September 19th, 2011, 07:28 PM | #1 |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
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Riding through the winter
Hello, my name is Eve. I'm from Brooklyn NY. I've been lurking the boards here for the past 6 months or so and think its time for my first post. I still consider myself a new rider. I started riding in April and bought my first bike (a brand new Ninja 250r) back in June. I plan to ride through the winter this year. I want to know how many of you choose to ride through the winter instead of putting your bikes in storage? Do you guys have any tips for keeping things in good working condition during the worst of winter?
For cold weather I have my gear to keep me warm. I took the MSF basic-rider course back in April and I'm well aware of the dangers and extra precautions you have to take for safe winter riding. I have respect for my bike and for the elements that we will have to face. My main concerns are damage from riding on salty roads and keeping things in good condition while the bike stays parked for most of winter. Our worst winter months are usually Jan-Feb. Obviously I wont be riding much during or immediately after a snowstorm. When the streets are clear I can ride the bike around the neighborhood for an hour or so once or twice a week to keep the battery charged, the oil circulating and the tires from getting soft spots. I have a hose I will use to rinse off any salt that will build up on the bike. If I cannot get out on the street, I will run/ride the bike around the garage for 15-20 min. I live in a building and our garage is very big. Big enough for me to actually ride around if I have to as a last resort. So my questions are: How many of you prefer to ride through the winter? Will riding my bike once or twice a week be sufficient enough to keep the battery charged and deposits from forming in the oil? How long can a bike stand before risking damage? Should I add a fuel stabilizer and if so, when? Is there anything else I should be concerned about? Thanks for taking the time to read this, any advice is greatly appreciated! I look forward to your responses and riding through my first winter with my new Ninja! |
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September 19th, 2011, 07:51 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jeff
Location: PA
Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 R6 Posts: 224
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How many of you prefer to ride through the winter?
I ride year round as long as it is above 40 degrees Will riding my bike once or twice a week be sufficient enough to keep the battery charged and deposits from forming in the oil? Yes How long can a bike stand before risking damage? Depends, you might want to get stands for it to keep the tires off the ground if it will be sitting for awhile Should I add a fuel stabilizer and if so, when? Can never hurt I usually add dome stabil during the winter Is there anything else I should be concerned about? The biggest concern with riding in the cold is the tires. They will break loose a lot easier and you can't be ripping around like you can in the summer, it takes your tires awhile to heat up. |
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September 19th, 2011, 08:01 PM | #3 | ||||||
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Frugal
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.
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If it looks like you won't be riding for a month or two and it's really cold, take the battery out and bring it indoors. You can put it on a battery maintainer if you want, but just keeping it warm will do a lot to extending its life. If you let a bike sit out in the sun and weather, rain and all, for a few months or years you'll start to notice deterioration of rubber bits including the tires and seat, and any exposed hoses and brake lines. Otherwise a bike could sit for a few months out of the sun with zero problems. Just inflate the tires and check that they don't get too low as the weeks pass by. UV from the sun is the primary killer of rubber bits, so shade or a cover are your friends. I wouldn't use it unless you were going to park the bike for more than a couple of months. Yes, cold weather can get you hypothermic really fast, and on a bike you may not notice until you're already loopy and mentally impaired. In my experience, the gloves where the hardest part of the problem to solve. We get down into the teens here in winter, though most of the winter hovers in the high 20's to mid 30's for overnight lows. I tried several highly-recommended passive gloves but below 25F or so they just didn't work for rides longer than 5-10 miles. I ended up going with electrically heated gloves and boy did they make all the difference in the world! I had to do some things to the bike to free up wattage such as converting to LED for most bulbs, but it was worth it. Last winter I rode a little over 22 miles in 16F and was completely comfortable. I wore insulated riding pants over my jeans, one extra pair of socks in my armored boots, insulated riding jacket with a long sleeve shirt and rain jacket over all of it, and a balaclava (not to be confused with baclava which offers little insulating ability ). Quote:
Welcome to the all-weather rider's club. |
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September 19th, 2011, 08:01 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Michael
Location: MI
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): Honda Elite 110 (deceased), Green 2012 Ninja 250 (sold on Pi day); Grey/Green 2019 Ninja 400 ABS Posts: 238
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Last winter I rode my scoot (Elite 110) any time there was a clear road. I couldn't get enough traction out of packed snow and black ice is DOOM waiting to happen. That worked down to 5°F at a max speed of 40mph. Still, most days in half of Dec, Jan, and Feb were not passable on two wheels in MI.
Just assume braking is dangerous, accelerating is dangerous, turning is dangerous and you'll do fine. (Actually there's more traction than you'd imagine, but if you start with the assumption that your traction budget is nearly zero and work gingerly up from there, embarassment and pain are easier to avoid). |
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September 19th, 2011, 08:02 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Eric
Location: Iowa City
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Winter is tough so be prepaired. Heated clothing is gold . Nothing beats it . Fog city face shield insert is the best thing for below freezing riding.
Full armor knee and elbow pads Lower tire pressure . Stay alert for ice. Some times you have to stop and get off and walk your bike . Be prepaired to do that. Don't try to ride over ice and at the last minuite try to change your mind. If the road is bad . Pick you battles. Get a mountain bike or scooter for snow.Its cheeper than fairings If the Ninja is going to sit for a couple weeks it will be fine .A battery tender is nice to have if you have a plug. More than a month put in some stabul. Be carefull out there |
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September 19th, 2011, 08:11 PM | #6 |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
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Thanks everyone, I'm relieved to hear that staying active through the winter wont mess up my new bike. I definitely plan to ride easy and I wont let it stand long enough for the tires to get damaged. My concern was mostly with the battery and oil deposits. As for the salt build-up, I can always bring a bucket of soap and water and clean all that stuff out.
Its nice knowing I'm not the only one crazy enough to ride through the winter. |
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September 19th, 2011, 08:15 PM | #7 |
There's a limit to s2pdty
Name: A.D.
Location: NoVa the burg
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r ninja (sold) Posts: A lot.
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I like riding on winter vs summer.
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September 19th, 2011, 10:24 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: John
Location: Illinois
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): None yet, yet. Posts: A lot.
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i don't know how you guys do it.
lots of cars slip just in the rain alone. i was driving my dads car (with all season tires), it started raining (yea, road is most slippery when it starts yada yada yada...). I began to stop the car just as the light changed to yellow and the ABS kicked in. have fun on 2 wheels in the winter. i know i'll personally be buying a tire stand when the time comes.
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September 20th, 2011, 03:38 AM | #9 |
Ninja chick
Name: Allyson
Location: Athens, GA
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 4
MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15
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Someone chime in here, but isn't it true 2 wheels are less likely to hydroplane in wet weather than 4? I know braking can be tricky with both 2 and 4 wheels on wet pavement, but allowing extra stopping distance for slower braking seems to do the trick.
, OP! I ride through MOST of the winter minus a couple of the most brutal months, and even then I get an occasional warm day to enjoy. I commute to work and have to leave really early when it's still dark outside, so my sunless morning commute to work has a bottom limit of 40. Any less than that and I'd rather just take my warm heated car with my coffee. Just layer up. Purchase some underarmor (or something similar) to keep you warm under your clothes and gear. The hands are the worst part. I've tried glove liners but they didn't work well for me. By the time I'm at work on really cold mornings, my hands are numb.
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Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson |
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September 20th, 2011, 04:29 AM | #10 |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
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Thanks for the welcome
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September 20th, 2011, 06:26 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Ross
Location: NoVA
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 250R Posts: 214
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This is going to be my first winter with motorcycle and I plan to use it whenever I can. Most the winter/rain gears I bought last week will arrive today and tomorrow and can't wait to use them (not really). Just this morning, I wished I used my motorcycle due to really bad traffic but it is raining here and I still don't have my rain gears.
Note: Motorcycles can use HOV (carpool lane) here in DC metro area. |
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September 20th, 2011, 06:29 AM | #12 |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
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Nice, I got my gear ready to go but its still too hot to wear it. I wore it few days ago when it was 60*F and came home sweatin' like crazy. Back in the closet it goes for at least another month.
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September 20th, 2011, 06:34 AM | #13 |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 7
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Motorcycles can use HOV lane anywhere in the country by law (if any portion of the HOV lane was funded in any way by federal $).
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September 20th, 2011, 06:55 AM | #14 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Toly
Location: NY
Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): KTM 390 Duke Posts: 428
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Well, cold and wind can be dealt with reasonably well. Ice and snow are the real danger.
If you remember this past winter in the beautiful boro of Brooklyn (or anywhere in NYC area for that matter) - the ground and roads were covered in snow & ice for two months straight. Some days were better than others but it did not completely clear until very late Feb. I would not ride in this situation. The roads may appear clear, but beware of frozen patches of ice near the curbs, slippery metal squares, frozen draw bridge surfaces and other stuff. If the road looks good in the morning, check if the parked cars got some frost on them - if they do, don't go, some road surfaces will be icy as well. Otherwise, and if it's reasonably above freezing, I don't see why not. |
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September 20th, 2011, 07:01 AM | #15 |
Milkshake Drinker
Name: Skippii
Location: Richmond, Va
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Orange DRZ400-S, 2005 Ninja 250 & Custom Thundercunt Dirt Chopper Posts: A lot.
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I ride year round, and put snow chains on the rear tire if there's a lot of snow.
Just be more careful, and you'll be fine. You've done a lot more research and know a lot more than 99% of people, so you have nothing to worry about.
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"What a sweetheart."- ninja_sleeper to me |
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September 20th, 2011, 10:19 AM | #16 | |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
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September 20th, 2011, 10:23 AM | #17 | |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
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I even had my first oil change/service done at 200 miles instead of the recommended 600 because I'm crazy. |
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September 20th, 2011, 10:30 AM | #18 | |
Milkshake Drinker
Name: Skippii
Location: Richmond, Va
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Orange DRZ400-S, 2005 Ninja 250 & Custom Thundercunt Dirt Chopper Posts: A lot.
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I'm on my way to NYC now on my Ninja.....keep the weather fair there the next 4 days, okay?
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"What a sweetheart."- ninja_sleeper to me |
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September 20th, 2011, 10:33 AM | #19 |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
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September 21st, 2011, 07:50 AM | #20 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
Location: St, Louis
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.
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Hi Eve, Welcome to the forums
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The www.ModMy250.com guy |
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September 21st, 2011, 09:56 AM | #21 |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
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Thank you
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The Venom List - For All Things Venomous!!! |
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September 21st, 2011, 09:59 AM | #22 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Hyon
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Green SE Posts: 574
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Quote:
Thought we were robbed when I got home and saw everything on the ground and all the drawers opened, but noticed none of the electronics were missing and was confused as hell.... |
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September 21st, 2011, 10:02 AM | #23 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: I'm a ninja!
Location: Stone Mtn
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 453
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September 21st, 2011, 10:07 AM | #24 |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
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Joe Rocket alter ego pants and Cleo 2.0 jacket. I wore a sweater under the jacket. No gloves. The jacket wasn't so bad but I was sweating like crazy in the pants.
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The Venom List - For All Things Venomous!!! |
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September 21st, 2011, 10:13 AM | #25 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Aaron
Location: Gone riding.
Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 389
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I ride all year round. Its better for the bike too, keeps the fluids moving. Machines are not made to sit still
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September 21st, 2011, 10:18 AM | #26 | |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
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Quote:
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The Venom List - For All Things Venomous!!! |
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September 21st, 2011, 10:23 AM | #27 |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
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I agree, and I'm glad to see that so many others are riding through the winter. I was a bit worried about it but now I feel a lot better. Winter storage is for people who have no garage and have to park outside. Why put the bike away if you don't have to?
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September 21st, 2011, 06:46 PM | #28 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Aaron
Location: Gone riding.
Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 389
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whats up with these guys who trailor their bike to a rally?
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September 21st, 2011, 07:06 PM | #29 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Kurgan
Location: Texas
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 260
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Thank God winter in Texas is only about 2 or 3 weeks, sometimes it doesn't even snow at all
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September 21st, 2011, 07:50 PM | #30 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Frugal
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Of course, we do get snow here.... <---- And occasionally, according to the weatherman, we get rain. I'm not sure what that looks like, my rain gauge has about an inch of dust in it... Oh, somewhat back on topic, I highly recommend Tourmaster Elite for rain gear. The pants are basic, but the rain jacket is very nice and has held up well these last two seasons. For gloves, I can only recommend that whatever you get, the water proof liner is on the outside instead of inside as often seems the case. Why? Because waterlogged gloves evaporate and cool like crazy so even though your hands are dry they'll be nearly frozen after a moderate ride. My Tourmaster Elite jacket goes on over my regular jacket in really cold weather, under 40F typcally, and that alone is sufficient to extend my temperature comfort range down to the 30's. Below about 32 I add in an extra long-sleeve shirt. |
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September 21st, 2011, 11:19 PM | #31 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Aaron
Location: Gone riding.
Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 389
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I park the bike in my den. Slap a piece of plywood down and roll her in through the door.
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September 22nd, 2011, 08:29 PM | #32 |
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 1
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Welcome Eve. I'll provide my two cents:
How many of you prefer to ride through the winter? I do. As long as the road conditions are dry I will give it a go. Personal record is 18-20f. Will riding my bike once or twice a week be sufficient enough to keep the battery charged and deposits from forming in the oil? I think so. How long can a bike stand before risking damage? If not riding, I start mine up every week or so and warm it up. Otherwise I have no clue. Should I add a fuel stabilizer and if so, when? I don't. Is there anything else I should be concerned about? Wind chill is really a big deal if you are riding in temperatures below +-40. I try to cover up all skin. Be careful about frost conditions. That stuff is really hard to see and can cause you to crash. Don't ask how I know. Also, do not try to get personal records.
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September 22nd, 2011, 09:44 PM | #33 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Kurgan
Location: Texas
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 260
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Quote:
The year before that I don't remember any snow at all. I bought my FrogToggs rain suit 2 years ago, I've only used it twice, mostly by choice. I hate rain riding, it usually means a full bike wash afterward. |
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September 22nd, 2011, 10:24 PM | #34 | |
DUCEATR
Name: Dan
Location: El Paso, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): RVT1000R Posts: 628
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Quote:
Year round rider here as well. Bundle up, stay vigilant, and enjoy the ride
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September 23rd, 2011, 06:01 AM | #35 | |
Nooblet
Name: Akima
Location: England
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '13
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Quote:
Personally I'm looking for somewhere to store my bike for a month or two during the coldest period. It sounds like an awful lot of trouble and risk riding during winter and very little gain. |
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September 23rd, 2011, 06:16 AM | #36 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Joseph
Location: Winter Park, FL
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250R Black, 2005 ZX-6R Blue Posts: 623
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What is winter?
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September 23rd, 2011, 06:17 AM | #37 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Dallas
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250cc Black Posts: 29
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Welcome! I'm in the south so I don't have that problem lol.. I would be scared of riding in winter, mainly due to the fact that real snow and ice is a foreign matter to me. Ride safe!!!
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September 23rd, 2011, 07:24 AM | #38 | ||
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
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Quote:
Winter is when it gets cold as **** outside! Quote:
Thanks for the welcome. Us New Yorkers eat snow and ice for breakfast! I kinda want to know what it would be like riding during snowfall. This will be my first winter on 2 wheels!
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September 23rd, 2011, 07:52 AM | #39 |
old git
Name: Steve
Location: Geneve Switzerland
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): BMW K1300S Posts: 479
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“I kinda want to know what it would be like riding during snowfall.”
I did this once when I was caught out by the weather 15 miles on snow covered roads fortunately as it was fresh snow no tire tracks, it was not too bad. Just remember do not brake do not accelerate do not lean and do not go at more than 5 miles per hour, otherwise it’s fun. Steve
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