winter riding :)

[eire1400]

I’m on a bit of a mission to get thru the winter on the bike. A commute of around 25 miles each way from Midleton to Ovens (not warm in Ovens btw!) Bit of history, since the Mrs. was made redundant I didn’t fancy insuring and taxing 2 cars and 2 bikes, and since the tax was out on the second car I said I’d park it up and see how far I get on two wheels. That was last May. This morning was the first really shitty morning with icy roads particularly around our housing estate and Midleton town, dual carriage way was fine for the most part. So I’m looking for tips for driving on ice, and any experiences you people have had on same!!
Happy Christmas!!

 

[CuzGS]

Mate search for winter, was a post on recently, I'm on iPhone or would post link

 

[JKW]

Mate search for winter, was a post on recently, I'm on iPhone or would post link

Guess this is the thread Cuz is referring to...

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287194

 

[eire1400]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287194[/QUOTE]

Very good thread alright.

But "1. Any ice, stay at home or take car" is what i'm looking to avoid!!

 

[Ogmios]

=eire1400;2928104]...
But "1. Any ice, stay at home or take car" is what i'm looking to avoid!!

+1 ... i dont possess a car!

fwiw,
tyres /road noise goes when there's ice -it's the only warning you get - so if it goes quiet; beware!
if you are on ice, treat it Very Gently - gentle throttle / high gear and low revs / no brake at all - if no choice, rear only and max caution! Coz you'll still probably end up o yer ear.
Look for 'micro climates' - especially where you are located. Much of the road may be fine - but shady spots, overhanging trees, open to wind areas and high ground all can catch you out IF you dont Observe well in advance. (That to me, is the most important - coz if you SEE it in advance you can do something about it)
Dress warm. frozen hands for e.g. dont exactly improve clutch and brake control and are a huge distraction.
... that's all i can think of for now.

If i were nearer i'd offer to go out with you (i'm a part time instructor / i'm not looking for a date )
Good Luck.

 

[bogman]

Lucky yesterday morning, nearly lost the Harley in black ice, just as well I was not tearing it, this was at 10-45am and temp about 3c.....never worth it, returned home and took the car

 

[Ger74]

winter

Heated grips,heated vest improve control no end. Then crash bars if it goes over.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

I do not think icy roads and 2 wheels mix at all, too much risk of breaking a leg or worse. Not worth the risk, imho. Bin

 

[eire1400]

I do not think icy roads and 2 wheels mix at all, too much risk of breaking a leg or worse. Not worth the risk, imho. Bin

Very true too. A broken collar bone would cost a lot more than 3 months tax!

 

[GerryC]

I do not think icy roads and 2 wheels mix at all, too much risk of breaking a leg or worse. Not worth the risk, imho. Bin

With age comes wisdom
Well in your case

 

[the civil one]

Early Friday Evening , whilst working , I counted Four idiots on Bikes ,
i was driving a 12 ton bus , with the necessary caution , as the roads were
patchy and icy , i couldnt believe the stupidity of it.
Get the bus ior a Taxi , Bikes and ice dont mix ,end of.

 

[zoot]

Early Friday Evening , whilst working , I counted Four idiots on Bikes ,
i was driving a 12 ton bus , with the necessary caution , as the roads were
patchy and icy , i couldnt believe the stupidity of it.
Get the bus ior a Taxi , Bikes and ice dont mix ,end of.

8 am sat morn 60 mile round trip mostly on m6 to les wassall for hid conversion on gsa reminded me why i dont ride in winter conditions. last time was 1986 on a xl250 this was! the last time. now alot older and a little wiser

 

[somclan]

Vents

At the moment my main winter riding hassle is whether I should use the back vent on the stitch . You see in the mountains it can get a little cool but when I hit the beach for a coffee and a smoke it can get a little sticky ...

[/IMG]

 

[Longie]

I’m on a bit of a mission to get thru the winter on the bike. A commute of around 25 miles each way from Midleton to Ovens (not warm in Ovens btw!) Bit of history, since the Mrs. was made redundant I didn’t fancy insuring and taxing 2 cars and 2 bikes, and since the tax was out on the second car I said I’d park it up and see how far I get on two wheels. That was last May. This morning was the first really shitty morning with icy roads particularly around our housing estate and Midleton town, dual carriage way was fine for the most part. So I’m looking for tips for driving on ice, and any experiences you people have had on same!!
Happy Christmas!!

Close ur eyes boy and hope for the best!!!!!!

 

[eire1400]

Close ur eyes boy and hope for the best!!!!!!

Welcome aboard dude. Go and introduce urself. Are u sure ur in the right place? This is a forum for people with taste! Not dr800's ;-) ;-)

 

[Daithi]

Close ur eyes boy and hope for the best!!!!!!

Howya Longie, have ya got that bike of yours sorted for the next PRC Reci on the 21st ?

 

[Firefox]

the idle rich

At the moment my main winter riding hassle is whether I should use the back vent on the stitch . You see in the mountains it can get a little cool but when I hit the beach for a coffee and a smoke it can get a little sticky ...

I thought you gave up that filthy habit! (neither did I)
Where are you this time?

 

[7men]

Far as I know and have experienced first hand ice can form on the road surface of a bridge over a railway track for example as the freezing air envelops the road completely. So a bridge surface can be slippy before other sections of a road might be! So if you hear the train a coming and your on the flat of your back you'll know why. Take care and safe driving.

 

[Lord Vader]

Haven't got a car now for 7 years or so and i only did not make it to work on a handful of occasions. Well for starters I would say make sure YOU can be seen. My comute is always in the dark doesn't matter what shift i work. So I fitted extra spots and rear/break lights to my bike.
Since last year i got a winterhack which is so much better then having to worry about how to pick the gsa up. But I noticed that if I leave her lying in the middle of the road with the hazard lights on car drivers are very helpfull, especially if they can't get around it
I got myself a old transalp,which proved to be brilliant in winter.
The important things for me are being warm,hands and feet. Always carry waterproofs. Heated grips are a must. In all my winter riding I only hit black ice twice,first time I dumped my Africa twin,second time I stayed on my gsa.
Go offroading with your bike as riding in mud will improve your winter riding no end
See it as a fun challenge otherwise you get to tense

P.s. leave earlier for you journey so you can take your time
pps. you will drop your bike so make sure you got decent crashbars