding for the last 6-ish years and I intend to this year also.

My bike probably isn't the most practical for winter, but who cares...?
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My Bikes: Piaggio NRG| Aprilia RS 125| Suzuki GSX-R 600|Yamaha Fazer Ducati 848
Europe 2008

[Cheeseybeaner]

[MinhDinh]

I'm gonna bicycle it. I live 1 mile from work LOL

Need to change my road tyres to mountain, and it's all good. Infact I love the snow cracking.
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Hit the G spot.

[G]

Binge: I'd expect the tread will just fill up with snow, leaving you back where you started.
Personally I'd save up for some off-road wheels for that money.

The heating up isn't really an issue to my mind - if they get a chance to heat up, then you've got 'enough' grip and I wouldn't be worrying .

Oh and 90% likely to down - sounds a bit like that "victim biker mentality"!
No reason to crash if you don't want to; though if you've got very short legs, it's probably a bit harder.

[binge]

Cheers G.

I've found myself a pair of MX tyres totting up to around £60 for the pair inc delivery.

One is new, one is used but like new.

My problem is this;


One is 450x17. And the other is 70/100-17


Now the 450x17 converts over to around a 110/80-17, Which is a fair sized tyre for the front, but im not so sure for the rear.

70/70-17 will probably go on the front okay, so it's just a case of getting the 450x17 to mount up correctly on a 5j rear wheels.





Ben

[Mr_Cynical]

I plan to ride though the winter, but in all honesty I'm bricking it a bit as I only passed my Mod 2 at the beginning of October, and I'll be on a 31 year old Honda...
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Bikes: '05 Better BT125-20 => '79 Honda CB750KZ (Now a project bike) => '99 Suzuki Bandit 600 => '01 Triumph Tiger 955i
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