Tips for riding in snow?

[GSmonkey]

I get caught out on my commute every now and again, but I will also set off in snow, as its about a mile to the main roads, where they're normally gritted. Just super smooth is the key, use smooth engine braking and smooth power. There's a surprising amount of grip on fresh snow, as long as its not too deep. The real pain is the continuous build up of snow on the visor. If its too bad, I resort to the train, but I normally only do this a couple of days a year.

 

[Klanky]

..............and leave at least 3 car lengths between you and the thing in front.........

Hope I don't come across as a pedantic point-scorer BigMarky, but 3 car lengths is nowhere near a safe distance.

Stopping distance at 20mph in dry conditions is quoted at 40ft, add snow and ice and you want to be back a hell of a lot further........bear in mind that emergency stops are right out in snow.

 

[Onwalkabout]

Plenty of good advice here. Snow is a regular companion in the winter being based in Switzerland. Slow, low gears, and try to keep the hands and feet off the brakes. Relaxed style and standing on the pegs to let the bike move underneath help. I tend to use the back brake more than the front, mainly as I am usually going slowly and I am happier to control a rear wheel slide. Keep a lot of distance - if you can plan on coasting to a stop with no brakes before hitting something, you have it about right - and watch for the idiot in his Bently tailgating you. I am running allround tyres (Conti Trails) as the snow is only down occasionally, so I can't really justify chewing up a set of off road tyres on the reasonable days. I liked the comment about the tyres going silent - a very good tip.

The best tip, light the fire and enjoy a day 'working from home'.

 

[Charlie]

About 5/6 (pre-gser ownership) years ago I the 'pleasure' of riding through a sudden and prolonged blizzard that swept the UK. 230 miles from South Wimbledon to a village north of York where I was living at the time. It got so bad by the time I got to Milton Keynes, visibility was zero but after over 9 hours of very careful riding I got to the York City boundary where I low sided because the cheapskates hadn't gritted! Picking up a Pan European late at night in those conditions is not fun - believe me. My advice for riding in the snow - choose a very light bike. You'll be picking it up eventually!

I ride all year round, don't mind the cold or the wet but ice on untreated roads - forget it. That's the only time I prefer to take the gas guzzling 4x4- I must be getting old....

 

[BIGMARKY]

correct

Hope I don't come across as a pedantic point-scorer BigMarky, but 3 car lengths is nowhere near a safe distance.

Stopping distance at 20mph in dry conditions is quoted at 40ft, add snow and ice and you want to be back a hell of a lot further........bear in mind that emergency stops are right out in snow.

you are so right.

 

[patboy]

Yeah I've ridden in snow commuting uptown and come out in the morning thinking its to late for a train. Once you get out onto the main roads its not to bad. Only hairy moments are when your riding in the car track and catch the middle bit dividing the other car track! Now that makes you jump, especially with the back of the bike wavering about. Apart from that it is fine but not recommended Personally I'm more worried about all the salt and what the hell it will do to my 2005 1200GS.

 

[Tarmo]

Riding in snow is similar to how hedgehogs make love. You have to take it real slow and easy.

 

[stephenth]

Got caught out coming back from Scotland at Easter some years ago (not on a GS) - fresh snow not too bad, just reduced grip like very wet greasy roads. Packed snow / ice horrible! Take it easy, don't be afraid to stop and defrost. Watch out for the "cocoon of misery" that stops you being aware of your surroundings (I was alongside another rider in Glasgow who seemed completely shut off).
Oh - one days riding on roads that have been gritted will COMPLETELY strip the "protective" finish from a Suzuki engine, which will then grow a furry coat.

 

[swissrob]

http://www.reifenwerk-heidenau.de/index.html this company makes winter tyres for motorbikes etc inc snow tyres.

 

[Arrow]

A tip from a parcel courier many years back was whenever he caught out in the snow or had to go to work in it he would more or less rode in the gutter.

The gutter is where the road camber drops off to and all the crap and grit from the road comes to rest there consequently it allows the tyre to grip more rather than on the higher usually smooth and icy centre. Of course if a snow plow has dumped all the snow there than you don't have much choice other than to use the centre lane preferably between the "tram lines" where there is most grip.

The greatest threat I feel is not from the snow itself but the arse holes who tail gate you and try to push you on. Its also not very nice having to go down steep hills which I have to do to go home from work; fortunately snow is a very seldom occurrence here even on the Mendips.

 

[GSmonkey]

The gutter is where the road camber drops off to....

Not always the case. Last time I binned the GS was in the snow, got too close to the gutter and the camber just had the back wheel coming around on me.

The pain is always picking the bloody things up again......as by definition its slippy

 

[Jonnie Boy]

Wear nappies and jus get on with it ya big wussies!

 

[brixtonchris]

squeeze the cat....or not

I couldn't lift the visor because I wear glasses and they would have instantly fogged up too!
QUOTE]

Try carryin a small tin of cat crap, (not literally cat crap, they dont like it when you squeeze them) the anti fog paste for glasses and apply before leaving the warmth and then you can crack yer visor if you have to, i'm a M/C courier and don't get the choice of using a car, cos im a m/c courier and it wouldn't make sense and people get confused to easily, so yessss umm whats my point ... ah well....

 

[The smudger]

Take the car............

 

[(RIP) ugg]

ride steady ,and be prepared to pic ye bike up wen ye fall off

ugg

 

[t'other dave]

I use mr sheen on my visor cleans and puts light waxy film on, takes longer to mist up inside and rain /snow clears a little easier.

 

[Phil]

Had the pleasure of a snow ride back from Norwich today - not my idea of fun slow and easy does it - I hope to god it clears before tomorrow as I have to ride back to Shrewsbury LOL

Phil

 

[PIGGLET]

Remember to turn your ABS off.
Guess who forgot at 7am on sunday desperate to get home after a horrific nightshift
At least the guys in the control room got a laugh, they watched the doughnut and spill on the site CCTV

 

[Pathologic]

Nice tip

I couldn't lift the visor because I wear glasses and they would have instantly fogged up too!
QUOTE]

Try carryin a small tin of cat crap, (not literally cat crap, they dont like it when you squeeze them) the anti fog paste for glasses and apply before leaving the warmth and then you can crack yer visor if you have to, i'm a M/C courier and don't get the choice of using a car, cos im a m/c courier and it wouldn't make sense and people get confused to easily, so yessss umm whats my point ... ah well....

I chose to get contact lenses after too many cold nights not being able to see properly. 21 years later I don't regret it. You can even wear sunglasses.

Other peoples advice about snow an Ice top notch. Thanks.

Path.

 

[wildbeeste]

http://www.reifenwerk-heidenau.de/index.html this company makes winter tyres for motorbikes etc inc snow tyres.

This is a better link for the snow tyres
http://www.mynetmoto.com//motorradr.../heidenau_150/70_b17_m/c_69t_tl_k_60_m+s.html