Snow riding tips

[Knightsy]

Beside the obvious: Don't ride in the snow

I'm looking for tips that will help me survive the winter
with as few lowsides as possible (last winter count: 3 )
so any help is appreciated.
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09' Versys 650 | 07' FJR1300A

[nightshaddow]

i have been riding a long time snow doesn't bother me,

best tips drive slow on the snow

on snow always remember you have no front brake, (if you are going fast enough to need it on snow its to fast)

fresh snow provides the best grip but remember compact snow beneath is deadly,

never surpass your own limits, dont even look for them

better to get there late and alive than never again, worst case...... park it and walk.
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"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 100 MPH THATS IMPOSSIBLE Its chinese OFFICER."
Current rides CB 125 TDE(the next project) NS125RK ( now on the road ) CB125TDC (soon to be project 17) melody ( the nephews )

[pinkyfloyd]

Have to state the obvious. Dont ride in the snow.

I ride a relatively low powered thou, only a claimed 100bhp. Thats still more than is right to control on a snow day with no grip at the either end.

Why risk it?
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Walloper]

Unless you have studs in the tyres (and your boots) don't ride on snow.
It sucks big elephant dicks.

Last time I was forced to ride on snow I only fell off twice. And that was whilst stopped in traffic.
It packs to ice which you cannot, steer, stop, accelerate or even stand on.

As said, fresh snow OK Gritted roads with light snow dusting OK
Slush getting risky Packed snow deadly.

Plus there is many more risks of cagers not stopping, steering and crushing you.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[MarJay]

[Acemastr]

I fell off on a 125 in ice/snow, i could spin the rear wheel up in any gear at any speed going up the road, don't attempt it is my advice.
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[Islander]

[Knightsy]

[Walloper]

[Knightsy]

Winter gloves and heated grips. No worries on heat front.
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09' Versys 650 | 07' FJR1300A

[pinkyfloyd]

I was on the way to Hungerford and it started snowing when I was almost there. Bitterly cold I called into the services and as I was riding down the sliproad to rejoin the carriageway a Lotus Elise (I remember it in detail) passed me on the carriageway going round in circles.

I was lucky that by the time I was leaving the course the snow had stopped and the roads were clear but had I not pulled into the services for a piss stop could that lotus have been spinning into me?

Its not worth the risk. Stay at home.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Acemastr]

Ice is the issue now, the tiny bit of snow this morning is turning into ice right now, RWD in my BMW isn't particularly fun, the bike would be horrific.

Can you hitch a lift home tonight and wait for warmer temps? (+4c)

If you HAVE to ride, slow slow slow, if people have to wait behind you then fuck 'em, they can wait.
No front brake
Easy on the engine braking
Feet down on corners, most likely won't make a blind bit of difference as they will slip too.
VISIBILITY! you'll be impossible to see if you come off
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[nightshaddow]

[DrDonnyBrago]

Open the door to your bike, get in, shut the bike door and put your seatbelt on. This type of motorcycle doesn't fall over in the snow, and is recommended over conventional motorcycles.

Don't be concerned that the handlebars are bent into a circle.

Your bike will have combined front and rear brakes, and no brake lever.

Similarly, your clutch lever and throttle will have moved to where your feet are, don't try to use your hands.

You don't need a helmet for this type of motorcycle, so leave it at home, or on the pillion seats.

As you ride off, consider that counter steering is ill advised and that gear changes are made with your left hand, rather than your left foot. Devise a simple way of remembering that hand controls are are now foot controls, and vice versa.

Don't filter. If you need to wipe your visor, one of the sticks next to the handlebar will help you.

[Shinigami]

[.Bishbash.]

[Walloper]

[barrkel]

Ride the smallest lightest bike - or better, scooter - while dressed for a major accident.

I rode a Yamaha Vity in the snow last year. In some places, I had to stand with it between my legs, and push it while giving it as little throttle as I could, to get it up some slopes.

I never dropped it (helps with it being so light, low and with low CoG), but I stuck to ruts in the road formed by cars. They were travelled often enough to have 95% tarmac showing through. And this was all 30s and 20s, east and north London.

I would not like to be riding a bike on any faster road with snow, especially if there were other vehicles doing much over 25mph.
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Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

[J0Al1]

Id suggest fitting a boiling water tank that jets out hot water in front of you.. don't ride above 10mph... have spiks in your boots and an auto inflatable jacket

My man came of last Friday AM on the ice... cc 10mph.. bent feking handlebars having just replaced them!

[Rogerborg]

Versys is an "adventure" bike, you'll be fine.
https://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110429180802/villains/images/1/13/Trollface-problem.png

As above, rear brake, slow as you like, assume that there's packed snow or ice under anything that looks solid and get your feet down early doors (sorry, Mike).

nightshaddow has it right (I'm sure inadvertantly) that your best bet is to never get off of a 125, which admittedly doesn't help you that much today.
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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

[jonbee56]

Think I'm missing something here.

Rode in to Central London from Kent this morning 6.30' ish & no snow & it was about 2 degrees rising to about 4

Looking out now (lunchtime), it's sunny & about 1-2 degrees. Thinking about leaving at 3 o'clock just to be sure
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CBF125 > Hornet 600 (x2) > CBR600F -- slowly getting better
"If you can't turn it, then burn it"

[Knightsy]

[Walloper]

[nightshaddow]

[Walloper]

[quote="nightshaddow"]


^^^^^is a phanny.


Fcuk with my karma again Bro and I'll have you.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair