Too cold to ride?

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Disturbed member
Calendar Participant
First, the disclaimer........Yes, I live in Florida and no, it doesn't REALLY get that cold here but I know some folks that will put their bikes away for the winter when it get before like 60 degrees. "Too cold to ride." is what I hear. I ride mine pretty much all year round and it does dip below the 30's here from time to time. Now that doesn't nessesarily mean I am enjoying the ride, but I do ride it.

I guess my question is: When is it too cold for you to ride? I see a lot of guys here from MI and read about them riding theirs. So, when is it that you step outside and say, "Oh HELL no, I ain't riding today!"
 

IrishGuy

Active Member
Never too cold to ride. It's just a matter of layering so you don't freeze your ass off. Only thing that keeps me from riding in the winter is snow/slush on the roads. When it dries up, watch out :up:
 

Chopper Dave

SIICK!!!
snow....slush...ice....and the main thing...salt!
here in Michigan...the roads get a white powdery film on them from the salt...so if the roads are dry.....all that salt still gets on the bike...or your truck...etc. I always wait for a few good rains to wash the salt shit off the roads before I ride..and of course...I make sure everything is dry..
 

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Disturbed member
Calendar Participant
Well, luckly I don't have to worry about snow or ice. Just cold temps. I have ridden when the temp was in the mid 20's.
 

Vegas

Well-Known Member
Mid fifties is my threshold. I am not interested in freezing my ass off for the sake of a ride. Keep in mind my riding season is about 9 months a year with some jaunts in to the 60 range in the winter from time to time. When I ride I like to get atleast 50 miles out of town. Running around Vegas with all traffic sucks.
 

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
For us "salty" states Dave said it. If my bike is ready to roll and its 60 degrees outside but the roads are COVERED with salt and salt dust... I WILL NOT RIDE. I'm not getting that salt all over the bike.

So pretty much I will ride at anything 40 or above. As long as its not salty. once the salt goes down, usually I'm done till spring when it rains and washes off the roads.
 

kickstart

Well-Known Member
The salt is a problem and a bitch to get off, so if the wind is blowing and the sea is up say 5-6 feet you need to stay off US 1.

I gotta agree with Vegas 50 or below I'm taking the truck, the skin (not Blood) gets thinner when you live in a warm climate. I got home from Nam in November 68 and didn't stop shivering until May 69. :roll:

I've ridden in snow and cold and it SUCKS! I had a 68 shovel full dress I took out in 2' of snow just in the hood to see how it would handle, it did pretty good except for the stop part. :lol:
 

toomanybikes

not enough time 4 riding
Sand is another winter road hazard. Sand and/or salt in turns and ice/frost are the limiting factors for winter riding. I prefer the temp to be above freezing, but I have ridden when the temp was in the mid 20s. It is interesting to look at streams and see ice in the water and snow on the banks.

Of course, the car drivers are even more oblivious to motorcycles in the winter time.
 

LARS

sippin & cruzin
when your snots freeze for two days and you have to sit to take a leak for a week=too cold
 

chucktx

Well-Known Member
40 is when i dont like to ride......but as said, it doesnt get that cold here much. i also layer....no electrics....
 

CCRainman

Well-Known Member
Hoat that little guy looks just like you.

I don't like to ride below 40 and the roads have to be clear of salt, ice and any other crap.
 

Fibersnake

Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
Have rode down to 15f but it is not something I like to do. Will do so in special situation, in those case-funerals-toy runs, etc. Main limiting factor is the roads, ice is a no no, and I stay away when there has been salt put down recently.
 
50's is my limit. I live in Arkansas and it will probably be 70 or in the 20's the next day. I can wait a day or two. Our weather goes from one extreme to another everyday.
 

WB Cycles

Well-Known Member
Luckily here in the Dallas area they don't use anything on the road (except sand when its REALLY bad) so we don't have to worry about the salt. Weather has been beautiful (40s) and I went for a spin this morning. Surprised that I only saw one other bike ... then remembered its Christmas Eve.

You can tell who the single/no family/girlfriend out of town - guy is ... :loony:
 
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