does anybody ride in winter?

frugalman said:
does anybody ride in winter? - in a city and when there is no snow on the road.
Can a dual sport handle that?
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I wouldn't wanna take my chances with any black ice.
 
I know many who do,but i won't.

life is short and im way too young to take chances.

its all upto you,but if you do then please don't do atleast when its snowing.
 
I ride in the winter until I start seeing salt everywhere. Last season, i rode only til Dec 9 because i almost wiped out on some black ice in which i went slowly on too! Just be careful and be safe. Make note that in the winter, cagers are less likely to be expecting you next to them so try to be visible or defensive as much as possible!
 
I am going to ride till the snow flies,as stated above i will be watching for black ice andfrozen areas.
 
I've ridden until the end of November before. But without heated grips, it was getting painful on the hands.
 
Rode all December last season on the ninja but I stopped doing it everyday after 2 cagers crashed next to me. Even if you're careful around black ice and feel YOU have control it doesn't mean everyone else does. Watch how people drive in Toronto. They can barely manage to do it in perfect conditions never mind icy...

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frugalman said:
then i guess no riding if below zero or with any snow on road.
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I rode in freezing temps, i just layer up and also have $20 insulated sheep leather gloves from the motorcycle show. But then again, just ride to what you feel is most comfortable and safe for yourself.
 
I rode all winter last one, just stoped for a week and half while there was snow on the ground (downtown) I commuted every day from front and Spadina to Yonge and Eglinton
 
I'll ride as long as it's dry and above 0. Last season I parked the bike Jan 8th and brought it back out in the begining of March.
 
I don't like salt. I will generally put my street bike away when they first start salting the roads and take it out after the first rain in the spring.

For fun winter motorcycle activities google ice racing motorcycle :)
 
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Like others have said it depends on weather, dryness of roads, if there is salt, black ice etc.. Last year i commuted to work daily on the bike right up until Dec 24th. But this year seems colder already. This first week of October feels colder than i recall it being even in late November feeling last year. The key is what time you ride. If you are out in daylight and can clearly see the road conditions and it's dry that's fine, but if you are commuting in the dark in early hours or after the sun goes down it's a risk because it's a lot cooler then and you can't see if there is ice. Also depends if you are taking side streets, or the highway. Highway is a lot colder/windier feeling. I parked the bike in my garage after Dec 25th last year but did take it out here and there for short rides after that. But probably won't this year. Have a feeling this is going to be a colder winter.
 
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Im going to ride through the winter unless it snows lol

did it two years ago all you need is a nice jacket (downed) snow nice gloves and maybe scarf and your good
 
rode through the whole winter last year. 2 days i had to turn back around because there was un plowed roads. tried to stop and just kept sliding. decided to turn back around and borrow a car.
 
If you ride, just take it really easy. Take corners like they are all covered in gravel and keep the speeds down. Personally, with so many cars around, I wouldn't tempt fate and ride in Toronto, drivers have a hard enough time not crashing into bikes in the summer. Out in the country, have fun.

The worst day on my bike was a few years ago, I got caught out in a few inches of fresh snow (weather was just about freezing so wet crap) on a vtwin. Each time a cylinder fired (even at idle), the tire would spin. It took me 45 minutes to make it the last km (walking beside the bike) as there was no way I was leaving the bike on the side of the highway. That was the only time I have ever been caught in unrideable conditions.
 
Just check out the snow threads on Advrider. I plan on trying it as long as possible this year.
 
everyone i know ride in winter, as much as possible, dual sports are amazing in winter, we ride till above 2C, and when its cold like freezing or below, only during the day when the sun is out if its chance or rain or snow, and dry roads, once snow falls, only when the roads are safe enough too, and never had an issue with black ice, and we do crazy **** in mall parking lots at night even in winter on our supermotos in -5 wet surfaces, its all dependant on how GOOD you ride, the only limit to when and when you don't ride is your skill. i know a guy who is still riding his 600 sport, and to warm up his tires, he will punch the throttle and the rear tire will naturally slip till it gets warm enough to grip, and always makes sure to serpentine till he feels comfortable. but i don't suggest you do that, he's kinda crazy fearless and has mad skillz, but he also has a supermoto and rides the mother !"£ out of it in the winter too.

winter riding is totally different from summer riding, lear all over again and you will be fine, its like the difference between fast speed control and slow speed control like in parking lots, completely two different things.
 
Last year i rode till the end of Novemner. This year im planning to ride a bit longer. All i do is layer up and in questionable days/nights, i keep a distance as the braking power is compromised and really take it easy on tight turns. Also, very litle to no lean if its that cold. The worst part is when you take the bike out and its nice and sunny but by the time you head home its below 0
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