March 23rd, 2012, 08:37 PM | #1 |
@TwoWheelsDC
Name: Marc
Location: DC
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250 Posts: 10
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Fair weather riders semi-rant
Okay, so I've only been riding since October, but I commuted all winter on my motorcycle, even in 20s and 30s temps. Even with the nice weather the last couple weeks, there hasnt been a dramatic increase in bikes in my work parking lot...a few more, but nothing crazy. But today, motorcycle parking was almost entirely full, and there are like 50 spots (the garage layout lends itself to having a lot of motorcycle parking)! So I had to try and find a spot and wedge my bike in and walk quite a bit further than usual...
I know it's not a huge deal, but I can't help but be a little judgmental of the riders that only pull their bikes out of storage for a couple months out of the year. I guess, to me, it just perpetuates the myth that bikes are just toys and shouldn't be taken seriously as a form of transportation. What kind of also irritated me was that 75% of the bikes were cruisers (mostly HDs) and most the riders I saw were wearing skid lids and jeans and duck walking like crazy. Okay sorry, I'll shut up now.
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March 23rd, 2012, 09:07 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Mike
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): RED 2010 Ninja 250r Posts: 304
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Bleh. I know what you mean. I stop riding beginning of winter for safety reasons (I don't wanna ride in snow! ), but last year that was the first of december. I re-insured in feb, and have been riding ever since! Twoish month's off isn't terrible.
But yea, you only ever see those dudes out on nice days. |
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March 23rd, 2012, 09:10 PM | #3 |
never enough
Name: josh
Location: michigan
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): Blue 2010 ninja 250R Posts: 277
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maybe everyone doesnt want to drive to work in freezing cold temps?
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March 23rd, 2012, 09:10 PM | #4 |
CBR250R Traitor
Name: Jon
Location: Greater Philadelphia Area
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Red CBR250R 2009 Ninja 250r SE(With 2008 Fairings)(sold) Posts: 924
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I felt the exact same thing about a week ago! There are squids all over! :| Also, I went for the heated gloves option to stay afloat this winter because I was out a lot at night.
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March 23rd, 2012, 09:28 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org member
Name: ___
Location: ___
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): ___ Posts: 160
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I just about could have rode all winter here in MN. The only problem is that when we get 1/2 inch of snow the plows dump I swear a million tons of salt on the roads.
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March 23rd, 2012, 09:42 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
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Umm, try riding in NE Ohio in the snowbelt. then get back to me on complaining about people who ride an open-air two-wheeled vehicle in the sunshine instead of 20 degrees and snow
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March 23rd, 2012, 09:45 PM | #7 |
B-Town Ninja
Name: Nathan
Location: Bloomington, IN
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): Black 2013 Ninja ZX6R ABS Posts: 609
Blog Entries: 3
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I've been riding almost daily since last Feb (even in some light snow.. eep!) whether it was 5 degrees or 95 degrees.
The same situation happens around my town (it's a college town). Parking becomes extremely difficult from around April- August. It honestly doesn't bother me that some people only use their motorcycle as a "toy" and not primary vehicle as it seems to make sense for many people's situations. It would bother me if they said motorcycles COULDN'T be used as primary vehicles and it bothers me that nearly all the people around my town are squids pulling wheelies and doing 4x the speed limit. Just makes us look bad.
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March 23rd, 2012, 09:48 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Samual
Location: Utah
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (RIP) Posts: 258
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Same thing at college. I ride year round, rain or shine, and when it rains I have the parking almost to myself. Once the weather gets nice though, its a huge pain trying to get in and out if you can find a spot at all. I agree about the cruisers too, I have nothing against them except they take up so much room in the already too small lots we have. Once I was running late and there was a test and the lot was completely full (mostly cruisers), some person just pulled out of a regular spot (probably the only available spot in the entire lot) so I took it. I got a $45 fine because it wasn't a designated motorcycle spot. I wouldn't have been so pissed about the BS rule if it weren't for the fact that if you park a car there without a parking pass its only a $20 fine.
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March 23rd, 2012, 11:16 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Alan
Location: Woodland, California (Sacramento area)
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2019 Ninja 400, 2009 KLX250-SF, 2014 Zero S Posts: 269
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Well, I ride a bike because it's fun, and when it's cold, I'm not having fun. So I did ride through the winter, trying to save some gas and parking permit money, but with that experience under my belt, I can safely say, I'd rather not. It just turned riding into a chore, getting all dressed up for the cold, having to peel all that clothes off when I got to work, etc.
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March 23rd, 2012, 11:32 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Murphey
Location: Eastern Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.
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I respect that not everyone wants to ride in the cold sol some choose to ride spring-summer-fall and leave it in the winter, I personally HATE THE COLD but I love riding more than I hate the cold so I ride year round. I don't respect treating bikes like they're toys however, treat em like that and they'll kill you. As for the parking issue, well, thats just life unfortunately. Do cagers bitch in the winter about the added cars? Who knows, I actually like seeing more bikes around though.
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March 24th, 2012, 05:06 AM | #11 |
clutch
Name: nameless
Location: Maryland
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): L1 GSXR600 Posts: 543
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This past winter in the mid atlantic was very mild. Anyone who has lived in this area for the past decade knows that what we just had for winter was uncommon, hence, you were able to ride all through November until now.
With that being said, I like riding on fair weather days. As a matter of fact, I dont ride in the rain or the cold. Whats the point. Im riding to enjoy myself not because its my only mode of transportation. As riding season approaches in DC, you might want to get up earlier so you can get a better parking spot. If thats too much then. |
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March 24th, 2012, 07:29 AM | #12 | |
CBR250R Traitor
Name: Jon
Location: Greater Philadelphia Area
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Red CBR250R 2009 Ninja 250r SE(With 2008 Fairings)(sold) Posts: 924
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Quote:
On another note, with these: and with my non-mesh jacket(with some underlining on the colder nights), I was pretty toasty |
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March 24th, 2012, 10:33 AM | #13 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
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Quote:
touche. but still, that requires me to spend more money and time to go spend more time doing something that I don't want to do, which is freeze. Not to mention, between snow, or salt, I'm afraid to just dump the bike. I'll ride a bicycle in the snow, but not my ninja |
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March 24th, 2012, 10:52 AM | #14 |
Always.
Name: Alex
Location: Calgary, AB
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.
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Driving in cold temps isn't for many.
I'll do it only if i have to, but it isnt enjoyable, they are more of a seasonal sport...
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March 24th, 2012, 11:46 AM | #15 |
my hair matches my bike
Name: Tiffany
Location: Greater Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Red 250r Posts: 411
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Snow is for taking your Subaru and making pretty snow art with it.
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March 24th, 2012, 01:54 PM | #16 |
CBR250R Traitor
Name: Jon
Location: Greater Philadelphia Area
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Red CBR250R 2009 Ninja 250r SE(With 2008 Fairings)(sold) Posts: 924
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My friend blew up his tranny doing that in his WRX:\
I'm a cold weather person, I'm already missing it. My lack of mesh jacket is already making me sweat like a pig. |
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March 25th, 2012, 07:19 AM | #17 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: David
Location: Loves Park, IL
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): Time will tell Posts: 969
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At least they ride. And at least when they don't ride, there are that many more drivers on the road that are aware of riders, most of whom hold riders in high regard and have a lot of respect for them.
I say the same thing about bicycles, I ride both two wheeled insanities nearly year round, but there are some days I'd just rather ride my bicycle for warmth than the motorcycle. In fact, I think the most I've gone without riding the motorcycle is 3 weeks for being out of the country. EDIT: Didn't finish that statement. I see bicycles pop up whenever the weather here hits 70 degrees. They clog the bike racks with their rust beaters, and I end up locking to a tree or a light post, but hey; at least they're riding! And to add: At least in theory, having an increase in motorcycle riders slightly decreases your chance of getting hit! |
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March 25th, 2012, 09:45 AM | #18 | |
nub
Name: Adam
Location: PA
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 zx-14 Posts: 142
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Quote:
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March 26th, 2012, 07:43 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Bill
Location: Orlando
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r - Traded for 2009 ER-6N Posts: 424
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I feel you. I ride year round, and can't imagine "winterizing" and ignoring my bike for months. It's tough in the dead of winter to convince myself to get on it, but I just suck it up, put on the warm gloves, and ride through the icy 65 degree weather.
Brrr.... Actually, I grew up in CT, and rode year round up there on ab old CB 450. Had my first drop because of ice. Cold weather sucks.
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March 26th, 2012, 08:09 PM | #20 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: T
Location: U.S.
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): Current: '11 ZX-6R; Previous: '09 Ninjette; '08 ZX-6R (Ex-Wife '09 TU250X) Posts: 981
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I ride in the cold, but that's me. If someone else only wants to ride when the sun is out and the thermostat is above 60 degrees, then I really have no problem with that. We all enjoy our rides in different ways.
Hell, a week before I sold my 600, it was raining. I wanted to ride, so I thought, "What the hell, I'll go practice some threshold braking on wet roads." We all have our different ways of enjoying the bike. Let it go. You wanna rant about a rider? Rant about the squids on SS's that couldn't make a 179 degree turn to save their lives. You know, the ones who wheelie every chance they get. The same ones hitting upwards of 150 on the interstate. The ones who weave in and out of traffic, making all riders look like douche bags in the process.
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March 27th, 2012, 03:38 AM | #21 |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 13
MOTM - Feb '12
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I'm totally with you, Marc. I ride year 'round also, regardless of the season.
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March 27th, 2012, 06:15 AM | #22 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Colin
Location: Bay Area
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): '96 EX250 Posts: A lot.
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Deal with it. The "I was here first" attitude won't make you any friends.
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March 27th, 2012, 06:25 AM | #23 |
ninjaholic
Name: Dustin
Location: Oceanside, CA
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09' SE 250R (sold), 03' ZX-6R, 99' XL1200C SP Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 3
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Here in SoCal we really don't have "winter"... but if I know it's going to rain or it's colder than 40 in the morning I'll drive. Believe me I'd rather ride... but not if it's going to make me miserable
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March 27th, 2012, 12:19 PM | #24 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Eric
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.
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Tell ya what cold weather riding is dangerous w/o proper gear, get the shivers and you can create your own tank slapper. So for that reason, I don't care if people 'fair weather ride' maybe they just can't purchase the extra gear needed.
After riding in this morning in >50* temps, I think I'll stick to car in those mornings and get the bike at lunch! |
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March 27th, 2012, 01:46 PM | #25 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Samual
Location: Utah
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (RIP) Posts: 258
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March 27th, 2012, 01:53 PM | #26 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Ian
Location: Houston TX
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250 Posts: 27
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I'm worse than a fair weather rider, I'm a twisties only rider. Keep in mind I live in Houston, one of the worst cities for having to travel to get anywhere (I talk to people I know from other places and they don't want to go anywhere further than 10 minutes away... a 30 minute drive is about average in Houston for a short run and an hour isn't unreasonable) and the traffic is horrible.
That said, I bought a motorcycle for enjoyment, not risk. If I am going from point A to point B, I take a cage. There's too many damn idiots in SUV's on the phone trying to kill me to take my bike everywhere. In fact if I need to go more than an hour to get where I want to ride for fun, I trailer the bike there and ride. Its just easier and less stressful. |
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March 27th, 2012, 04:42 PM | #27 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Colin
Location: Bay Area
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): '96 EX250 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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March 27th, 2012, 04:43 PM | #28 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Ian
Location: Houston TX
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250 Posts: 27
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Not from the drivers seat!
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March 27th, 2012, 05:26 PM | #29 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jon
Location: Pittsburgh
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250, 2002 Monster 750 Posts: 24
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Quote:
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March 27th, 2012, 05:50 PM | #30 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Mark
Location: Portland
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): Cheap Italian Suit. Otherwise known as Dew Kitty Posts: A lot.
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Gotta admit...I'm a bit of a fair weather rider myself.
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March 27th, 2012, 06:35 PM | #31 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jono
Location: Memphis, TN
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2009 KLX250SF, 2003 Suzuki SV650S (Sold), 2006 Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: A lot.
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I don't ride in the rain or temps below like 50 degrees. I have a car with a heater so I might as well use it. And I really, really, really hate the cold! So I find no enjoyment in freezing my ass off on a motorcycle when I can be nice and warm in my car. That's just me. Anytime it is warmer than 50 I will happily take the bike. I also enjoy driving my car so yeah...
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March 28th, 2012, 06:43 AM | #33 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Rob
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Triumph Daytona 675 Posts: 256
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Honestly, I'll admit that I'm a bit of a fair weather rider. I rode until the beginning of December last year, and stored the bike away until late february. I'm not a cold weather person at all, so frankly riding below 55* isn't very enjoyable to me. At anything below that temperature it feels just like regular commuting to me... regular commuting that takes an extra 15 minutes in the morning to get ready for, so I would just choose the car. Once the weather cracks 70* it's hard to keep me off of the bike.
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