Just a thought...

[Bendy]

Cold tyres on a cold road don't offer as much grips as hot tyres on a hot road.

Judging by the spate of 'I crashed' posts the last few days, this is something some of you need to rememeber.

[stryker]

I've been much more prone to rear wheel lock from enthusiastic down shifts, that has to be one to watch especially for us newbies.
____________________
Now what?

[goblin30]

Totally agree my bike felt awful on saturday first thing
and thats the only thing i could put it down to.

goblin

[stryker]

Perhaps worth checking the tyre pressures. I wonder if this extra cold weather could make such a difference?
____________________
Now what?

[Sparks!]

All the people that have crashed lately were doing silly things so I don't think cold roads really has that much to do with it.

Obviously be more careful but it's not that big a problem really.
____________________
Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[headlamp]

You definitely need to riding slower in the Winter. As others have said, less grip, but also more crud on the road, leaves, mud etc, not to mention black ice, fog (visibility issues), and less alert drivers!
____________________
Using a mobile phone while driving a car should be made a capital offence!

[Sparks!]

[iCraig]

Its darker in the winter, so therefore when driving in the dark your body is producing melatonin, the hormone that makes you sleep, hence why you'd be less alert.

[Rob W]

Very true. Even at 30mph roads can be deceptive as I found out, the night I crashed the road was only very slightly damp yet I still lost grip completely and came off

[Bendy]

It's dark and they're tired.

It's cold out and they're in an over-heated car.

People generally have the winter lack of energy thing that often manifests itself in a lack of ability to concentrate.

[Sparks!]

Ahh I get you, cheers

Must admit it's "weird" commuting home from work when it's getting dark, won't be long before both to and from commute is pitch black

I kinda like the winter though (apart from dark evenings!!) because it's generally dry (i.e. not raining ) which is good enough for me, just wrap up warm .. I look like michelin man anyway so a few more layers under my jacket won't do no harm
____________________
Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[MissFickle]

we were taking some pics on sunday and the back wheel was spinnng... not good when the other half trying to pull one up on your pride and joy.

[headlamp]

[MissFickle]

and most ppl have windows open in the summer months.. at least they could hear you.

[jamie192]

I got my cbt in these conditions, good or what eh?

Its not getting icy down here on the isle of wight (if you have never heard of here its the island right under portsmouth) Its only just started getting wintery cold, but not extremely.

Be safe every one.... no speeding!!!
____________________
Ride Fast, Brake hard, don't fall off!

[mr jamez]

[MissFickle]

[Silver]

[RealNinja]

[synaptyx]

It's getting dark up here at about 5:45 and is dark enough for headlights about 4:45, yet, none of these mindless tossers seems to be able to muster up enough brain activity to tell their arm to go for the headlight switch! Gaaarggghhh!!! I feel a national gampaign coming on - ha.

[yambabe]

Round here the switch they can't find is the "OFF" one for their fog lights.
____________________
Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[MissFickle]

i flash them.. they only do it to look cool...

[Mantzy]

Okay, it's not a good idea and I don't recommend this much...

Rear wheel slides. Learn to control them. It'll help for when you are over enthusiastic on emergency stops (my instructor was very impressed with my 10 metre slide and the fact i kept the bike under control-ish - though told me it'd not pass and made me do a better one)

I was kinda forced to learn to deal with them on the old bike as the tread on the rear was non-existent so even touching the brakes made the rear skid. Hence why it's not a good idea. But it does help you learn to control them and not be scared of them. If you want to practise, get some old worn tyres, an old bike (if possible), some rain and most importantly, an empty road - better to hurt only yourself then others. Just try not to fall off.

I'm not sure when people seem to be falling off, if on the straight or going around corners but if it's going around corners, don't drop/slip your clutch as you're going around especially when you've just changed down, this will cause the rear to lock and you will be more likely to crash. Let the clutch go before reaching the corner (if it skids while still straight its easier to deal with) and go around slowly. Or if you're going too fast for the gear you're in and you know it, coast, though you'll have less control overall of the bike - does save you being chucked off.

Everything is harder to control on a bigger bike mind.

Just my
R
____________________
Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X