What to do when it's cold?

[momoru]

Coming to the end of my first season as a rider, it's getting to be around 40s-50s in the morning when I leave for work. I know traction characteristics are different before everything gets warmed up, what do you all do when it's cold for safety sake? Just don't lean as far until a few minutes into the ride? Anything else to watch out for as it gets colder (besides obvious things like ice) or is this overstated?

[sharky nrk]

Originally Posted by momoru

Coming to the end of my first season as a rider, it's getting to be around 40s-50s in the morning when I leave for work. I know traction characteristics are different before everything gets warmed up, what do you all do when it's cold for safety sake? Just don't lean as far until a few minutes into the ride? Anything else to watch out for as it gets colder (besides obvious things like ice) or is this overstated?

ride as smoothly as possible with your inputs, easy up on lean and give yourself a little more time/space with the brakes

[alex.s]

more clutch!

[Skullz]

Just don't be overly aggressive on the controls and leaning the bike through the corners and you'll be fine, even though the temps of the tires may come up in temps the roads are still cold and don't hold traction as well.

[JohnnyBravo]

Wear extra layers; 4 if you're me

[adouglas]

You refer to traction until things warm... true, tires aren't as grippy in the cold, but the Ninjette's low power gives you a big safety margin. You'd have to be pretty ham-handed to break the rear loose.

A bigger bike is a different matter. When I bought my Gixxer in March 03, I did discover just how easy it can be to break loose a tire that's both brand-new AND cold... Interesting moment, that.

Road hazards at this time of the year:

Wet leaves - these can be slipperier than ice. HUGE hazard.

Cold temps - affect the rider more than the bike. You'll be distracted due to the discomfort, an the extra layers you need can affect your mobility (e.g., thick gloves make it harder to pull the brake and clutch levers). You might be surprised at what gets cold. Kneecaps, for instance. Hands of course, and neck.

In winter, be careful of those beautiful, clear midwinter days... black ice may be lurking. You can't see it in time and it'll put you on your butt in a heartbeat.

Next spring (still cold), it's sand and gravel left over from winter. This is a real problem in the northern parts of the country until it gets washed away/scattered. Learn how to read road contours to predict where gravel will accumulate. Next spring, when the snow melts pay attention to the road surface as you drive around.

[subxero]

Ring that bike out for all it's worth and live it up while you can. My bike runs stellar once the temps get into the low 50's mid 40s it's like a free CAI.

[ally99]

Watch out for cold fingers. They tend to go numb first. A bike is a bit more difficult to operate when one can't feel her fingers.

[momoru]

Thanks for the tips!

[fred smoot]

Install a 12 volt socket from Powerlets and buy an electric vest. You will be glad you did!

Fred

[akima]

I've ridden a couple of winters and my biggest problem has been road salt eating my ninja! When the salt comes out this year my bike is staying in. I can deal with the cold - I just wrap up warm, slow down a little, give myself bigger stopping distances and more room for error.

[Worldtraveller]

Well, I do most of my commuting on my bicycle, so just add a layer or add a heavier layer for about every 10 degrees below 60.

Once it gets below 40, I drive the car with a good working heater.

[dcj13]

40's and 50's you'll be fine!

[buhsray]

All season jacket! Make sure there is wind protection because even with a thermal layer on, the wind still can go right through you.

[zhuuka]

On the side of probably storing my bike for the winter honestly. I am a twig and the only way I tolerate the cold is through many various layers (I do enjoy the cold though).

[Mike K]

I rode to work on Monday morning. It was 37°!! The car was in the shop so I had no choice. I wear a non-perforated Joe Rocket two piece and layered up. I wore a long sleeve top and a hoodie under the jacket and a pair of fleece long john bottoms. Zipped the top and bottom together. Snug but not too bad. I tied a bandana on and pulled it up over my mouth and nose bandito style and pulled on the helmet. That kept the wind off of my chin and neck pretty effectively. The only part of me that got uncomfortably cold was my fingers. I have armored Technik Chicane gloves. I was fine until the last two miles of the fifteen mile ride. The last part of the commute is about five miles heading west on 195. Usually a WOT run with light traffic and smooth road at 6:30AM. What's the wind chill when it's that cold with a self induced 85mph wind? LOL. Another mile and I'd have risked frostbite.

[Flying]

Make morning burnouts a habit.

Seriously:
I'm running on cracked IRCs that are pretty much at the end of their life and I have not been able to get them to break loose in cold AND wet weather. Just don't try to take every traffic turn at 40 and you'll be good.

[Mike K]

Great idea. So you set the IRC's on fire to stay warm? Makes 'em extra sticky too I bet.

[Flying]

Burning pitch looks and works great, but I can't deal with the fling off.

[Skullz]

Best thing for cold is gear that is wind and waterproof,and if you can keep the wind out you'll stay warmer longer. I wear snowmobile gear for the cold weather as it will keep the wind out and the cold at bay even with a t-shirt on underneath the jacket and sweatpants underneath the over pants. It is amazing how cold it can be and still be comfortable enough to ride as long as you keep the hands and feet warm.

[CrazyCanuckGoat]

I have a 45 min commute everyday each way and 30 minutes of that is constant on the highway. I'm riding until the snow flies here.

I wear layers and the big thing is I wear my cheap rain pants and jacket over all of it. Keeps the wind from cutting through you at highway speed.

So far it's been -3C a couple mornings already. Had a hot coffee when I got to work and I'm good to go for the day.

[Mike K]

What gloves do you wear?

[CrazyCanuckGoat]

I just wear normal winter gloves. Kind of bulky, but my fingers don't freeze. I do want to purchase some better specific riding gloves over the winter.

[ally99]

Brrr. I have trouble motivating myself to ride if it's below 40 degrees on my early ass dark commute to work. I tried bike only and lasted about 4 weeks before I realized just how much I do need my cage at times. Here's a thread with more info regarding cold weather gear. Hot hands are hugely helpful inside gloves on a cold morning!

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=193270

[CrazyCanuckGoat]

My motivation is the fact our riding season is too short, it's over before you know it and then it's 5 months of snow and brutally cold temps.

It's pitch black in the morning on the highway going to work....I do ask myself some mornings if I am crazy lol.

I find if you can keep yourself somewhat warm be it in layers, heated gear, heat packs etc, then it's easy peasy. If you start getting cold/numb....then that just might be enough to distract you from paying attention to the road.....not good.

It's weather like this I sometimes envy my co worker who rides a Goldwing

[Ghostt]

Okay my 2¢ on cold weather riding;

Okay first of all let's talk about wind chill, I myself minus 20℉ from the ambient temperature, which is about right, so if it's 40℉ it's gonna fell like 20℉.

As far as riding styles go, I compare it to rain, wet conditions, think along those lines and you'll do fine. Side note, check tire pressure, and make sure it at factory specifications.

Personal care/keeping warm;
this part is just to give you a general idea, everyone is different when it comes to tolerance of the cold. Things to keep in mind, as in how far will you be riding? At what speed? Time of day?

I personally have heated grips and seat, textile touring style jacket, and over pants, all with RAINGUARD , and removable liners, and gloves with Gortex and thinsulate.
While the above set-up is extremely warm and works well, the only thing it can't do is make heat.
Now before all the people jump on the layers wagon, yes it does help, but your body won't replace the heat it losses to the wind.

Heated grips are an awesome choice to have, and most definitely help, if you add a pair of hippo hands/bar muffs your hands will stay warm no matter how cold it gets mostly.

Which brings me to the best way, and also the biggest investment, heated gear.
well worth every penny of it.
But before you get that credit card out, here's somethings to think about.

How serious are you about riding in the cold? I've know people whom have Said no problem, only to find themselves using their cars.

I myself will ride as long as the bike will start, and I can get traction, so yes I have heated gear, the other benefit of heated gear is you don't have to get all bulky, like the kid from Christmas Story.

I would personally recommend taking short trips first just to see if you even like riding in the cold, it's not for everyone.

[Sykes92]

I bought my ninja in the fall and was too excited to put her away for the winter. I consistently rode through the season. Truth be told I think I did more riding in winter/early spring than I did in the summer.. shameful I know .
The lowest I ever rode in was about 20 degrees and the roads were covered in ice/snow. Never wanted to do it again though. Ice won't form until temps reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit, so there's your "safety" net in terms of road conditions in the cold. Everyone else has said great/accurate things. I might add that you will probably want to invest in some anti-fog product for your helmet. It is insane in the winter.

[JohnnyBravo]

I've rode in snow... Ice aint anything you will catch me out in... That's just scary

[Roark]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

I've rode in snow... Ice aint anything you will catch me out in... That's just scary

Cold weather is the final differentiator of riding.


You could say it's ice-solating

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by Roark

Cold weather is the final differentiator of riding.


You could say it's ice-solating

I need some fancy ice tires

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

I need some fancy ice tires

[JohnnyBravo]

Egg zackly

[fishdip]

Riding in snow or cold is not really a big deal just go slow give your self triple stopping time and only use the mim amount of lean. Also in snow don't use a lot of front brake as it is very easy to tuck the front. If you skid the back you have a good chance of riding it out tho. For the cold for get layering get your self a nice 1 peace snow/motorcycle suit. I have been in -5F temps with out heated gear. The biggest thing to keep your self warm is blocking the wind and water. Next would be gloves get a good pair of gloves if your fingers get cold it sucks. The last thing you want is a nice ski mask to help keep your neck warm.

[greenaero]

Lots of great advice^^^ for cold weather riding. I used a snowmobile suit for winter riding before I got into streamlining motos. With the streamlining the engine heat keeps your legs and lower body warm and your upper body and hands are well protected from wind chill so extra-ordinary precautuons aren't needed. Anti-fog for your face shield is still very important. You need to be super vigilant for ice patches, particularly in shaded areas.

[Brother Michigan]

Re: Wind chill while riding

[NevadaWolf]

I was looking for that chart, thanks!

Mostly for the summer time as notice that at 95*, things start getting hotter the faster you go?

[Ghostt]

Once it gets that cold, knowing the exact temperature is kinda pointless, it's just freaking cold LOL

[Worldtraveller]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

I was looking for that chart, thanks!

Mostly for the summer time as notice that at 95*, things start getting hotter the faster you go?

Yes, because your body relies on evaporative cooling from perspiration to cool. At speed, unless you have a way to trap that cooled air near your body, it doesn't help, and it actually adds heat to your body.

[I actually did this calculation as an exercise when I took Heat and Mass Transfer at the university. I was a bit surprised by the results myself.]

If you're behind a decent windscreen, and you wear the right gear (this is where you want something that breathes, but isn't mesh), you can extend the cooling effects up to probably about 110. I've ridden through Phoenix on days when it was ~112F, and I didn't find it uncomfortably warm as long as I was moving.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by Ghostt

Once it gets that cold, knowing the exact temperature is kinda pointless, it's just freaking cold LOL

Depends. While on the bike, yeah, knowing the exact temp doesn't help. But knowing the temp when going out means I can safely judge when it's safe or not. I've found when the air is 20*, no amount of gear or heat keeps me warm. So that is my absolute bottom limit of safe to ride. Anything above that, I can mitigate the cold using a variety of tricks.

Originally Posted by Worldtraveller

Yes, because your body relies on evaporative cooling from perspiration to cool. At speed, unless you have a way to trap that cooled air near your body, it doesn't help, and it actually adds heat to your body.

Yep, I have a thread around that details out how and why your body heats up above the mid nineties (I can't recall the exact temp). It took me a ride through Death Valley in August to learn to cover up. Fact all this year I only worn my mesh jacket once and was miserable at the beginning and end of the rides. The mesh friendly temp is way to narrow for me.

I do love my evaporative sleeves and vest.

Thread jack, sorry.

[asdfman]

Originally Posted by Worldtraveller

Yes, because your body relies on evaporative cooling from perspiration to cool. At speed, unless you have a way to trap that cooled air near your body, it doesn't help, and it actually adds heat to your body.

[I actually did this calculation as an exercise when I took Heat and Mass Transfer at the university. I was a bit surprised by the results myself.]

If you're behind a decent windscreen, and you wear the right gear (this is where you want something that breathes, but isn't mesh), you can extend the cooling effects up to probably about 110. I've ridden through Phoenix on days when it was ~112F, and I didn't find it uncomfortably warm as long as I was moving.

Yup. When ambient temperature is warmer than body temperature, you're going to want insulation instead of airflow to avoid letting air that's warmer than you are into your jacket.