View Full Version : Winter riding = No Fun!
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l286/krhall_2006/iPhone/Picture038.jpg
I just made it in this morning but it was no fun at all - be careful out there...
It is still snowing here!
speedplay
13-01-10, 11:44 AM
Nutter.
I some how doubt ill be taking mine to work Saturday :(
Just been out and fired it up i miss it :'(
Good luch getting home. But it is te best solution, bad weather always buggers the trains and if the cars get stuck in traffic they can't move but you can on a bike as long as there's no steep hills.
Can't believe you've got SV650.org stickers on your CBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrr
:thumbsup:
Nutcase!
I traveled into London today in the car and saw about 6/7 bikes go past and then it hammered it down with sleet and snow, I was just thinking "ouch! good luck."
I assume you will be leaving the bike in work if the weather does not improve?
I struggled moving mine off the road this morning, and on to the drive .... didn't bother last night, as thought it was improving today !!
IMO it really isn't worth the risk in this weather ...
Ah well my road wasn't too bad and I got to the main road with relative ease and sort of assumed the closer I got to London the better it would be - WRONG!
It is the first time I have used it in the snow to be fair and it was either that or public transport as I left the car here last night and ran home. If it is the same I have the car as an option!
Can't believe you've got SV650.org stickers on your CBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrr
:thumbsup:
Well spotted - You like?
I got them for the Org Brands trackday last summer and sort of like them - plus I love this forum!
the_lone_wolf
13-01-10, 01:59 PM
No such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong equipment...
DRZ400 would have had you smiling all the way into work...;)
fastdruid
13-01-10, 02:08 PM
No such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong equipment...
DRZ400 would have had you smiling all the way into work...;)
I'd go as far as to say there is no such thing as the wrong bike, just the wrong tyres...
http://www.trevdeeley.com/files/images/Buell_On_Ice.jpg
Druid
muffles
13-01-10, 03:56 PM
I biked into work this morning, looked the same around my house. It did get better as soon as I got off my road though, the roads were mostly gritted, but still little bits of snow.
Good to see another toughing it out this winter ;)
Did you have to wipe the snow off your visor too? :lol:
No such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong equipment...
DRZ400 would have had you smiling all the way into work...;)
Agree with this .... the SVS is just so wrong in so many ways for riding in snow and ice .... I'd love a GS adventure for this weather ... you wouldn't get me off it 8)
I've got to be honest, I'm finding the SV a doddle to ride in the ice and snow. I rode the CBR briefly in it and hated it - the seat's too high to feel comfortable on wobbles.
Someone posted a video a few days ago with a guy on a GS with skis bolted onto the side of it. This morning I got out of my estate like that, but using my feet. The fresh snow meant virtually no traction, so eventually I thought, "Sod it", and powerslid along. 6krmp, back wheel spinning, moving at about 5mph, sideways, both feet on the floor and controlling the rear of the bike by shifting my bum around. It was a right laugh :D I was almost sad when I got to the road outside my estate, after which it was completely clear all the way to work. Having said that, if it had been like that all the way to work it would've been faster walking (though less fun ;))
the_lone_wolf
13-01-10, 04:15 PM
Agree with this .... the SVS is just so wrong in so many ways for riding in snow and ice .... I'd love a GS adventure for this weather ... you wouldn't get me off it 8)
GS too heavy (As is my ADV before the BMW fans send me to the camps)
Something light that can stand repeated drops is what's needed...
speedplay
13-01-10, 04:18 PM
Someone posted a video a few days ago with a guy on a GS with skis bolted onto the side of it. This morning I got out of my estate like that, but using my feet.
That will be me :)
I saw some nutter on a moped this morning using his trainers as "skis" too.
GS too heavy (As is my ADV before the BMW fans send me to the camps)
Something light that can stand repeated drops is what's needed...
Youll be wanting an EXC then...;)
the_lone_wolf
13-01-10, 04:20 PM
Youll be wanting an EXC then...;)
That would make it easiest, probably the most suitable option if you're a bit feminine around the edges or can't handle a man's bike;)
speedplay
13-01-10, 04:25 PM
That would make it easiest, probably the most suitable option if you're a bit feminine around the edges or can't handle a man's bike;)
Well if thats what it takes to have a KTM EXC then thats me!!
Its one of the reasons I did buy it though as its cheap and light if you do decide to chuck it down the road.
carternd
13-01-10, 09:54 PM
C90. If it counts as a bike.
Sid Squid
13-01-10, 11:27 PM
No Fun! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZYPriCxvoI)
More No Fun! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-BSoaSzN04)
the_lone_wolf
13-01-10, 11:33 PM
Anyway, that's not proper snow...
This is proper snow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sirheOxR4s
;)
Anyway, that's not proper snow...
This is proper snow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sirheOxR4s
;)
Which KTM is that? looks big
the_lone_wolf
14-01-10, 12:05 AM
Which KTM is that? looks big
Adventure, 950 judging by the colour scheme:cool:
craigs23
14-01-10, 06:55 AM
I think it depends a lot on the bike.
Commuting everyday on my RR last year, I was bored a lot of the time and riding in the snow was darn right scary, rather than tedious. I made it to work and back without a spill, but in the back of my mind I had a little voice shouting 'don't fecking drop it!!' every 10 yards.
My current XR is actually a heck of a lot of fun whatever the weather and whatever the speed. I can't help but grin as I pass countless stricken or sliding cars, as I just plod on my merry journey admiring how pretty everything looks when white with snow.
DRZ400 would have had you smiling all the way into work...;)
Now why would you do that to me, I have only just given up on the idea of a DRZ and now I won't one again!!!
speedplay
14-01-10, 08:52 AM
Now why would you do that to me, I have only just given up on the idea of a DRZ and now I won't one again!!!
Enduro is the way to go this time of year mate:D
Anyway .... snow is easy .... its this poxy ice that stops play :-(
Well ... not today :-)
STRAMASHER
14-01-10, 08:58 AM
I think it depends a lot on the bike.
Commuting everyday on my RR last year, I was bored a lot of the time and riding in the snow was darn right scary, rather than tedious. I made it to work and back without a spill, but in the back of my mind I had a little voice shouting 'don't fecking drop it!!' every 10 yards.
My current XR is actually a heck of a lot of fun whatever the weather and whatever the speed. I can't help but grin as I pass countless stricken or sliding cars, as I just plod on my merry journey admiring how pretty everything looks when white with snow.
The bike I fancy to replace the SV with when it dies is an XT660Z.
But over the last couple of weeks commuting on the SV, I have wondered if that kind of engine config is "better" for the snow and ice and slush.
On the SV trying to be nice and steady with the controls and doff-doffing about just past tickover I was thinking it would be easier on a not so "vicious" or instant and smoother delivery of a IL4 (hornet or something maybe not as over tyred). I was thinking a big single would be worse? As in trying to be smooth round ze bendz and junctions? All that instant thump and not liking the low revs?
I understand the advantages of a trailie bike chassis/wheels/bars in the slidey stuff on or off road. I used to have a 125 trailie and would have some fun after a nightshift in the snow. Although this was back when i was young,dumb and full of....but?
What do you reckon?
craigs23
14-01-10, 09:14 PM
Some good points. Unfortunately, my DRZ is currently without a chain and sprocket kit, so is somewhat unused at the moment. The power delivery is definitely more lively than my piddly XR, but I'd still rather ride the Suzuki than the RR - it's a bike I wouldn't care too much of dropping if things went bad. Also, a lot can be smoothed out with a little clutch slipping.
Having said that, it's difficult to know which tyres are best in such conditions. The trailey rubber fitted to my XR is reasonable in the snow, but there's much less of a contact patch when conditions are just cold/or wet - despite the XR's limp power output, it's still possible to get the rear wheel spinning if I'm hamfisted in these recent conditions. The centre of gravity plays a small part too - the off roaders seem to have their weight higher up, which I guess would be more of a handful if they were heavier.
For and against really, tit for tat.
Either way, I'd still find either single a lot of fun at these lower speeds than something like the old 600s I've had in the past. I'm also more comfortable when things get slidey on them too.
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