1. Craig Tilford

    Craig Tilford ODSC-OFTR Member

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    Is there anyone that rides in the winter?

    New to this sport, so wondering if anyone rides in the winter. And if so other than keeping rider warm, what do you do to the bike or tires? I have experience bicycling in the winter, but I'm guessing an ice puddle at 10kph is different at 80kph on a 500lb ADV bike.

    Can anyone chat about winter tires, spikes, traction, other advice?

    Cheers Craig
    perhaps a "Crazy Canuck"
  2. taylorericjohn

    taylorericjohn ODSC-OFTR Member

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    I try to ride every month. I don't really do anything to my bikes for the winter other than hand warmers.

    There are a couple of things to keep in mind. Sand and gravel tends to build up in corners so ride a little less "sportingly" then you normally would. Cages aren't expecting to see you on the road so be extra aware of what is going on around you. If you are riding gravel roads and road allowances be careful of ice hiding in the shade.

    Number one thing to remember is to give your buddies that snowmobile a hard time about the fact that you ride your motorcycle more then they rode their sleds this winter!!!

    Stay safe
  3. Craig Tilford

    Craig Tilford ODSC-OFTR Member

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    LOL giving snow sledders a hard time.

    @taylorericjohn , Great to hear that you ride in the "off season". Great points about cagers and being extra, extra, EXTRA careful. I loved the reactions I had last week riding every day from the Cagers. Some had sympathy for the cold. Others probably thought I was crazy. One guy actually said in a positive tone that it's great that Mother Nature was letting me still ride.

    On my bicycle I have spiked tires. Absolutely bullet proof on shear ice. They feel like riding grip of July/August. However, my AT has 50/50 Shienkos that are five years old and not much tread on back. So okay, big difference, I get it. But what I'd like to know is the behaviour of a motorcycle on ice without spikes? As a newbie I am just learning a M/C wants to go straight when in motion over say 10kph. So am I correct in assuming that it will want to go straight if I hit a patch of black ice? Or is that depending on how perfectly still I remain with no inputs and just quietly gliding across?

    And if that is true, how "quiet" do I need to be? That might be tough to measure. A tiny lean might be okay, a medium anything might change the momentum's direction and I lose control. Yah, I get that I should be only on dry roads, however, I'd rather theoretically know what "could happen" in case its unavoidable.

    Thanks in advance for everyone's input.
  4. brucedwilson

    brucedwilson ODSC Executive

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    With nearly-spent Shinkos (or anything) on black ice, you will make it if you make no momentum changes at ALL. No steering. No braking. No accelerating. No leaning. No sneezing. When in doubt, ride on the gravelly shoulder.

    Bruce
    Craig Tilford likes this.
  5. GQelements

    GQelements ODSC-OFTR Member

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    Here's my tutorial, similar principle can apply to bigger bikes, except tarmac will grind the studs down MUCH quicker...

    dean.f and Craig Tilford like this.
  6. Craig Tilford

    Craig Tilford ODSC-OFTR Member

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    @GQelements Loved the video. As an addicted drifter, I mean as a skid school instructor, I must keep my skills sharp. I think two wheel drifting is a long way into my future, but certainly on my to do list. Thanks for pointing this out, I subscribed.
    GQelements likes this.
  7. figur8t

    figur8t ODSC-OFTR Member

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    Really like the video as well. I've always been keen to extend my riding season as well but as soon as the salt hits the roads I tend to put the bikes away. I have ridden my bicycle throughout the winter with studded tires in the past but admittedly it was pretty harsh on the bike frame and components and I'm just not sure I'd be willing to subject any of my bikes to that type of abuse... though I'd be keen to hear of others experiences and how they protected/prepared their bikes for riding in the snow and salt.

    However... riding off-road would be entirely different in terms of salt exposure and something I've thought about doing but my impression is that many of the trails are closed to motorcycles during the winter. I'm curious where others who ride in the winter put their bikes in the snow?
    GQelements likes this.
  8. dean.f

    dean.f ODSC-OFTR Member

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    Plenty of guys run the Holland River and lake Simcoe in the winter months. Most guys run the screw in studs. It's not quite as interesting as tight trails but it's an option. As for the salt exposure I only ride an ATV in winter, I use wd40 in the gallon jug and spray everything down using a spray bottle. Also wash it whenever I can sometimes just take it to the coin-op.

    Another tip for screw in studs, I've seen some guys knock the sharp tip off the screw before installing them just in case they touch the tube they won't puncture as easily.
    GQelements likes this.
  9. GQelements

    GQelements ODSC-OFTR Member

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    Unfortunately you do have to find private land or lakes/rivers. I think a few people mentioned there a bunch of guys in Simcoe that ride on the lake and the feeding river... Regarding salt exposure, as long as you trailer the bike (or better have a pick-up), there is no salt on the trails or lakes... I make do with a hitch carrier so I use a motorcycle cover (the kind used to protect the bike from rain, etc) to protect the bike from road salt during the drive.

    Thank you for subscribing! I'm hoping to get to 100 subscribers to be able to get my own URL. :)
    I'd love to try drifting one day. Can you PM me the info on your program/school?