So I winterized my bike already but I'm suffering from withdrawal and don't know how I'm going to sit out this winter with my bike in storage. I want to ride. My issue is that in this temperature my hands freeze instantly. Would heated gear keep me going throughout winter as long as the roads are dry? If so, any suggestions on where to buy heated gloves/other gear and how would I connect this stuff to my kawi ninja? Any help is appreciated!
Anything below -10C is gonna be brutal unless your wearing snowmobile equipment. On the days it does get bearable to ride, your gonna get salt residue on the bike. Bad news...especially if your bike is brand new like the one stated in your sig. Just go sit on it weekly and make vroom-vroom noises. Don't jeopardize yourself because if your cold while riding, your mind won't be on your surroundings but rather on your body. Cagers will not expect you on the road either.
Anything below -10C is gonna be brutal unless your wearing snowmobile equipment. On the days it does get bearable to ride, your gonna get salt residue on the bike. Bad news...especially if your bike is brand new like the one stated in your sig. Just go sit on it weekly and make vroom-vroom noises. Don't jeopardize yourself because if your cold while riding, your mind won't be on your surroundings but rather on your body. Cagers will not expect you on the road either.
I usually wait till mid April after a few good rainstorms take care of the salt and sand. I know this sounds like an eternity but when I started riding I was really anxious myself. The last thing you need is a bad experience or some aluminum pitting on your bike not noticeable until you give it a good wash next May.
Heated gear is your friend. Last month, we rode in -10C on the highway with all the electrics cranked up, very comfortable.
We use Gerbings, but there are a ton of manufacturers out there. Gloves are essential kit, but if you're thinking about the torso, consider getting a heated jacket liner (covers the arms) as opposed to just the vest. We've run both and will never go back to a vest only.
Another problem is that it maybe sunny and -10 when you leave, but in an hour that may not be the case. Also, there are those idots that shovel snow back out on to the street, and it sort of melts and sort of freezes.
I think -10 is over the top for riding anything but very short distances even with gear but anything to about -2 is approachable without heated gear ( mind you I have heated grips )
But I'd say your reward between now and the end of Feb is marginal compared to discomfort and few riding days and short riding days.
If you have a bike with lots of upfront protection or want to do heated then sure it's fine.
I don't count salt as a barrier -there are car washes about and your hose if you have a garage. I think winterizing is over rated unless you really will not ride at all for more than 3 months.
A battery tender, an oli change and stabilant is all and nothing preventing riding with those.
But good gear is $$.
I DO feel great every time I get out even when it turns nasty a bit tho fog and rain and cold can be boring/risky and that tends to be a recipe these days.
A light dual sport with decent tires and lowered pressure can for sure be fun but if that's your bike in your avatar you are a long way from a winter fun bike both in design and protection.
I used to ride all year around in Uni - but that was necessity. Not sure what else to suggest.
I'm lucky in that I start a second season of riding down under in a month from now so withdrawal not an issue anymore.
Live vicariously
The Palmerston Highway in tropical Australia - one of my fav roads
We were down to -5ish a few times earlier this winter over night and I rode in it without much issue with no heated gear...
Just rust proof your bike and the salt won't hurt it.
RiderForums.com or KawiForums.com for any specific info for connecting heated gear but it's pretty much exactly the same for any bike (or any other electronics for that matter).
Research your heated gear and go get some. It extends your riding season and makes it more pleasant overall. Heated gloves and vest for me. I couldn't stand a full jacket liner--it made be sweat like crazy. Now, heated boots or floorboards I could get behind.
Keep your bike winterized, but ready for those mild spells with dry roads. The GTA seems to have a warmer microclimate than the rest of the region, so you might get a few short hops done. Forget riding with snow/slush. Someone will probably post about riding in the snow, but risking accident and injury to ride in miserable conditions doesn't seem a great idea (in traffic anyway).
Move to southern California. It worked for me.
Now that I'm older and back here, I suffer like everyone else unless the road is clear.
The SV1000 is brutal with minimal wind protection, the cruiser with windshield & lowers combined with heated gear is simply balmy.
Or you can ride a sidecar all winter (even in heavy snowfall) with snowmobile gear, I did and it's hilarious fun.
Only the southern states will give you what you are really after so you WILL just have to suffer.
I've always wanted an ATV or snowmobile but figured unless I was good friends with a farmer, there'd be nowhere I could ride it. I think I even looked into if riding one on the shoulder was allowed and it was not. Maybe I'm wrong, though. Was just discussing with a friend of mine and he was saying his snowmobile has plates and insurance so it must be legal for him to ride it beside the road from Rockwood to Guelph but I don't think it is...
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