| Author | Message | ||
     Sirmarky |
Am considering purchasing a 09/10 1125r from a local retailer but am a little nervous about the ability of the bike to handle winter riding. I'm not a fair-weather rider who only uses their bike for fun in the sun. I use mine every day for commuting the 40 miles to work and back each day along with a bit of fun at the weekend. Last winters weather here in the UK alternated between mild and dry to cold, icy and snow. A very mixed bag. Has anyone any experience riding a bike of this size/power in the colder weather? Is the bike suitable for all year riding? | ||
| Pepperk496 |
Until my latest "just-for-fun" trip to the desert, I rode my CR year round from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in 10-20 degrees (DEC-FEB) to the Bay Area and the Oakland rains. 160 miles a day round trip, 4 days a week. I've got tourmaster heated liners, heated gloves, heated grips, rainproof outers, and a great cold weather helmet. With the Angel ST and a little more ease on the throttle, I'm comfortable splitting lanes. The CR handled the cold and the rain/slush just fine! | ||
| Cmmfiremedic |
I have rode mine the past two winters back and forth to work. One thing I would recommend is replacing the wind screen with the double bubble. I takes alot of cold wind off you. The front does a good job of keeping alot of cold air directly off your hands. I installed grip heaters on mine last year and rode mine comfortably all winter. I even rode done morning it was 18 degrees outside. The biggest problem I had during winter time with my R is getting the thing to crank. It doesnt like the cold. I put mine on battery maintainer every night cause some mornings it would get the battery weak trying to crank it. If you need to know anything else about my setup send me a PM. | ||
| Sirmarky |
What about the tyres? Are the tyres the best for the bike in winter? I was thinking of some Michelin Road Pilot 2s but do any of the tyres promise a slip free experience on cold and possibly black ice roads? | ||
| Zac4mac |
I ride year round, and I live just north of Denver. Snow and ice keep me off the bike, not cold. Heated grips, lots of good passive gear. Drill new holes and move your controls inboard as far as possible. I got a half inch on one side, 3/4" on the other. The improved wind protection is noticeable below 30 *F. The Corsa III is VERY hard below 20 *F, roll power on slow or she'll step out on you fast. Last Feb, my 15 minute ride was at 7 *F. Zack | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I agree the corsas are not a low temp tire. I would lean tward a pilot road 2 myself. The windscreen on the 1125R owns for cold weather. I can ride for hours in the 30s without heated gear. If my fingers get cold I reach down and get a handfull of engine case. Im down with ridin in the cold, however will not ride in the snow and ice on 2 wheels anymore. I went down last year and it was pretty spooky how little control you have on black ice. | ||
| Ratbuell |
The PR2's are good in the wet, but for snow I always hop on my Uly and it's D616 Dunlops. Other than that...just like any other vehicle, be gentle on all the control inputs, don't do anything all of a sudden, assume you're on black ice all the time and be 3x as careful as you normally are. | ||
| Sirmarky |
Problem with UK winters is the high humidity which causes freezing temperatures for many of the nights. Problem living on an island I guess. During the day it's okay. It's the mornings that are the problems with unknown road surfaces. I stick to the main roads which have been run over by many cars and relatively warm but a good tyre can still do wonders even if my hands are frozen and aching by the time I get to work. | ||
| Jules |
I'm in the UK to and ride all year round too. Last year the first part of the winter was on my TL1000S and the latter part was on the 1125R.. I had no problems at all even with the original tyres fitted. Buy some heated grips (for your hands obviously LOL). Riding a v-twin is actually a bit easier than an IL4 with similar power outputs as the power pulses on the twin help with grip. I had a couple of slides as the back broke traction but that was my fault not the bikes.. | ||
| Jules |
Oh wow - I just noticed you're only just down the rode from me (you're in Bristol, I'm in Gloucester). Drop me a PM if you fancy meeting up.. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
My two cents (shillings?) worth (at best)is pick up a dual-sport 650 (Kaw or Suzuki) and use that for your winter stuff. No worries then, and big fun. Do all the grips/windshield/handguards etc. and it's all good. Easy to slide the rear under control if need be, easy to "filter" (lane split), no bodywork to be concerned about, and the Buell sits at home nice and toasty and safe. And you're still riding. There ya go, Bob's yer Uncle. | ||
| Sirmarky |
Can't afford two bikes. Needs to be one I can use all year. | ||
| Jules |
The 1125R is fine in UK winters, the frame still gets warm which although a pain in the summer is actually quite nice in the winter. The Corsas will be the limiting factor, I've just put some 023s on my other bike and they're very good, 2500 miles on the rear and it still has plenty of life left in it (maybe 40%, they get up to heat well, grip well and are fine in the wet.. I am considering some Attack 2's for the Buell but have just replaced the rear with a Corsa so that'll have to do me for the winter. | ||
| Sirmarky |
I took the bike for a spin the other day and liked it. Didn't go very fast, 50-60mph was enough for me on the motorway and dawdled through the city traffic at 30 or less. I did like it although my right wrist didn't like holding in that clutch very much. Quite hard setting. My first ride on a sports bike and it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. It seems likely that I will go for it this week. It has just over 1000 miles on it and a '10' plate so pretty new really. With so few miles on it though would it be cost effective to remove the tyres already there and replace? Could I survive with the Corsa's through the winter? A new set of Road Pilots would set me back £250. | ||
| Jules |
If you have a friendly tyre place they should remove the "old" tyres and give them back to you, you could then fit whatever winter ones you fancy and when they're worn out take the "old" tyres back in and have them refitted. Give Chris Mullins (Gloucester) a ring, he'll sort you out. I was more than happy with the Corsas though - treat them with respect until warm and they should be OK. | ||
| Jules |
Oh and BTW if the clutch is on the right then that bike has some issues....  | ||
| Sirmarky |
Are yes. That old left right thing thing again. Must remember green sock left, red sock right. :-) | ||
| Jaimec |
I ride all year. My '09 1125R has the Buell heated handgrips, which I had installed before I took delivery. I also had a BMW Power Socket installed so I can run my Electric vest. I had no problems at all last year save one: Just remember that your tires will take a LOT longer to get up to proper operating temperatures in the winter. Even if there's no ice/snow on the road your tires will be slippery compared to the summer. Perhaps run them about two or three psi LOWER than recommended... the tires will heat up quicker, but because of the ambient temperature they shouldn't get TOO hot. Most winter riding is short distance anyway so you probably won't have a problem. | ||
| Sirmarky |
How legal is running tyres lower than the suggested PSI? Under-inflated tyres can get in you in trouble with the police with £2000 fine per tyre in the UK if they stop you and check. (Message edited by sirmarky on October 15, 2010) (Message edited by sirmarky on October 15, 2010) | ||
| Jaimec |
Two or three psi isn't going to make that big a difference. In the US, basically I'm not aware of ANY laws regarding under-inflated tires. Again, I'm talking no more than two or three psi. I'm NOT talking about running your tires 10 or more psi lower... that would seriously affect your handling and safety. Two or three psi would allow more "flex" in the tire which would allow the carcass to heat up faster. More air = less flex and a cooler running tire. Less air = more flex and a hotter running tire. More flex also means increased tire wear and decreased fuel mileage, but neither of these should be of concern doing short hops in the winter. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
I ride all year long. The 1125r loves the cold. More power. Why would you think otherwise? I live in VA and I rode on days as cold as 27F. | ||
| Zac4mac |
In February, 27 would mean a heat-wave. I can ride all day in that. Jaime tells true, Corsas take a lot to warm up and are like steel bands when cold. I watch for potential icy areas and let the throttle drag a little. My climate here is VERY dry so a day or 2 after a snowfall, all is good again. Watch out for areas that never get sun tho. I saw a face mask that helps keep from fogging the inside, that's a big missed problem until it hits. Sux to have to open that visor when it's 18 degrees. Layers and lots of gloves. I have at least a dozen pair of different gloves. A slicker suit is almost as good as full leathers for warmth, especially with padding. Be VERY careful when you stop and put your FEET down. Ice, gravel, wet leaves will embarrass you if you let them. Best part tho - NO BUGS!!!!!!!!! Bundle up and have a GREAT ride. Z | ||
| Zac4mac |
Oh yeah - to illustrate point three  From Loretta's first few miles, December 2007. |
