winter riding

[mattfuzzy]

ok so winter is comming and i dont know about everyone else but i dont want to come off my bike (not that i care much about the pain, i just cant afford bills for the bike racking up every month or 2) so if everyone (mabe more of the experienced riders) can post tips to help all of us that havent been riding that long (ie. first winter) to stay rubber side down, on ice or snow or anything else you mite find in winter that would be really helpful

[ali-b]

Sad to say, but if its icy or snowing, I'd leave the bike at home...you just don't stand a chance if you hit ice on a bike

I ride in everything else, just not icy conditions...

Or - the amusing answer - fit skis to the side of your bike like stabilisers...

A.

[Suzuki]

Just make sure that you tailor your riding to the conditions you're riding in, and you'll be fine.

ie. When the roads are cold, wet, slimey, and covered in rotting leaves, you should be expecting your bike to slide at every corner. So... ride slower, give yourself more time for braking, don't push it like you do in the summer. Just be sensible and you'll be OK. It's common sense really.
____________________
<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon
<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

[iCraig]

Got to agree with Ali-b on this one.

If its icy or snowing leave the bike at home, use the bus/train or something.

Saying that you can normally judge how bad it is out on the roads with experience.

What I do each morning is go out before getting the bike out and inspect the road out of the front of my house, if that ain't too bad then the main roads to work will be OK, if its bad I find some other way to work.
Its not worth risking it sometimes though.

Other than snow and ice, I find strong winds also bad, a few times last year I left my bike in the garage because of them (only because my commute is down a very open country road).

[mr.z]

https://www.survivalskills.clara.net/rskills.htm

Allot of reading but well worth going through..

Snow is not sensible to ride through unless you really have to, only time i have its been because i was caught in it and going arround it ment a 60mile + detour (there was no traffic either wich helped)

Certain bike it wont be as bad (offroad bikes) and some snow is worse than others... The real danger is other vehicles, you might be being carefull but theres bound to be some dickhead going arround country lanes in his rangerover @ 60.

Ice is iffy, ridden 3 winters in it with no problems, you have to know where it will probably be, being used to the road your useing makes a big difference..

As suzuki said, take it easy and ALLWAYS be concentrateing 100% and looking for shiney bits of road, anyone who can't resist the urge to give it a handfull every corner should leave their bike at home...
____________________
>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[sanchezz_182]

been threw a few winters, its not as bad as everyone makes out,

just have to change the way you ride, break in straight lines take it easy round corners,, you can stil speeed in straight lines just have to make sure your stoping distance is alot longer, an be easy ont he breaks even more when coming to a stop, ul find for sum reason thats when itl slide.

in ice i wouldnt even bother you have no chance.. although some times u cant help it,, know when i used to ride to skool on the scooter it thought it was fun to skid on ice n slide the back end out,, but i wouldnt be trying that ont he 400 lol.. if u must go out one ay with ice just look at the ground alot, take notice of bits that mite have ice,,
bottom of small dips in the road, under trees, wet patches, an round corners drive at around 5mph you wil look liek a fool but ul get were u wana go...

anyway thats all i can think of, basically just use common sense anul be fine
____________________
no sig, thats gay!!

[oldgit]

Here's a few thoughts - I've probably missed some things but these are all can think of for now:

1. Preparation

• Give the bike a service – you’ll have less time, inclination and light to do it in the winter.

• Check your tyres – if the tread is low, change them so you don’t have to ride on new tires in cold and slippy conditions.

• Clean and wax/lube the chain before the salt gets at it, and repeat regularly throughout the winter.

• Check all your lights are working.

• Strip and clean the brake callipers, and change pads if necessary.

• Consider fitting a screen if your bike doesn’t have one, or a higher flip up screen if one is already fitted.

• Get your winter clothing out and make sure it’s waterproof – it’s better to have 2 jackets if you don’t have a drying room.

• Check your helmet visor and replace if scratched. You’ll need an anti-fog mark, anti-fog spray or both during wet weather


2. Keeping Warm

Keeping warm is important because the colder you get, the worse your concentration gets, which is dangerous.

• Make sure your jacket, trousers, boots and gloves and in good repair and waterproof.

• Use thermal underwear in really cold weather.

• Wear lots of thin layers rather than a thick jumper.

• Heated grips, waistcoat and insoles are more-or-less essential for longer journeys.


3. Riding Safely

• Consider wearing a hi-vis overjacket or tabard to make you more visible

• Reduce your speed and avoid, where possible, sudden braking – use engine braking when you can.

• Leave a bigger gap between you and other traffic

• Brake progressively, and use the back brake as well (gently!) A rear end lock up is easier to control than a front end one.

• Be extra careful when filtering or overtaking – car windows mist up and drivers’ peripheral vision is limited.

• Keep doing your lifesavers – it’s more difficult in bulky clothing but essential anyway.

• Check your lights, tyres and brakes before every ride.
____________________
grumpy old man