You might be a winter rider if...

[Spooph]

Need a stock unmolested airbox with stock filter and snorkel in place to be legal to race

Not a prob. I have another airbox, completely unmolested ready to be swapped in....

You might have problems with the clearance between tires and fenders on that Ninjette, if you're in the SE part of Aurora sometime you can throw one on to see.

Sweet, I'll remember that. Yup, clearance is probably gonna be a bitch on this one...

[dm_gsxr]

It's great fun.





Carl

[Spooph]

You sir, are a hero!

[ghostrider_9]

I think this pic qualifies:

[Dr. Joe Siphek]

it sure does...where exactly was that marc?

[ghostrider_9]

That was the road that leads up to the reservoir. This was one of the drifts that still has the road closed. We decided to play on it a bit . . .

[Spooph]

Gotta love Colorado!

[dm_gsxr]

You sir, are a hero!

The colder it is, the easier it is. I've had more problems riding through melting snow and packed snow coming down my street than on plain snow. Heck, wet tires on concrete almost had the bike down in the driveway last year

Carl

[Spooph]

The colder it is, the easier it is. I've had more problems riding through melting snow and packed snow coming down my street than on plain snow. Heck, wet tires on concrete almost had the bike down in the driveway last year

Carl

I beg to differ sir... Although I do agree that slush sucks and is the most dangerous stuff to ride in, at some point cold just gets too damn cold.... I did -15 this last winter and although the snow was nice and crisp, and was a lot of fun on the knobbies, my everything got cold during the 30 min ride into work. I also broke the plastic map pocket on my tank bag by simply lifting it off the bike. Not cool.

[dm_gsxr]

I beg to differ sir... Although I do agree that slush sucks and is the most dangerous stuff to ride in, at some point cold just gets too damn cold.... I did -15 this last winter and although the snow was nice and crisp, and was a lot of fun on the knobbies, my everything got cold during the 30 min ride into work. I also broke the plastic map pocket on my tank bag by simply lifting it off the bike. Not cool.

It all depends on how prepared you are. I've ridden down to 3 per my thermometer on the bike. But I have Gerbings electric jacket and gloves. I have heated grips on the 'busa as well but the 3 degree ride was on the Harley so not even a fairing to block the wind.

The only real problem was with the fogging up. Down to 15 degrees or so, the Fog City works pretty well. Below that though, the fog freezes on contact so you have to breath shallowly. I have the Froggy Mask which makes a big difference in the lower temps.

Carl

[Wheezy]

I have given it alot of thought and i think i want to try and get into winter riding. What is the big asvice? and should i get another bike? i have a ducati 916.

[Devaclis]

Staying warm makes all the difference in the world. I have been 70 MPH at -19 (Helluva windchill) and with the proper gear you can do it. Sure, it will not feel like a nice fall/spring ride, but sack up and go.

If you are not having fun it is not workth the ride.

[Swift]

As long as you aren't riding through snow you should be ok. lol

The more gear you wear, the warmer you'll be. Insulated liners are the best to keep the heat in, an underarmor head sock is good for your helmet, ski socks work well, also look for wind proof shells. Lowering your tire pressure about 2-3psi vs what you use for highway during the summer will also help against the lower temps to keep you sticking to the road in a corner.

Oh, summer gloves are not good for lower temps. If you can, wear snowboard gloves or even rain proof gloves (IE: Gortex). Cold hands will kick your ass while riding.

[GuitarX]

I have given it alot of thought and i think i want to try and get into winter riding. What is the big asvice? and should i get another bike? i have a ducati 916.

Wheezy, I rode every single winter month this last year and had no problems. The key is simply having the right gear and tires you trust. I rode down to 30 degrees regularly. If it got colder than that I didn't feel like riding anyway. For me, the best new gear I bought for the cold weather was a Scorpion XDR Commander jacket and Held Freezer gloves. Those two items kept my neck, upper body, and hands warm. I of course did some extra layering when necessary. I should be even better this winter because I bought a pair of KTM Adventure pants which are more windproof and have two liners just like the Scorpion jacket.

Cycle World has a little write-up on a new set of boots that Harley just came out with called Sirocco Boots that have battery-powered heaters in the front part of the boot that have 3 settings from 113 to 140 degrees. They're not cheap but man that sounds nice. See p. 62 of the Oct 2011 Cycle World.

As far as the bike, I have a similar bike to your Duc (MV F4) but I was using my old VFR800. This year I'll be using my new VFR1200 and I'm sure it will do just as well if not better. Your Duc would do fine, but I just didn't feel like taking the MV out in that weather. Just make sure you have tires you trust in cold weather. Michelin Road 2s were great and I never had a scary moment. I have Road 3s on the new bike and I'm sure they'll be just as good if not better.

Keep in mind that the roads are much dirtier in the winter. I would do Deckers runs just staying in the car tracks. Sounds crazy but it worked just fine and helped my skills on sandy roads in the summer time too. You get to the point where your brain no longer scares easy when you see a little sand in your path.

I hope some of that helps. If you're warm, it's really no different from summer riding except you have less "line choice" in the lane if things are a little sloppy.

[Wheezy]

Thanks for the advice. It helps alot.

[Sean]

Gear, gear gear! I usually ride during the winter too. Although, not in the snow and ice. For me, the biggest thing is blocking the wind. That's what makes me cold. Here's my list

Closeout Fieldsheer jacket w/liner @ bikebandit $70 (heavy duty outer shell)
Snowboarding/snowmobile gloves $20
heated grips $30
balacava to block the wind from my neck $15
rain pants $10 (I wear long johns under my khaki's to work with the rain pants to block the wind). Although this year I'll probably wear my Klim Dakar pants because they are super awesome.

Biggest thing, watch the weather if you don't want to get stuck in snow. I've learned that lesson the hard way! And take it easy in the corners, it's harder for your tires to heat up.

[Spooph]

is it too early to resurrect this thread yet?

[Sean]

I rode into Boulder @ 6:30am and it wasn't very cold. I was kind of surprised. For some reason the first week in October is when I start to feel the chill.

[Devaclis]

Polar Bear Riders Untie!!!

[BC14]

Polar Bear Riders Untie!!!

untie?

[Ghost]

Polar Bear Riders Untie!!!

[FZRguy]

It was 37 degrees on Cameron Pass this weekend. Not winter but getting there.

[Joe]

is it too early to resurrect this thread yet?

Patience young Padawan...
You need to hold off for the first "How do I Winterize my Bike?" Thread.

[Sean]

You need to hold off for the first "How do I Winterize my Bike?" Thread.

It is closer than you think. Here's a quote from another thread.

I washed the hundreds of bugs off the bike and put her into her storage spot for the winter.