How Cold is Too Cold?

[luisd_08]

Not that it ever gets freezing cold down here (about 35 Fahrenheit at worst), but does the ninjette have a minimum operating/starting temperature in which it can still operate effectively and safely? Reason why I ask is because now that the season is changing around here, I'm wondering if its safe to leave the bike out during cold temperatures for extended periods of time. Would hate to leave work at night to find my bike unwilling to start in the cold.
Sorry if this is a noob question, but this upcoming cold season is the first I plan to be actively riding in.

[choneofakind]

It's kind of tough to start in the cold, but it should be fine, assuming you don't accidentally leave any heated clothing/grips on and kill the battery. If you're going to be riding a ton, you might want to look into jetting the bike and possibly covering about 1/3 of the radiator so that it actually warms up. or install something like this:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ght=thermo+bob

[luisd_08]

I've shimmed the needles on the bike so far, and am looking into jetting the it. The shimming did wonders so I'm super psyched at the possible results from jetting!

I don't plan on using heated gear, at least for now, I like to layer up.
I have some old winter tech gear lying around that's eskimo worthy

[bhalv]

my bike has been good down into the 20's so you shouldn't have any problems.

[FrugalNinja250]

Coldest so far for me was 16F. Once it gets to the 20s I put a cover on the bike with an incandescent bulb under the motor to help keep the oil warmer, that seems to make it easier to get started..

I have electric gloves for below freezing.

[coondog]

The winter I commuted in So. Ga. my family bought me a heat shield lined, weather-proof Dowco cover ($100) and all I needed riding were better gloves, socks and a baclava. If you want to ride winter, ride winter. I know I wouldn't be capable up North doing it, thinking Buffalo right now.

[LoneRonin]

15 Farenheit or about -10 Celsius. Thats without the windchill...
The first year I had my bike I legit rode year round. This is up in Toronto.

[massacremasses]

absolute zero

[Racer x]

I have ridden in temps well below freezing. The bike is fine. Just remember If you can't move your fingers you can't operate a motorcycle safely

[alex.s]

if you are going to be running in that cold of temperature frequently you may want to switch oil weights. in most bike MOMs it lists temp ranges and suggested oil weights. for example on my fzr600 if running below 30F, im supposed to use 15/30 instead of 15/40. but like others have said this is almost entirely for easier starts. just make sure your cooling system doesn't freeze or your engine will overheat.

[luisd_08]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I'll be commuting in 40-55 degree temperatures (Fahrenheit) for about half an hour to forty-five minutes at a time, and letting the bike sit in slightly warmer temperatures for about ten hours at a time.
Seems like I don't have much if anything to complain about seeing how some of you guys ride in below freezing temperatures. Hats off to ya'.
Im just not use to cold weather riding, or cold weather for that matter

[KawiKid860]

well seeing as it was 24*F today and that didn't stop me... As long as there isn't ice or snow on the roads and you don't mind freezing, I don't think there is such a thing as too cold!

[massacremasses]

eff that it was 45 this morning and I said nope, taking my car.

hahaha Im a sissy.

[blink]

lolol freezing cold is here!

I rode in -2 this morning

thats cold.


I prefer anything over 20 celcius

[DarC]

Was cold this am, supposed to be frigid tomorrow (low 40's for us desert folk). I rode today but won't get a chance to ride in tomorrow, I have to carpool some friends. All I do is layer up, throw on my overpants/bib and jacket and tuck as close to that v-twin as I can. It helps having a bike with built in handwarmers a.k.a. side mounted radiators.

[Mocha Man]

Any cold weather sucks in my opinion but maybe that's because where I live its usually freezing cold, raining, or extremely hot out. We never have perfect riding weather here. That being said, I can usually somewhat comfortably stand temps down to 40 when I ride, then it just becomes miserable and takes the fun out of riding in the first place.

[LoneRonin]

Originally Posted by blink

lolol freezing cold is here!

I rode in -2 this morning

thats cold.


I prefer anything over 20 celcius

hahahaha. He prefers 20+ but just did a run in -2...Like a real Canadian.

Its like getting caught doing 200 but saying "I'm sorry officer but I usually just do around a 100"...We just gotta suck up the cold bundle up and keep riding.

I feel as if I got to represent for us and whenever I see a bicyclist riding, I feel as if he can do it so can I.

[nezumiamalek]

I don't mind cold weather and will ride anytime except when there is ice.

[Ytse Frobozz]

I'm pretty happy down to the 40-45F range. I don't own any heated clothing, but when it gets that cool, the long underwear definitely becomes part of the package.

I've also found that as far as wind chill goes, if you're going to do 50, you might as well do 70. In fact, with my big-ass windscreen, I'm warmer tucked in on the highway than cruising on the country roads.

The bicyclists have it much easier, cranking out all that body heat. I rode my bicycle to work one morning when it was 35F. My face got kind of numby, but the rest of me was quite comfortable.

[Yasko]

38f to 115f is my ridding range.

[blink]

Originally Posted by LoneRonin

hahahaha. He prefers 20+ but just did a run in -2...Like a real Canadian.

Its like getting caught doing 200 but saying "I'm sorry officer but I usually just do around a 100"...We just gotta suck up the cold bundle up and keep riding.

I feel as if I got to represent for us and whenever I see a bicyclist riding, I feel as if he can do it so can I.

lolol

as long as you understatements are your specialty!

[Liist]

One time it got to the 30s out here. I think that was just about the only time where it was required to use the choke all the way down to even start it and get it started.

[akima]

Originally Posted by luisd_08

Thanks for all the replies guys! I'll be commuting in 40-55 degree temperatures (Fahrenheit) for about half an hour to forty-five minutes at a time, and letting the bike sit in slightly warmer temperatures for about ten hours at a time.
Seems like I don't have much if anything to complain about seeing how some of you guys ride in below freezing temperatures. Hats off to ya'.
Im just not use to cold weather riding, or cold weather for that matter

40 degrees Fahrenheit is about as cold as it gets here. I'll be riding too, but only once a week just to keep the bike running.

[brian smith]

As long as the road is dry, I ride, I don't ride in snow, or rain for that matter. Like to keep my bike shiny. I've ridden all year round but the coldest was 19F. Like racer x said, the most important thing is having warm flexible hands. As far as the bike, I just give it a little extra time to warm up.

[akima]

Cute avatar Brian! Is that a smile I see on his/her face?

[brian smith]

Yep, she loves it. My garage is behind the house and we putt from the front yard to the garage to put it away sometimes. Too cold for her to ride is in the 50's though. ( don't want to hijack the thread)

[greatwhiteninja]

ill ride in 40+ degree dry weather.. if its wet out or below 40, im in the car guy i work with though, rides all year long on a honda rebel, rain/snow/ice/freezing.. nothing stops him..loL!

[RaZeDaHeLL]

My limit really depends on the time of day. If its early morning and below 40*F, I'll take the car. In the evening I'll ride as long as its not raining. When parked outside for long periods of time, it takes a few extra minutes to warm up. I haven't had any problems starting up... yet!

[Liist]

In Florida, Under 70 is too cold.