Mag Chloride

[mtnairlover]

Ok, so I know what it's like when that shit is first sprayed on the road and I don't have a problem driving on it in my cage after its dry as a bone. Here's the question, though...what kinds of precautions should be taken on 2-wheels?

I rode a lil bit today on hwy 7 up out of Lyons and back down again. But, the mag chloride covers the road all the way up right after you get out of Lyons. It's dry, but the road is white. There was no water crossing the road, either. But, I was feeling a tad whimpish today and so I took it easy going up and down hwy 7.

Tell me if I'm just being paranoid, or if it was a good thing that I took it easy. Oh, and if I need to get detailed like with speed limit, I will. But, suffice to say, I did not feel the bike losing control on any of the turns.

Ok, that's my question...tell me your stories, please.:)

[rforsythe]

The only issues I see with the stuff, are that it absorbs moisture so while it isn't icy it can still be slick. Just like with a car, if you get it on the bike go wash it.

Occasionally you can find some cool videos of the stuff causing fires too, when its conductive nature (particularly when condensed into a thick vapor) causes an arc on power poles while someone is applying it to the road.

[Nick_Ninja]

Ask towneh about the stuff.

[Dysco]

It does a number on exposed exhaust pipes when you ride in the snow and aren't able to wash your bike...

[mtnairlover]

Ok...welp, I guess I was feelin whimpish for good reason today. Hmmm...mayhaps more trips to IMI this winter rather than up in the mountains, would be a much better idea;-)

[RYBO]

There are about 100 reasons to take it easy this time of year. Anything on the road other than asphalt is a layer of something that can break free. Sand, salt, mag chloride etc all offer less traction than clean pavement.

Some other good reasons to take it easy...while we may get some warm weather, the ground stays colder this time of year and can keep your tires cold, reducing traction. Also, cars really aren't used to seeing bikes this time of year. Finally the freeze/thaw cycle can cause road conditions to change rapidly. Rocks fall on roads a lot this time of year. Cracks open up in pavement and snow and ice on the side of the road can melt and create small streams across the road. All in all, being "wimpish" is probably prudent.

s

[Devaclis]

I agree with Ralph on this, for the most part.

I have hit the dried up crusty mag deposits while riding on 25 and in the tech center and had no issues. When it is wet, the story changes. It is a bit slick but no more than standard gravel. Not as stable as wet asphalt, but not really bad. It really has not caused me any concern.

[Matty]

i guess it's a good thing i still can't ride yet. cause i have no idea what ya'll are talking about. the only shit in cali on the roads was some dirt and fallen rocks in the canyons after it rained once in awhile. lol.

[motorcycleman]

when mag chloride is on the rode, dry or wet, hot or cold, it is as slick as shit, drive slow on turns, bike will shoot out under yer ass like a greased monkey

[mtnairlover]

i guess it's a good thing i still can't ride yet. cause i have no idea what ya'll are talking about. the only shit in cali on the roads was some dirt and fallen rocks in the canyons after it rained once in awhile. lol.

Yeah, you might wanna take a cage ride up the mountains while it's still dry up in the foothills to see what it's all about. I took a friend (fortitudoX) along for the ride and he's from S. Carolina and has not yet experienced the mag chloride phenomenon either.

Even though it's nothing (almost nothing) in a cage, it still needs to be experienced. Oh and you know when the city is preparing for a snow storm when you see slick roads that look like they've just been sprayed. The mag chloride trucks go out a couple of hours ahead of an expected storm and you can see the spray tracks on the road.

[asp_125]

When it's dry (white and powdery) it's not that bad. When there's moisture any sprayed roads have that dark greasy look to em. That'll take your tires out from under you in a nanosecond. Treat it like riding in the rain. This time of the season calls for mellow riding in the twisties.

[Matty]

When it's dry (white and powdery) it's not that bad. When there's moisture any sprayed roads have that dark greasy look to em. That'll take your tires out from under you in a nanosecond. Treat it like riding in the rain. This time of the season calls for mellow riding in the twisties.
awh i noticed that at DIA on Sunday when i took my friends to the airport.

the road looked wet and slick, but was completely dry.

[Ghost Rider]

We get radiators in my shop off state plow trucks that utilize Mag--there are no copper fins left--just the tubes. plays havoc with wiring and connectors too.

Mag and copper don't play well together. Always wash the undercarriage after a storm where it has been applied.

Nat