How cold is too cold to ride? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

interfire83 · 03-04-2006, 11:58 PM

went for a short ride today in the 30's. That's enough for me.

**Clint** · 03-05-2006, 12:07 AM

I just don't enjoy myself when it's much below 50. All that clothing, along with poor tire grip and the sand and salt that are usually present at that time of year make riding like I want to almost foolish.

stp1971 · 03-05-2006, 12:09 AM

Left this morning in 30 degree temps wearing a Fieldsheer one piece suit, winter lined gloves, a wind proof head and neck thingy. Still too dang cold.

Left work today and rode home in 57-60 degree temps. Still too dang cold. Now I got a sore throat.

60 degrees is my limit from this point forward. I have a cage for anything less than that. Yep,, Fairweather rider here. Well I will ride in the summer rain,, but winter,,nope,,not anymore.

St0nkingByte · 03-05-2006, 12:18 AM

I commute all winter. Of course the coldest it ever gets here is about 26F, my ride to work is only 15-20 minutes, I have a huge windshield and heated grips

MagnumForce · 03-05-2006, 12:21 AM

32°F and above on the M50, 41°F and above on the CBR. Wind chill also plays a significant role, so even if the temps are in the 40's, winds may prevent me from riding. Warmer temps required on the CBR because I need warm tires for better grip. Coldest I've ridden so far was 19°F last December on the M50.

Scott58 · 03-05-2006, 10:41 AM

I ride all year round. The only thing that stops me is snow and ice.

QuacktheDuck · 03-05-2006, 10:48 AM

40 is cold. It's tolerable down to mid 40s (early mornings) but that's where i draw the line and if i had to commute more than the 10 miles i do in the morning i'd reconsider at those temps. Rode to work one morning and it was 38 or 39...I was bitter. I don't like wearing 4 layers of clothes because by the time afternoon rolls around going back from work it's in the 60s or 70s. Packing the extra clothes is not fun.

azoazc · 03-05-2006, 11:03 AM

I rode this morning. 25 degrees in Buffalo. Bundle up and don't throttle it in a corner.

Mavman · 03-05-2006, 11:30 AM

40's are about as low as I'll go for around town/short trips, 60's + for any further.

Atlas68 · 03-05-2006, 11:46 AM

Voted 30 but would have chose 35 if it was an option. I commute to work also, weather permitting. I use the freezing mark as a guide and try to stay above that if possible. Without an outside thermometer, I rely on local live broadcasts via the internet. There is a bias though...
The other morning the net said +3 deg (36 F) yet when I roled the bike outside, frost on scrape worthy car windows told me otherwise.

Rode anyway, being extra cautious, with no issues. Those heated grips would have come in handy, and I hate to say...chaps again entered my mind...doh

Rickster · 03-05-2006, 12:01 PM

If I'm going out for the day, I want it to be at least 55. I will go out for like a half hour, just to get my fix, down to 35. I did get a few hours in this w/e @ 45, but that was with a bunch of stops, and I was wearing my snowmobile suit. Easy on, and off.

2005GZ250 · 03-05-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott58

I ride all year round. The only thing that stops me is snow and ice.

I don't ride when it rains, the coldest ride so far was °22 and the only problem I have is keeping my hands and feet warm.

tlwisner · 03-05-2006, 12:29 PM

I'll ride to work if the morning temp is about 35° and the roads are clear. Thermal long johns under the Joe Rocket Steel Jeans work.

**Clint** · 03-05-2006, 02:43 PM

You guys are loving that alt246 thing, ain'tcha?

Rickster · 03-05-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

You guys are loving that alt246 thing, ain'tcha?

I'll bite,

what the heck is "alt246"?

Bowtie18 · 03-05-2006, 04:17 PM

I will get out in the 40's. Any colder is just not fun! I rode today, got in about 70 miles. It as 47, but the winds were gusting up to 25 mph. Still not a bad day, I haven't had it even this warm in a month or so, so i got out!!!

Atlas68 · 03-05-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickster

I'll bite,

what the heck is "alt246"?

I think he was trying to give the code for the degree sign, but those #'s give the divide symbol...÷...can't recall the right code for deg...anyone?

MagnumForce · 03-05-2006, 05:05 PM

It's Alt248 or Alt0176 for the degree symbol.

Atlas68 · 03-05-2006, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

You guys are loving that alt246 thing, ain'tcha?

In light of yet another typo Rowdy...This has pattern written all over it my friend.

What's that 3 this week now? Not that I'm counting...just observant.

BTW, thanks EZ. I've scribed it on my wall as I can never remember it.

tnichols · 03-05-2006, 06:06 PM

I rode 180 miles from NC to TN and back yesterday. In the mountains the temps got down to about 34°. I stopped 3 times for a hot coffee and a few minutes to warm up. However when I got home it took me three hours and a heating pad on my thieghs to warm them back up. I was wearing a t-shirt, sweater, leather jacket and gloves and jeans. I had a great time, but next time I'm wearing some chaps.

View Poll Results: How cold is too cold to ride?
60	2	2.50%
50	7	8.75%
40	21	26.25%
30	35	43.75%
Never too cold	15	18.75%
Voters: 80. You may not vote on this poll

03-04-2006, 11:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
interfire83 In Training Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: 2006 M50 Location: NW, Ohio Posts: 116	How cold is too cold to ride? went for a short ride today in the 30's. That's enough for me.

03-05-2006, 12:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,833	Left this morning in 30 degree temps wearing a Fieldsheer one piece suit, winter lined gloves, a wind proof head and neck thingy. Still too dang cold. Left work today and rode home in 57-60 degree temps. Still too dang cold. Now I got a sore throat. 60 degrees is my limit from this point forward. I have a cage for anything less than that. Yep,, Fairweather rider here. Well I will ride in the summer rain,, but winter,,nope,,not anymore. __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

03-05-2006, 12:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
St0nkingByte Sprocket Pilot Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: 2005 BMW R1200RT Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 893	I commute all winter. Of course the coldest it ever gets here is about 26F, my ride to work is only 15-20 minutes, I have a huge windshield and heated grips __________________

03-05-2006, 12:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
MagnumForce Throttle Jockey Joined: May 2005 Bike: 05 M50, 06 CBR600F4i Location: Sitting on the can... duh! Posts: 3,160	32°F and above on the M50, 41°F and above on the CBR. Wind chill also plays a significant role, so even if the temps are in the 40's, winds may prevent me from riding. Warmer temps required on the CBR because I need warm tires for better grip. Coldest I've ridden so far was 19°F last December on the M50. __________________ "I love the smell of toner in the morning… it's the smell of victory!" MAJ M, Staff Officer

03-05-2006, 10:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
Scott58 Puddle Runner Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 05 Honda Rebel and 05 Suzuki S50 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 394	I ride all year round. The only thing that stops me is snow and ice.

03-05-2006, 10:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
QuacktheDuck Sprocket Pilot Joined: May 2005 Bike: 2004 FZ6 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 858	40 is cold. It's tolerable down to mid 40s (early mornings) but that's where i draw the line and if i had to commute more than the 10 miles i do in the morning i'd reconsider at those temps. Rode to work one morning and it was 38 or 39...I was bitter. I don't like wearing 4 layers of clothes because by the time afternoon rolls around going back from work it's in the 60s or 70s. Packing the extra clothes is not fun. __________________ Quacktheduck is one lucky duck. Miss my v-strom...06/14/06, the best i ever had...

03-05-2006, 11:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
azoazc Kickstand Operator Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 259	I rode this morning. 25 degrees in Buffalo. Bundle up and don't throttle it in a corner. __________________ www.banditalley.com www.wnysportriders.org If water feels like concrete at 100MPH, what does concrete feel like? WEAR YOUR GEAR!!!! Edited by ME

03-05-2006, 11:46 AM	#10 (permalink)
Atlas68 Sit speling cheker Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 SOLD '05 Anniversary Edition VMax #1878 Location: Vancouver B.C. Canada Posts: 1,728	Voted 30 but would have chose 35 if it was an option. I commute to work also, weather permitting. I use the freezing mark as a guide and try to stay above that if possible. Without an outside thermometer, I rely on local live broadcasts via the internet. There is a bias though... The other morning the net said +3 deg (36 F) yet when I roled the bike outside, frost on scrape worthy car windows told me otherwise. Rode anyway, being extra cautious, with no issues. Those heated grips would have come in handy, and I hate to say...chaps again entered my mind...doh __________________ Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength. SuperTrapp Exhaust Last edited by Atlas68; 03-05-2006 at 12:41 PM.

03-05-2006, 12:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
tlwisner Throttle Jockey Joined: Apr 2004 Bike: '05 Boulevard C50 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 3,208	I'll ride to work if the morning temp is about 35° and the roads are clear. Thermal long johns under the Joe Rocket Steel Jeans work. __________________ Tim Wisner AMA, SCRC Happiness is something we create Last edited by tlwisner; 03-05-2006 at 06:21 PM.

03-05-2006, 04:17 PM	#16 (permalink)
Bowtie18 Third gear and cruising Joined: Oct 2004 Bike: 2006 Yamaha Road Star Midnight Location: Smyrna, DE Posts: 509	I will get out in the 40's. Any colder is just not fun! I rode today, got in about 70 miles. It as 47, but the winds were gusting up to 25 mph. Still not a bad day, I haven't had it even this warm in a month or so, so i got out!!!

03-05-2006, 05:05 PM	#18 (permalink)
MagnumForce Throttle Jockey Joined: May 2005 Bike: 05 M50, 06 CBR600F4i Location: Sitting on the can... duh! Posts: 3,160	It's Alt248 or Alt0176 for the degree symbol. __________________ "I love the smell of toner in the morning… it's the smell of victory!" MAJ M, Staff Officer

03-05-2006, 06:06 PM	#20 (permalink)
tnichols Found second gear by accident Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 2005 Suzuki S50 Location: Hickory NC Posts: 307	I rode 180 miles from NC to TN and back yesterday. In the mountains the temps got down to about 34°. I stopped 3 times for a hot coffee and a few minutes to warm up. However when I got home it took me three hours and a heating pad on my thieghs to warm them back up. I was wearing a t-shirt, sweater, leather jacket and gloves and jeans. I had a great time, but next time I'm wearing some chaps.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cold weather ride	Rickster	The Paddock	27	02-11-2006 07:41 AM
Cold Weather	AceBiker	The Paddock	8	10-25-2005 07:53 AM
C-C-Cold . . .	87gsxrnut	Off Topic	12	01-05-2005 09:37 PM
My first cold ride tonight (36 degrees).	Texas Jay	Cruisers	9	12-02-2004 01:00 AM
rough run cold	kneedragger38	Mechanics Corner	2	03-23-2004 11:18 AM