How cold is too cold for you?

[fz6Soldier]

I live in Michigan and the coldest I rode so far in was 37 degrees. I recently bought some thermals to wear under my pants and some good winter gloves. I'm trying to find my limitation. Of course I won't be riding when there is snow and Ice on the ground.

My brother lives in Ohio and he rides all year round. But he has a VSTROM which blocks more wind and also has heated grips and all kinds of cold weather gear.

I just wanted to see what everyones limits are.

 

[MattyA]

I used to drive my suzuki sierra (samuari) in the snow with the top down and the windscreen down. about -3 c. Back when i liveed in the aussie alps, now i live in the desert.

its never to cold i say, you can always keep warm. It gets hot here and all you can do i try to keep in the shade.

You can only get so naked.

 

[a_sick1]

It can't be too cold since i don't have a running car right now.
The coldest I've rode it was about 28 degrees and snowing.
I did not enjoy that ride.

 

[abacall]

32* F, or 0* C. If it's cold enough for water to freeze, then its cold enough for black ice. I've hit it once, and swore I would never ride in below freezing temps again.

 

[goker]

Few degrees above freezing for me as well. I don't like the possibility of having ice on the road either.

 

[agp]

I won't ride below 45 unless neccessary.

 

[Have2BeFree]

I once met a guy who said his age is his riding limit. He was 60 so he didn't ride in weather below 60 degrees. Usually my limit is 45 for a short ride and 55 for a long ride but you have to be careful because it cools down fast when the sun goes down.

 

[CZAR357]

I would have to say 510 Rankine. Don't enjoy riding when its cold out at all.

 

[mercm3]

being from Socal coldest I have ridden was 55 and i probably could do 50 or so but thats about it.

 

[champion221elite]

I try to stay off the roads if the temperature drops below 40 degrees F. With proper clothing, I'm sure I could ride in colder weather but it just isn't any fun.

+1 on the black ice comment. That stuff is dangerous enough in a cage, I sure as hell don't want to experience it while on a motorcycle.

 

[oldfast007]

Off to work this morning @ 30, very cold but oh well. I'm waiting for this week ends warming trend near 50 !

 

[sideshow_downs]

I have ridden in 25*F it wasnt very fun but it was a short distance.

I was ridding up pikes peak the one day and it started snowing so bad the whole road was covered. I dont know what the temp was but that was really cold. The snow was actually building up on the tank of the bike.

 

[spidersden]

I think it was 28 degrees (F) when I rode to work this morning. I'm usually good to the low 20's without much trouble. I don't joy-ride anywhere near as much when it's that cold, but I still enjoy my morning commute. I won't ride when it's cold AND raining. I can handle the cold, and I can handle the rain, but not at the same time.

I keep the bike parked in the garage at work if there's snow on the road, or an excessive amount of salt. Don't want to risk breaking the plastics :thumbup:

 

[Willard]

Up here in Nova Scotia riding season goes from late March to late November, sometimes into December. Anything above freezing is good provided that there is no salt on the roads.

 

[Dennis in NH]

I didn't have my heated jacket liner for almost 3 weeks and riding the FZ6 in 40F was cold. I have my liner back and I went to work in 40F and it was nice.

I could probably easily do 30s but we'll see; this is my FZ6's first Winter with me as rider (plus, I got the pinlock system with antifog shield and that helps).

On my cruiser with heated jacket liner and gloves and good touring pants, I felt that 25F during Winter was very reasonable. I've never done anything below 15F. I did ride during a good negative windchill on a sunny day (and stopped in a Harley store); an hour or so later the windchill went back to 20s and I was good to go -- the sun really helps esp. if you wear black.

If you don't have heated gear, if you exercise a little before suiting up, you can use the heat to stay warm.

Dennis

 

[zmeiaspas]

So far the coldest I've ridden in is 34-35 degrees but I think I can hit the mid twenties with a pair of thicker socks. For anything below that I'll need some more clothing everywhere.

 

[BranNwebster]

I rode a Ski-Doo sled at temps hovering around -30f. It was awesome.

 

[danfree]

Here in Florida the Winter days may start out cold, but can warm up +20 degF by afternoon. Luckily that equates riding all year. However, I have noticed when the temp is below about 36 degF, I cannot keep my faceshield from fogging up. So that is pretty much my limit. Plus I won't ride when there is ice on the road. But that is extremely rare in Tallahassee during the day.

 

[RJ2112]

Low 30's F..... same with the black ice... avoid that like the plague.

 

[The Toecutter]

I've ridden in the lower 20's and i'm telling you your tires don't stick to the pavement very well at all !!!