I took advantage of this little 'heat-wave' we are having in central PA today and got the bikes some exercise this morning. Must have been about 25 to 30 degrees out with sun. it was so cold out that the temp guage on the ninja500 only read when it was idling. as soon as I started out down the street and the airflow started over the engine, the temp guage went right back to 'cold'. Riding in those conditions can't be all that good for the bike, can it?
I can make it around town at or near the freezing mark, but I can only stand the highways at about 45 degrees or above.
so what's everybody's personal best when it comes to low temperature riding? I think I call it quits around the freezing mark in the daytime.
I've really been missing riding the past couple days; we had sun thursday and friday morning. The roads are still crap though, and my bike is 350 miles away. I've been getting myself all pumped up about my possible cross country trip to Deals gap, and looking for new ways to spend money I don't have getting ready for the trip.
My personal best is probably around 25F, just around town though. I like at least 40 to ride on the highway, even then, probably not for too long.
Managed to ride for an hour in 20F temps last november before the snow came in...
Quote from: vtlion... it was so cold out that the temp guage on the ninja500 only read when it was idling. as soon as I started out down the street and the airflow started over the engine, the temp guage went right back to 'cold'. Riding in those conditions can't be all that good for the bike, can it? ...
I think your bike was trying to tell you something. :)
I admit to missing riding these 63 days, 4 hours and 43 minutes since I turned the key off (not that I'm counting), and can hardly wait to get back in the saddle. My hope is that Mother Nature isn't late and that March 21st is not just an early April Fool.
check this out...that's me after a 100km ride back home for christmas break...
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2134240244
I took a 95 mile ride that took two hours in Northern Jersey with the temperatures going from 26 to 30 degrees. Did not stop at all.
Did not see one rider. That is rare. I always see at least one.
I went on my DL650 after I put on the knuckle guards. They help with the wind but are not a total solution. The fairing is sweet, keeps the wind off the upper body.
Going to take the GS out on Sunday. Will probably put a heater under it for about 30 minutes since it's starting to start lousy in cold weather. Probably the choke.
I had it out in previous years in the teens and it's no problem with the cold weather. Just let it warmup a little before you take off.
Watch the patches of salt. The other thing to keep in mind is that cold tires have a lousy grip so watch it in the turns.
Quote from: manofthefieldI've really been missing riding the past couple days; we had sun thursday and friday morning. The roads are still crap though, and my bike is 350 miles away. I've been getting myself all pumped up about my possible cross country trip to Deals gap, and looking for new ways to spend money I don't have getting ready for the trip.
My personal best is probably around 25F, just around town though. I like at least 40 to ride on the highway, even then, probably not for too long.
I was thinking about taking a trip to Deals Gap this summer. If you are planning on passing through Bloomington let me know.
matt
i rode to work in the low 20's. pointless. everytime i stopped it put my hands on my engine to warm them up a lil. my balls were like icecubes
I can hadle the 20's for an hour without a problem.
My problem now is the damn snow. We got a dusting again last night.
Poor GS is going sit for a few more days.
Same here MP. Bike has been sitting outside unridden for about 2 weeks now. Though i did start her up yesterday and ran the engine for about 15 minutes or so. She's surrounded by some old dirty snow (parked on the sidewalk locked to a no parking sign) I may dig her out a bit later when the temp hits freezing. I was gonna try a ride today but like you a dusting of snow just enough to make riding "iffy" has covered the streets. So.....i'll dig her out of the snow...set some icemelt...take the train to see my fiance (which would take 1/4 the time on the bike) and hopefully tomorrow..... :dunno:
(http://mysite.verizon.net/vze24q56/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/106_0655.jpg.w300h225.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/vze24q56/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/106_0656.jpg.w300h225.jpg)
My poor bike and dirty snow :( :( :(
you store your bike on the streets? :o
how do you sleep at night???
A few reasons i sleep ok..
1) i've been lucky
2) I park it and lock it to the sidewalk. A bike locked to something is a less attractive target than one in the street unsecured. I believe 3 bikes were stolen over the last year in a 2 block area (probably by that ring that was nabbed a month back)
3) My neighborhood is pretty decent and a lot of local strangers have told me if they have seen anything strange going on (like someone lifting the cover)
4) i have a shot of Cuervo and a Corona before i go to bed :o
I've rode when it was about 25-30 degrees for about 2 miles. i don't think i will ever do that again.
well, as much as I love riding... yesterday it felt more like work than play. I'm somehow still stuck in the southwest Virginia winter mindframe... expecting a sunny, 45 degree day here and there throughout the winter. Problem is, that just doesn't happen in central PA :(
I never oiled the cylinders this year in the hopes that an odd 45 degree day would pop up here and there in Jan and Feb. Unfortunately, its just not happening.
on the plus side. The SV650S had been sitting for 6 weeks and it fired right up on the first try. I'm very pleased with that bike. :thumb:
I ride to and from work every single day, and its been pretty cold lately.
I could not resist I went to gas up the GS and went for about 20 minutes. If I would have gotten properly dressed I would have stayed out for an hour. Middle of the week looks good. Going to take a shovel to dig me a parking space in NYC. :lol:
Pfft, fair weather riders :P. I ride every day, even when we have a high of 35 degrees. I stay warm, too. It's not hard, just layer up and put something over your face, like a balaclava. A fairing helps.
As far as the cold being bad for your engine, I don't see why. When your engine is cooler it runs better.
I don't think I'd be much for riding in ice and snow, though (although some people do).
I can't confirm the details anymore, because my original post disappeared with the old version of the message board. But I recall being so gung-ho that I rode to work one day when the digital outdoor thermometer at home read 8F and a bank on the way to work showed 10F. That would have been in 2001 or 2002.
These past 2 or 3 winters in Utah have been quite mild compared to that one!
ha, I'm down in texas where the avg temp during winter is in the 70s, ya'll like the snow up north?
i rode for about hour and half in 31 degree weather once, my hands felt like frozen nubs it hurt to try and break and pull the clutch, as for the rest of my body i wasnt cold until about 45 minutes into it (going down 95 south).
lesson learned dont ride on the highway unless its close to 40 lol :thumb:
Sunday, with the sun out, no wind and temp. 35 F. (1.7 C.) I was inspired to ride. This was my first cold weather ride with the NC plexistar 2 windshield.
I suited up with my normal cold weather outfit and took off. The ice and snow on my driveway was a bit tricky but the roads were clear and dry.
This is my first report on the windshield. I must say it did a good job of shielding my upper body, arms and hands from the wind. I like that. My head was slightly above the limit of protection and felt the wind. My normal riding position is fairly upright to lessen the pressure on my wrists. It was easy to crouch down to get completely out of the air stream. My legs are another story. They got pretty cold. My knees felt it the most. I think a better over pant is in order and maybe a tank bra would help.
Without the windshield my min. riding temp. was around 40 F. (4.4 C.). With the windshield, at least 35 F. and probably lower with a good pair of winter riding pants.
Thanks to Kerry for the windshild photos. They made installation a "breeze".
:thumb:
Trust me to only just find this thread. Hey John, I knew you were thinking of getting a big screen, so welcome to the club. I think they are brilliant.
A guy I met over here had a theory that your arms hurt more with a big screen as you leaned more weight onto them. Without a screen windage tends to push your body back and take the weight is how the theory goes.
I can't say I have noticed this but as you have just got one, you are well placed to notice it if it happens. For my money the advantages would outweigh this anyway.
Having recently removed the windshield from my '99 (so I could install it on Ed_in_Az's '00 for the ride home from AZ) I certainly notice the lack of it every time I ride - especially in the cold. The "wind blast" on my chest is unexpected and unwelcome. I keep thinking "how can so many people stand to do this?"
I would rather ride without a windshield than not ride at all, but I'd much rather ride WITH a windshield than WITHOUT one! If for no other reason, it lets me periodically duck my head to eliminate the noise in my helmet 1) so I can listen to the engine and 2) so I can think without distractions for a moment.
Quote from: Cal Price
A guy I met over here had a theory that your arms hurt more with a big screen as you leaned more weight onto them. Without a screen windage tends to push your body back and take the weight is how the theory goes.
I haven't ridden enough to experience it but I think I will come to agree with that theory.
The "balloon" effect, at high speeds without a windshield, does take weight off my wrists.
I sit upright for that reason. I actually get the feeling I'm being lifted and pushed off the back of the bike.
The big screen will probably eliminate this and place more weight on my arms. :x
I agree with Kerry, it is nice to be able to get my head out of the wind stream and hear sounds not normally heard.
:thumb:
Quote from: John BatesThe big screen will probably [...] place more weight on my arms. :x
It's true.
You will probably
miss the wind blast for a while. If your shield is at the same angle as mine you will actually be pushed
forward a bit. If your jacket is a loose fit this will be obvious as it bunches up in front at high speeds ... from the reversed air current. :?
PS - If you eventually decide that the shield makes riding unenjoyable, I'd be happy to take it off your hands for close to your cost. But I hope you won't make such a decision anytime soon ... not until you've had time to get used to it.
I guess I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to the colder temps. Anything below 40 and I become a popsicle pretty quickly, but I have to admit, that the urge to ride is almost overwhelming whenever the sun is shining. Yesterday was beautiful for this time of year here in Virginia. with sunny weather and temps around 54 degrees. I rode for about an hour and just soaked up the rays! Today should grace us with more of the same, so out on the road is where I'll be...
Well, I have said it befor and I'll say it again. skirted windshield!
I ride to school (15 miles, but 40min...Welcome to NJ) when the roads are not snow covered.
What's on:
Skirted windshield
One piece winter suit (like a ski suit)
Balaclava
Glove liners
I did cheat a couple of times and toke the car when the temps were in the negatives (F).
Cheers,
-Denis S.
Quote from: vtlionit was so cold out that the temp guage on the ninja500 only read when it was idling.
vtlion, I thought you were riding an SV650S these days. Did you get a different bike or are you a multi-bike owner now?
I ride year around here in NE OH as long as the streets are not slippery with ice or snow. I've gone out in 15-20F weather uptown to the coffee shop and have ridden out in the country to my daughters house with temps in the mid 30's many times. About 35 miles each way. Close to 50F and I'll be out there all day. No electrics, but I have plenty of warm clothes. :thumb:
Was out for 40-50 mile ride each of the last 4 days straight with temps from lower 30's to upper 40's and got out 4 straight days end of Dec and first of Jan. Had much snow between then and now but got a day in here and there.
If your riding much farther than that in much colder weather, I'll be looking down to see if your still doing it in your 8th decade. :lol: :lol: :lol:
My personal best was a 35 mile highway trip down HWY 59 from Cleavland Tx, to and from work just off N Beltway 8 in Houston when it was 4 below freezing.
I wore long underwear, work pants, sweats, a pair of plastic rainpants and my regular rainpants. On top I had the same thing only with a leather Jacket on instead of plastic raincoat. Bacalava abd several scarves around my lower face.
I called my wife right before I left and told her to wait 20 min and run a hot bath. I got home, sat in the bath long enough to have to add how water again and got all pruney. When I got out my knees were still cold to the touch.
Having a bike as your only transport can be hell sometimes.