Does anyone here ride year round? (northern states)

[Ian522]

I sold my old bike a couple months ago, with the intention of buying a different bike in the spring. But im getting impatient as usual. Im thinking of finding a bike on craigslist and riding through the winter. I live in NJ where average winter temps are usually in the 30's, although its been warm the last few weeks.

Ive never ridden in temps below 50 before, so I dont really know what its like riding in the winter. With the proper gear and layers, is it bearable to ride around town in 30-40 degree weather? Will I have trouble even getting a bike with carbs to start in that kinda weather? Is corrosion from salt residue a concern?

Thanks for the advice.

[qwerty]

With the proper gear and layers, is it bearable to ride around town in 30-40 degree weather?

I often tell people 30-70*F is my favorite temperature range. My basic riding apparel is waterproof workboots, Thinsulate insulated leather gloves sprayed with waterproofing, jeans, and a Bell full face helmet from Walmart. I have a fashion leather jacket from JCPenneys. A t-shirt under the jacket is good from 80*F down to 55*F. Then I add a heavy sweatshirt or turtle neck, and I'm good down to 35*F. Any colder, I add insulated socks, thermal underwear, knit glove liners, and a second sweatshirt or turtleneck. Below 25*F I add a rainsuit to better block the wind. I've ridden down to 17*F and been quite comfortable.

Will I have trouble even getting a bike with carbs to start in that kinda weather?

Make sure your engine oil is appropriate for the ambient temperature. I run 10W30 in the winter and 20W40 in the summer. I've never had trouble starting down to 17*F.

Is corrosion from salt residue a concern?

Yes. Give the bike a thorough rinse with fresh, cold water on a regular basis.

Thanks for the advice.

Y'elcome.

[blues2cruise]

I'm on the westcoast but on the 49th parallel. Some of us ride all year when the roads are safe to do so.

Dress in layers and put some stick on hot pads in your boots to keep your toes warm.

As for the salt, it will be important to wash your bike off after every ride.

[Scott58]

I ride year round also. Check out military surplus. They have some pretty good gear. I wear an AF flightsuit most of the time and it's very good. Last year the coldest I rode in was 8 degrees (only about 30 minutes), but it did the job. gloves are the weak link. Fingers were cold but not numb. Think about heated gloves from time to time, but im really not into that kind of stuff.

[logitech104]

As for the salt, it will be important to wash your bike off after every ride.

I don't get it, how come you have to wash your bike off after you ride, is there salt in the air or something? in the humidity???

[JC Viper]

I'm in NYC and ride all year round if there's no snow or ice on the ground. My bike is a Vulcan 500 and found dirt track tires to suit those occasions when there's a trace of snow on the ground. The carbs on the bike aren't much of a problem in cold weather since most of the time the choke wasn't needed.

Getting periodic maintenance done is key for a reliable bike in the winter. Stuff like lubing the throttle and clutch cables, lubing the chain (my bike), making sure the idle is set properly along with cleaned out carbs and fresh spark plugs.

Salt is the stuff that goes on the ground to melt the snow and ice and can ruin paint jobs or engine casings if not cleaned off. My engine still has white spots and the windshield is not as clear as it use to be. Teaches me to ride behind a salt truck while it's snowing (at least the bike stayed planted). Beware though, salt can also be like gravel esp. if they are big chunks. The small stuff turns to powder.

[logitech104]

Ok thanks! I didn't know because our roads don't get salted.

[t_bonee]

Yep. I'm in southern Ohio. Actually, thanks to global warming, it's been a very pleasant winter to ride in so far. Lots o' warm days. No significant snow fall. I think the coldest temps I've ridden in so far have been about 35F one afternoon. But it was sunny.

[Lion_Lady]

Yup. I ride year round... even down into the 20's and lower. I've got an electric jacket liner and heated handgrips.

Layering is good. Make sure your bottom layer is NOT cotton it gets damp and keeps your skin clammy. Get some polypropylene long underwear - you'll find it in ski shops or the winter sports dept of nearly any sportiing goods store. It must fit snug to keep you warm.

I live outside Baltimore, and we get a snowstorm every month or so, and it never stays on the roads more than a week. What we get a lot of is 'freezing precipitation' and salt is heavily used, so you have to be careful of the 'glazing' effect from the salt.

I do NOT wash my bike after every cold weather ride. The hoses are off the outside taps. But then again, my bike has NO chrome to corrode. I do not ride if the roads are damp in winter. Too much chance of encountering frozen water where it will take me down.

P

[jstark47]

My wife and I don't winterize our bikes. In southern New Jersey there are always days up into the 40's throughout the winter. Gearing up for warmth is no problem. Safety is a bigger deal: I'll ride if the temps are above freezing and there's no snow or ice around. Salt build-up is a little tricky, but no more than sand on the road in summer - lots of south Jersey roads in the pines have sand on them.

I rode the V-strom to work yesterday and Monday; took the Bonneville out back road bombing on Sunday. Mrs. Stark had the Trophy out on Saturday.