another ride today...

[Guest]

after waiting for the black ice to melt off the roads, my son and I were able to take the 2 GS1100s out for a nice 20 mile ride by late morning. Stopped to see a friend who is now a collector of old Brit bikes. He has a '66 Triumph 650, '67 Norton 750, and a '67 BSA 650, all in mint condition. Bring back some memories? Pretty looking bikes, but I don't miss the hassles of the old Britsh bikes, as we fired up our "reliable" vintage GSes and headed out!

[not a biker]

reliable

i just will not get interested in un reliable motorcycles. a nice looking bike with 5 oil spots under it is a turn off for me.
back in the day most of my friends owned honda 750s. one guy had a norton . it would vibrate something off evey 20 miles or so . we used to say it is norton time.

[isleoman]

Indian Summer in central ma, dry roads at noon with 58 temps.

Got out for about 3 hours. Good way to start Dec

[jwhelan65]

tomorrow

Headin out to a meet up ride manana...72 and sunny deep in the heart of Tejas!

[rudy]

Headin out to a meet up ride manana...72 and sunny deep in the heart of Tejas!

Ha ha! Talked to a supplier in Plano, TX this morning. When I told her we got almost 6 inches last night, she thought we're all crazy for living way up north! I told her I agree, but I do like the change of scenery every season, and snow is EVER so fun to drive in! Cheap thrills! The time away from the bikes because of snow just makes the summer that much better.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

My father-in-law emailed a picture to us today. They've also got about 6 inches of snow on the ground in west Indiana. My f-i-l rode with me to Indianapolis Motor Speeway to take a ride around the Grand Prix course after the MotoGP this past September.



He says he never winterizes his bike (Suzuki C50) because he always ends up riding at least a couple of days a month in the winter. You guys are a hearty sort up North and back East. Hat's off to you! Ride on!

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[argonsagas]

Ha ha! I do like the change of scenery every season, and snow is EVER so fun to drive in! Cheap thrills!

THAT attitude I like!

I have never understood why those of us who experience the stuff every year do not learn to enjoy the experience. and also learn to drive safely in winter.

Every year, as soon as we get our first snowfall of any substance, I take the car to an empty mall parking lot and for ten to fifteen minutes slide and twist all over it.



This is done again during the winter, (ALWAYS if we get ice/freezing rain on the lot,) and then I feel better when on the roads.

Many people have told me that it is frightfully dangerous and even stupid, but they just won't realize I not only disagree with them entirely, but also thoroughly enjoy it and have no interest in their opinions

[MelodicMetalGod]

Hi,

My father-in-law emailed a picture to us today. They've also got about 6 inches of snow on the ground in west Indiana. My f-i-l rode with me to Indianapolis Motor Speeway to take a ride around the Grand Prix course after the MotoGP this past September.


He says he never winterizes his bike (Suzuki C50) because he always ends up riding at least a couple of days a month in the winter. You guys are a hearty sort up North and back East. Hat's off to you! Ride on!

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

That's a pretty cool pic. How did you manage access to the course?

I don't winterize either. Used to be out of necessity (didn't have a car). Now it's just out of sheer defiance to the weather...plus, we usually don't get many snows here and those snows don't add up to much...usually. Therefore, I keep my gear out and the bikes ready. Even if it's only a 10 mile ride, it's still a ride!

[MelodicMetalGod]

THAT attitude I like!

I have never understood why those of us who experience the stuff every year do not learn to enjoy the experience. and also learn to drive safely in winter.

Every year, as soon as we get our first snowfall of any substance, I take the car to an empty mall parking lot and for ten to fifteen minutes slide and twist all over it.

This is done again during the winter, (ALWAYS if we get ice/freezing rain on the lot,) and then I feel better when on the roads.

Many people have told me that it is frightfully dangerous and even stupid, but they just won't realize I not only disagree with them entirely, but also thoroughly enjoy it and have no interest in their opinions

Amen! I started doin' that when I was 18 and lost it with my 79 Mustang - it was my first rear wheel drive car. I was very lucky and didn't hit or damage anything. After that, I drove REAL gingerly until we had a snow a few weeks later. Then I spent about a half tank of gas (it was cheaper then!) one night in a snow filled parking lot learning how to drive the durn thing. After that, I never had another problem maintaining control. Of course, I also learned that TO maintain control in adverse conditions you DO have to slow down - something that too many drivers never seem to get.

[Buffalo Bill]

Never put it away, just waitn' for the next dry day.

Southwestern Michigan, 1100G.
We had 3 dry days in a row here, I rode each day when I had a chance, never saw another bike. We had a nice afternoon yesterday, but I had work to do. The next few days will be snowy, however they too will pass, and I can ride again soon enough.
Never put it away, just keep Sta-Bil in the tank.

[drhermanstein]

I was out as well yesterday. With good gear and a cautious eye for sand and wet I enjoy cold weather riding. We were spared a big snowfall that was predicted and in the sunshine yesterday I had a blast doing my errands on the bike.

[rudy]

THAT attitude I like!

I have never understood why those of us who experience the stuff every year do not learn to enjoy the experience. and also learn to drive safely in winter.

Every year, as soon as we get our first snowfall of any substance, I take the car to an empty mall parking lot and for ten to fifteen minutes slide and twist all over it.

This is done again during the winter, (ALWAYS if we get ice/freezing rain on the lot,) and then I feel better when on the roads.

Many people have told me that it is frightfully dangerous and even stupid, but they just won't realize I not only disagree with them entirely, but also thoroughly enjoy it and have no interest in their opinions

Screw their opinions!! They're probably the people that take a look outside and if they see snow, they stay home. How are you supposed to know the limits of your machine if you don't test them? It's more of a safety thing, it just happens to be fun as well. Whenever I'm out in snow or bad weather, I CONSTANTLY check braking ability. Never had an accident, hit the ditch once last year to avoid a head-on with someone who DID lose control. I threw it in reverse and drove out. Props to snow tires!

We had a lot of very slick ice this morning. Highway was questionable, back roads use at your own risk. I tried a little friction test. 4th gear, 50km/h, hit the gas and could turn the wheels full lock and still go straight with the wheels spinning 90km/h. Only time it was more slick than that had a 1/4" of water on top of the ice. That was interesting. Could be idling in 5th and hit the gas and spin. Still made it home safe.