Riding in Cool/Cold Weather

[ARtraveler]

I learned to drive motorcycles when I lived in Minnesota in the 60's. My coldest--about 15 below zero. Riding in the neighborhood to perfect my shifting technique on my first motorcycle. A Yamaha 80. Those were the days before motorcycle riding gear was very popular. Jeans, long sleeve shirt, winter jacket, stocking cap inside the Bell helmet.

Forward to 2017. It's already turned cold. 40's in the day and 30's at night. My current thresholds are I am done when the snow and black ice comes to my country road. :spyder2: does not do well on ice. I will ride in the 20's but that is about it now. When it becomes an endurance ordeal--I park it. :yes:

No warm up needed for the :f_spider:. Mine are kept in a 50 degree, heated garage.

 

[DGoebel]

My used 2013 RTL ran fine last winter until the snow plows ran 2 days in a row, then the next clear day I rode it into storage. HEATED GRIPS, best option I've ever had on a cycle......
Here in MN, Snowmobiling clothes are as common as swimsuits in Florida, below 0 riding on dry roads is the same as riding a sled. (Actually I think I feel warmer behind the 998 engine).

 

[RinconRyder]

The coldest ride I've ever experienced was 16F across the deserts of SoCal in February several years ago. That was on my Wing. Never want to do it again!

 

[mark4Jesus]

The Victory Cross Country Tour that I traded had heated grips and seat, with a big fairing. The only thing that really got cold on me was my knees. The air flow around the lower fairings put air directly on my knees, so I wore knee pads when it was really cold.

The Spyder heated grips respond quickly, that is nice.

I like to ride year round. Although, I would rather ride when it is 35 rather than 95!

 

[quasi]

10jan2016 I rolled out of the garage heading for a Patriot Guard ride, it was 21 degrees. when we rode thru Washington Pa it was 15 degrees up along rt 18. bike was fine, I thought I was gonna freeze solid! I cut my new foam grip covers off so I could get more heat through my gloves. i'll not ride under 30/35 degrees again unless I absolutely have to until I can afford heated gear.

 

[mark4Jesus]

10jan2016 I rolled out of the garage heading for a Patriot Guard ride, it was 21 degrees. when we rode thru Washington Pa it was 15 degrees up along rt 18. bike was fine, I thought I was gonna freeze solid! I cut my new foam grip covers off so I could get more heat through my gloves. i'll not ride under 30/35 degrees again unless I absolutely have to until I can afford heated gear.

Last year a friend gave me a heated liner, I just need to get an adapter to plug it in. Need to start on that since it is cooling off.

 

[ES44AC]

I ride down to 30 degrees in the mornings to work, but that's my limit. I have rode in colder weather, but it's just torture on me. Watch the road for icy spots at all times in the cold.
I have insulated gear, but not heated . I love my heated grips, but I wish I could afford a heated seat though.

 

[jaherbst]

Geez, you guys are talking about too cold to ride. Here in Tucson our riding season is just beginning. Road the BMW Roadster (R1200R LC) today and

still too hot 102* on the asphalt highway. We used to ride our snowmobiles in MSP some times below O*. Snowmobile suit, gloves and boots. Really it

was not bad. Rode M/C 's in temps below freezing if roads were clear. Oh, did I mention when riding the sleds we stopped every hour for a shot of Snow

Shoe. ( one half Christian Bros. Brandy and one half Peppermint Schnapps mixed together ) All the Wisconsin and Minnesota folks know what I am

talking about, right? You Betcha!

Jack

 

[ARtraveler]

Geez, you guys are talking about too cold to ride. Here in Tucson our riding season is just beginning. Road the BMW Roadster (R1200R LC) today and

still too hot 102* on the asphalt highway. We used to ride our snowmobiles in MSP some times below O*. Snowmobile suit, gloves and boots. Really it

was not bad. Rode M/C 's in temps below freezing if roads were clear. Oh, did I mention when riding the sleds we stopped every hour for a shot of Snow

Shoe. ( one half Christian Bros. Brandy and one half Peppermint Schnapps mixed together ) All the Wisconsin and Minnesota folks know what I am

talking about, right? You Betcha!

Jack

You Betcha. :yes:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

REALLY COLD TEMPS

They use these same engines in the snowmobiles and they run in really harsh weather. Unlike some of the deisel engines where you need to heat them up before starting them up in freezing weather these will fire up and run fine...:thumbup:

:agree::agree::agree: My friends and I took a one week trip at the top of Maine .... this was right after the Terrible / famous ICE Storm that crippled the North east .... In the morning it was usually 35 below ZERO and didn't get above ZERO everyday ..... None of our various machines failed to start ... and they were out all night .... So gas engines aren't harmed by the cold ....jmho ... Mike :yes:

 

[willey]

cold

Firstgear from Ron.I bought one about 2 years ago.It will extend your riding season.A good product from a great Guy.:yes::yes::yes:

 

[ARtraveler]

:agree::agree::agree: My friends and I took a one week trip at the top of Maine .... this was right after the Terrible / famous ICE Storm that crippled the North east .... In the morning it was usually 35 below ZERO and didn't get above ZERO everyday ..... None of our various machines failed to start ... and they were out all night .... So gas engines aren't harmed by the cold ....jmho ... Mike :yes:

35 Below--You are one tough SOB. :firstplace::firstplace::firstplace: At that temp, it is so cold you feel that it could be cut with a knife. It hurts to breath the air. :yes:

 

[JNorthStar]

air cooled engines

You drive your four wheel vehicles in cold weather; no difference with a Spyder. cold weather isn't going to hurt them. Dress appropriately. I ride into the 30s.

Similarly, air cooled motorcycles, snow machines, lawn and garden equipment all function well (sometimes better) in cooler weather. Below the freezing point might create an issue, but in Minnesota and Wisconsin there are late autumn and early spring rides where the date is set several months prior and you are expected to ride regardless of the weather. MN has a "frosted nuts" ride each year that is quite well attended and has riders representing several states. J

 

[foxtail1]

I rode to work this week and it was about 35˚ on the way in (17 mile commute). I was fine, except for my hands. I'd like to keep riding to work, so I'm thinking about adding the heated grips. Do you riders who have them think that they were worth the money?

 

[LareBare]

true statement

My used 2013 RTL ran fine last winter until the snow plows ran 2 days in a row, then the next clear day I rode it into storage. HEATED GRIPS, best option I've ever had on a cycle......
Here in MN, Snowmobiling clothes are as common as swimsuits in Florida, below 0 riding on dry roads is the same as riding a sled. (Actually I think I feel warmer behind the 998 engine).

True statment if you ride a sled you can ride a Spyder on dry roads.

 

[Casher50]

I've ridden as cold as 17F and was comfortable except for my eyes. They were tearing up and the tears were freezing. The trick to riding in very cold weather is layers, lots of them. Also, I use the brown insulated overalls like you see farmers using in the winter. With enough layers and the right insulated clothing you will be amazed at how warm you are in the cold. Someday I may get some electric clothing but for now I'm fine.