Winter Riding

[Jrodizzle07]

Alright guys, sadly winter is starting to approach on the horizon, and I was wondering who here rides year round with their c14s? I live in the mountains of NC, my normal commute is only about 5 miles each way so figured it might be worth a shot to try out some knobbys or studded tires possibly.

Anyone know who manufactures them in the proper size? Most I see are smaller tires for enduros (makes sense I guess)...

[twowheeladdict]

Nothing is going to help on ice.  Sidecar maybe?  There are some 17 inch dual sport adventure tires, but no 'knobbies'  look up continental tkc80

They do a 180/55-17 rear and 120/70-17 front

[maxtog]

Alright guys, sadly winter is starting to approach on the horizon,

That is a long horizon... it is still summer!

and I was wondering who here rides year round with their c14s?

I ride almost year-round in VA.  Although I ride far less often, since cold is nowhere near as much fun.  Plus it takes to much dang longer to get all dressed.   I will skip when it is below 35 (if I can help it).

I live in the mountains of NC, my normal commute is only about 5 miles each way so figured it might be worth a shot to try out some knobbys or studded tires possibly.

I *never* ride in ice or snow.  But I know some here do....

[The Pope]

I ride year round, but don't do it with any frozen precept around (this includes Black Ice warnings), but I'm in cenrtal NC (Raleigh area). My PR3's worked just fine last winter and I'd expect that my PR4's will work just fine this winter.

[B.D.F.]

I ride all year regardless of temperature but only on clean roads. For true all- weather riding, you probably want to take a look at what some of the folks on BMW GS's are doing regarding carbide studs; quite a few of them ride all year in snow and ice as they have to. 100 carbide studs will make a motorcycle truly an all- season machine.

The better studs, such as used in ice racing, mount through rather than into the tires; they actually mount to the tire's carcass and are very strong. Somewhat expensive but again, that is what it seems to take to ride through ice and snow in northern New England through the winter. Try Max's BMW in New Hampshire and see what they offer for studs and insertion services (Easy Boys- not that kind of insertion!).

Brian

Alright guys, sadly winter is starting to approach on the horizon, and I was wondering who here rides year round with their c14s? I live in the mountains of NC, my normal commute is only about 5 miles each way so figured it might be worth a shot to try out some knobbys or studded tires possibly.

Anyone know who manufactures them in the proper size? Most I see are smaller tires for enduros (makes sense I guess)...

[Rhino]

I ride all year but just not on snow and ice. I'm now in Austin so not much of that but I lived in Colorado for 25 years. Even after a big storm, the main roads would be clear in a few days. I was just very careful where I rode and knew all the shaded spots to avoid.

[datsaxman@hotmail.com]

I am with Rhino...

I live in sunny SoCal...but at 6000' in the mountains.  We will have snow 5-20 times a year. 

I only have to be able to make it about 1/2 mile to get to the main highway, which is always plowed pretty promptly, and always gets the remaining cold stuff churned up pretty well by the traffic. 

So there are *a few* days I just can't ride, and maybe 2-3 stretches of 2 or 3 or 5 days in a row with too much snow or ice. 

The C14 will pass 120,000 miles next month.  You have to ride the bike to get there!


saxman

[sailor_chic]

I'll ride all winter. Might have to put the jacket liner in though 

[maxtog]

I'll ride all winter. Might have to put the jacket liner in though 

Yeesh.  I have to wear a load layers, including long underwear, and chaps, and thinsulate, and neck wrap, and a heated vest and use the heated seat and grips.  At some point it just isn't worth it...  it take 20 minutes to get dressed, feel like the sta-puft marshmallow man, can't hardly move, and am still freezing 

[SapperLdr]

What is all this snow and ice stuff you all speak of? 
Come to think of it, what is winter?

 

[PH14]

What is all this snow and ice stuff you all speak of? 
Come to think of it, what is winter?

 

I was riding all Winter. I didn't last year since I wasn't home a lot. I wear a pair of AGV Sport Telluride pants with the rain liner and quilted liner. They do a great job. I usually wear an Underarmour base layer shirt, then some thin layers with my Joe Rocket jacket with the quilted liner. The combination does the job well. If I am just going around town, I don't need much. Just the rain liner in the pants works fine for me into the teens. It doesn't take me long to get ready if I am going a short distance, less than 20 miles one way. If I am riding longer I will pay more attention to what I am wearing.

I rode my old 1986 Aspencade from Iowa to Pittsburgh, PA one day in the 30's. It didn't get into the 40's until I reached Indianapolis, the halfway point, and it never got into the upper 40's the entire trip. I may have to do it again. I will be moving back to PA the middle of November and will be riding the bike back. I may get a chance to ride it back in October, or simply store it here but I would prefer to have it in PA. I will probably get some heated gear if it will be too cold. My schedule has put a wrench into my plans, I have to get the move done in ten days which includes two trips there and back as well as packing. I was going to be able to take my time riding the bike back if the weather got bad. I figured I would simply stay in a hotel. Now I don't have that option.

I know I have posted these before, but here they are again. 

[Conrad]

Alright guys, sadly winter is starting to approach on the horizon, and I was wondering who here rides year round with their c14s? I live in the mountains of NC, my normal commute is only about 5 miles each way so figured it might be worth a shot to try out some knobbys or studded tires possibly.

Anyone know who manufactures them in the proper size? Most I see are smaller tires for enduros (makes sense I guess)...

Winter riding for me in Illinois is a bad idea. It's not the cold but the over-use of salt. Even when the roads are clear of the slipperdy stuff they're often white with salt and that's hard to clean off when everything is frozen outside.

One other thing that may be a consideration in your case. Depending on the temps, a 5 mile ride may never bring your bike up to operating temps. Not good.

[gPink]

A five mile ride in the summer would hit operating temps. If you want to do this why don't you find a beater KLR and have fun?

[gggGary]

That's my thought if the roads are bad get a smaller on off, the 14 is just too much for that kind of riding in a bunch of ways.  I did ride the C14 new years day and once in Feb then spent 4 hours getting the sand salt off it.  This IS a paved road...........somewhere under there.


Gary in WI 


took the k1200 out on a slushy Dec day and tipped when a foot slipped at a stop sign good thing someone helped get it back up. 800+ pounds and slippery slush it wasn't happening.

[PH14]

Or go all out and get a two wheel drive. 

[Rhino]

Wasn't actually winter, but I did have to watch for ice on the roads.

[sailor_chic]

What is all this snow and ice stuff you all speak of? 
Come to think of it, what is winter?

That is when Florida get invaded with people from the north.

[maxtog]

Or go all out and get a two wheel drive.     [Ural]

When only the best in 19th century technology will do!  LOL

[PH14]

When only the best in 19th century technology will do!  LOL

 

My wife and I almost bought one recently. We test rode a 2013 that a local dealer had. I have always wanted one. When we got back to the dealership my wife was saying, "Buy it, buy it, buy it!" She had a grin plastered to her face as we rode. I have always wanted one for Winter riding and for going to the airport with all my bags. This one is two wheel drive. The side car wheel is driven.

I didn't get it since I would rather get a 2014 or newer. They put fuel injection on them in 2014 and now have a cruising speed of 70mph. It was a blast to ride. If I hadn't just had to buy two cars I would have bought one already.

[maxtog]

My wife and I almost bought one recently. We test rode a 2013 that a local dealer had. I have always wanted one. When we got back to the dealership my wife was saying, "Buy it, buy it, buy it!" She had a grin plastered to her face as we rode. I have always wanted one for Winter riding and for going to the airport with all my bags. This one is two wheel drive. The side car wheel is driven.

I didn't get it since I would rather get a 2014 or newer. They put fuel injection on them in 2014 and now have a cruising speed of 70mph. It was a blast to ride. If I hadn't just had to buy two cars I would have bought one already.

They do look like a lot of fun.  I have watched videos of them and they seem to hold up well and do things one wouldn't expect.