intrvvder
Champion Author
Vancouver
Posts:2,409
Points:946,385
Joined:Jun 2008
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Message Posted: Dec 14, 2008 12:30:06 AM
Windshield certainly is helpful, wear proper riding gears.
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blubyu
Champion Author
Indiana
Posts:2,819
Points:1,394,655
Joined:Jul 2006
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Message Posted: Nov 21, 2008 5:20:53 PM
I still get out and ride when its cold, but my bike has windshield, full faring and heat...
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ShadowACE
Champion Author
Boston
Posts:9,033
Points:2,152,500
Joined:Jun 2006
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Message Posted: Nov 18, 2008 7:28:18 PM
Hi, edzsled. I got my first bike when I was stationed at Fort Sill in Lawton a LONG time ago. A nice little Yamaha 305cc street bike with a 2 cylinder 2-stroke engine. Bought it just after Labor Day and sold it just before Valentine's Day. Rode it EVERY DAY except for a stretch over Christmas and New Years when we came home for the holidays with our families. I never did get my wife to ride with me back then, but we've done a lot of 2-up since then.
As I'm sure you know there wasn't a lot of snow in the Lawton area. We had a few small storms that left some flakes on the ground - I think something around 4 inches was the most we got. I rode in it. It really can be done!
What we did get a lot of was freezing rain. The whole area became a huge skating rink. I rode in that, too. With snow or ice it's fairly easy to go if you take it easy and you're careful. What's not so easy is stopping and/or turning. Both of those take some getting used to. I only lost it one time and that was on a frozen flooded street when I had to stop and I had no rear brake. Dragged my feet and tried to jam the throttle shut far enough to get it to go backward, but it didn't work. I was only going about 3mph when I barely touched the front brake lever - thought I was on a wild bronco! Felt like both wheels came off the ground and the next thing I knew the bike and I were both laying on the ground! No serious damage to either of us, but it sure felt bad at the time.
Now I ride a Shadow 1100 ACE and it's a great bike. I've done 500 miles in a day with no trouble at all. I do have a windshield, and I don't enjoy riding more than a short distance without one - even in the warmer weather. I also have the lower deflectors on the forks, and they keep a lot of wind off the body, too. Makes it less tiring in any weather and much warmer in cold weather.
Leather chaps, vest and jacket are a big help in the cold. If you don't have a full-face helmet you need something to keep your neck and face from freezing. One of my sons gave me a Turtle Fur Shellclava a few years ago and it's great. Very light and very warm. Fits easily under a helmet. I recommend it very highly. The only area I have a problem with is my hands. They get cold no matter what I have for gloves. I've ridden in temps down to the low 20s or high teens, and I'm comfortable everywhere except from the wrists down to the fingertips. Last year my youngest son got a pair of heated gloves (he got the Tourmaster Synergy brand) and he loves them. Says they make all the difference in the world when the temp gets down around freezing or below. I think Santa Claus may get a letter from me asking for a pair of those for me this year.
I don't ride in snow or ice any more, but I did ride all winter a couple of years ago when we didn't have very much snow. My bike is never "put away" for the winter - it's just "parked" under cover waiting for some clear weather (and roads) to ride.
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crgator
Champion Author
Florida
Posts:8,626
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Message Posted: Nov 18, 2008 4:54:59 PM
I guess cold is relative. I'm in Florida, it might hit the upper 30's tonight. To me, that is cold, especially on a motorcycle. Yes, windshields help. Also, layer. I wear the leather coat (with polartec lining) over a sweatshirt, over my regular shirt. Chaps over the jeans. And a good pair of warm gloves with gauntlets to keep the cold from blowing up the sleeves.
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hep0950
Champion Author
St. Louis
Posts:23,016
Points:275,790
Joined:Mar 2003
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Message Posted: Nov 17, 2008 5:35:20 PM
Yes, windshields do help. Other things you may consider, is buy some of those undergarments like are sold at sporting goods that help keep you warm. Leathers jackets and chaps are a must as well as good winter type motorcycle gloves. If you have the money and want to ride real comfortably, there are heated clothes.
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