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When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
A question for the all weather bikers out there....
So far I've managed to commute too and from work on the CG 5 days a week, every week, since March, but now the weather has turned (and we have snow!) I was wondering at what point you guys decide it's time to put the bike away? :-/
Luckily I live very close to the A4 so as long as I can get out of my road I'm on main roads all the way to work, and I've got good tyres with lots of tread, but when should I stop listening to the bit that loves being out on the bike (even in the freezing cold with 6 layers on!) and listen to the sensible mum voice telling me it's time to put two wheels away?
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
If you are anything like Ghost it will be when you can't get the bike to the A4 or the wind chill is getting really bad!
BB
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Today! Lol
Out in the car, and didnt stop when appliedbrakes earlier. Def too cold today
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
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Originally Posted by lunalupi
So far I've managed to commute too and from work on the CG 5 days a week, every week, since March, but now the weather has turned (and we have snow!) I was wondering at what point you guys decide it's time to put the bike away? :-/
Luckily I live very close to the A4 so as long as I can get out of my road I'm on main roads all the way to work, and I've got good tyres with lots of tread, but when should I stop listening to the bit that loves being out on the bike (even in the freezing cold with 6 layers on!) and listen to the sensible mum voice telling me it's time to put two wheels away?
I'm in a similar position. I keep riding all winter and thoroughly enjoy it. I only stopped briefly last year after slipping over on unseen ice (fortunately not coming to any harm myself and only causing cosmetic (but expensive) damage to the bike) - but that persuaded me to stay off wheels for about 3 weeks during the long snowy spell in Jan/Feb. Knowing that I was riding carefully on a sunny, dry day when my slip happened does now make me worry that there's little I can do to reduce the risk in those conditions, so I'm more likely to leave the bike in the garage when it's sub-zero.
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
I wouldn't go out in snow/ice, even in the car.
We have had a few accidents in the snow in the car, mostly someone else's fault and it causes a lot of hassle and expense.
Last year when it snowed we got the train or worked from home.
It just isn't worth the expense and hassle for a few days a year.
One day we did venture out and at the top of the hill we were driving on ice and it took 2 hours to get to work.
It simple isn't worth it.
Any claim you make these days (even if it's totally non-fault and your car was parked) counts against you on your insurance and even more so if you have multiple claims, so it just isn't worth it.
It can be difficult to tell when there's ice about but below zero is a pretty good indicator/
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
You may feel you have mastered the conditions and you are invincible up to the time you hit "black Ice". Then you will realise how vulnerable you are. So stay off the roads if it rained or snowed yesterday and the outside temperature is below 4C.
You may be able to control you bike in snow but we have so little in this country that most drivers are unpracticed. You may do little damage to an ufaired bike in a spill but if a following car hits the same ice you are the one who will get hurt.
I ride in all weathers for fun but will not ride in snow and ice or Thunder storms.
Take care
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Why not thunder storms out of interest?
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
I use my bike to commute to work, so I ride it all year round, in all weathers, it does get a little tricky in snow and sub-zero temperatures.
+ my commute is less than 3 miles so that helps!!
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
I don't mind all weathers, not ice or snow, so i'm off the bike at the mo. The only bikes i've seen out the last couple of days have been, 125cc learners and ped boi's with no gloves...the enthusiasm of youth eh!?
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
I stop when there is a large amount of ice around. Am still out and about at the moment as the mail roads are still clear. Not far off stopping though...
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Squashed Fly
Thunderstorms or more to the point Lightning- In a car you are in a Faraday Cage so a lightning strike would go around you following the metal cage of the car to earth.
On a bike soaking wet you are electrically part of earth with a pointy bit, your head at the top nah not for me never have never will
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Well I went for it today - the main roads are clear and still gritted and we've not had any more snow or rain, so I thought I'd have a go. I made it safely into work a little later than usual but otherwise without problems so I've now added it to my list of riding experiences - along with the rain, wind, gravel, sand, loose pebbles, sleet, dust roads, roads hacked out of the mountain side and made of more rocks than flat bits...oh, and the odd perfect sunny day on flat tarmac!
Just took it slow and steady, although looking at the weather forecast I may not be doing it for much longer with more snow predicted.
Unhelpfully my dad just tells me about how he used to be out on his scooter in 3" of snow when he was younger :-?
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
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Originally Posted by lunalupi
Unhelpfully my dad just tells me about how he used to be out on his scooter in 3" of snow when he was younger :-?
Probably a lot less cars and far less commuters charging about in his day! ;)
(That's a joke Dad, I'm probably older than you! ;D)
BB
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Obviously I ride ALL year round. I've ridden in snow, ice, hail, fog, floods, and heat that melted the road. You name it, I've ridden in it. My advice, take the car. It's bloody horrible out there at the moment... ;)
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
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Originally Posted by Mark_Able
Obviously I ride ALL year round. I've ridden in snow, ice, hail, fog, floods, and heat that melted the road. You name it, I've ridden in it. My advice, take the car. It's bloody horrible out there at the moment... ;)
You're just OLD!! ;D ;D
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
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Originally Posted by freddieb
[quote author=Mark_Able link=1290858523/0#14 date=1291063841]Obviously I ride ALL year round. I've ridden in snow, ice, hail, fog, floods, and heat that melted the road. You name it, I've ridden in it. My advice, take the car. It's bloody horrible out there at the moment... ;)
You're just OLD!! ;D ;D[/quote]
I know mate. But then again, I'm not the one with the BIG fairing and heated grips... :P :P :P :-*
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_Able
[quote author=freddieb link=1290858523/15#15 date=1291067614][quote author=Mark_Able link=1290858523/0#14 date=1291063841]Obviously I ride ALL year round. I've ridden in snow, ice, hail, fog, floods, and heat that melted the road. You name it, I've ridden in it. My advice, take the car. It's bloody horrible out there at the moment... ;)
You're just OLD!! ;D ;D[/quote]
I know mate. But then again, I'm not the one with the BIG fairing and heated grips... :P :P :P :-*[/quote]
Well, get a proper bike then!! ;D :D
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Nothing wrong with a fairing and heated grips.... mind you with my winter gloves I cant even feel the grips they are so big...
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Have resorted to heated grips and a screen on the GS... slows the rate of freezing a little bit....
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Must be cold out there - Ghost has stolen the car for his daily commute! ;)
BB
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Well I've used the bike every day this week - no probs. Just be much more gentle - leave loads more space etc.
I have had a few car twats driving too close but a signal for them to keep their distance usually works.
The roads have been pretty clear - just difficult getting in and out of my own road.
Even had 2 bikes at the Old Nick bike night on Tuesday!!
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
I've successfully managed so far this week - my overriding thought is that it's SO COLD!! But slow and steady with biiiiiiiiiig gaps is working for now, with feet down at either end to get out of my road and into the office where the roads are less clear :)
I've noticed the car drivers following too close too! What's the best way to signal them to stay back, I'm never sure how to do it without pissing any of them off...?
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
From my riding position on a sports bike I find it easy just to swing an open hand/arm back a couple of times usually works. Turning round and glaring at them when stopped at traffic lights usually has the desired effect too
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Ahh, I can manage both of those too - I've given a few drivers the glare already!
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
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Originally Posted by lunalupi
Ahh, I can manage both of those too - I've given a few drivers the glare already!
Oh, the powerful effects of the Withering Stare.....It certainly works [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
You could always dismount at the lights and tell the car driver that if they'd like to get any closer they may as well get on the ****ing pillion seat... >:(
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scotty
[quote author=lunalupi link=1290858523/15#24 date=1291324331]Ahh, I can manage both of those too - I've given a few drivers the glare already!
Oh, the powerful effects of the Withering Stare.....It certainly works [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
You could always dismount at the lights and tell the car driver that if they'd like to get any closer they may as well get on the ****ing pillion seat... >:([/quote]
;D ;D ;D love it!
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scotty
[quote author=lunalupi link=1290858523/15#24 date=1291324331]Ahh, I can manage both of those too - I've given a few drivers the glare already!
Oh, the powerful effects of the Withering Stare.....It certainly works [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
You could always dismount at the lights and tell the car driver that if they'd like to get any closer they may as well get on the ****ing pillion seat... >:([/quote]
I've seen Scotty have words with a car driver [smiley=engel017.gif] :)
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scotty
[quote author=lunalupi link=1290858523/15#24 date=1291324331]Ahh, I can manage both of those too - I've given a few drivers the glare already!
Oh, the powerful effects of the Withering Stare.....It certainly works [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
You could always dismount at the lights and tell the car driver that if they'd like to get any closer they may as well get on the ****ing pillion seat... >:([/quote]
Ah the joys of an open face helmet.... you ca do that without stopping!!! Works every time!! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scotty
[quote author=lunalupi link=1290858523/15#24 date=1291324331]Ahh, I can manage both of those too - I've given a few drivers the glare already!
Oh, the powerful effects of the Withering Stare.....It certainly works [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
You could always dismount at the lights and tell the car driver that if they'd like to get any closer they may as well get on the ****ing pillion seat... >:([/quote]
;D ;D ;D I'm remembering that one!
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Though the main roads are clear, there has been enough ice around since Saturday to make getting out of my road tricky. It shows no sign of disappearing soon - if anything, it's been getting worse as any snow that thaws just re-freezes as slick ice. It seems defeatist that all the advice here is just to give up riding in such conditions when people in other places cope with much worse - I can't help feeling that this is a pretty simple traction problem in need of a technical fix. Since it's evidently possible to pull wheelies on solid ice with the right kit, there must be a way for me to safely get to the end of my road! http://www.pashnitforum.com/forum/at...=138&stc=1
OK, so spiked tyres are probably not the right thing for our relatively moderate and more variable conditions, but perhaps "snow claws" are just the thing:
http://www.mv-motorrad.de/cosmoshop/...6894-14354.jpghttp://www.mv-motorrad.de/cosmoshop/...z/10107/b0.jpghttp://www.mv-motorrad.de/cosmoshop/...z/10107/b2.jpg
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Germans eh? Think of everything... ::)
Robin, are you an insomniac or on night shift? :-?
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
I think I mak get some of those.... means I could get off of the estate better......
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
The shipping charges from Germany are quite high in proportion to the cost of the item, so if anyone else is interested, it might be worth doing a group buy. Still, I'd really like to hear from someone who has tried them first.
Quote:
Robin, are you an insomniac
I do try to sleep less.
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
I don't put the bikes away at all, but after coming off it on my first snow attempt, I will not ride on it anymore. If I can't walk on it, I won't ride on it. So the poor babies have been on the garage for two weeks now :'(
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Ro, would the claws work on ice? Cos if they do, where do I get some?
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
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Originally Posted by Morticia
Ro, would the claws work on ice? Cos if they do, where do I get some?
MV Motorad sells them and claims they work on snow or ice. Their primary market is Germany, a country notorious for having regulations for everything (including a legal requirement to have snow & ice capable tyres or chains on cars through the winter), so it seems likely they work as advertised.
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
Now those look like a good idea! I'd certainly be interested in a set if we could get a good deal on them...
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Re: When is wintery weather TOO wintery?
They look realy good ... if we were guarantted this type of weather for consistently long periods each winter then they could be a worthwhile investment....but for the 5 claw set (as in Ro's photos) the cost is c. 110 Euros + delivery on the linked MV Motorad website