At what temperature do I use the car without being a pussy?

[Srengam]

Or am I a pussy if I use the car at all?

It's my first winter on a bike, so far it's not bothered me, but it's not been very cold either.

I was thinking maybe 4 degrees as a cut off, maybe even 2 if 4 feels ok.
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Suzuki GSX600F Katana (1997)

[Knightsy]

- 20C with icy roads only

Seriously though, just ride as long as you want really.
If you're not comfortable riding below certain temp then don't do it.
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09' Versys 650 | 07' FJR1300A

[EXC-Rider]

this will be my 3rd winter as i dont own a car, its not that bad really, you do get the days when its super chilly but i dont own a vagina so i dont complain
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owned bikes: DR50, Thumpsta 110 , Honda CR85, Speedfight 100, Yamaha XT125X, Honda CRF450, Honda Hornet '07
current bikes: KTM EXC525 AKA the wheelie machine
A friend in need is a friend indeed but a friend with weed is better!

[shereen]

If you where the right gear you should be fine, if it is the danger factor of having ice etc on the road then dont ride when it is freezing.
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"The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had"

[DrDonnyBrago]

Ice is the only thing that puts me off using the bike.

However, around this time of year those too poor to own a car and those that work in shitty areas where a car is impractical start on the fair weather biker bullshit.

Bollocks to that, if I could drive the car to work I would. Bikes are shite in winter.

[Alpha-9]

I'm not going to have a choice, i'm going to be fucked if the roads are iced up and not gritted as there's not even a proper bus in my new village thing


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Fzr-600 1999

[Ayrton]

Whenever it starts getting too cold.
Im going to start using the bus for college as soon as it starts getting cold. Bugger being cold at 8 in the morning just to ride a bike...

[J.M.]

Whenever you feel like, it's your car, your bike and your life.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[nowhere.elysium]

Sheet ice and snow are the only things that'll totally put me off riding. If I still had a car, I'm sure that it'd see a fair amount of use in crap weather, but since I don't, it's something of a moot point for me. I'm also not in the habit of getting particularly cold, either, but I guess that's just lucky genes. Something had to make up for being ginger, I suppose.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[P.]

Well I have been driving the car for the past week because I don't want to smash my CBR on the road of leaves leading from my parents house.

I'm using the Varadero this week.

Bar muffs, a hoody under my jacket and textile bottoms are keeping me toasty, I'm not even wearing gloves

[MarJay]

If you have a car then it is silly to try to be a winter riding martyr. When I was a kid and could not afford a car I did it, but otherwise I use the car as and when I feel that I should.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[cornish]

I've only recently owned a car. Previously i'd only ever owned bikes so had no choice. I am now car-only as the bike is off the road.

Last winter, i will admit, it was lovely being in a car next to a heater i also found icy roads a lot less hair-raising. If i had both running and child-transport was not an issue i'd be inclined to use the car in icy/snowy conditions.
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smile and be happy. . . .it gets right on everyone's tits!

[EXC-Rider]

[fatjames]

[P.]

I don't intend to crash.

Only not wearing them as my hands sweat LOADS with the bar muffs on with no heated grips.

I have grips on the absolute lowest now and just ride with no gloves.

On the CBR I'll wear them because I'll be going faster and have no muffs

[RichieZX6R]

I tend to use the car when I feel its needed. Looking out the window and seeing leaves on the road and ice on the car windows normally puts me off riding the bike.

Often feel annoyed on the way home when its very warm and sunny though!
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Current: Kawazaki ZX6R 51
Past: Kawazaki ZX6R 96 - Honda CBR 600F4 05 - Dragstar 125 02 - Honda CB 400 SF 94 - Honda NSR 125 51 - Gilera Runner XV125 04

[J.M.]

[RichieZX6R]

[Rogerborg]

I always take the bike, every day, no excuses. Unless it's icy. Or snowing. Or I'm dying from man flu. Or tired. Or I don't want to.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Scootaloo]

[Alpha-9]

[map]

[Llama-Farmer]

I'd rather ride in -20 than -2.

I've driven in both and apart from having to de-ice the handbrake cable from the runners before I set off so it'd release the rear wheels, -20 was much less lairy.

At -2 snow turns to slush, ice gets a layer of water on and becomes slippy as fook, but at -20 its so cold nothing melts, touch the ice and your hand sticks to it, like a tongue to an ice lolly. More grip than in the wet I found.



I guess I'll see what weather I'll ride in this winter, I've ridden mopeds in the snow, but I would feel a little less confident riding a 100bhp 600cc in the snow. If its cold but dry and low risk of ice, I probably will ride in any temperature, but if its wet and below freezing or temp is dropping, or if its icy then a defo no I think. I have a car so don't need to rely on the bike in all weather.

[mysterious_rider]

[J.M.]