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Author Topic: When does the bike get put away?  (Read 1768 times)

Offline johngenx

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When does the bike get put away?
« on: October 02, 2011, 09:24:08 pm »
Now that I don't store the motorcycles at home, I have the quandary of when to finally set them away for the winter.  I went for a ride early this morning, and it was great to go out and go fast, but at 5C, it was also a little COLD!!

Maybe I'm becoming soft in my old age, but it feels like next week the two wheelers will be tucked away for the winter.  Anyone holding out for longer?  Keep in mind I live in a pretty cold/snowy part of the country before you hammer on me too hard...
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Offline PJungnitsch

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #1 on: October 02, 2011, 09:35:18 pm »
Heated vest and heated grips are the answer. The winter I was in Lethbridge I rode every month as the snow and ice would melt away periodically. Edmonton, I'm guessing the end of October permanent snow will come?

Thinking it's time to order studded tires for the bicycle.
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Offline Sir Osis of Liver

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2011, 09:36:19 pm »
I paid for 6 months of insurance this year, and it's up next week, so next week it is.

In NB we had to keep insurance on all year, so usually rode well into November. One year I went for a ride on Christmas day. The bike usually came back out in April depending on the year.
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Offline 5 Wheel Drive

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #3 on: October 03, 2011, 08:50:54 am »
I'll ride 'til mid-November or so, as long as there's no frost on the road.  I'm comfortable down to about 2 or 3 degrees.  I have heated grips, hand guards, and wind/waterproof gloves.  The only part of me that gets chilly is my knees. 
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Offline Guy

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2011, 09:31:31 am »
On my last ride last fall there was snow on the side of the road. I have a Rukka suit, heated grips, Rukka winter gloves. I can go down to 0C, but then there's not much traction on the road. Since winter tires are mandatory in Quebec, December 15th is the last day I can legally ride my bike.
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Offline blur911

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #5 on: October 03, 2011, 10:39:38 am »
Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on October 02, 2011, 09:36:19 pm
I paid for 6 months of insurance this year, and it's up next week, so next week it is.

In NB we had to keep insurance on all year, so usually rode well into November. One year I went for a ride on Christmas day. The bike usually came back out in April depending on the year.

In Ontario we are forced to insure our bikes all year round, I've been out occasionally for mid-winter rides. (short ones)
Odd how the insurance companies think it's a good thing to ride a motorcycle in snow and ice, otherwise we wouldn't have to insure them all winter.
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Offline wing

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #6 on: October 03, 2011, 10:50:39 am »
I put the car away this weekend, drop it last nearly a month ago now though :(
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Offline ktm525

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #7 on: October 03, 2011, 10:59:55 am »
Never: ;)

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Offline safristi

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2011, 12:29:19 pm »
 ::) KNOBBY you are a Prince amongst men......was out on the TransAlp Saturday Windy and 11C here in SW Ontario...frikkin frigid..but 20C to follow this week..prolly park it Novemberish unless GLOWBALLS WARMING shows up... ;D
« Last Edit: October 03, 2011, 12:32:02 pm by safristi »
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Offline Blue01

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2011, 07:55:42 pm »
Heated grips and electric vests are the order of the day here.  And this weekend the S.O. wants to go on a long ride, that may require the heavier gloves and lined riding pants too.
And with the insurance good until just after Thanksgiving, that'll maybe mean a weekend get-away too so long as the white stuff stays on the mountain tops.
I too licence to bike for 6 months and the car for the other 6 months, but occasionally put the bike on the road early if the spring looks promising.  One year I headed down to Vancouver at Easter, late March, and had the temp down to  -5C going over the mountains.  That's when I found that you don't really get any colder at 150 than you do at the posted speed of 110.  But it gets you to the warmer coast a lot quicker. ;D
And then there was the Easter that I hit 4 inches of snow for a few kms.   :o
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Offline rrocket

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #10 on: October 04, 2011, 08:01:56 pm »
Yep...my dual sports and SM saw action all year round....
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Offline safristi

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2011, 09:55:14 am »
... ??? ::) SM........=........Sacher-Masoch.... :'( :'( :'(
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Offline ktm525

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2011, 10:50:00 am »
Super Motard.
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Offline blur911

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #13 on: October 05, 2011, 11:00:08 am »
Quote from: ktm525 on October 03, 2011, 10:59:55 am
Never: ;)



We're not allowed to run studs on the roads in Ontario  :(
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Offline ktm525

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #14 on: October 05, 2011, 01:31:26 pm »
Quote from: blur911 on October 05, 2011, 11:00:08 am
Quote from: ktm525 on October 03, 2011, 10:59:55 am
Never: ;)



We're not allowed to run studs on the roads in Ontario  :(

Those are not for roads.
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Offline rrocket

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #15 on: October 05, 2011, 09:08:12 pm »
My "Canadian" studs also weren't legal for competition in the USA....
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Offline No H2O

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #16 on: October 05, 2011, 09:32:27 pm »
Quote from: PJungnitsch on October 02, 2011, 09:35:18 pm
Heated vest and heated grips are the answer.

That 440 km day ride never got above -6C and I was comfy in my Aerostich suit. And that was with my old Widder vest; the new Gerbings jacket keep the arms warm as well.

Not a single bug had the guts to make an appearance.  :rofl2:
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Offline johngenx

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #17 on: October 05, 2011, 11:42:55 pm »
The tires are becoming untrustworthy as temps close in on 0C.  They are designed to withstand super high temps at warp speeds, not cold conditions.
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Offline rrocket

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #18 on: October 05, 2011, 11:50:58 pm »
Quote from: johngenx on October 05, 2011, 11:42:55 pm
The tires are becoming untrustworthy as temps close in on 0C.  They are designed to withstand super high temps at warp speeds, not cold conditions.

It really depends on the compound, eh?  I put a set of RoadSmarts on my KTM.  SM guys use them as wet weather race tires.  They perform very well in the cold and they are predictable when they start to slide.
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Offline 5 Wheel Drive

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Re: When does the bike get put away?
« Reply #19 on: October 06, 2011, 10:26:51 am »
Quote from: rrocket on October 05, 2011, 11:50:58 pm
Quote from: johngenx on October 05, 2011, 11:42:55 pm
The tires are becoming untrustworthy as temps close in on 0C.  They are designed to withstand super high temps at warp speeds, not cold conditions.

It really depends on the compound, eh?  I put a set of RoadSmarts on my KTM.  SM guys use them as wet weather race tires.  They perform very well in the cold and they are predictable when they start to slide.
I have RoadSmarts on the Versys too.  Good to know...

It was 2 degrees when I left the house this morning.  It was a bit chilly, my biggest problem is my visor fogging up.  If I leave it cracked open the cold air makes my eyes water.  If I close it it fogs up.  can't win...
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