Winter!

[milez1987]

Noooo it's almost winter. Just curious if anyone here still rides during the icy morning months. Personally I do but try avoid it when it's raining and it gets nicer in the afternoon sometimes. Any tips for winter riding would be awesome. I can't keep off my bikes :p

[SMOKEU]

I avoid twisty roads whereever possible in winter due to all the gravel on the roads. I still ride the straight roads.

[Flip]

Ice, I laugh in your face!

Having 3 wheels helps. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a10oI4uPyuw

[Muppet]

Noooo it's almost winter. Just curious if anyone here still rides during the icy morning months. Personally I do but try avoid it when it's raining and it gets nicer in the afternoon sometimes. Any tips for winter riding would be awesome. I can't keep off my bikes :p

I ride in winter. Here's some tips;

-Keep tyre pressures to manufacturers recommendations (spreads tread and allows water to escape)

-Avoid white painted lines/arrows manhole/drain covers etc

-Most importantly relax.

-It's even more important in winter to adhere to the stay-to-the-left (or right)-as-late-as-possible-then-turn-in rule. Because if like 90% of riders you (including myself) turn in too early, you'll exit the corner wide and then be afraid to lean over hard to make up for the error because it's wet.

-A riding instructor told me to say the word "pause" to myself when I was about to turn into a corner from a straight. He said the extra 5 to 10 metres that I would gain prior to tuning in would set me up in a better position for the exit. Takes a bit of getting used to, but it works for me.

-I would also use the engine braking more. When approaching a corner roll off the throttle rather than use the brakes which causes weight transfer. I would also be a gear higher than normal ie: 3rd instead of 2nd. Coast around the corner and accelerate gently out of it. If you've stayed as far to the left or right as is practical before entering the corner, then your exit will be a piece of piss.

-My two cents worth

[Stirts]

Make sure your tyres are warm

<img src="http://www.funnyphotos.net.au/userimages/user756_1157949072.jpg"></img>

And don't forget to wave

[Clockwork]

My advice for winter riding?


Move north!

[Str8 Jacket]

Noooo it's almost winter. Just curious if anyone here still rides during the icy morning months. Personally I do but try avoid it when it's raining and it gets nicer in the afternoon sometimes. Any tips for winter riding would be awesome. I can't keep off my bikes :p

I don't have a car license so have to ride rain hail or shine. You get used to it.

[Bald Eagle]

My advice for winter riding?


Move north!

cant afford Fiji :-(

Sent from my MB525 using Tapatalk 2

[Asher]

This will be my first winter riding but already I don't see myself riding very often. All the good roads are already stay wet all day in shaded areas

[Str8 Jacket]

You guy's should stop psyching yourselves out. A bike is made to stay upright and go forwards despite of weather and dampness etc. The best thing I ever did was to learn how to control and ride my bike comfortably (ish) is all weather. The bike will only react how you react.

[DODO``]

My first winter too, i plan to keep riding.. I don't mind the wet road surface and I think I'm over that mental fear of wet road too.
But I hate getting soaked wet in heavy rain and not being able to get changed when I'm out! Haha I need a rain suit.. lol

[Maha]

Ride to the conditions/have good wet weather gear. A spare pair of gloves is not a silly idea.
I have been caught in some atrocious weather on a several occassions, a few adjustments made and its not a problem.

[nodrog]

Yoo giyz r goin 2 krash an syrsly dye if U r1de in wiNt3r.

[jrandom]

Yoo giyz r goin 2 krash an syrsly dye if U r1de in wiNt3r.

Isn't that what happened to you?

[nodrog]

Isn't that what happened to you?

Yerp!

_________________

[jrandom]

Yerp!

man what's up with all these dead bikers on the internet

why won't you RIP already

[willytheekid]

Ice, I laugh in your face!

Having 3 wheels helps.

If you didnt drink so much Flip you could do that with only two wheels! :laugh: :shutup:...:innocent: (Im just jealous!)

Its only very strong wind, deep snow and the dreeded Black Ice that I don't like to ride in/on:confused:
...but then again us southern folk don't really have a bloody choice in the matter...still gotta get to work even if it is winter.
just wish I wasn't so bloody skinny! :laugh:

Always ride to your own abilities, and to the conditions.

ps: I have noticed that most of the soft weekend riders just "disappear" from the roads in winter...pooftas!, theres nothing like drifting it around a slow courner while hydroplaning and seeing one the local popo bike cops coming the other way...and doing the same thing! :laugh: (its called having winter fun..get into it!)

Ride safe this winter KBers:love:....and watch the cagers!, foggy windows, speeding, poor visability etc, there panel damage...could be our LIFE!

[Gone Burger]

I had my learners and my 250 right through winter. Hardly stayed off it as it was new and something I was completely hooked on. The rain slowed me down which was good, and I took corners with caution. High winds were a little nerve racking (especially on the Rimutakas) but if you prepare yourself to be hit by a strong gust around the next corner you can position bike in the right place in your lane, to allow to be blown over a little before it backs off. Lower gear through wind and power through it. As soon as you back off the power (often from sheer fright) then you no longer have that control over your bike.

Heated grips were awesome! Used them right through winter, even when gloves were soaked. You need to keep your hands warm to have full use and feeling of your fingers. Fully recommend them.

I lived towards the summit of the Akatarawas. Up there I was very aware that there was black ice on many corners until usually about lunch time. A lot of green moss on the road too in the corners that didn't get any sunlight. On these days, I made sure I did not take my bike until I knew the ice was melting. Had the bike out once on it and it was the scariest thing I've ever done - never been so close to a cliff (oh except that one time when i went over one.... lol oops). If you know a road is tight and twisty and likely to have some black ice, give it a miss until later in the day unless you really have to take that route.

Slow and steady does it, the more pracrise you get in shocking weather the better rider you become. Good wet weather gear is choice! My favourite ride yet was through the forgotten highway in torrential rain. Wow - what a ride. My buddy and I stopped, opened our visors and were both simply grinning from ear to ear!!! Fools.

[nodrog]

man what's up with all these dead bikers on the internet

why won't you RIP already

http://www.tueplay.com/content/pictures/200908/19/rip.jpg

[iYRe]

its either push bike or motorbike.. if its really cold and wet I ride the motorbike.. but I try and cycle as many days as poss over winter to keep the fitness up.. because I hate stationary trainers.

[nodrog]

..... because I hate stationary trainers.

I find they are really good for pushing the envelope.

[unstuck]

Got all my firewood and coal done for the year now so bring it on winter.:finger:

Someone told me once to try and enjoy all kinds of weather, that way you are never disappointed.:niceone:

Get some good gear, ride to the conditions, and be aware of what is going on around you, just like every other day out on the roads of Aotearoa.:Punk:

[milez1987]

Hmmm I'll take a look into heated grips. They sound very comfortable.

[unstuck]

Hmmm I'll take a look into heated grips. They sound very comfortable.

Bloody marvelous invention.:Punk:

[Pwalo]

Winter's usually ok in Wellingtron. Not too icy if you don't live in the Hutt. Wind and rain are occupational hazards. I could commute by car, but it's soo boring.

[GSF]

Get some thermals, like a thermal undershirt, warm socks and glove liners. Being cold saps your energy really fast and I find that frozen hands/feet cramp up easily and make it hard to operate controls.

Also winter sunstrike can be savage at sundown, which happily enough usually co-incides with 5pm rush-hour traffic.

A battery tender is useful to keep your battery topped up and cranking hard on chilly mornings.

[Nzpure]

harden up its not like we live in alaska, even then i would prolly stil ride lol.
I even went for a wee tiki tour in the snow lol. practice for the brass you see.

[iYRe]

I find they are really good for pushing the envelope.

true.. *stamp of approval*

[Swoop]

I have noticed that most of the soft weekend riders just "disappear" from the roads in winter...pooftas!
:yes:
10chars

[oneofsix]

harden up its not like we live in alaska, even then i would prolly stil ride lol.
I even went for a wee tiki tour in the snow lol. practice for the brass you see.

Alaska = Ski-mobiles :woohoo:

I would do more riding in Winter than any other season, less public holidays therefore more days I have to commute :facepalm: Still on SH1 I don't have to worry too much about ice thanks to the trucks. The wind makes thing fun but that's mainly spring and autumn, it is just that in winter if you are cold it makes reactions slower, as pointed out before.

I keep thinking about heated grips, so far the Rain-offs are the best I have for added protection for the hands as they do both cold (a little) and wet.

[willytheekid]

....good for pushing the envelope.

ALWAYS fun!
http://images.clipartof.com/small/93420-Royalty-Free-RF-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Moodie-Character-Pushing-The-Envelope.jpg
...Ive got it wrong again huh:facepalm:...damnit! (Its age!...and stupidity...and all those head injuries:innocent:)

[george formby]

Stay warm, stay relaxed, stay smooth & keep your wits about you. Winter riding presents it's own challenges & I used to love it. Made me feel all manly managing to get home or to the pub through the snow. Mind you, I've forgotten how painful it was when the circulation came back to my hands & feet.
Black ice on frosty mornings is an absolute arse, invisible teflon. Trail bike or engine bars help with the consequences.

Always carry something to clean your visor, low sun & road crud = Ray Charles.

[unstuck]

A little bit of ice, can be a whole lot of fun(or not, depends how mad you are).:bleh:

[Fast Eddie]

ride all year round.

my bikes are the only transport I have, so I ride rain/sun/snow and heaaaps of ice in dunners, combined with epic hills and corners.

you learn heaps.. like how to skid straight thru intersection with ur ass eating ur seat..

ride all year, its fine. u learn plenty about the bike.

don't avoid corners or hills. thats sissy talk

if it snows I like to change from tinted visor to clear visor..
:bleh:

[george formby]

ride all year round.

my bikes are the only transport I have, so I ride rain/sun/shine and heaaaps of ice in dunners, combined with epic hills and corners.

you learn heaps.. like how to skid straight thru intersection with ur ass eating ur seat..

ride all year, its fine. u learn plenty about the bike.

don't avoid corners or hills. thats sissy talk

if it snows I like to change from tinted visor to clear visor..
:bleh:

Epic! maybe an extra singlet too?

[Nzpure]

Alaska = Ski-mobiles :woohoo:

I would do more riding in Winter than any other season, less public holidays therefore more days I have to commute :facepalm: Still on SH1 I don't have to worry too much about ice thanks to the trucks. The wind makes thing fun but that's mainly spring and autumn, it is just that in winter if you are cold it makes reactions slower, as pointed out before.

I keep thinking about heated grips, so far the Rain-offs are the best I have for added protection for the hands as they do both cold (a little) and wet.

I prefer winter for riding, spend less time sweating your balls off in your leathers.

[Nzpure]

Epic! maybe an extra singlet too?

pffff wuss!

[Nzpure]

ride all year round.

my bikes are the only transport I have, so I ride rain/sun/snow and heaaaps of ice in dunners, combined with epic hills and corners.

you learn heaps.. like how to skid straight thru intersection with ur ass eating ur seat..

ride all year, its fine. u learn plenty about the bike.

don't avoid corners or hills. thats sissy talk

if it snows I like to change from tinted visor to clear visor..
:bleh:

Bloody Oath good on ya mate!
I still think your a bit of a wuss going to the clear visor, In the mighty snow of 2011 i found the tinted visor was much better in the snow glares a bit rough you see.

[Subike]

is there accually a difference between riding in winter
as opposed to riding in summer
The roads are the same
A few hours less daylight
temperature a bit lower
still the same roads, same dangers, same muppets in cages
But I do find that some of the clear crisp winter nights in Canterbury,
if you dare to wrap up warm and venture out where there no artificial lighting
you will see some of the most amazing nights skys

[\m/]

I miss the heated grips I had on my Bandit, I'll probably get some for the gixxer soon.

[Fast Eddie]

Bloody Oath good on ya mate!
I still think your a bit of a wuss going to the clear visor, In the mighty snow of 2011 i found the tinted visor was much better in the snow glares a bit rough you see.

haha I thought the same, the tinted visor would be better for the glare.. almost edited the post but in dunedin at least last year, during the snow weekish, the sun never came out. was always dark not much glare.. so had to go clear ;)

I got 2 helmets now, one tinted one clear.. lavish student life eh.

hope it snows this year again was awesome last year

[Oakie]

Noooo it's almost winter. Just curious if anyone here still rides during the icy morning months. Personally I do but try avoid it when it's raining and it gets nicer in the afternoon sometimes.

Hell yeah! Every day 17.6km to work and then home in the afternoon, 5 days a week. Pouring rain or howling wind ... although I did choose discretion over valour about 4 times last winter when it was both pouring rain AND howling wind.



Any tips for winter riding would be awesome. :p

Heated handgrips. Best $129 you'll ever spend on a bike.

Apart from that, do everything a little more gently if it's wet or it looks slick (braking, accelerating, turning)

[darkwolf]

I'll be riding all winter. The only times I won't be riding is if the bus isn't running. Given how mad you have to be to be a bus driver if they aren't out - I'm staying indoors.

[xXGIBBOXx]

Ride all year round :Punk: . Be smooth on the gas and brakes . watch the road if its the first rain in a week or two , brings all the oil out of the road . And what the F@#k is with all the aucklanders in the rain ? " Its raining so im going to drive my cage at like 60 on the motorway , then do 80 round botany ? " :angry:

[Coldrider]

My advice for winter riding?


Move north!winter is just the same up norf, it's only 3 months long instead of 6 :woohoo:

[Mom]

Hmmm I'll take a look into heated grips. They sound very comfortable.


Bloody marvelous invention.:Punk:

Heated grips are for pussies :yes:

Having said that I have some :love:

Best time of the year to ride for me. I love winter riding. You get to appreciate the weight of your gear. You get to layer up like a pass the parcel pressie :shutup:

I love knowing it is really cold, and being able to tell that it is through my gear, but being warm as a warm thing with all my gear on.

[Oakie]

Heated grips are for pussies :yes:.

miaow!

....

[DODO``]

problem with winter gears for me is the gloves.

I can put layers over layers under jacket, pants, boots... but what do you do with winter gloves? Ive got quality winter gloves with 3m thinsulate layer but my hands freeze about an hour ride.

any tips? (other than heated grips?) :Punk:

[p.dath]

I ride like normal in Winter. I have heated grips and they make a big difference to the enjoyment of riding.

[unstuck]

any tips? (other than heated grips?) :Punk:

Learn to ride with no hands, and keep your hands in your pockets. Or take a spoonful of cement, and harden the fuck up.:bleh::msn-wink:

[Nzpure]

problem with winter gears for me is the gloves.

I can put layers over layers under jacket, pants, boots... but what do you do with winter gloves? Ive got quality winter gloves with 3m thinsulate layer but my hands freeze about an hour ride.

any tips? (other than heated grips?) :Punk:

LOL your hands freeze and your in auckland ahahahahahahah, get some handgaurds and heated grips and don't ride south of hamilton. Your hands are likely to freeze of in the summer if you come this far south lol. :bleh:

[Oakie]

any tips? (other than heated grips?) :Punk:

Silk gloves underneath your normal gloves. Seriously! Does that make heated grips manly enough for you? I did look for them once but couldn't find them in my size. Perhaps I should have gone to a tranny shop.

[Nzpure]

problem with winter gears for me is the gloves.

I can put layers over layers under jacket, pants, boots... but what do you do with winter gloves? Ive got quality winter gloves with 3m thinsulate layer but my hands freeze about an hour ride.

any tips? (other than heated grips?) :Punk:

or get some old skool leather gloves with the sheepskin inner.

[Berries]

if it snows I like to change from tinted visor to clear visor..
It has been that dark after work lately that I am chucking the clear visor on today. The problem is if the clouds part I get blinded by the sun in both directions.

[Nzpure]

It has been that dark after work lately that I am chucking the clear visor on today. The problem is if the clouds part I get blinded by the sun in both directions.

Just close your eyes and use the force, you'll be right.

[Swoop]

problem with winter gears for me is the gloves.

I can put layers over layers under jacket, pants, boots... but what do you do with winter gloves?
1: Silk liners (as suggested previously).
2: Thinsulate liners (go to an outdoors shop; FCO, Kathmandu, etc)
3: Spidi nordic winter gloves. Pricey, but good!

[unstuck]

LOL your hands freeze and your in auckland ahahahahahahah, get some handgaurds and heated grips and don't ride south of hamilton. Your hands are likely to freeze of in the summer if you come this far south lol. :bleh:

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, how the fuck can your hands get that cold riding around in the tropics.:cold: It is 1 degree here at the moment, and that is warm.:devil2:

[willytheekid]

It has been that dark after work lately that I am chucking the clear visor on today. The problem is if the clouds part I get blinded by the sun in both directions.

Had the same problem last year, replaced the helmet this year with one that has a inner sun visor...very handy!
just push a button and "click"...top gun sunnies are on :laugh:

[unstuck]

Heated grips are for pussies :yes:

:Oi:Thanks for that, I just got slapped for suggesting that to the missus.:no::spanking:

[GSF]

Heated grips are for pussies :yes:

Having said that I have some :love:

Best time of the year to ride for me. I love winter riding. You get to appreciate the weight of your gear. You get to layer up like a pass the parcel pressie :shutup:

I love knowing it is really cold, and being able to tell that it is through my gear, but being warm as a warm thing with all my gear on.

Agreed! Nothing like a ride on a bright, clear and chilly winter's day. My Bandit always seems to run really well on days when the air is very cold and dry (anyone else find this? Lesser air pressure and humidity makes carbs run more efficiently? I don't know) and I love feeling all padded up and toasty. I hop off sometimes and warm my (gloved) hands on the hot cases. :)

[Oakie]

My Bandit always seems to run really well on days when the air is very cold and dry (anyone else find this? Lesser air pressure and humidity makes carbs run more efficiently?

Yes I do! Every so often the conditions must be at the optimum for fuel burn ... air pressure, temperature, humidity ... and the Bandit just seems to go perceptibly better.

[rastuscat]

I commute on the bike, it makes parking in the city a breeze.

I start work at 6.00, so set off at 5.30 from Rangiora.

My bike (bless it) tells me how cold it is, and this morning it was -2 on Lineside Road. I'm going to put a piece of tape over the display, coz I don't want to know.

It's normally a chance (compulsory actually) to wear ever layer available. Thats means having to have somewhere to store the gear on the way home in the afternoon, for use the next morning.

Re gloves, I find the Rain Off gloves http://www.rain-off.com/ to be great. They are rain gloves, but over my winter gloves they provide a wind blocking layer.

It makes head checks a bit more difficult, wearing to much gear, but I'd still rather do that than pay for parking. It's cheaper to run the bike, and basically I love riding.

Yes, it has heated grips.

I've googled the heated vests, pants etc, but I have survived so far, so can't see the point in spending a bloody fortune on gear I might use so infrequently.

I'm missing Marmite.

Just my thoughts.

[Big Dave]

Some days I miss living in NZ. Some days I don't.

http://weather.brisbanetimes.com.au/images/icons/31_blue/w02.gifFriday
Mostly sunny
Min: 14°C Max: 26°C

http://weather.brisbanetimes.com.au/images/icons/31_blue/w01.gifSaturday
Sunny
Min: 14°C Max: 27°C

http://weather.brisbanetimes.com.au/images/icons/31_blue/w01.gifSunday
Sunny
Min: 13°C Max: 26°C

[unstuck]

Some days I miss living in NZ. Some days I don't.

http://weather.brisbanetimes.com.au/images/icons/31_blue/w02.gifFriday
Mostly sunny
Min: 14°C Max: 26°C

http://weather.brisbanetimes.com.au/images/icons/31_blue/w01.gifSaturday
Sunny
Min: 14°C Max: 27°C

http://weather.brisbanetimes.com.au/images/icons/31_blue/w01.gifSunday
Sunny
Min: 13°C Max: 26°C

Yeah but, you have to put up with all them obnoxious auzzy pricks.:bleh:

[george formby]

I forgot to mention that eating a litre of porridge at 98c will keep you warm in a blast freezer wearing nothing but your undercracks for 2 hours minimum. A winter riders breakfast du jour IMHO.

[GSF]

Yes I do! Every so often the conditions must be at the optimum for fuel burn ... air pressure, temperature, humidity ... and the Bandit just seems to go perceptibly better.

This is what I thought, my working knowledge of carbs is very rudimentary but it stands to reason. Piston-engined aircraft have a mixture adjustment control to lean/richen the mixture as altitude, air pressure and temperature change. I saw a Mikuni jet size chart once that was intended for setting up race carbs depending on temperature, air pressure and altitude above sea level.

[Zedder]

I forgot to mention that eating a litre of porridge at 98c will keep you warm in a blast freezer wearing nothing but your undercracks for 2 hours minimum. A winter riders breakfast du jour IMHO.

And as an added benefit, according to health experts, porridge lowers cholesterol. Great stuff.

[Oakie]

And as an added benefit, according to health experts, porridge lowers cholesterol. Great stuff.

Unless you have great lumps of brown sugar on it like I do. Well, I must admit that the lumps aren't as big as the used to be.

[Zedder]

Unless you have great lumps of brown sugar on it like I do. Well, I must admit that the lumps aren't as big as the used to be.

Try it with lumps of fruit mate.

[unstuck]

Oh jezus, next you bloody nannas will be riding around with hot water bottles tucked under ya jackets.:msn-wink:

[FJRider]

Oh jezus, next you bloody nannas will be riding around with hot water bottles tucked under ya jackets.:msn-wink:

But few will be riding around in shorts and T-shirt ... :shifty:

[unstuck]

But few will be riding around in shorts and T-shirt ... :shifty:

I wonder if that is why you dont see many squids down here.:bleh:

[FJRider]

I wonder if that is why you dont see many squids down here.:bleh:

All the Goreon's come up here in cars ... :shifty:

[unstuck]

All the Goreon's come up here in cars ... :shifty:

You can keep all those dickhead firm members. Last 2 visits out there for me were in the cage too, damn it all, was glorious weather too. But, oh no, she who must be obeyed wanted to go shopping blah blah blah.:mellow:

[Big Dave]

You know you can buy your way out of shopping. It trades for yard work. At least it's not shopping.

[cheshirecat]

problem with winter gears for me is the gloves.

I can put layers over layers under jacket, pants, boots... but what do you do with winter gloves? Ive got quality winter gloves with 3m thinsulate layer but my hands freeze about an hour ride.

any tips? (other than heated grips?) :Punk:
Handle bar mitts. Look daft but they work. Road UK winters including snow with just those and heated grips and normal riding gloves.

[Berries]

Just close your eyes and use the force, you'll be right.
Cheers man. It worked.

But I used Emersons.

[Nzpure]

Cheers man. It worked.

But I used Emersons.

If your talking about the beer, then..Good man!

[xXGIBBOXx]

Anyone else have the "joy" of riding home in the rain round 5 tonight ? It was "fun" having the motorway disappear in front of ya and the taillights . Spooky but the thunder storm on the way home way cool on the i love the thunder storms :Punk: . Anyway is there any thing i can put on my visor to bead the rain better ?

[Berries]

Anyway is there any thing i can put on my visor to bead the rain better ?
Something like this?

[xXGIBBOXx]

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: Gold , it may have worked on the scooter not the bike i think :bleh:

[Fast Eddie]

lol I haven't found anything to help with clearing water from visor that actually worked yet. u can get some shit called kat krap or something haha.. i seen it in the bike shops bought it once and didnt really do much for me.

turn ur head sideways into the oncoming wind, clears all the rain off..

and then use the force (emersons) to guide where you are going

[joeyy]

Yep, this'll be my first winter riding. Haven't got my own car so I'll be commuting to work on either my KR150 or the Street Magic I'm currently borrowing. Probably going to ride the TR50 on rainy days.

Winter worries me a little, not the cold so much as the rain. It's the worst for me because my visor has one spot that fogs up in rain or harsh cold, even with my pinlock anti-fog insert fitted. :(

Other than that my only worry is getting my KR150 to start in the morning lol.

[Gremlin]

Plexus does very well at not letting the water hang around on the visor. Spray it on, rub it in with a cloth. Repeat as required as it slowly wears away.

[unstuck]

If my bike was back together I would definitely be riding it through winter. Cant wait to get out in the mountains on the dirtbike and play in the ice and snow.:Punk: