Riding in the cold - Balls of steel or just plain stupid?

[Scooterbob]

Seeing how the snow storm is rolling accross a lot of places right now, I'm curious.  What is the coldest weather anyone has ridden in (for more than 10-15 minutes)?
I rode to work this morning (about 30 miles each way) in 18*F weather.  I'm sure someone else can easily beat that one, but for here that's pretty damn cold.  Good thing is the FJ fired right to life and performed excellent as always.  Several people commented on me being a mix of crazy, stupid and thick headed.  I just love to ride, no matter the weather.  If the bike starts, moves and the road is able to hold me, I'm on it.

What about you?   

[Fred]

I think you've got me beat. Just be careful, hypothermia is a bitch. I went for a ride one sunny winter's day temps in the low 30's. Long story short I lost track of the time and was a couple hours from home when the sun went down. It took me an hour to stop shivering.

[RACER111V]

 As far as street bikes 40* is about it.Around here when it gets much colder you start dealing with snow and ice.As far as off road the teens work out fine.When it gets warmer the snow just turns to oatmeal and sucks to ride on.
A few years ago the guy that worked in the body shop next to my house rode to work all year round.He had a 900 ninja that he rode when it wasn't snowing and a xl600 that he road in the snow.That was before water based paints.

[DailyDriver]

I've ridden in the low thirty's when I had to commute a long distance to work. It was a matter of need and it was back in my early 20's. I was bundled up enough but my face was always stinging from the cold.

Now days I don't ride when the weather is that cold, unless there was no other choice. Mid to low 40's is about my limit now days, although I've been caught in colder climates. You just got to get though it. 

[Scooterbob]

I think you've got me beat. Just be careful, hypothermia is a bitch. I went for a ride one sunny winter's day temps in the low 30's. Long story short I lost track of the time and was a couple hours from home when the sun went down. It took me an hour to stop shivering.

I am originally from Chicago, so unfortunately I'm well aware of the risk of hypothermia.  Luckily this cold spell has justified with the wife me being able to buy some new gear to deal with it.  I got some really thick snow-ski bibs that I wear under the tripple layer riding jacket, along with a hood under the helmet, neck gaurd, and heavy duty gloves.  I can honestly say that I wasn't that cold with all that on, even though the wind tried to blow me off the road.

As far as street bikes 40* is about it.Around here when it gets much colder you start dealing with snow and ice.As far as off road the teens work out fine.When it gets warmer the snow just turns to oatmeal and sucks to ride on.
A few years ago the guy that worked in the body shop next to my house rode to work all year round.He had a 900 ninja that he rode when it wasn't snowing and a xl600 that he road in the snow.That was before water based paints.

I ride year round also.  I have the emergency option of a vehicle (cage) but I rarely choose to use it.

[mz_rider]

Bob,

It was pretty cold here in Scotland last December -10C (14F) I don't commute far or fast (6 miles each way through town) so with lots of layers and heated grips it was ok. The main problem was some roads were not cleared of snow and ice. My commuter – a Honda CBF250 weights 300lb so it's easy to handle in slippery conditions. The coldest I ever rode was in December '95 -15C (5F), this is as cold as it ever gets here. When I hit 55mph I felt the wind chill sucking the heat out of me! 

Stuart

[racerman_27410]

16 degrees F.   my motoport kevlar suit ,  tourmaster synergy electric jacket liner , synergy pants liner and first gear carbon electric gloves..... on MEDIUM heat level!

just as warm as riding in a car  but have to be careful of grip and lean angles   


KOokaloo!

[Flying Scotsman]

Seeing how the snow storm is rolling accross a lot of places right now, I'm curious.  What is the coldest weather anyone has ridden in (for more than 10-15 minutes)?
I rode to work this morning (about 30 miles each way) in 18*F weather.  I'm sure someone else can easily beat that one, but for here that's pretty damn cold.  Good thing is the FJ fired right to life and performed excellent as always.  Several people commented on me being a mix of crazy, stupid and thick headed.  I just love to ride, no matter the weather.  If the bike starts, moves and the road is able to hold me, I'm on it.

What about you?   

Went out on my birthday this year Jan 14th,it was 19 deg and I was ok.I had some layers on no heated gear.I did have a problem with my throttle cable coming lose from the carb linkage so came back after about 45 min.I have had my waverunner out when the air temp was under 30 deg  and that was colder because of the water spraying on me.I will be going out again as soon as I get a good enough day weather wise.

[andyb]

Dunno what the temp was, but it was snowing pretty hard.  Not fun on a `87 CBR1000.

[mz_rider]

On the subject of winter weather I found a photo from about 1985 when I lived in a tenement and the bike lived in the street. I actually tried getting it moving but the rear drum brake froze on.

Stuart

[mz_rider]

What happened? try again

[Flying Scotsman]

What temp does the battery freeze ?.Will keeping it on a battery tender stop it from freezing ?.

[Scooterbob]

All this and only 1 vote?  I guess the real answer is "stupid" then.   

[rktmanfj]

What temp does the battery freeze ?.Will keeping it on a battery tender stop it from freezing ?.

It varies with the state of charge... better charge = lower freezing point.

Fully discharged - 32F or thereabouts.

Randy T
Indy

[Kopfjaeger]

Ain't got snow... but i do remeber riding down from QLD