Snow + ice = certain death?

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]

Will be making myself a set for the Elephant Rally in January

[Spiderman]

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.

[ophic]

Originally Posted by injury_ian

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.

Originally Posted by ophic

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.

[pookie]

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]

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

[ophic]

Originally Posted by injury_ian

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.

Originally Posted by pookie

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.

[tonyk]

Originally Posted by the100thidiot

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

Originally Posted by DanAbnormal

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.

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