The one reason I'd get a car

[gpzDave]

That should be next to EPIC in the dictionary :lol:

 

[Drobium77]

Shut up. All of you

I am a man. I just don't see the point in riding in terrible conditions. It'll harm the bike, and puts me at risk. My commute is dangerous enough, without adding hazardous weather into the mix!

There must have been a certain aspect of getting wet that made you hate it so much?

For me it was getting either , cold, wet hands or cold knees.
If you can get an all-in-one waterproof suit and wear it over your leather/textiles during the really cold weather, it'll cut out 99% of the draughts and you'll be unbelievably warm and comfy feeling.

Also, handlebar mitts are a godsend for long journeys in wet or freezing cold weather, and believe you me, you'll not give a shit about how 'un-cool' you look if you're half way to hypothermia.

I used to be a dispatch rider long distance and did as many as 600 miles per day sometimes and you learn how to be comfy on a bike.

you can even strap a cushion to the seat so you don't get a numb arse.

Winter is not a season to be feared and I promise you, if you rise through winter, come spring, you'll be an infinitly better rider than the 'day-glow power rangers' that only come out when the sun shines; you know the ones, they are the guys who talk about how many times they've crashed coz they are shit at riding in general.

The only reason I'd get a car (and I couldn't anyway coz they're too expensive to run, just thing of the petrol for a start!!) , is for an amazing stereo system.
And seriously, that's the only reason :-D

 

[Drobium77]

Riding in the snow is generally a bit stupid tbh.
I don't mean when the roads are clear and there's just snow around, I mean when it's in a thick layer on the road and then the cars have gone over it and turned it into sheet ice.
Plus , when it's falling and it takes around 3 seconds to completely cover your visor and then you have to let one of your hands go from the bars to wipe it.......it's just dangerous!

The snow in the UK also tends to be very wet and slushy and this is the most dangerous type of snow coz it's the most slippery.
In other countries that get much colder in the winter, they have 'powder' snow which is quite dry and is almost like riding on sand and as we all know, that's completely possible.

If you do get stuck in a UK blizzard, just remember to NEVER use the front brake and also ride in the fresh snow in the middle of the road NOT in the car tracks, as I said before, it's turns to sheet ice and you'll be off in seconds.
Also, keep you speed down to walking pace and hold the tank with your knees tightly so as you have more control and you don't upset the balance of the bike as much.

You can also drop your tyre pressure until you see a slightly 'squashed' look to them, this will give you more traction.

I just wouldn't bother, if you love your bike and don't want a bill for the fairings or levers, just walk.

 

[Bikermole]

I wrote off my moped in the rain, also left me in a lot ofpain.. Over a years ago now, but it's left me permanently on edge whenever it's wet.

 

[Drobium77]

I wrote off my moped in the rain, also left me in a lot ofpain.. Over a years ago now, but it's left me permanently on edge whenever it's wet.

I understand, honest i do. ;-)
I've fallen off a couple of times in the rain too and it does make you nervous, but for good reason.
You have to figure out why and what made you fall off and then you can avoid it next time.
It's a school of hard knocks, but you'll get better at coping with it and you'll become a much much better rider for it.
Just don't quit.

If it's any consolation, this winter's forecast is for a cold/very cold, but dry winter, so you won't have to put up with too much wind and rain at least.

 

[Blahdeblah52]

Those snow pics in this thread..MAD I aint riding in that!!

Rain, yea gotta get to work and I'm not sitting in traffic, even for just 45 minutes.

I must be honest though, soon as the Ice hits I'm in the car, depends on your bike as well though but a CBR and Ice is not a happy meet

 

[Drobium77]

Those snow pics in this thread..MAD I aint riding in that!!

Rain, yea gotta get to work and I'm not sitting in traffic, even for just 45 minutes.

I must be honest though, soon as the Ice hits I'm in the car, depends on your bike as well though but a CBR and Ice is not a happy meet

Well, we all know that CBRs havent the off road capabilities of bike like say....... the RF600..;-p
They should just stick to commuting ;-D

 

[pizzaonaninja]

Ah. got to love my tropical weather

~75F all year long.

 

[Sh1ftyClutch]

Riding in the snow thats epic but crazy at the same time, would be fun to try it just once though. One of the main reasons why I would move to a desert like area like texas or arizona in the u.s. No need for a cager...i ride in the rain all the time, you get used to it if you live in an area like new england just adjust your speed accordingly and take turns.at a slow pace.