Snow/winter riding information - Page 11

Alcan Rider · 11-11-2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowrider

Well, having a motorcycle under 700 lbs helps a little. If you have a bike that comes with reverse, winter riding may not be for you.

Hmm - your advice came a little too late.

See this thread.

Alcan Rider · 11-11-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RotaxRider

Hi there,

I have a 2000 F650GS, which I could potentially ride this winter (Canada). What brand and grade of oil do you use in your bike? Do you change the grade/weight of the oil for the winter riding? (I'm currently running mine with Mobil 20w50.)

Thanks!

Allen

All my liquid-cooled bikes get the same oil, year 'round, whether I'm riding in Alaska at below zero temperatures or in Death Valley at over 100F - 5W-40 synthetic. Can't see any reason to put a high viscosity oil into an engine that has a thermostat to control the temperature, and the lighter oil flows better at start up.
But, oil selection seems to be a personal thing, with all too little reliance on what the manufacturers recommend. So run whatever makes ya feel good.

MrBob · 11-11-2006, 01:04 PM

Lots of good info here. I began riding in Minnesota winters during the early 70's as a starving student when effective cold weather gear was mostly army surplus. Because of the salt on the roads I sprayed my winter bikes liberally and often with WD 40, which was a new and wondrous substance back then. And because of the rapid cooling experienced by a air cooled engine used in subzero temps frequent oil changes were a must due to moisture contamination. This appeared as a white froth in the oil.
Alcan rider wisely pointed out the need to pee and pee again before suiting up. Something about riding in the cold with a bladder full of coffee can make peeing feel really urgent.

snowrider · 11-11-2006, 05:40 PM

Great photos there! But I hope someone warns that guy that his bike is a goldwing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcan Rider

Hmm - your advice came a little too late.

See this thread.

KittenRides · 11-11-2006, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowrider

Great photos there! But I hope someone warns that guy that his bike is a goldwing

He had to use the wing, his KZ1300 is in the shop......

Maybe forever

Alcan Rider · 11-11-2006, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KittenRides

He had to use the wing, his KZ1300 is in the shop......

Maybe forever

Hey!! Let's not be gettin' negative

, it's only been there for... uh... about 3 years - so far.

Alcan Rider · 11-11-2006, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowrider

Great photos there! But I hope someone warns that guy that his bike is a goldwing

It just looks like one. Really, it's a KLR250. Just had bigger tires installed for better flotation in the soft stuff. Then a bigger seat for more comfort for the old duffer's butt. And more storage capacity added so the old phart could take all his medications along with him. And a big fairing and windshield to keep the wind off his aging bones. Lastly, an engine transplant 'cause the 250 couldn't lug all that weight up the hills. But no, that's just a KLR250. He don't ride nothing but dual sports.

snowrider · 11-12-2006, 04:42 PM

Whew, I can stop worrying about him then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcan Rider

It just looks like one. Really, it's a KLR250. Just had bigger tires installed for better flotation in the soft stuff. Then a bigger seat for more comfort for the old duffer's butt. And more storage capacity added so the old phart could take all his medications along with him. And a big fairing and windshield to keep the wind off his aging bones. Lastly, an engine transplant 'cause the 250 couldn't lug all that weight up the hills. But no, that's just a KLR250. He don't ride nothing but dual sports.

Bad Company · 11-19-2006, 10:21 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7NMvt2fnsw

Good winter riding video from germany.

snowrider · 11-20-2006, 06:56 PM

Great video, got any more?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Company

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7NMvt2fnsw

Good winter riding video from germany.

BDG · 11-23-2006, 08:38 AM

There are 2 secrets to riding a bike in snow and ice.

The only problem is nobody knows what they are!

Sorry for that, its an old one but it made me laugh.

Bad Company · 11-24-2006, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowrider

Great video, got any more?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbYjMP85pZE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCJR6rHOzBw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ7EOmdDdNY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIfa3-NBi5U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agc9z5TRTAs

Bad Company · 11-26-2006, 07:48 AM

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/str...cold_and_snow/

snowrider · 11-27-2006, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Company

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/str...cold_and_snow/

Wow, that article is terrible.

Those videos are great though, thanks.

Gillies · 11-30-2006, 06:18 PM

1983. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Rode this bike for two winters in a row to highschool, work, and everywhere in between. Dad thought it made me tough. Don't know much about all the hi-tech stuff, but I can recommend simple deerskin choppers with genuine wool liners.

11-11-2006, 01:04 PM	#153
MrBob Careening forward Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Fe, N.M. Oddometer: 5,672	Lots of good info here. I began riding in Minnesota winters during the early 70's as a starving student when effective cold weather gear was mostly army surplus. Because of the salt on the roads I sprayed my winter bikes liberally and often with WD 40, which was a new and wondrous substance back then. And because of the rapid cooling experienced by a air cooled engine used in subzero temps frequent oil changes were a must due to moisture contamination. This appeared as a white froth in the oil. Alcan rider wisely pointed out the need to pee and pee again before suiting up. Something about riding in the cold with a bladder full of coffee can make peeing feel really urgent. __________________ KLX 400 dual sport Tune in, turn on, drop out.

11-19-2006, 10:21 PM	#159
Bad Company Don't call me Shirley Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Leavenworth Kansas Oddometer: 1,211	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7NMvt2fnsw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7NMvt2fnsw Good winter riding video from germany.

11-23-2006, 08:38 AM	#161
BDG Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Manchester U. K. Oddometer: 961	There are 2 secrets to riding a bike in snow and ice. The only problem is nobody knows what they are! Sorry for that, its an old one but it made me laugh. __________________ I blame my parents, German mother, Irish father. I'm a very efficient idiot.

11-26-2006, 07:48 AM	#163
Bad Company Don't call me Shirley Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Leavenworth Kansas Oddometer: 1,211	http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/riding_in_cold_and_snow/ http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/str...cold_and_snow/

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11-30-2006, 06:18 PM	#165
Gillies Monkey Boy Joined: May 2006 Location: Avondale, AZ Oddometer: 663	1983. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Rode this bike for two winters in a row to highschool, work, and everywhere in between. Dad thought it made me tough. Don't know much about all the hi-tech stuff, but I can recommend simple deerskin choppers with genuine wool liners.