(09-08-05) Do you ride in winter?

[nhoel]

You can always "store" your bikes in the states that don't experience winter... we'll keep them happy for you and give them morning and afternoon rides!!! (just kidding)...

[Pinhy]

winter? i live in Florida!

[Roaddog]

With our winters I can ride all year and I do, I only park it if it's foggy and I don't ride if it's raining unless I just get caught out in the rain.

[Scourge]

This will be my first winter w/ a bike since I left Savannah, GA. I'll have to see how things go. We do get a little snow and ice from time to time, but nothing drastic, so I'll probably just bundle up and enjoy not sweating in my helmet.

[Spiff]

Since I live in Minnesota, no, I most definitley do NOT ride in the winter!

[bat4255]

I checked "Winterize when the snow falls". But I usually get out at least once in Jan, & Feb. for a short day trip, if it warms up to 40 or so. So I store for short term (1-2 Months)

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by Pinhy

winter? i live in Florida!

Do you store your bike away for hurricane season, or do you ride when the winds are category 2 or less?

[mr_resistible]

Last year I was able to find a few days every month to ride. I never winterized, just kept it covered. Most of those rides were weekends cruising arround town.

[blackie1491]

It is not so much winter, more rainy season. It is bad enough to share the roads in good weather. The risk is too much. The first rainy period here is the start of accident season. For the first time in 15 years, I am going to put it in storage with a local shop. They service before and after, and keep it charged. I will take it in end Oct. and out around Mar. 1. It will depend on the weather. The package allows 7 months storage.

[KNIGHTENFORCER]

Originally Posted by tlwisner

I'll ride in to work as long as the morning temps are above freezing - which means the afternoon ride home will usually be in the 50°s or so. Having a windshield makes colder weather a lot more bearable. Winter varies quite a bit here, we get plenty of good riding days.

same here....I ride to work as long as the temps are bearable...there are some nice days in the winter time....just make sure i have my cold gear on...the most "winterizing" i ever did was to put stabil in the tank fill it up, and start it once in a while, and plug in the battery tender.( I keep my bike in the garage).

[simplegame]

I enjoy riding in the cool weather. Don't go for long trips, but compared to riding in 100 degree heat, 45 degrees is great! Any colder than that is not fun either. Avoid the rain but sometimes you get caught in it. Road in the rain several times in the spring and you dry off fast, but cold winter rain is not so forgiving.
It will have to snow to stop me from riding in the winter and that is fairly rare here in the Willamette valley of Oregon. We get a dust of snow almost every winter, but more than a inch is really unusual. Often melts in a day.
Can't let the bike just sit, I don't think that is good. I will try to fire it up and ride to the store at least once a week.

[Ranger_b0b]

My "winterizing" this year is going to include stripping the bike down to the frame, and smoothing, painting, polishing, and replacing everything that needs it. Full Resto, should be fun. I have had a blast rinding the old girl, but soon now, I will be fixing those little annoying things that have been bugging me, like a loose connection in the harness, a bent footpeg that just isn't in quite the right spot, etc.

[dallasfan971]

well i would say i am going to winterize but i am moving to michigan next month and i do not know how the winter will be there as compared to new england. i hope that it is not any worse. anybody know how winter is near auburn hills, MI ?

[Dwayne Hicks]

I ride all year round - South African winters are not that harsh. Just wrap up warm - gets to about 25 degrees during the day.

[Uechi Kid]

I need to qualify my resonse. I won't ride in the rain unless I get caught in it. Like going to work and then it rains and I have no choice to get home.

[Bowtie18]

I never winterized last year, and managed to get a ride at least once every two weeks, even if it was a short 20 miler or so. New years day here was 60 degrees, and I rode all day! That is rare, however. I don't ride to work anymore once the night temps are in the 20's or 30's. I guess I just like to e somewhat comfortable!

Having a garage helps when it comes to not winterizing, at least it doesn't got exposed directly to the elements.

[tnichols]

Winter time is mild here in NC. I'll keep riding all year minus the days that it is either too cold, raining, or when we get ice....I've never seen a true snowfall. Thanks global warming!

[Rickster]

Keep the battery tender on, start the bike every 3 weeks or so, let it warm up good 10 to 15 min. Keep Stabil in the gas, and the wheels off the ground. Ride on warm days (above 40) if the roads are clear. Salt is bad for bikes.

[RampageRider]

I don't store it for long around here, yesterday it was 50, today it's in the 30's In Iowa you never know when the weather will change in your favor.

[ELGOLD C50T]

Battery is out and hooked to tender in basement, seats are off and stored as well. Keeps me from the temptation of taking it out for a spin when the temps creep a bit above freezing and it's clear and dry. Besides I'm too lazy to go through the exercise of putting everything back for just a short jaunt. I will wait it out till spring - ANXIOUSLY!