Do you ride all year round?

[gn2]

Another way to address the cold hand issue is to make sure you have a good pair of gloves and enough warm clothing on.
I have ridden in temperatures well below zero wearing Hein Gericke lobster claws and never had what I would class as cold hands.

[andi mac]

yep all year round

[Lou]

yep all year round

Even in snow and ice?

[Data]

Except for this last winter I have always ridden all year round in snow and ice. Both my GSX1400 and DL1000GT were used in the most appauling conditions and everyone thought I was mad. Well, I easily concur with those sentiments, but not just because I ride in the snow and ice! I would add that I've never had an 'off' in the snow and ice, ever. In fact, I've never in 43 years of riding any bike had an 'off' in snow, wet or dry of any consequence other than dropping my Truimph Tiger at zero miles per hour in Colchester high street due to stupidly giving it too much throttle away from some lights and spinning the rear on a traffic light stud in the wet. No damage to the bike or me. In the worst snow we had for years I was seen out in snow 2 feet deep on the main roads. The Strom handled it fine except for getting up a steep hill where I worked. The rear wheel spun no matter how slowly I tried to make it turn. The secret is not to be too ambitious with speed and use the low gears only. Keep the bike bolt upright at all times. Ride in virgin snow if you can as it is less likely to harbour ice or packed snow underneath that might have turned to ice. If the road looks wet with no snow on it ride there but understand there could be black ice under it which you cannot see (black ice being ice under a layer of water). Stick to the main treated roads wherever possible. If you are sensible then there isn't really any drama. It's a matter of confidence (or stupidity depending how you look at it). But I think nothing of it usually. However, for me there is now an unknown in the melting pot. I've never ridden a scooter in the snow or ice. I suspect the rules are pretty much the same. The lower centre of gravity should help I guess, but the smaller wheels may lose traction more easily. Anyone any experience of doing this on their scooter?

[Scootaboy]

I have done my fair share of riding in Winter before I got a car.I live in a rural area so very little treated roads.I don't mind what I am travelling on so long as I know.I think all car drivers would benefit from a winter on 2 wheels,it teaches you so much about road conditions and how to deal with them.I see loads of car drivers flying down untreated country roads,they never give it a second thought they could be driving on Ice as they probably came from a town so the ambient temperature is a bit higher than in the sticks and probably no Ice on their car in the morning so they assume it isn't freezing,how wrong they can be.

Scootaboy...

[Deleted User 796]

Data, I ride all year too and your advice is sensible, the main difference with the scoot is there is no low gear so you just need to be extra gentle with the throttle and remember a few cracked panels is big money to fix on a scoot.I really think it makes people better riders when they have experienced riding in adverse conditions, it is useful experience to have.

[gn2]

the smaller wheels may lose traction more easily

Not so sure, I think the width and tread pattern is more of a factor.
I would say the narrower and chunkier the better.
Back in the days when I commuted on snow and ice it was either on an £70 MZ TS150 or a £90 Honda CB500T because I didn't care if they got dropped.
Funny thing is, like you Data I never once came off on snow or ice.

[barryG]

I do ride all year round, but wont ride on wet salty roads unless absolutely unavoidable. I will venture out mid winter on dry roads or wet with no salt however!

[andyscooter]

i normally wear lobster claw gloves in the winter

bought a new pair of spada enforcer last year and they are brilliant

waterproof wind proof and fingers stay warm as well

[richie the 1st]

Have done it in the past,last time it snowed rode my pushbike,bloody brilliant passed everyone,much quicker and didnt get cold..