Riding in the cold

[Geezer]

I have been reading all of the posts about folks getting their bikes ready for winter. All of the battery charging and oil changing and such. All good and necessary information. I also read and appreciate all of the good natured teasing from those of you who don't have to winterize and get to ride all year. Well, I am envious in some ways, but you guys who live in the warmer climates do miss out on some things.

I just got back from a nice ride. It is just above freezing here and that's my lower limit for riding weather. But, it sure was fun. I wear a Kili jacket and HT pants, both with liners installed. I also have winter weight gloves. No hand guards yet and no electric clothing.

Just about everything about riding changes when it gets cold. The feel of the tires on the road is a little different, the scenery changes dramatically, the engine sounds and feels different, sight distance generally increases because the leaves are down, and the sounds and smells of nature are different. Just breathing in the cold air feels so good.

I was out for about two hours. Started out making a run to town to run a couple of errands and just kept on going. The cold air is invigorating and the bike runs very well in this weather. I took one of my favorite local twisty roads that follows a creek down into Woodstock. From there I took a parallel road back towards home. The traffic was very light this afternoon and I was able to go fast enough to lean the bike over as far as I dared. I just got a set of Avons on earlier this week and I am really enjoying them. Got back near home after about an hour and decided to pass the line of cars that I caught up with and keep on going. I took another nice twisty road, this time one that goes up between two mountains. A little colder up there and I had to keep a watch for wet spots in case they were frozen. Headed back home as the sun was setting.

Yep, I really enjoyed today's ride. Guess I'll wait a little while longer before putting the bike away for the season.

 

[luvtoride]

Nice little write up there Geezer.

I enjoyed reading & see that others enjoy cold weather riding as much as myself. My bike never will be put up for the winter. When the roads are clear & it's above 35-40 I ride... & love it, too.

Thanks for the read.

Heidi

 

[Ratchman]

I'm with you. I rode to work today and it was 26 degrees when I left. The cold does good things for the motor! I can still enjoy riding in the weather with this bike. It's the only one I have ever ridden that I can say that about. Of course, I've never owned a Wing/Lt, etc.

I'm in N.C. and I don't park my bike for the winter.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Living where I do, I certainly never have to ride in weather that is too cold. It does drop below freezing here in the Winter...at night but is usually up into the 50's durinng the day. I too enjoy cold weather riding and often head up into the Sierra during colder weather. It is really fun taking Hwy 50 to Lake Tahoe in the Winter. Snow and ice is everywhere...you just have to be really careful of weather. Getting stuck in a blizzard, or a dropping temp (so that melting snow freezes across the road) would would be a bummer!

 

[JREW]

The wife and I went for a ride today over to Quincy, along 89 to Truckee, then back down 20 to home. It was defiantly colder on the East side of the Sierra's but not below our comfort level. Ice on the road in a few places going into Quincy, but nothing serious. It is fun riding in the cold, but you do need to prep for it.