No sweat Bronco, I just get tired of explaining the concept of a bike with a handicap plate. As I told the DMV clerk, all of my bikes have engines so I don't have to peddle them with my bad leg. I may be busted up but I aint dead yet. I had to let the DR go, my knees just couldn't take the pounding off road. There went the last of my delusions of youth. I tried to build it into a poor mans R1200GS and it was great on the Gelände but not so much on the Strasse.
Awesome ChiTown Dave! I put my scooter away in Jan, and planning to get it out this weekend. I finally got a new front tire last weekend.
I really dont think winter riding in the southern state of South Carolina is anything remotly close to Michigan or Chitown Daves comutes but Im glad people are riding year round. ChiTOwn Dave tell me about your winter riding gear, what are you using to stay warm or is your commute not crazy long enough so that you can get by with regular winter gloves and the like. I struggle with keeping fingers warm unless Im using the GS with grip warmers.
While I appreciate you challenging the elements I really feel the combination of ice/snow and traffic is not worth the risk. Everyone has their own threshold for risk, that said, I think you are playing with fire. I'm a year round rider myself but sometimes you have to know when to say when.
Sorry to hear about the DR (having to go). I have abused my knees too much but I'm not as bad off as you sound to be. I'm glad that you're still able to enjoy riding. Be careful in that SC ice, if/when it does come.
True enough we don't get nearly as much snow but we also don't have snow removal equipment you do. In addition, nobody down here knows how to drive in the snow. It seems that the more snow that falls, the more people's driving IQ falls. Our biggest winter issue is freezing rain / sleet, besides, I'm not trying to get into a snow drift measuring contest, just letting CD know he's not alone. as for the cold fingers, my favorite glove for long distance cold riding is a goose down mitten. It's not much on crash protection but keeping the fingers together sharing heat really helps. I'm searching for a good pair of lobster claw mittens so I can have the benefits of mittens with the ability to 2-finger brake.
I agree, everyone has a risk factor they are willing to accept. Mine is certainly different than others, and there are others who make my riding look soft. Snow or otherwise. I love riding! :) I did two short reviews on my YouTube channel. My jacket and pants. Next I'll review my boots. I am satisfied with my combination of gear. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TO6ei55QzIM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> It is my first and second attempts at reviews. So please, laugh along with me. Thanks Chitown There is ONE BIG SECRET to staying warm (no, not staying home) Cayenne pepper capsules. They are good for you in many ways. They Don't burn your mouth, but they will warm you from the inside out! Big difference with and without. I've been using them for years.
I ended up buying a set of Tucano Urbano grip muffs while I was in France last November. Holy cow do they work well! I rode with my "mid weight" Spring/Fall gloves while temps were in the 20s & 30s. Granted, they may not be easy to get in the US (or not available at all) but Hippo Hands uses the same concept (get your fingers out of the wind stream and they'll keep warm). Tusk even makes a "cheapie" set that I've used (and they work) but aren't quite as waterproof (and don't fit on the handle bars as nicely).
I've always wondered if those actually worked without interfering with the levers. My other issue is that when I'm racking up mikes on the highway, I like to tale my right hand off the grip and rest it on my leg to give it a break (Carpel Tunnel). If they work that well I may have to give them a try next winter.
There was a guy in Minnesota that rode a scooter nearly every day to work for two winters and blogged about it. You should do something like that. Especially since our winter will never end. http://www.ridetowork.org/blog/ How many minutes is your commute?
Here's a little something for the winter that never ends http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e7104152c&vxp=mtr
I have a set of mitts. Mine have a plastic along the outside so they don't push against the levers. I have read that without the plastic, they may push against the levers and engage the brake lights, depending on your speed. Last fall, I purchased a Tucano leg cover. It was great in the cold and rain. I had to order online and have it shipped from UK. Expensive, but was worth it.
I use ski pants over my regular work pants in serious cold. I bought 2 pair at walmart.com last spring as close-outs for $15 a piece and was pleasantly surprised at how well they worked on single digit mornings. They work just as well as the pair I bought at REI for $85 on sale. Just not sure they'll be as durable as the REI pair.
Every scooter I saw in France had one of these skirts on it (most were made by Tucano Urbano - Bagster makes one, too). They're really nice in that they keep you out of the elements while riding but also double as a tonneau while the scoot is parked. So, the saddle and step-thru stay dry on rainy days.
Hey all, I posted a short video on the secret ingredient I use to stay warm when it's zero degrees and there's a biting wind in you're face. There's more than just layering, though layering "properly" is important. Thanks Chitown Dave <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8DkxLWlVWCM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>