Riding in Cold Weather II -- The Bike

[MikeCam]

Rode 120 miles yesterday with temps between 28-38F. The road surface was mostly dry but moisture in the roadbed had frozen in places and created [REAL] black ice (not the fake sheet ice that Americans bemoan).

Anyway, to stay Roadster. Since the R1150R is essentially a well balanced, low clearance, street oriented GS in better clothing, what are your opinions, experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities about the interface of the bike and the road when conditions are freezing?

I am not talking about intentionally getting out in snow and ice. But conditions often change enroute or as the day progresses. Is it all the tires and rubber compound? Lower tire pressures help but how low below manufacturer recommended pressures is safe? What rubber compounds/brands/models offer a really improved 'cold grip' as opposed to warm and hot- spring/summer/fall tires? What tread patterns work well or better for cold pavement and potentially slushy, rainy, on the edge rides?

I started this with the DP tire thread, but thought it might go further than merely selecting a brand of tire. What about the oil coolers? Cover/block or leave open? What about fuel formulations in your area? Are there problems with that? What about (dreaded) oil viscosity - change or just get warmed up and go? Windshields, hand guards, mini-fairings, heated seat pads, ....what all do you do to get your bike going in the cold?

TIA

[Kevin50r]

Happy thanksgiving Mike.

I've never made too many consessions to cold weather riding, maybe let the motor warm a little, which I usually don't. I tried blocking the oil coolers to see if there was any difference but the bike ran about the same.
This year I put a lighter weight of oil in both my bikes as they seem to start easier that way.

As far as tires go, I can't add anything. Slippery surfaces are just that and tire choice doesn't seem as important as dry surface tire choice. Just my observations.

[Ebet]

I added a Parabellum fairing/windscreen combination and have been very happy with the protection from wind, noise and precipitation. It comes in various heights to suit different preferences.

I also have a set of handguards but no one has been able to figure out how to put them on because the bike now has tapered Fatbars. So they are gathering dust. A Thanksgiving weekend project, maybe...

[leno]

I've put a bigger screen on mine to get a bit more protection in the cold. I make sure the suspention is on the soft settings. Is it good in slippery conditions?, well it seems to work better than the few sport bikes still on the road. But I would like to get the little Kwa 125 trail bike back on the road. No thanksgiving time to do it though.

[arkline]

I've noticed that as the temps have dropped the suspension and tires become noticeably less compliant. And the transmission is even more clunky than before in the down gears direction. I imagine that it takes quite a while for the shocks to warm up in these conditions, so I'm going to ease up a bit on the damping. I've also noticed that the bike is having some trouble starting up after sitting out in the parking lot all day. I may add some Techron to the next tank to see if that makes firing a little easier. I'm leery of reducing tire pressures, since lower pressure makes the bike squirrely on bad pavement - tar snakes, grooved surfaces, all sorts of edge traps, etc. all seem worse when the tires aren't up to snuff. BTW, we're only in the lower 40s so far.

[MIXR]

Conditions like this?

The bike is fine - And you can't see the black ice! This was a fun trip through our alpine region a while back.

[R4R&R]

I keep gas in it and keep riding.



Seriously, I haven't really 'adjusted' the bike minus thinner oil (10W-30 for winter). I will slow down on the turns since my main goal with winter commuting is to get home so I don't push the limits of cornering traction. In the past when I've encountered ice it's usually been at highway speeds and going straight (for the most part) and seem to make it across (except for that 75 yard spot in my neighborhood - I turn around on that one). I've never blocked the oil coolers but in the past CycleRob has recommended blocking one of the two.

Oh, and check those fuel lines. With the cooler, crisper air and increased 'responsiveness', I've noticed that fuel smell while stopped. Sure enough my trans has the stains of a fuel leak. I need to get to Mortons for another fix of the recall.

[scottybooj]

Mike,

CycleRob, if I remember correctly, has an oil temp gauge, and would block his oil coolers at various temps to effectively bring oil temps into proper operating range.

I think during the winters he would place a 'kerchief or some sort of fabric onto the front of the oil coolers.

Drop him a line.

[malcolmm]

MIXR

I've never ridden on roads like that. Are roads like that often in your part of Oz?

Would you have described it as dangerous... or did you feel like you still had traction?

It's certainly a beautiful landscape, no doubt, but two wheels. Tell me what it was like.

Maybe I'm thinking of Paul Simon here... "slip sliding away..."

[MIXR]

Mal,
It was a mid-Winter ride along the Snowy Mountains Highway one week after a huge dump of snow across the range from Adaminaby to Talbingo.

The road had been cleared by graders as it always is pretty quickly after heavy falls, but I was up early enough to beat the rangers at the chain fitting stations. Most of the road was clear-ish, but there was enough snow and ice to keep me wide awake!

I'll have to admit to it being a pretty slow and careful ride compared to my usual standards! Very spectacular ride, and this was at the lower part of the hills around Kiandra. Much worse up high, but no safe place to stop for a piccy as the road was pretty much closed in.

The bike was good. It always amazes me how controllable the R is under slippery conditions. It slides around, but isn't scary. Must be the low centre of gravity.

I had near new Avons on, so plenty of tread, but the angled grooves on the Avons meant that the tyre wanted to slide sideways on the ice instead of grip. I did try one trip up a side road as a test for some Winter fishing, but there was very little traction to be had. Have to re-think that one.

Always a bed down this way if you want a winter ride! Mick.

[malcolmm]

Cool MIXR

Thought it would be slippery. Although never having ridden in anything more in need of focus than fresh rain, I didn't really know what it would be like riding a road where there maybe ice around the corner... sshheesh

What's this stuff about "salt" on the road? We don't get it here do we?

I guess I'm lucky roads around the Hunter Valley are great.

Although I was coming home from Coolah the other week about midmorining and it had been raining but the roads were drying nicely. Here I am laying her into a lovely little left hander and I meet a matt of debris which had been washed into the centre of my path. All I can say is I'm glad I was riding my trusty cycle. They're so nibble out there, you can virtually throw them around when in the right frame of mind. I was having a great time.

Cheers MIXR and the rest of the crew

[BobFV1]

Rode 120 miles yesterday with temps between 28-38F. The road surface was mostly dry but moisture in the roadbed had frozen in places and created [REAL] black ice (not the fake sheet ice that Americans bemoan).

I know this isn't constructive, but it's true and I can't resist:

Rode 280 miles yesterday with temps between 65-72F. The road surface was dry - moisture in the roadbed from last Summer's tropical rains has long since evaporated. Finished up the day with dinner out on the back patio.

After the ride I washed the bike out in the driveway as the sun set. Oil coolers were partially blocked with dead bugs but I managed to get them cleaned out.

[malcolmm]

Oil coolers were partially blocked with dead bugs but I managed to get them cleaned out

They can be a real prick, eh!

Sounds like you had a real nice ride Bob

[R4R&R]

Rode 280 miles yesterday with temps between 65-72F. The road surface was dry - moisture in the roadbed from last Summer's tropical rains has long since evaporated. Finished up the day with dinner out on the back patio.

Shuddap! I think Friday, it barely got above freezing! Oh well, I guess winter is here. Time to hook up the Gerbings.


I'm sorry - did I offend you?

[MikeCmm]

Bob, You are a hoot.

Missed riding due to my out of warranty back problem but did many maintenance and clean-up chores around the garage, so I kept my hand in.

Should ride every day this week...weather improving to 40-70 range briefly.

M

[BobFV1]

I'm sorry - did I offend you?

Yes, you by not mentioning B.... oops - wrong section