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Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 11:12 am
by gregor
When it takes two hours to remove the mud and salt after a run.
Weather is lovely and sunny, 8°C (46F sounds much better) and the dark inner visor on the new helmet was really useful in the low sun.
Back end wriggled on a tight muddy hairpin as a farewell to this year.
Paintwork and engine castings are starting to look a bit dull and scruffy but a quick spray with 'back to black' bumper cleaner has made them look a bit better and also smells nice.
Will go round with the WD40 in a day or so when all the crevices are dry.
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 9:06 pm
by acejones
Well, that stinks. Never have to stop riding here. I do feel bad for you guys.
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 5:16 pm
by CycleRob
gregor,
England has some of the wettest worst weather! A Britt with a suntan, other than James Bond, has yet to be seen on TV. After moving South to Gainesville Georgia, at least 50% of days are 100% total blue sky. It's uncanny, likely because of my well inland Latitude here is N34:21:02. Living in Connecticut and then Pennsylvania those total blue sky days were extremely rare. Winter up there often meant 3 months of unmelted snowfall and below freezing temps sometimes parked the bike for a month or more.
Not now! I ride at least once a week all winter long. I do not ride in the rain, because I'm retired and the schedule is totally flexible. Rain riding messes up the bike so much I need an old toothbrush to get the tight spots. The Battery Tender Plus has been and will be hooked up to my `98 Nissan Pickup Truck, that rarely gets used. It even has fuel Stabilizer in the fuel tank since June!
Normally I'd advise you to move here, but we have a serious mess to sort out with our leaders.
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:43 am
by riceburner
Hell - I just wish my bike was running! (battery dead and brakes still not-optimal).
Mind you - I struggle to use the bike these days - walk to work etc .
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 1:59 am
by milehighboater
I live in Colorado and get to ride all year long. how do you post pictures and I can show where the snow sticks on this machine.
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:01 am
by milehighboater
I live in Colorado and get to ride all year long. how do you post pictures and I can show where the snow sticks on this machine.
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:01 am
by milehighboater
I live in Colorado and get to ride all year long. how do you post pictures and I can show where the snow sticks on this machine.
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 6:56 pm
by acejones
What's snow ?
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 8:48 am
by gregor
As bad as a hurricane but involves several feet of white powder.
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:03 pm
by dechaoz05
acejones wrote:What's snow ?
this
but seriously, i commuted on the rr today. 60's is kinda chill here but still a nice day to ride. saw 3-5 other bikers on interstate 880 too
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 6:00 pm
by hank
I gave up commuting on the bike in frosty weather a couple of winters ago when our local council started using salt mixed with molasses on our roads. This mix stays wet on the road so you can never tell if the road is gritted or not, and makes it difficult to spot icy patches. If you do decide to continue using the bike keep it slow and smooth.
Here's a wee video from one of my winter trips.
http://youtu.be/g9PSqoKhuuY?t=1m35s
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:25 am
by Hope
Yes, I remember when my bike was my principle source of transportation; I was young and a whole lot tougher than I am now

Now well; a couple weeks ago, I did a wee dance with my shed 32 ½ inch door and its in for the winter.
In La Belle Province, it is what it is………………
Hope
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:56 am
by omg1010
CycleRob wrote:gregor,
England has some of the wettest worst weather! A Britt with a suntan, other than James Bond, has yet to be seen on TV.
I disagree ... Travel to the Island of Mallorca in summer (to the villages where the britts flock to in great numbers). Shortly after their arrival you see their skin changing to a nice lobster-like tan which comes from drifting on the Mediterranean see (on these inflatable mattresses) after some cans of beer.
By the way, the krauts are no better in the areas where the drink the Sangria from buckets with long straws.
Brgds
Oliver
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 1:03 pm
by gregor
Working over the bike with polish and an oily rag. Amazed to see a speedo cable driven from the front wheel. Amazed as my old K75 had an electrical device; only owned my R for about 9 years and not noticed this before.
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 1:16 pm
by Ol' Jeffers
gregor wrote:Working over the bike with polish and an oily rag. Amazed to see a speedo cable driven from the front wheel. Amazed as my old K75 had an electrical device; only owned my R for about 9 years and not noticed this before.
LoL

SpecSavers for you my lad!!!

Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 6:53 pm
by mnnden
Yes, I put them to bed a couple of weeks ago, I keep the KLR at the ready for the backroads when the weather will allow it. Unlike most I enjoy the break in the riding as I have other interests that need attention, but it is always sad to put the cover on! mden

Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:28 pm
by milehighboater
Is there anyone out there that switches to 10W-40 for the winter? I did the change a couple of weeks ago and it starts great but it still gets into the 60s during the day. Is there a better FD oil besides 75W-80 for the colder months?
Re: Time To Stop Riding This Year...
Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 9:38 am
by fpgirard
I did switch to 10W40 for the winter months. This was mostly due to the fact that I had 5 quarts of Castrol sitting around and I figured that I would use them up....I'll switch back in the Spring.... Still riding.