View Full Version : Snow + ice = certain death?
the100thidiot
14-12-09, 09:13 AM
Hi people,
I was hoping somebody can help me out. Basically I started riding this year and was planning to ride all year but have no experience of winter riding (at the moment I have no car and I hate buses).
But as Christmas is coming and it is getting colder and I'm not so sure that winter riding is a good idea :smt017
The cold does not bother me, well, until my hands go completely numb, but cold alone will not stop me riding, neither does rain. If its raining heavily and I have to go somewhere, I just get wet and go a bit slower. The thing I am starting to get worried about is ice and snow.
Looking at the forecast this week there is a chance of snow showers in Guildford. I figure that its not going to settle on the roads, but do I get on the bike as normal and just take it easy, or is riding in snow showers certain death?
Any advice or tips for surviving the snow/ice? Or should I just admit that a bike is not really a practical mode of transport and buy a crappy car to see me through the winter...
rode thru a few white winters in Scotland. Main roads are usually all ok its when you get to side roads. Take it steady, no harsh acceleration or braking, dont lean bike too much and if its really bad ride with your feet on ground (I never did this as I could not reach) crappy car would warmer though
Gritted roads don't pose much of a problem, but ice does. I rode 55 miles to work down a motorway last winter, only to splatter myself on the turn-in to work cos it hadn't been gritted there.
Generally snow/slush/ice/fog mean you're better off in a car, imho.
TheOnlyNemesis
14-12-09, 10:35 AM
i have ridden in snow/ice ended with me sat in a and e for a few hours with a broken wrist after hitting black ice and the bike slipping out, and that was with no harsh acceleration or braking bikes just don't cope well in snow i decided so will be walking if it gets to that stage.
Dicky Ticker
14-12-09, 11:06 AM
Fit a sidecar for winter:)
the100thidiot
14-12-09, 11:31 AM
Hmm, yes that would be an option. I could somehow strap my SV and my YBR together so I have 4 wheels instead of 2 ;)
But I think I would rather be a sissy and buy a cheapo car just to get me through the nasty icy days than break my precious SV and bones :(
or buy a trailie, fit winter tyres and go nuts :D
DanAbnormal
14-12-09, 12:20 PM
I've ridden through blizzards, ice, freezibng fog and more ice/snow.
It was horrible but you can do it. The key is to be smooth, no sharp braking, accelerating or turning. In fact, it's probably better if you just walk. :rolleyes:
Seriously though, snow isn't too bad unless it really starts to settle. The days where I wouldnot ride are the next 2/3 days once it has snowed and frozen over. Then you are asking for a trip down the tarmac.
DanAbnormal
14-12-09, 12:29 PM
or buy a trailie, fit winter tyres and go nuts :D
I have to say, not such a bad idea. I did some off roading in the snow and it was much safer than using my road bike!
Owenski
14-12-09, 01:03 PM
Your in the same boat I was a year ago so I recon I know whats in your head. TBH I used the bike everyday apart from 1 (when I took this misses car). As others have said the main roads will be fine but the sdie roads may be a bit tricky. Practise your slow control stuff, try keep revs low and constantly turning the back wheel.
I had no trouble on my 16mile commute but a lot of that is motorway. Another thing, compacted snow is a bitch as is slush but fresh snow is suprisingly stable at low speed try your best not to lean too far though.
injury_ian
14-12-09, 02:19 PM
I find with decent modern tyres anything down to -3 is fine, then it all gets a tad slippery.
and of course anything that not a main route (and hence gritted) treat as ice, always better to enter a road gingerly and test the grip when straightened out.
the_lone_wolf
14-12-09, 03:18 PM
http://crash.smugmug.com/photos/235998381-M.jpg
;)
Will be making myself a set for the Elephant Rally in January
Spiderman
14-12-09, 03:21 PM
I have also ridden in snow on my SV, sometimes not by choice but still managed ok.
There was this one time thio that the snow fell so fast and heavy and i was heading uphill that the back tyre just lost all traction and no matter how i tried to pull away again, even in 3rd gear, i had to admit defeat and go sit under the nearest shelter and wait for the cars to turn the snow into slush so i could try and move away again.
Fun in its own unique way.
I find with decent modern tyres anything down to -3 is fine, then it all gets a tad slippery.
Ice doesn't suddenly get slipperier at lower temps. If it drops below zero at night, watch out the following morning!
In fact it doesn't even have to do that. Snow usually falls above zero, then hits the ground, melts and freezes. It can do this with the ambient temperature above zero.
injury_ian
14-12-09, 05:59 PM
Ice doesn't suddenly get slipperier at lower temps. If it drops below zero at night, watch out the following morning!
Agreed hence the 2nd part of my post.
However I find the grit doesnt work as effectively at tempritures of below -3C.
I've tried riding a push bike and fell off on ice..so haven't tempted fate with a motorbike..the question is it worth the risk? Especially if death is involved.
dirtydog
14-12-09, 07:08 PM
I've done the riding all year round thing and it isn't fun but can be done. A few times I arrived at work with a sheet of ice on the front of my jacket where it was so cold.
Now I wouldn't ride in the snow/ice as it's just not worth it. Get yourself a cheapo car and use that on the bad days
Agreed hence the 2nd part of my post.
However I find the grit doesnt work as effectively at tempritures of below -3C.
ah ok. Can't say I've tried below -2. I spose the rubber of the tyres could also get harder and less grippy as the temperature drops.
I've tried riding a push bike and fell off on ice..so haven't tempted fate with a motorbike..the question is it worth the risk? Especially if death is involved.
I did a paper round for a few winters as a teenager. I found when there was frost and ice everywhere, it was actually easier to ride (a pushbike) than to walk.
But I think I would rather be a sissy and buy a cheapo car just to get me through the nasty icy days than break my precious SV and bones :(
i would call it commen sense, you have not been riding that long so why risk it, your bike but especially you self, make do with what ever transport you can for the time being.....
there are people here who have rode in snow and ice but they have been riding a lot....dont worry
Fizzy Fish
15-12-09, 07:10 AM
I've ridden through blizzards, ice, freezibng fog and more ice/snow.
It was horrible but you can do it. The key is to be smooth, no sharp braking, accelerating or turning. In fact, it's probably better if you just walk. :rolleyes:
Seriously though, snow isn't too bad unless it really starts to settle. The days where I wouldnot ride are the next 2/3 days once it has snowed and frozen over. Then you are asking for a trip down the tarmac.
I've made it through 12 British winters with a bike as my main form of transport, and it's totally do-able, and can actually be quite fun.
Dan's advice probably sums most of it up, but also make sure that you wrap up warm as the cold can really make a difference to your concentration and reactions.
I got myself a DRZ for off roading about a year ago. Haven't done much off roading (its currently in supermoto trim as I seem to prefer that), but it's a great bike for dodgy conditions, such as slippy roads. Brakes, etc are softer, and if you hit something slippy it deals with it better and is much easier to save. Plus it will save the salt off your main bike, and if you were unlucky enough to have a low speed slide the bike will be fine (they are designed to crash off roading). I find it a real confidence giver compared to my twitchy gixxer anyway!
That said you don't have to get something special, winter can be done on an SV etc quite happily. Just avoid any significant snowfall and those melted-snow-frozen-over days though - sheet ice is a big no no on a bike! And use your common sense really
the100thidiot
15-12-09, 09:14 AM
Ok so I bought a crappy car for £500 :p
I'll keep on riding everyday I can, but if its forecast snow or could potentially be icy I can sissy out and take the car.
Thanks for all the advice people - I think I will save the proper winter riding for when I have more experience and a cheapo bike. At the moment I think if I was to ever drop/crash my SV I would cry... :smt022
Just avoid any significant snowfall and those melted-snow-frozen-over days though - sheet ice is a big no no on a bike! And use your common sense really
Up here that's usually the 2nd half of December and most of Jan, + more if its a bad year.
Do you actually get winter down there? :p
Fizzy Fish
15-12-09, 08:25 PM
Up here that's usually the 2nd half of December and most of Jan, + more if its a bad year.
Do you actually get winter down there? :p
Don't forget I used to live in Yorkshire, so I know how rubbish it is there ;)
Don't forget I used to live in Yorkshire, so I know how rubbish it is there ;)
Yorkshire's a dream. Lancashire, on the other hand, is colder, wetter, and generally a lot worse. And the big road connecting the 2 is the worst of the lot.
In response to the thread title...
...well seeing as the head gasket on my car has just gone, I'll let you know after winter! :(
In response to the thread title...
...well seeing as the head gasket on my car has just gone, I'll let you know after winter! :(
that's bloody awful timing!
the100thidiot
16-12-09, 05:18 PM
In response to the thread title...
...well seeing as the head gasket on my car has just gone, I'll let you know after winter! :(
That sucks :( Could not be timed worse.
But boy am I glad I just bought a car!
So.. who went out for a ride today? I did see quite a few brave souls on bikes today in Guildford... they are braver than me for sure!
Rode to London this afternoon in the snow.
Was fine :)
Nice & warm in my heated jacket & gloves.
Worst was snow settling on my visor - will have to search for a heated one :p
barwel1992
16-12-09, 05:38 PM
Worst was snow settling on my visor - will have to search for a heated one :p
i wish and one with wipers while ure at it :)
The thing about riding all year is that it makes you a better rider much quicker than being a fair weather biker. I understand those that don't want to ride year round, and am not criticizing them, but I personally think the risk is worth it (provided the caveats of being careful and that discretion is the better part of valour!)
If i had a small light bike, eg trials bike, that was made to be thrown around then may be, i just might. But i have droped my sv twice and
1, its bloody heavey and 2 expensive to repaire.
so its staying in the garage. untill the roads are ok...
so its like 1 dont want to pull my back out and 2 short of cash at the moment.
so i would sugest if you can get other transport the go for it...
if you have to ride...........please be extra careful...
snow + ice = certain death ----------- may or may not be.
But still it would be bloody painful..
The thing about riding all year is that it makes you a better rider much quicker than being a fair weather biker. I understand those that don't want to ride year round, and am not criticizing them, but I personally think the risk is worth it (provided the caveats of being careful and that discretion is the better part of valour!)
Couldn't agree more. :)
My feet slipped walking to the garage this morning, but I was still surprised when I overpowered the back wheel before I got to the main roads. Even though I was taken by surprise I think it is down to experience from riding all year that I didn't do too much wrong and just carried on without incident.
At the moment I think if I was to ever drop/...my SV I would cry... :smt022
Have you got decent crash bungs on? because it's likely to happen at some point anyway.
This morning was a particularly fun morning to start my ice/snow riding career!
Where I live some roads don't get much traffic and I arrived at a junction in my village and it was like a plateu of sheet ice. Somehow managed to get it turned and up the hill without too much wheelspin.
I do like being able to easily plant both feet flat on the floor!
barwel1992
17-12-09, 07:36 PM
I do like being able to easily plant both feet flat on the floor!
same even with the rear raised by 4cm i can still flat foot it thank god, would be a nightmare if i couldn't
I'll let you know after tomorrow 8-[
DanAbnormal
18-12-09, 09:14 AM
No way I am risking it today. It is not worth the risk when the weather is this bad. I would have crashed before the end of my road. Boooo. Yesterday on my way home I had a huge moment, road seemed fine then came round a bend and the front hit some ice. Bike basically slid sideways and I thought I was going down. Put my feet down and managed to save it but was now on the wrong side of the road. Just lucky nothing else was coming. Bloody weather! :mad:
the_lone_wolf
18-12-09, 09:17 AM
One of these perhaps???
http://static.blogo.it/motoblog/brudeli-leaner-654l/big_brudeli_leaner654l_2008_04.jpg
DanAbnormal
18-12-09, 11:27 AM
Now THAT looks fun! :smt041
No way I am risking it today. It is not worth the risk when the weather is this bad. I would have crashed before the end of my road. Boooo. Yesterday on my way home I had a huge moment, road seemed fine then came round a bend and the front hit some ice. Bike basically slid sideways and I thought I was going down. Put my feet down and managed to save it but was now on the wrong side of the road. Just lucky nothing else was coming. Bloody weather! :mad:
Scarry!
My worst moment today was, I was already in London, travelling in a staight line and the front skidded to the side
barwel1992
18-12-09, 02:28 PM
One of these perhaps???
why not get a quad ? cheaper than that and more stable in this weather lol
my old quad well made and was road legal 250cc could do 70mph+ and oly cost £1300 with 8km on the clock :P
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo16/barwell1992/IMG_0292.jpg
dirtydog
18-12-09, 02:54 PM
why not get a quad ? cheaper than that and more stable in this weather lol
my old quad well made and was road legal 250cc could do 70mph+ and oly cost £1300 with 8km on the clock :P
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo16/barwell1992/IMG_0292.jpg
I really don't see the point in quads on the road, you get the worst of both worlds. Not only do you still get cold/wet you cant really filter on it.
For the £1300 it costs for the quad you could a half decent car
barwel1992
18-12-09, 03:05 PM
yeh i agree on the roads they are pants (in normal conditions) but in this weather they are mighty fun also once you get them off road they are a absolute blast, both my mum n dad agree if they were to go to work in heavy deep snow they would prefer a quad over a car any day
dirtydog
18-12-09, 03:37 PM
yeh i agree on the roads they are pants (in normal conditions) but in this weather they are mighty fun also once you get them off road they are a absolute blast, both my mum n dad agree if they were to go to work in heavy deep snow they would prefer a quad over a car any day
I'd rather get to work warm and dry than having fun on the way and if it was deep snow then surely you'd just not bother going to work?
barwel1992
18-12-09, 03:40 PM
^ lol good point but looking at MS speedplays accident i think id rather be on a quad full stop
^ lol good point but looking at MS speedplays accident i think id rather be on a quad full stop
Until you lose it on black ice and end up in front of a van. Then a car is always gonna be safer.
dirtydog
18-12-09, 03:46 PM
^ lol good point but looking at MS speedplays accident i think id rather be on a quad full stop
But that happened on black ice so a quad would've skidded as well, (someone walking on it would probably have ended up on their backside) the chances are you would've ended up hitting the signpost instead of the car.
beabert
19-12-09, 03:09 PM
If someone has both a car and a bike and chooses to use the bike in these icy conditions they are mad!
Ive used my bike in the snow before and was fine except when i came across an area of sheet ice at a junction, i couldnt even hold the bike up when stationary it was that slippery.
I dont have a car license but choose to walk everywhere while there is ice about.
bikerchick82
19-12-09, 04:08 PM
I have held my bike licence for ten years now and every winter I say that I'll get round to taking my car licence.....
It hasn't happened yet :roll:
I had no choice but to get on my bike this morning to get to work, I didn't get half way before I came off on black ice, thankfully it was a slow spill, no damage to the bike (zx6r) and I haven't broken anything this time :smt005
If you have the choice then I'd say get a crappy car, it isn't fun in snow and ice and flipping hurts when it all goes wrong! :thumbsup:
please people be carefull.....O.H. fell over in the drive way, trying to get into her car, this morning........
I sold my car back in February, just wasn't getting used, and the thought of all that depreciation just to have a flash car sat on the drive seemed nuts .... I figured that even the road tax saved (£405 a year now) would pay for a rental car for a week or two if I needed one ....
Cheap rental car - £28 a day ..... trashing the SV, and breaking a leg (or worse) ...... priceless !!! :-)
Owenski
21-12-09, 03:04 PM
I sold my car back in February, just wasn't getting used, and the thought of all that depreciation just to have a flash car sat on the drive seemed nuts .... I figured that even the road tax saved (£405 a year now) would pay for a rental car for a week or two if I needed one ....
Cheap rental car - £28 a day ..... trashing the SV, and breaking a leg (or worse) ...... priceless !!! :-)
good logic, never stuck with the same car either.
Snow + ice = certain death?
I don't think so. Just rode up to Luton Airport last night from London. I was going to Milton Keynes to stay the night, but the snow was so bad* I peeled off as I was passing the airport. Filtered passed thousands of cars that were completely gridlocked due to cars stuck in the Snow + ice. I lost traction or grip on many occasions either the front or the back or both but thankfully never dropped it.
Flight was cancelled so I rode home :smt102
So even if this was one occasion to rent a car - I did try at the airport but they had none (not even at the hertz desk of the airport :roll: - before the smartarse comments :p) the car would have been less use than the bike because you just get stuck in traffic. (tales of 7 hour journeys to the airport etc.)
It was great practice/experienc for knowing what a bike can do & how best to cope with Snow + ice
*I was using my left hand as a visor wiper at an interval of normal windscreen wipers NOT on intermittent
eviltwin
22-12-09, 02:37 PM
Stu, you are hardcore!
I've only seen 3 bikes on the roads round here since the weather turned on Thursday night.
Any chance of getting on another flight before christmas?
I've only seen 3 bikes on the roads round here since the weather turned on Thursday night.
I bet one was Sarah, wasn't it?
yep, fly tomorrow with Air France from Heathrow :cool:
Easy jet did promise to refund the cost of alternate flights, but at £320 instead of £75 I'm a bit 8-[
Fizzy Fish
23-12-09, 06:46 AM
Stu, you are hardcore!
I've only seen 3 bikes on the roads round here since the weather turned on Thursday night.
Oddly enough I've seen loads of scooters though! Maybe they're more hardcore than us bikers...or maybe scooters are cheaper to crash :rolleyes:
eviltwin
23-12-09, 10:38 AM
Oddly enough I've seen loads of scooters though! Maybe they're more hardcore than us bikers...or maybe scooters are cheaper to crash :rolleyes:
Or maybe ridden by 16 year olds with no fear of mortality!
Owenski
23-12-09, 11:05 AM
only 2 wheels i've seen around here belong'd to a 16yr old. It was a battered scooter it'd clearly been down the road at least once.
The main roads up here are fine but the resedential ones are all sheet ice, not an exageration either you'd be fine if you didnt need to turn or stop on them otherwise its best you dont bother trying.
eviltwin
23-12-09, 11:10 AM
Worryingly this morning on my way to work, the car thermometer said -3 whilst it was raining 8-[
That'll be fun later.
injury_ian
23-12-09, 01:11 PM
Ive been commuting all week on the superdream, main roads are gritted so I only have to womble for 1mile before im safe.
Superdream was made for this!
DanAbnormal
24-12-09, 09:34 AM
Decided to try riding in today as the roads looked mostly clear. Fell off getting the bike out of the garage as it was sheet ice but other than that and the BMW that decided to sit 6 inches off my back tyre it wasn't too bad.
Oddly enough I've seen loads of scooters though! Maybe they're more hardcore than us bikers...or maybe scooters are cheaper to crash :rolleyes:
Yeah, thats right actually ..... I've seen a couple of old people on Vespa's, and the pizza kids are still running ....
I've been back on the bike again today, and seem to be plenty back on their bikes today too ..... its nice to see (and hear) them back tearing up the roads :thumleft:
craigs23
11-01-10, 08:04 PM
I rode through the tricky conditions before Christmas, but with snow here being 8 inches or so deep last week, decided I'd be pushing my luck if I attempted those antics again.
It's not that bad if you take you time and keep your cool (remember to wrap up warm though), although it's usually the oblivious nature of other road users that put me off.
Having said that, I'm an all year round rider, and I started missing not riding bikes last week - especially when having to revert to public transport. So, I was back into work today on two wheels. Few slides, no offs (as usual (touch wood)) but more smiles to be back on two wheels.
stu popped round last night on his bike. Brave soul. My car had problems getting out of our street today but all main roads seem fine.
It was worth it :) but I was up all night tossing & turning over something you told me.
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.