| Author | Message | ||
     12r |
You know, the weather here in England is absolutely sh*te - not freezing but cold, wet, wet, wet and windy too. The temptation to just mothball the bike until Spring is almost irresistible. But I have had some memorable rides so far this Winter. Not to anywhere actually significant or scenic you understand, just full-on mentalist rides like those in Summer, only slightly slower. If you make the effort to get out and ride, Sport Riding In Winter Can Be Fun (I'll put that on my gravestone  ) The first requirement is some paper-thin technical thermals that allow you to use your Summer gear without looking like the Michelin man. This creates a positive frame of mind because you're not going out in what amounts to Arctic survival gear. Secondly, don't look at your bike before you ride. Ignore its clean, gleaming lines because 5 minutes into the ride it'll be totally sh*tted up and all those Saturday mornings spent detailing it will be wasted. Thirdly, trust modern technology, especially brakes and tyres. We've all read those articles that insist you have to tippy-toe around when it's cold and wet but the truth is you only have to go a little bit slower. Of course it's all relative to how fast you generally travel anyway but the amount of grip offered by modern tyres is such that you can actually brake quite hard, or crank it over more than 10 degrees from vertical without an unscheduled appointment with the Grim Reaper. After a few exploratory rides - not hacking around the suburbs or town, real rides - you'll get to know what you and your bike can do in adverse weather. Take it easy but don't be afraid to push it a little. After a while you'll be amazed at what you can get away with; XBs offer tons of feedback and before long you'll be carving those sweepers in the rain - it's a great buzz and beats hibernating. | ||
| Kootenay |
Hmmm...winter...for me, that means the Buell stays in the garage, and I use the Yamaha:  | ||
| Cmm213 |
My neighbor had one of those yamahas, that machine is a monster. It could eat through almost 2 feet of wet snow! | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
looks to be a buell color of blue | ||
| Mad_matt |
Hello 12r, we moved here from England to Nova Scotia 2 and a bit years ago. I was a all year round bikes there too, and this year the weather is still mild enough to get out there and ride- for now anyway. The roads here are to die for no cops and not even ONE speed camera. life is good ! will post some pics soon of some of my atlantic rides | ||
| Kdan |
Winter is here. It was 51 today. I rode anyway. | ||
| Mad_matt |
The forecast says its on its way tomorrow,guess it has to come sooner or later  | ||
| Mad_matt |
Oh! remember summer?  | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
i ride every freakin day here in washington...its a hoot...dodging flying tree branches all the sand leftover from the snow...retarded cagers....beats walkin though and it is a wee bit exciting  . | ||
| Scooter808484 |
36 degrees here today... the Uly is in the parking lot. Heated clothing helps a lot!!!! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
every chance I get, barring snow and ice, already have 250 miles on it into the new year. Heated gear and nyoprene gloves and socks. Will post some winter riding pics up to the snow pack. | ||
| Slaughter |
Sheeittt... we spent the last 2 days on the dyno getting ready for the return of Lavin-Yurassov Racing next weekend after 2 years. It's 18 degrees at night. Topped out something like 40 today. Pic is Willow Springs 2 years ago last November. Yes, that's a dusting of snow on the hill there - and YES, those are RAIN clouds. We had falling snow and rain on the SAME race.  (Message edited by slaughter on January 13, 2007) | ||
| Coyote_xb12s |
I commute to work on a daily basis here in Phoenix. The coldest this season is supposed to be tonight dropping to 24F. | ||
| Bartimus |
I commute everyday to the air base, here in Albuquerque. Lately, the temps have been in the single digits when I ride to work, and just above freezing when I ride home. I use widder electrics to stay warm, and keep an eye out for black ice. When it's all you got, you ride, plain and simple.  | ||
| Bake |
Right now 1 degree f -17 c Don't even want to see it for a few months! | ||
| Nsbuell |
Coyote: My wife and I came down to Phoenix on Friday from Nova Scotia (she ran the marathon) and we were hoping for some warm weather...boy were we disappointed! We caught your coldest temps in 16 years apparently. It wasn't much colder than this back home! I was considering renting a bike in Vegas this week but I doubt they rent snow suits with them.... | ||
| Nsbuell |
Mad_matt: BTW we'll have to get out for a ride again this winter if it gets warm enough...I was out two Sunday's ago but I didn't bother trying to get anyone together. Nice pic of the Buell, is that near Peggy's Cove? | ||
| Aussiexbox |
Well it's summer here,days lately have been runniing around 30 to 35,jumpming up to 40 degree's C in the land down under,but even in winter,it still only comes down around the 16 to 20 degree's C anyway,the only thing is we might get a frost on the ground in the depth of winter,other than that she's all year riding guy's | ||
| Gbr |
Heat wave today, it got up to a whole 26F here. Only supposed to be -1 tonight. Not bad considering that was the high on Friday. Even if I had heated gear, I'd have to say its a wee bit brisk for me. | ||
| Borrowedbike |
Trust your warm tires! I just did a tip over when my cold rear tire slid out from under me coming out of a parking lot. By all means ride in the cold and wet, but have frame pucks, swingarm sliders, and warm the tires! | ||
| Blastgirl |
I did my first track day this year on a day when we woke up our bikes on the outside trailers were iced over. I did my last one on a day when it rained so hard poured the water out of my boots. The day started with 4 full sessions. Ended with an open track session because so many people left. Only about 10 riders 5 of which were Buells. I had an instructor say to me if I stick out the day I'll be a much stronger rider. He was right. Once you get past the cold and wet thing it became allot of fun. Riding in the rain these days not an issue any more. Plus you've got to admit, its a blast getting the you've got to me kidding me looks from the cagers. | ||
| Watrousmark |
22F in Nashville yesterday I thought I was back in Ipswitch. Heated gear helps alot. I thought I had found it when I first saw the name of the site was badweather bikers. For the last couple of years I didn't think anyone else rode a buell in winter. Let's keep it going, remember when you see another rider in winter he's not a poser he wants to be out there. Have fun. | ||
| Mad_matt |
This is a pic of a few of us last winter  | ||
| Hogs |
Hey MAtt hows it going? would like to add that was JAN. 14 not like this year snowwwwwwwwww (Message edited by hogs on January 18, 2007) | ||
| Mad_matt |
Well spotted Ryan ,that was near Peggys Cove. Like you know it's a beautiful place to ride.  | ||
| Mad_matt |
-30 with the wind chill, that just sucks, and to think a few years ago i was moaning about the British winters!!!!!!! | ||
| Hogs |
Lol yeah and Thunder showers Tomorrow maybe then we can get out, up and down weather :-) | ||
| Glitch |
Black_sunshine and myself taking a winters ride up Wolf Pen Gap. Loads of salt kept things sane, Widder kept me warm. This was last November, I'm guessing it was around 40oF or so at the warmest part of that day. | ||
| Mattl |
Had my first real "XB-ing in Winter" experience this morning. It was quite enjoyable overall. Left around 6:30am, 24 degrees out and snowing, but only 1/2 inch or so on the ground, and nothing stickin on the road yet. Road about 5 miles and was pissed that the RainX on my visor wasn't working, but then realized that was because the water was hitting the visor and immediately freezing. Had to knock/scrape the ice of the visor throughout the trip. Only slid once when trying to merge onto the freeway (bit too much gas). I was stuck in traffic for about 1 1/2 hours. By the time I got to work, I could barely squeeze the front brake lever it was so frozen, and I couldn't turn the engine off because the ignition switch was encased in ice. Entire front flyscreen, handlebars, hand guards, myself were all entombed in about 1/4 inch of ice. Anyway, that was exciting. Faired quite well except the REALLY cold toes. Been enjoying the Gerbing heated gloves, may now have to invest in the heated socks. | ||
| 12r |
Go Matt - sounds like a good ride ! What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger LOL | ||
| Mad_matt |
It would kill me, Mark LOL, now its plus 8 and hurricane strength winds-- man the weather is getting freaky | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
42 right now at work in Austin. Don't know what the temp was when I rode in this morning. I believe it was somewhere between nippy and frosty!  ColdBuelly J "When all is said and done, the weather and love (of a Buell) are the two elements about which one can never be sure." Alice HoffBuelly |
