A sad, sad time of year

[adouglas]

It dipped into the 30s last night and the morning commute was positively nippy.

It's almost time to put the bike away.

This makes me very sad... I've really been enjoying riding this year. A lot.

Yeah, I know... suck it up and just ride through the winter, yada yada. That's not me. I don't ride in crappy wet/cold weather for numerous reasons... safety, wear and tear on the bike, the PITA of gearing up like Ernest Shackleton just to get to work... that kind of thing.

[cuong-nutz]

I had to look that guy up! Glad I don't have to really deal with that kind of weather

[crazymadbastard]

I just started enjoying commuting too, but now its too cold! I am not going to winterize it till December, we may still get a day or two a month. , How long is your commute? Mine is 25 miles ,about 18 of it is on the Merit Parkway.

[dfox]

my thermometer said 29 when I was gearing up this morning. Frost on everything.

heated grips, insulated gloves, neck warmer, fleece under jacket, overpants, boots... really, the only difference in gearing up for cold weather commuting is the neck warmer.

Only cold rain, snow, and salt keep me off the bike.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by crazymadbastard

I just started enjoying commuting too, but now its too cold! I am not going to winterize it till December, we may still get a day or two a month. , How long is your commute? Mine is 25 miles ,about 18 of it is on the Merit Parkway.

About 18 miles, with half on the Merritt.

I put the bike away around Halloween. That's a bit early, but there's a reason. Indian Summer will trap you.

Right now we're in the first real cold snap. The weather is going warm up again and beckon you to ride more, especially with fall foliage in its full glory...

... and then one day, November will hit like a ton of bricks. It's going to be in the 40s and raining, for about a week straight. You will NOT want to work on the bike.

So you'll let it sit. And you'll forget. And before you know it, there will be snow on the ground. And you'll be shoveling, with no time or energy to mess with the bike.

Around February, you realize the bike hasn't been plugged into the battery tender and the gas is now three months old....

This has happened to me more than once. So I just got in the habit of calling it a season while it's still nice out.

I really ought to change my routine. About three years ago I moved to a house with an actual workshop so I can wrench on the bike indoors instead of in the driveway.

[FrugalNinja250]

I'm glad we don't have sad times of the year here. Lowest I've seen lately is two weeks below freezing and down to 16°F a few nights, but that's about it. I don't ride when it snows, but do ride when it rains. I rarely go more than a handful of days without riding full time, and I'm glad I'm somewhere where I can pull that off.

[Bigballsofpaint]

Im with you Andy, i had to choose the car most of the week mainly since i had to be at work at 8 and i didnt have much time to gear up. Usually i go in around 9, so its at least light out and a few degrees warmer (I have about a 45min commute). But you know my house, i have the garage so i dont even winterize the bikes. They get ridden year round even if i only get out every couple weeks for 10 or 15 min.

I was given some good advice after my lowside last march. The old timers who i know ride in the cold say you can ride late into year without much worry, but you really need to watch out early on. I woke up and it was 35* outside, so i wasnt worried about ice that morning. Boy was i wrong, the roads stay cold and it was still ice, unlike this time of year if its 35* out you dont have to worry since the road surface it typically not that cold yet.

[Asspire]

I've had enough off riding in 0-2 degree Celsius weather. bikes getting stored this weekend. the gear, the cold pavement and possibility of ice is getting annoying. I will miss riding, only 5 months to go till next season.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by adouglas

About 18 miles, with half on the Merritt.

I put the bike away around Halloween. That's a bit early, but there's a reason. Indian Summer will trap you.

Right now we're in the first real cold snap. The weather is going warm up again and beckon you to ride more, especially with fall foliage in its full glory...

... and then one day, November will hit like a ton of bricks. It's going to be in the 40s and raining, for about a week straight. You will NOT want to work on the bike.

So you'll let it sit. And you'll forget. And before you know it, there will be snow on the ground. And you'll be shoveling, with no time or energy to mess with the bike.

Around February, you realize the bike hasn't been plugged into the battery tender and the gas is now three months old....

This has happened to me more than once. So I just got in the habit of calling it a season while it's still nice out.

I really ought to change my routine. About three years ago I moved to a house with an actual workshop so I can wrench on the bike indoors instead of in the driveway.

I lived north of Casablanca in a town called Kenitra and it never got that cold.

I also lived just south of the Wilbur Cross in Orange and used to rip that road up going back and forth to Wilton in an XK150.

[Chuffmonkey]

My commute is 15 mins on surface streets, but it's been in the low to mid 30's in the mornings here for the last couple of weeks. I'm still riding daily because it's warming up to a glorious 70ish in the afternoons. Last year I managed to commute sporadically throughout the winter, but I never went out in sub-freezing temperatures - I hope to manage the same thing this year.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by FrugalNinja250

I'm glad we don't have sad times of the year here.

Nice signature pic.

[allanoue]

Maybe because I ski and snowboard and am used to gearing up for the cold. I prefer riding in 20 something degree weather more then 90 something degree weather. For my 80 minute commute, I do not ride in rain or 30% chance of rain or winds over 25 mph, no ice no snow. I do not ride when it is over 96 and I do not ride under 23.
I love spring and fall but winter rocks.

Summer can be fun.

[crazymadbastard]

20 degree weather!! I am a wuss for sure! Anything below mid-even low 40s and I shrivel up.. brrrr..

[rasta]

It rarely drops below 50 where I live. Jealous?

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by allanoue

Maybe because I ski and snowboard and am used to gearing up for the cold. I prefer riding in 20 something degree weather more then 90 something degree weather. For my 80 minute commute, I do not ride in rain or 30% chance of rain or winds over 25 mph, no ice no snow. I do not ride when it is over 96 and I do not ride under 23.
I love spring and fall but winter rocks.

Summer can be fun.

Heh... my limits are in many ways much more aggressive than yours.

I'll ride in triple digit heat, strong wind and my cut-off is 40% chance of precip.

But cold temps suck on a bike.

[Aufitt]

live in the coldest part (south) of Western Australia) and its just starting to lose the chill.
Ive had to convert your temperatures to celcius to understand, but still cant fathom such cold, and so early!

Today was 12-18C and tomorrow will be 12-21.C
but still burn a fire every night since April/May.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by rasta

It rarely drops below 50 where I live. Jealous?

No.

[antiant]

Cali ftw!

[subxero]

Have had light snow last 2 days here. I lived near DC last year and I rode all year long as it was a very mild winter in MD. Regardless if it is a mild winter here in PA I will put the bike away after we get our first decent snow or freezing rain. Mainly because all the salt that gets dumped and the stone grit that gets dumped all over the roads. It is a hazard for cars let alone a motorcycle.
It will take till mid spring before the grit has been decently brushed off the roads.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by antiant

Cali ftw!

Yep.

[antiant]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Yep.

Cali is a big state, LA and SF aren't the only cities, I have none of that here.

[CC Cowboy]

Isn't Cali really just north Mexico?

[allanoue]

[allanoue]

I love rain

[JSilva970]

I just put my bike away for winter, its supposed to snow tomorrow

[adouglas]

Now I'm conflicted.

My bike is subject to the massive Suzuki master cylinder recall. I'm on the list at the local dealer.

So... prep and park the bike now, and fire it up to take it to the dealer when the parts arrive?

Or leave it in service and maybe have to let it sit for an extended period if the weather turns bad?

Hmmmm... will probably do the latter.

[choneofakind]

Why not just let it wait until spring? Schedule it now so you're on the preference list and they have the parts stored for you, then get the recall work done.

I can't imagine the dealer would enjoy having a bike in for recall work then ending up tending it for months. I'm not fond of dealerships.

[crazymadbastard]

take it in and get a loaner til fixed!

[trenchkato]

30's jeez where do you live? 50's is too cold to me though...

[Jono]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Why not just let it wait until spring? Schedule it now so you're on the preference list and they have the parts stored for you, then get the recall work done.

I can't imagine the dealer would enjoy having a bike in for recall work then ending up tending it for months. I'm not fond of dealerships.

Don't think it works like that. There is a recall on the KLX for clearance of the gas tank rubbing the frame of something like that. I went to the local Kawi dealership to see when I could drop my bike off and ask more about the recall. They said they can't order the parts until the bike is in their shop. I have yet to drop my bike off to get the recall fixed. Haha. I can't be without my bike for a week or more. What if the parts are back-ordered or get lost while shipping. They won't let me take my bike back until they fix it. I think this winter I will finally drop it off though. I don't want gas to start leaking out of the tank and have my bike explode.

[Snake]

Look at the bright side. Good time of year to do all that maintenance and detailing of the bike .

[Singh2jz]

Originally Posted by Snake

Look at the bright side. Good time of year to do all that maintenance and detailing of the bike .

Exactly what I was gonna say..not exactly but you know what i mean

I want it to rain already, so I can work on her and not feel like I should skip maintenance and go for a ride lol

[adouglas]

Well, today's the day. Nice weather, Daylight Saving time ends tonight (which means it will get dark in the afternoon at my latitude) and the Suzuki dealer called yesterday to tell me the parts are in for my brake recall. Heading out to have it done in a few minutes.

The planets are all aligned. It's time.

[JohnnyBravo]

And folks wonder why I rarely go north of Virginia these days... Brrrrrr won't catch me up that way unless its mid summer

[ninjamunky85]

I've still been riding to school almost everyday, went out on the bike last night. Actually looks like it will be pretty nice next week.

[Boom King]

Fall riding this year hasn't been as good as the last couple of seasons. Cold, wet and windy. They even had brine on the roads already in some places.

[caineroad]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Well, today's the day. Nice weather, Daylight Saving time ends tonight (which means it will get dark in the afternoon at my latitude) and the Suzuki dealer called yesterday to tell me the parts are in for my brake recall. Heading out to have it done in a few minutes.

The planets are all aligned. It's time.

just saw your profile "s1000RR (imaginary)" is this your dream bike?

It is my dream bike, what's good about it that makes you want one??

[Dragone]

good days and bad days. Nothing like that frickin jam crap. F that. I like the open range. My driveway pic.


http://blog.inthewildtesting.com/wp-...raffic-jam.jpg

[Singh2jz]

Originally Posted by caineroad

just saw your profile "s1000RR (imaginary)" is this your dream bike?

It is my dream bike, what's good about it that makes you want one??

That bike is freakin sexy!

[KawiKid860]

I too will be storing my bike(s) tomorrow. Dropped my bike off at home and borrowed my moms car for the week, now the forecast is saying chance of snow for the next few days and pretty much mid November is when winter starts in the Spokane area :/ hopefully it won't be too harsh or long of a winter. Never had to put my bikes away for the winter... I've always been able to ride through it but not anymore lol. I'm just going to fill up the gas tanks, put some seafoam in them, let the ninja run until the carbs empty, and put them both on battery tenders.