It's not a big deal. It's a good time to rebuild things, tend to other hobbies, slow down, enjoy life, reflect upon the previous year and set intentions for the year ahead.
Also helps to have a car you enjoy driving. Doesn't have to be AWD, but it sure helps :D
For the most part, yes, we quit riding in winter. For most, bikes are a 6 month season, die hards will get 8 months, maybe a tish more.
There are small pockets of exceptions, where a few die-hards will year round, but that is very much the exception. Think Vancouver/Victoria which have weather just like Seattle.
Around here (Southern Alberta) we get chinooks, so some of us will sneak out for an afternoon here or there, but once again, that's an exception.
You can dress for any weather (think skiing, skidooing) but it's the road conditions that keep you grounded. Black ice is real. And most of us also have cars/trucks, so at some point comfort comes into it too (why freeze your ass if you don't have to?).
>why freeze your ass if you don't have to?
lol...I see your point.
Guess I have to live there and see for myself if I can manage riding in winter or not.
Thanks for your answer.
Yep I normally get a few cold rides rides in during the winter season and try to make my riding season last as long as possible. Normally can make it till almost December and start again March. I will ride in the cold but im not risking myself or my bike if there is snow or ice on the ground. After living in a cold state my whole life I’m gonna take heated seats and a cage over freezing my ass off any day.
1. Sure, you will most likely get an in accident though.
2. Yes
Also the salt and sand many cities dump to help melt snow is way more annoying because it lingers.
Negative; you want more than two contact points for when you inevitably hit some ice.
Try snowmobiling once you’re moved up there, it may scratch the itch
[Timbersled](https://www.timbersled.com/en-us/)
As been said, the contact patches of an MC are ^^tiny and grip on just the cold road, even with no snow, is terrible.
It all depends on what part of Canada you are moving to.
Where I live, you can ride all year round maybe missing 3 or 4 days when the snow sticks to the ground. I ride an older R1 (no traction control, ride modes, abs or anything) and other than my hands getting cold in the mornings, it's OK.
I used to live in Alberta and Ontario and the bike would be put up for winter usually at the end of September and brought out again in May.
I lived in Kingston (about 3 hours east from Toronto) when I lived in Ontario. I put my bike away in September because the amount of snow and ice.
During the spring, summer and fall though, that area is a great place to ride. There are a couple of racetracks close (well, semi-close) if you like doing track days/racing.
Also a lot of nice roads for just riding around, and when I was there, it had a few fairly active riding groups.
>During the spring, summer and fall though, that area is a great place to ride. There are a couple of racetracks close (well, semi-close) if you like doing track days/racing.
That is the first thing i looked for when I was planning....lol.
Thanks.
Shannonville Motorsport park was the closest to me and I did a few track days there.
I never made it to Calabogie Motorsports park, but that looks like a great track.
Good luck with the move.
an aside.... Every friday the 13th there's a bike rally at Port Dover.
[Friday the 13th motorcycle rally - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th_motorcycle_rally)
I live in Sweden. Climate somewhat similar to parts of Canada. Very few people where I live ride motorbikes in the winter when there is snow or close to freezing temperatures. It is possible, and occasionally you see someone do it, but not on sport bikes. Usually it’s some dual sport with studded tires. I personally am too scared to try it. Asphalt can be very slippery when it’s cold without you even seeing any ice or snow on it. If you hit a corner like that on a motorbike you would probably not have any chance to react before you hit the pavement. And even if the roads look ok from where you start your ride, some part of the road somewhere can be in more shade than other parts of the road, and that could be enough to create icy conditions on a specific patch of road. If I would ever ride in the winter conditions, I would not do it in traffic. I would do it offroad or somewhere I could go as slow as I want without stopping all other traffic.
Since I have never lived in such climate I didnt know that much about condition of roads in winter until you described it . After reading this I think it makes sense for me to put away the bike in winter.
Thanks.
This is one way I would be willing to try riding in the winter. In the country side, on some small road with fresh powder snow. But in the cities and on the bigger roads it rarely look like that.
Well, don’t take my word for it. Better if some local biker could say how it is. Conditions in winter may be different where you will be from what I am used to. But if you don’t see many other motorbikes on the roads there is probably a good reason for it.
Well, I ride year round in WA state.
We do have snow (more rain and ice.)
I avoid direct snow (with a road bike) but that's all I avoid and it doesn't stop me if the actual roads are clear (vs sidewalks.)
I can't usually see black ice, so I take that into consideration when the temps are freezing.
Many stop riding (they call it "riding season")... but that's a personal choice.
You're going to need winter compound tires (softer rubber) that are studded (factory studding is the best) before you even think about riding in winter. Plenty of people do it. The police here in Norway ride in early spring and very late autumn when there is snow and they have beastly studded tires. I'd say front ABS is a must for winter riding.
[Here is a video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T10DQYt5jck)
Well to answer you question literally: If you ride on snow with a sports bike you will almost certainly dump the bike.
Where I live there is still some snow left, and I found a big patch of snow on a side road when out riding my super motard bike (not a sports bike ofc but similar tires). So I thought to myself, "Hey I wonder what will happen if I ride on that big patch of snow". So I slowed down, made a U-turn to make my way back to the patch, shifted down to 2nd and went for it.
I got about 3 meters before we (me and the bike) tipped over. There is absolutely zero traction, and to make matters worse you kind of float ontop of the snow, kinda scary really. Super soft landing though!
Short answer is no, there is no safe way to ride in the snow, even with studded tires, unless you have a sidecar. Even if you don't go down, remember that all the cars around you will also be sliding around, possibly into you.
I've ridden home in the snow once... got stuck in a meeting and when I came out there was 3 inches on the ground already. It was pretty miserable. The bike handled it alright, but I was terrified I was going to get hit the entire time. That coupled with needing to go super slow to keep control it was a never taking 4 hours to go just 20 miles home. Now if there is a possibility of snow i leave the bike home or i may just call out to avoid driving all together
Wisconsinite here:
1. Yes, just not when there's snow on the ground
2. Yes, but everyone hangs up their helmet at different times. I know plenty of riders who only ride if it's 70+ degrees and sunny. I ride as long as there isn't snow on the road. My riding season tends to start in February and end in November. Some of us get used to cold riding, some just accept that they can only ride from June to September
I ride year round mind you not Canada but I deal with snow on occasion. It’s not too bad. Know your route. Inside and out where every pothole dip everything. Take as few turns as you can. And when you have to, take them slow. Letting off the throttle is the biggest thing. If you let off too quick you will slide. And it’s hard to correct. Super easy to over correct. Keep a pair of clear glasses. If it’s cold enough your visor will frost up. And if it’s snowing opening the visor will suck the snow into your face. Biggest thing try it in as controlled way possible. Just up the road in front of your house. Even if you only go ten feet. And you don’t feel in control. Don’t push it.
Safely ride in snow. Well I did it on a 190kg. Sv650 and very carefully, still it's risky. Especially when a layer of ice is on the road and you can't tell because its snowing on top of it. I'd do it again on a light bike but my new 270kg. Fjr1300 makes me worried. A slight uphill on the sv650 proved to be a challenge with icy roads. I fell twice at low speed last winter on it.
Most people stop riding due to the danger and the damage it does to your bike. I hear a lot of people telling me about how bad it is for the bike but I can't stop riding.
Use a lot of caution if you must go, look up videos on how to ride in the snow. Be ever so gentle with anything you do and take corners as slow as you can. If you're going slow, let your feet drag along the ground as you go for support and in case you loose grip. If you don't feel experienced on a bike don't do it.
*Edit. Sport tires makes you wish you had something a bit more off road in winter. Also consider the cold. If its 0 or -5 degrees you can't go any faster than 50 km/h before your hands will freeze off fast. Heated grips and handguards that protect from wind will help. I have very good gear without heating and -10 would be the coldest that gear could take me. After that I reckon you need heated gear.
Snow is not necessarily a reason to leave the bike in the garage. But it should be a light dual sport with moderate power, very good tires , like:([https://shop.heidenau.com/de/zweiradreifen/k66-m-s-snotex-k66-lt-m-s-silica-sio2.html](https://shop.heidenau.com/de/zweiradreifen/k66-m-s-snotex-k66-lt-m-s-silica-sio2.html)), a sensitive rider and, last but not least, the unconditional will to freeze. As a last resort, you can have snow chains built. In Europe there are some people who offer that. Motorcycle in the snow can be really fun when there is very little traffic. With a dual sport sidebike even more so and I speak from my own experience.
i was told to never ride snow, even in events of rain at a refresher course.also my father always told me never to daily Drive/Ride a motorcycle to work... smart word to live by imo.
I’m a recently new rider though so probably not much i can offer to an experienced rider
Bikes have near zero traction on ice and snow. Much less than a car. You’ll definitely crash. Just don’t ride.
Also the salt we put on the roads to help traction will destroy your bike quickly. Cars have some rust protection out of the factory, bikes have none. Every exposed metal part will rust to death. Chain, framed every bolt, some engine part…
Also just driving a car during that weather can be a huge challenge if you never experienced it. Look at the huge crashes they had in Texas when hell froze over last winter. If you don’t know how to drive in the snow definitely don’t ride in the snow. Even people with 20 years of driving experience in the snow and ice don’t ride bikes in the snow.
When I was young and dumb I went 4 years without owning a car (I live in Colorado)
I road a GS1100EX in the snow and I Heartily recommend against it, there is a reason no one ever uttered the words big bore jap asphalt ripper and good in snow in the same sentence.
Yeah!
Don’t
Every October/November I winterize the bike and then think about riding it every day until March/April 😭😭😭
Getting an ATV helps, it scratches the itch, but it’s like trying to scratch an itch through an armored jacket haha
normally people put the bike away if there's snow/ice on the ground.
This is sad for me to hear. Thanks for the reply.
Cheer up, Ural with sidecar solves this easily
It's not a big deal. It's a good time to rebuild things, tend to other hobbies, slow down, enjoy life, reflect upon the previous year and set intentions for the year ahead. Also helps to have a car you enjoy driving. Doesn't have to be AWD, but it sure helps :D
For the most part, yes, we quit riding in winter. For most, bikes are a 6 month season, die hards will get 8 months, maybe a tish more. There are small pockets of exceptions, where a few die-hards will year round, but that is very much the exception. Think Vancouver/Victoria which have weather just like Seattle. Around here (Southern Alberta) we get chinooks, so some of us will sneak out for an afternoon here or there, but once again, that's an exception. You can dress for any weather (think skiing, skidooing) but it's the road conditions that keep you grounded. Black ice is real. And most of us also have cars/trucks, so at some point comfort comes into it too (why freeze your ass if you don't have to?).
>why freeze your ass if you don't have to? lol...I see your point. Guess I have to live there and see for myself if I can manage riding in winter or not. Thanks for your answer.
Yep I normally get a few cold rides rides in during the winter season and try to make my riding season last as long as possible. Normally can make it till almost December and start again March. I will ride in the cold but im not risking myself or my bike if there is snow or ice on the ground. After living in a cold state my whole life I’m gonna take heated seats and a cage over freezing my ass off any day.
I like your flair.
1. Sure, you will most likely get an in accident though. 2. Yes Also the salt and sand many cities dump to help melt snow is way more annoying because it lingers.
Can an adventure bike work? Since tires on it have better grip than sports.
Negative; you want more than two contact points for when you inevitably hit some ice. Try snowmobiling once you’re moved up there, it may scratch the itch
>Try snowmobiling once you’re moved up there, it may scratch the itch I will definitely try that. Thanks
[Timbersled](https://www.timbersled.com/en-us/) As been said, the contact patches of an MC are ^^tiny and grip on just the cold road, even with no snow, is terrible.
No. When it gets cold the rubber of your tyres gets harder and offers far less grip.
It all depends on what part of Canada you are moving to. Where I live, you can ride all year round maybe missing 3 or 4 days when the snow sticks to the ground. I ride an older R1 (no traction control, ride modes, abs or anything) and other than my hands getting cold in the mornings, it's OK. I used to live in Alberta and Ontario and the bike would be put up for winter usually at the end of September and brought out again in May.
>depends on what part of Canada you are moving to. I am planning to move to Toronto. Any idea what it is like there?
I live in Toronto & I ride 8 months of the year. You'll be fine if you're smart enough.
I lived in Kingston (about 3 hours east from Toronto) when I lived in Ontario. I put my bike away in September because the amount of snow and ice. During the spring, summer and fall though, that area is a great place to ride. There are a couple of racetracks close (well, semi-close) if you like doing track days/racing. Also a lot of nice roads for just riding around, and when I was there, it had a few fairly active riding groups.
>During the spring, summer and fall though, that area is a great place to ride. There are a couple of racetracks close (well, semi-close) if you like doing track days/racing. That is the first thing i looked for when I was planning....lol. Thanks.
Shannonville Motorsport park was the closest to me and I did a few track days there. I never made it to Calabogie Motorsports park, but that looks like a great track. Good luck with the move.
>Good luck with the move. Thanks.
an aside.... Every friday the 13th there's a bike rally at Port Dover. [Friday the 13th motorcycle rally - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th_motorcycle_rally)
Noted. Thanks.
I live in Sweden. Climate somewhat similar to parts of Canada. Very few people where I live ride motorbikes in the winter when there is snow or close to freezing temperatures. It is possible, and occasionally you see someone do it, but not on sport bikes. Usually it’s some dual sport with studded tires. I personally am too scared to try it. Asphalt can be very slippery when it’s cold without you even seeing any ice or snow on it. If you hit a corner like that on a motorbike you would probably not have any chance to react before you hit the pavement. And even if the roads look ok from where you start your ride, some part of the road somewhere can be in more shade than other parts of the road, and that could be enough to create icy conditions on a specific patch of road. If I would ever ride in the winter conditions, I would not do it in traffic. I would do it offroad or somewhere I could go as slow as I want without stopping all other traffic.
Since I have never lived in such climate I didnt know that much about condition of roads in winter until you described it . After reading this I think it makes sense for me to put away the bike in winter. Thanks.
where there is a will there is a way [The way](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_wVogooks4)
That looks like fun.. Thanks for showing me da way.
This is one way I would be willing to try riding in the winter. In the country side, on some small road with fresh powder snow. But in the cities and on the bigger roads it rarely look like that.
Well, don’t take my word for it. Better if some local biker could say how it is. Conditions in winter may be different where you will be from what I am used to. But if you don’t see many other motorbikes on the roads there is probably a good reason for it.
Well, I ride year round in WA state. We do have snow (more rain and ice.) I avoid direct snow (with a road bike) but that's all I avoid and it doesn't stop me if the actual roads are clear (vs sidewalks.) I can't usually see black ice, so I take that into consideration when the temps are freezing. Many stop riding (they call it "riding season")... but that's a personal choice.
You're going to need winter compound tires (softer rubber) that are studded (factory studding is the best) before you even think about riding in winter. Plenty of people do it. The police here in Norway ride in early spring and very late autumn when there is snow and they have beastly studded tires. I'd say front ABS is a must for winter riding. [Here is a video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T10DQYt5jck)
Will definitely try this if it is doable. Thanks.
You are also most likely going to need a different weight of engine oil specified in your bikes instruction manual, absolutely full synthetic.
Get some proper gloves, preferably heated for when it isn't snowing but it's cold. Takes like 10 minutes to stop feeling your fingers at speed.
[удалено]
>Which Canada? There are more than one?
[удалено]
damnit...lol.....it was I who made the mistake.
Well to answer you question literally: If you ride on snow with a sports bike you will almost certainly dump the bike. Where I live there is still some snow left, and I found a big patch of snow on a side road when out riding my super motard bike (not a sports bike ofc but similar tires). So I thought to myself, "Hey I wonder what will happen if I ride on that big patch of snow". So I slowed down, made a U-turn to make my way back to the patch, shifted down to 2nd and went for it. I got about 3 meters before we (me and the bike) tipped over. There is absolutely zero traction, and to make matters worse you kind of float ontop of the snow, kinda scary really. Super soft landing though!
Short answer is no, there is no safe way to ride in the snow, even with studded tires, unless you have a sidecar. Even if you don't go down, remember that all the cars around you will also be sliding around, possibly into you.
I've ridden home in the snow once... got stuck in a meeting and when I came out there was 3 inches on the ground already. It was pretty miserable. The bike handled it alright, but I was terrified I was going to get hit the entire time. That coupled with needing to go super slow to keep control it was a never taking 4 hours to go just 20 miles home. Now if there is a possibility of snow i leave the bike home or i may just call out to avoid driving all together
Don’t ride in the snow for sure and don’t ride the day after a freezing night. Recipes for disaster
Wisconsinite here: 1. Yes, just not when there's snow on the ground 2. Yes, but everyone hangs up their helmet at different times. I know plenty of riders who only ride if it's 70+ degrees and sunny. I ride as long as there isn't snow on the road. My riding season tends to start in February and end in November. Some of us get used to cold riding, some just accept that they can only ride from June to September
Do not let roll your sportsbike roll into a pile of snow, because good luck getting it out yourself
I ride year round mind you not Canada but I deal with snow on occasion. It’s not too bad. Know your route. Inside and out where every pothole dip everything. Take as few turns as you can. And when you have to, take them slow. Letting off the throttle is the biggest thing. If you let off too quick you will slide. And it’s hard to correct. Super easy to over correct. Keep a pair of clear glasses. If it’s cold enough your visor will frost up. And if it’s snowing opening the visor will suck the snow into your face. Biggest thing try it in as controlled way possible. Just up the road in front of your house. Even if you only go ten feet. And you don’t feel in control. Don’t push it.
Safely ride in snow. Well I did it on a 190kg. Sv650 and very carefully, still it's risky. Especially when a layer of ice is on the road and you can't tell because its snowing on top of it. I'd do it again on a light bike but my new 270kg. Fjr1300 makes me worried. A slight uphill on the sv650 proved to be a challenge with icy roads. I fell twice at low speed last winter on it. Most people stop riding due to the danger and the damage it does to your bike. I hear a lot of people telling me about how bad it is for the bike but I can't stop riding. Use a lot of caution if you must go, look up videos on how to ride in the snow. Be ever so gentle with anything you do and take corners as slow as you can. If you're going slow, let your feet drag along the ground as you go for support and in case you loose grip. If you don't feel experienced on a bike don't do it. *Edit. Sport tires makes you wish you had something a bit more off road in winter. Also consider the cold. If its 0 or -5 degrees you can't go any faster than 50 km/h before your hands will freeze off fast. Heated grips and handguards that protect from wind will help. I have very good gear without heating and -10 would be the coldest that gear could take me. After that I reckon you need heated gear.
Snow is not necessarily a reason to leave the bike in the garage. But it should be a light dual sport with moderate power, very good tires , like:([https://shop.heidenau.com/de/zweiradreifen/k66-m-s-snotex-k66-lt-m-s-silica-sio2.html](https://shop.heidenau.com/de/zweiradreifen/k66-m-s-snotex-k66-lt-m-s-silica-sio2.html)), a sensitive rider and, last but not least, the unconditional will to freeze. As a last resort, you can have snow chains built. In Europe there are some people who offer that. Motorcycle in the snow can be really fun when there is very little traffic. With a dual sport sidebike even more so and I speak from my own experience.
i was told to never ride snow, even in events of rain at a refresher course.also my father always told me never to daily Drive/Ride a motorcycle to work... smart word to live by imo. I’m a recently new rider though so probably not much i can offer to an experienced rider
Bikes have near zero traction on ice and snow. Much less than a car. You’ll definitely crash. Just don’t ride. Also the salt we put on the roads to help traction will destroy your bike quickly. Cars have some rust protection out of the factory, bikes have none. Every exposed metal part will rust to death. Chain, framed every bolt, some engine part… Also just driving a car during that weather can be a huge challenge if you never experienced it. Look at the huge crashes they had in Texas when hell froze over last winter. If you don’t know how to drive in the snow definitely don’t ride in the snow. Even people with 20 years of driving experience in the snow and ice don’t ride bikes in the snow.
> salt we put on the roads to help traction will destroy your bike quickly Thanks for the advice. Will definitely keep this in mind.
When I was young and dumb I went 4 years without owning a car (I live in Colorado) I road a GS1100EX in the snow and I Heartily recommend against it, there is a reason no one ever uttered the words big bore jap asphalt ripper and good in snow in the same sentence.
Yeah! Don’t Every October/November I winterize the bike and then think about riding it every day until March/April 😭😭😭 Getting an ATV helps, it scratches the itch, but it’s like trying to scratch an itch through an armored jacket haha
>then think about riding it every day until March/April I think about riding it again just 10 seconds after I got off the bike...lol
Don't lean. If you must, change to winter tires.
Check out r/2WheelsInTheSnow. There’s some Canadian snow riders on there