Rider Tips - Snow & Dark

iginge · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

Hi all,

So I think having my work holiday booked for me over the next two weeks was possibly the best chance holiday I've ever had.

I would leave my bike sitting for two weeks and stay in my house all day but have things to do, so I think I'm just going to go out during the day for no more than a couple of hours and hope I don't get caught out in it.

All in all, it's started snowing so I was just wondering what tips other riders have if it starts snowing while out and about, both in the day and during the darker times (seems to be after 5pm this time of year)..

I'll share my one experience;

First time I've ridden during the snow and currently the only time, coming home roughly about two miles from home, put the lights on.. let the bike warm up-ish.. and rode off..

Bike cut out at a roundabout, felt as if it was loosing power (all in all not a good ride), worked fine ever since.. could of been me pancaking and not letting the machine warm up, proper controls etc.

Worst ride of my life, honestly don't now how I made it home in one piece.

Your turn..

Beehive Bedlam · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Karma :

Started snowing tonight riding through Bradford and got considerably colder going through Keighley and Skipton towards Grassington I had to pull over to fit my muffs.

Riding in fresh snow isn't all that bad just cold tomorrow morning I expect it to be very icy which is much more risky than riding when it is snowing.

Either don't ride or deal with it.

SQL · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Aug 2012 Karma :

When it is dark and snowing put your full beam on and visor down and it looks like you are going light speed Embarassed

iginge · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

SQL · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Aug 2012 Karma :

Charlie · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2007 Karma :

Found my normally fog free pinlock visor fogging thanks to the snow building up on my visor. Keeping the visor closed or just a crack open and regular wiping with the finger is what I found best. Snow still got sucked in from round my chin but wasn't so bad.

Went up and down some steep hills this evening. Only advice is to go very steady (1st gear steady) and plan how you'll deal with a slide. Fortunately some of the worst bits had a grass verge I could aim the front wheel towards if it went a bit pair shaped. Also kept close to give me a place to put my foot down on something less slippy than the tarmac

I am really hoping it doesn't freeze over night Praying

if it does then I don't think I'll be chancing it. Fresh isn't so bad, still slippy mind, ice is pretty traitorous.

Riding in the snow should cause your bike to cut out... I imagine you just stalled it.
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iginge · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

Commuter_Tim · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 May 2013 Karma :

iginge · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

wr6133 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 Dec 2013 Karma :

darkhorizon · Scooby Slapper Joined: 16 Jun 2012 Karma :

Move south - no snow.
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Chuffin Nora · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Sep 2013 Karma :

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

I found heavy snow sticks to the visor until you get to 80mph.
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iginge · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

SQL · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Aug 2012 Karma :

Atomic Punk · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 Oct 2011 Karma :

What bike is it?
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Snorty · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Oct 2010 Karma :

I've ridden a 125 in a light frosting of snow.

That was fine, bar the back end slipping out a few times, feet out by my side.

I won't take any of my bikes out in the snow to be honest, I don't think it's worth the potential damage and cost just to say "I rode in snow, I'm a proper biker, innit". I'd get a taxi and let them risk their insurance and vehicles...

I know of two people who dropped their bikes today.
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iginge · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

KnuckleShot · Scooby Slapper Joined: 11 Dec 2014 Karma :

I've asked for advise in the snow previously last month.

The response I got was don't - it really isn't worth it.
If it snows again I'd be using public transport or telling my boss I can't make it to work.

Snorty · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Oct 2010 Karma :

KnuckleShot · Scooby Slapper Joined: 11 Dec 2014 Karma :

And if you don't have enough for a taxi?
I found in the town I live public transport still runs after it snows.

The Tot · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Karma :

Back when I was on the company grad scheme, I had to do London to Gloucester a few times in the snow. Also, did a few gloucester to bournemouth runs in the snow before via salisbury plains!

It wasn't that bad to be perfectly honest. Goretex kit all round, balaclava and my trusty Arai. Rode with half the vents open to demist and it was fine. Make sure your battery is in good nick, and install the best lightbulbs you can get - Osram night breakers and HIDS (although latter is technically illegal)

The key for me was to be as smooth as possible and ride in the wheeltracks where it was guaranteed to be slush. OK, there was a chance of black ice but at the end of the day it's all about throttle control and appreciation of weight transfer. I rarely use my brakes since I ride with a bit of a flow and read the road.

Another time I was moving attachments so had to move from Ashford back to London in the snow as well. M20 only had 2 lanes working so I was sat in 5th/6th gear on tickover slowly filtering past most cars. Still could reach 40-50, but at the end of the day, you need to have faith in your tyres and know what the bike is telling you through the chassis.

At the end of the day, it was quite fun... and this was on a 929 Fireblade.

Tips

Wrap up warm - get a kidney belt to stop heat loss. Better still, buy heated clothing. Football socks work well. Tape up any vents on gloves and boots, and if you can, install muffs on your handle bar.

Ride smooth - crack the throttle and use it progressively. If you need to slow down, anticipate and use engine braking where possible. Use your rear brake to come to a stop.

If it's clear that the wheeltracks are wet and runny, ride in them. Meltwater is better than black ice.

Get crash protection - Yes, you WILL fall off. Speed humps on sheet ice are a bitch and I stacked my bike on one when the bike stalled and lost my footing. Sidestreets are a lot more trickier than main roads! I was literally 200 metres from my destination!
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iginge · Nova Slayer Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

Pinlock and a foggy mask is the way to go, with either a buff or balaclava sealing the gaps in the neckline. I've not found a balaclava that didn't mess with the fit of my helmet, but I've not looked too hard or tried a silk or bufflike material one.

My shark lid is either open or locked tight, but the chin vent sends a howling gale straight up the inside of the visor, working better than cracking the visor on any previous lid. If anything a slightly open visor is the enemy of pinlock systems.
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