Riding in the snow - yes or no

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It's snowing - do I go out on the bike?

Are you nuts? No way I'm going out in that.
11
52%
I'll ride home if it starts while I'm out. Then hide.
7
33%
I'm highly skilled and experianced, I'll cope.
1
5%
Yay snow! I'm nuts or ride a GS.
2
10%
 
Total votes: 21
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randomsquid
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Riding in the snow - yes or no

#1 Post by randomsquid » Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:20 pm

I've not been on the bike since last Thursday when winter turned up.
Luckily it's raining hard so tomorrow I can go and buy some food. Yay food.

So what do you do riding wise when the snow comes?
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Willopotomas
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#2 Post by Willopotomas » Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:24 pm

Used to be the bottom one. The 6T loved snow. The low down power delivery and lightness of the bike made it fun. Years ago, I'd blow the dust off the CG125 I used as a hack and use that instead of the cage. Driving the car in the snow/ice gives the old sphincter muscle a good work out.
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Dalemac
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#3 Post by Dalemac » Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:49 pm

I have done snow of the falco a couple of times. I wouldn't advise it.
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MartDude
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#4 Post by MartDude » Sat Jan 26, 2013 10:58 pm

35-40 years ago I'd have said 3; now, 1
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BikerGran
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#5 Post by BikerGran » Sat Jan 26, 2013 11:10 pm

I said No 2 as that would have been my answer when on 2 wheels.

When I was on the baby Yam I could ride in snow as it was small enough to allow use of feet as skis/outriggers.
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Cathcart
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#6 Post by Cathcart » Sun Jan 27, 2013 12:02 am

Number 2, provided the roads haven't turned into proper snow... If they have then an easy number 1.
Falling snow isn't bad, snow that's lay is where the problems are.
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mangocrazy
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#7 Post by mangocrazy » Sun Jan 27, 2013 1:25 am

These days I don't even think about riding when there's a likelihood of snow. Done it when I was younger, don't need and don't want to do it now. Old bones don't bounce well...
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blinkey501
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#8 Post by blinkey501 » Sun Jan 27, 2013 6:24 am

No 1 i don't go out in bad weather full stop. Unless it starts to rain when i am out of course :smt002
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slickliner6
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#9 Post by slickliner6 » Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:32 am

have done it in the past,only cuz i HAD to.
but normally #1.
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we were so poor when i was growing up.Dad said "its a good job i was born a boy,at least id have something to play with" ;-)
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Dusty
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#10 Post by Dusty » Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:05 am

Mangocrazy said it for me! Been there done that; bike my only form of transport in the '70s so out in all weathers and it certainly tests the skills. To be honest, I don't ride much in winter these days, mainly because of the road salt.
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randomsquid
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#11 Post by randomsquid » Sun Jan 27, 2013 4:56 pm

I try not to, don't enjoy it much and it could get expensive or painfull.

Used to do it for fun when I was a snot-ape with a moped.

Last time I got caught in bad snow I was on the ER which is probably close to ideal for the job. I had to stop and help pick up a gixxer. Which is as far from as ideal as it gets.
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T.C.
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#12 Post by T.C. » Sun Jan 27, 2013 5:18 pm

Like others here, 20 years or so when I had to ride all year round it was not an issue. I worked on the basis that

1. I was required to ride in all weathers

2. If the bike got dropped because of the snow, the cost of repairing was not coming out of my pocket.

3. It would at least give the public a chuckle if they saw a full dressed Police bike on its side with an embarrassed rider stood alongside it :smt002

I did a lot of Cruise convoy escorts in the middle of winter along with my colleagues, and even when the snow started it never really bothered any of us.

Now?

No way!!!

I have the option these days, I am much older, the bones don't mend as easily, I feel the cold more, apart from which it is easier to jump in the car turn the heating up and know that I don't have to concentrate on balance or control in the quite the same way as you need to on two wheels.

But then I am becoming a grumpy old git as well!!! :smt002
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blinkey501
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#13 Post by blinkey501 » Sun Jan 27, 2013 5:29 pm

T.C. wrote:Like others here, 20 years or so when I had to ride all year round it was not an issue. I worked on the basis that

1. I was required to ride in all weathers

2. If the bike got dropped because of the snow, the cost of repairing was not coming out of my pocket.

3. It would at least give the public a chuckle if they saw a full dressed Police bike on its side with an embarrassed rider stood alongside it :smt002

I did a lot of Cruise convoy escorts in the middle of winter along with my colleagues, and even when the snow started it never really bothered any of us.

Now?

No way!!!

I have the option these days, I am much older, the bones don't mend as easily, I feel the cold more, apart from which it is easier to jump in the car turn the heating up and know that I don't have to concentrate on balance or control in the quite the same way as you need to on two wheels.

But then I am becoming a grumpy old git as well!!! :smt002
Your a copper????
Oh well lifes not too bad your on ridersite :smt003
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HowardQ
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#14 Post by HowardQ » Sun Jan 27, 2013 6:45 pm

TC was a motorcycle traffic cop (hence the TC), but not any more.
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#15 Post by randomsquid » Sun Jan 27, 2013 7:44 pm

T.C. wrote:
3. It would at least give the public a chuckle if they saw a full dressed Police bike on its side with an embarrassed rider stood alongside it :smt002
I've seen one on its side and the rider did look suitably sheepish. :smt002

I remember the locals with Santa suits on wheelying their beemers through the town centre. Suppose that would be frowned on now.
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