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Post by AtariGuy on Sept 29, 2017 23:49:23 GMT -5
Time to start this year's cold weather thread! Its that time of year for us northeners when that frozen water stuff slowly grips the outdoors. Some hibernate their scoots, others retune them, accessorize, and pile on the layers. Share your hibernation plans or (for those who brave it) rides n mods!
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Post by AtariGuy on Sept 30, 2017 0:11:53 GMT -5
Since i'm minnesotan, we get 5 months of the winter blues. So they call it. I love winter and being out in it! These days, coming into october, we've got another 2 warm spells in our forecast before its all completely frozen over. Usually somewhere in the second to third week of october we get 4-6 days of 70-80F degrees, then a few light snows, then another "indian summer" which is 3-5 days of mid 70F's in the first week of november. Then winter rolls out its icy white carpet til mid April.
I love it! Snowmobiles, ice fishing, 4 wheeler ballet (on frozen ponds and lakes), sledding/tobogganing (depends on your proximity to canada, eh), hockey season (go wild!) and my favorite, winter scooting!
Currently, I'm waiting to rejet the carb til i drop the 47 kit on the wife's 4poke schwinn - and the frost mornings start showing up. Thought of trying my 2t this winter, but i'm sure i'll end up sideways on ice with a quickness. Besides, its getting a major workover. Anyway, i will probably rejet the 4poke twice, once for the fall chill, second for the winter freeze - then leave it rich til it gets to 50F+ high temps regularly next spring.
I know it gets salty out there, and what i did last year for it was to set up a sunflower propane heater in the garage, give it a bath, then set up a fan by the heater directing it at ol scooty to help dry it. Now, i don't reccomend or advise anyone to do this, theres the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, burning things down, and other such damage to you or your property. Its an old minnesotan trick though for prepping a freshly busted trail sled thats packed with the snow. Sunflowers are small, torpedoes are nice, but a proper ceiling hung propane burner with a fan in an insulated garage is best. And a fridge full of pabst blue ribbon. Cant wrench without a beer handy.
And i'm off rambling. Sorry, just reeeeally excited about winter coming!
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Post by greginisn on Sept 30, 2017 1:28:32 GMT -5
I’m in NW North Dakota and winter is usually not for two wheelers. We don’t use much salt around here so snowy & icy roads can be a problem to drive on. Not to mention the cold weather. I’ll drain the gas, pull the battery and move the scoot to the back of the garage then put the snow blowers where the scoot had been. Then I can start counting the days ‘til spring or warm weather. Whatever comes first.
I spent a winter in Denver long ago and rode my Yamaha almost every day off. Love the mild Denver winters.
Greg
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Post by bluegoatwoods on Sept 30, 2017 6:17:45 GMT -5
You remind me of my youth in Michigan, atariguy.
I tell people around here that our winters back then were really only 'one notch' colder and longer than they are here. (About halfway between Chicago and St Louis). And it's true. Yet....still.....the winter experience there was more authentic than here somehow.
One of the better memories was hanging around a small, old barn that had been converted into a shop with friends,
making whatever projects we felt like. We'd simply place the beer outside the door. It'd stay plenty cold that way.
But around here I do have the luxury of riding two wheels almost year-round. But that's not completely true.
From about the last week of December until about mid-February we can ride. But not on most days and it can not be counted on. A few rides? Yes. But not all that many.
But I won't have to hibernate the scooters at least.
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Post by 90GTVert on Sept 30, 2017 7:29:43 GMT -5
I'm not looking forward to winter. Dreading it would be more accurate. Try riding 8 or 10 hours in winter weather. Not happening for me, so it sucks. I don't usually ride much more than 20 miles when it's really cold, and that just barely counts as a ride IMO. I hated my 2 hour ride home last night in the 50s. One of those times when you just want it to be over. 50s aren't terrible when prepared, but when you don't have the right gear on it is no fun at all. I don't even think some people realize how cold a 70 degree night is if you ride far without the right gear. It's a whole lot different than it feels just standing around enjoying the weather in your yard. I've rode in really cold weather and on ice covered roads in the past, but I doubt that I'll do as much of it this year. I will say that it makes you feel alive, because everything hurts and you think you're gonna die. lol
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Post by jdl357 on Sept 30, 2017 9:41:14 GMT -5
I live in Virginia and we can get some strange winter weather here, actually year round. Temps can fluctuate alot here in a short time. We've been known to have some warm spells in the middle of winter. Right now my scoot is my primary transportation and I luckily don't have far to ride to work and back etc. I like riding year round but I make sure I'm prepared because it can be quite miserable if you don't!
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Post by collinsd84 on Sept 30, 2017 10:30:32 GMT -5
Here in North Carolina the weather is much the same as neighboring Virginia.
I rode to work for years. One morning it was 17 degrees f. In spite of gloves and other gear
my hands were so cold I had to run water over them at work.
I think below 20 is my limit. Lol!
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Post by pinkscoot on Sept 30, 2017 14:12:39 GMT -5
My prep for winter is zipping the lining in my mesh jacket.
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Post by bluegoatwoods on Sept 30, 2017 18:49:57 GMT -5
It certainly is true that temps that seem quite nice when standing still are chilly on a scooter.
If it's 70 deg F, then I want a windbreaker over my shirt.
It's been about 50 deg F the last few mornings going to work. And that's cold enough to make my hands feel abit chilled even when wearing brown Jersey gloves.
I hate to admit this.....but......last winter I turned down scooter rides often because the mere dressing up and down for it was daunting. It's caused me some fear that I"m getting old and soft. But there's another possibility. I held on too long with a schedule that was killing me. For the sake of what was otherwise a good job. And it had me really exhausted. But about a month ago I (finally!) got a good schedule readjustment out of my boss.It was like pulling teeth for a couple of years to get it.
It's still early, but I'm definitely feeling better. And I think dressing up for the cold won't be such a problem this year.
So I'm looking forward to doing more winter riding this year. When I'm strong only ice covered roads stop me from riding two-wheeled.
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Post by lostforawhile on Sept 30, 2017 18:56:47 GMT -5
I'm not looking forward to winter. Dreading it would be more accurate. Try riding 8 or 10 hours in winter weather. Not happening for me, so it sucks. I don't usually ride much more than 20 miles when it's really cold, and that just barely counts as a ride IMO. I hated my 2 hour ride home last night in the 50s. One of those times when you just want it to be over. 50s aren't terrible when prepared, but when you don't have the right gear on it is no fun at all. I don't even think some people realize how cold a 70 degree night is if you ride far without the right gear. It's a whole lot different than it feels just standing around enjoying the weather in your yard. I've rode in really cold weather and on ice covered roads in the past, but I doubt that I'll do as much of it this year. I will say that it makes you feel alive, because everything hurts and you think you're gonna die. lol It gets really cold sometimes here in South Georgia, not like northeast Ohio, but plenty cold enough to need proper gear, mainly looking at some insulated coveralls, not just for riding but for work,we don't have heat |
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Post by collinsd84 on Sept 30, 2017 19:16:28 GMT -5
My prep for winter is zipping the lining in my mesh jacket. You bet! Got that right.  |
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Post by AtariGuy on Oct 1, 2017 2:06:34 GMT -5
In the change to chilly weather seasons, i'll start wearing flannel sleep pants under my jeans. Here's a neat little trick, you cuff them into your socks, it makes it draft proof and tons easier to pull the jeans on over them.
Anyway, i thought i'd be clever tonight and add them flannels to my bundling. It was a balmy 58F when i left for my midnight ride, i swore i would be comfy for 50 miles. Didn't save me from an isolated downpour about 10 miles into my ride. Needless to say, i rode straight back home (2.5 miles) with frozen knees. The weather radar doesn't even show any rain within 50 miles of here. Lame popup showers!
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Post by oldgeek on Oct 1, 2017 9:48:55 GMT -5
For my winter gear I change from shorts to long pants, add a sweat suit hoodie, and a pair of mechanic gloves.
I gotta hand it to you guys that ride in the honestly cold weather, I most likely would not do it.
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Post by eclark5483 on Oct 1, 2017 11:11:56 GMT -5
All mine are heading for a warm storage at the bike shop. Tarped up, battery tenders plugged in, topped off with half regular and half VP110, oil changed.
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Post by milly on Oct 1, 2017 13:10:15 GMT -5
I tend to ride mine through out the winter and do a couple of winter rallies camping out.
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