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Question: Would it be a good idea to ride a motorcycle all year long?

(Posted by: Mark on 2010-03-09 20:31:01)

I live in Virginia.

Posted by: megan on 2010-03-09, 20:33:37

Hmm doesnt it snow there?? that wouldnt be a good idea.. but if u lived in the south (im in southern alabama almost florida) then yes they do it here all year

Posted by: pieeatinguy on 2010-03-09, 20:40:43

Depends entirely on your weather and your needs. I would ride all year long if it wasn't for the -40 temps. and the 3-5 feet of snow here.

Posted by: Proud American on 2010-03-09, 20:46:43

I ride all year where I'm at. The weather is about the same as Virginia. Of course I don't ride when it snows or is below freezing but I still manage to ride at least once a week even in the dead of winter.

Posted by: James on 2010-03-09, 20:47:39

Not if the temperature goes below freezing. There are no snow tires for bikes, and no such thing as rustproofing either. For most people, around 50 degrees F is the lower temperature limit for comfortable riding. Below that, the wind chill gets pretty hard to deal with. There's electric clothing available, but for most riders cold weather takes the fun out of it. Also, when it's cold, car drivers are even less likely than normal to look out for motorcycles. I shortened my riding seasons a number of years ago when I crashed on black ice on a sunny mid-November afternoon. It was over 40 degrees, but I hit ice which had remained frozen in the shadow of an overpass.

Posted by: Hormazd Irani on 2010-03-09, 20:59:48

Not unless you have no other available mode of transport. In a motorcycle we are totally exposed to the elements. It has been observed that when it is sunny, it is the most fun. It is least fun to ride, when it is raining, in the cold and in the foggy conditions. That is when you wish you had the security and cover of a car or the bus. Think about it. Besides even if you venture out and your body cannot withstand it, the time you spend being sick will be a reminder to you that it is not worth the effort.

Posted by: Dimo J on 2010-03-09, 20:59:54

My ol' man was a Cycle Cop in Detroit -- rode 8 hours a day all year around. And that was before wussy heated garments. If you are willing to endure the cold and the wet you can save a LOT of money over driving a cage. If you have a cage for the ugly weather the motorcycle will not save enough in gas money to pay for itself. Only you can state whether or not you are willing to endure. And probably not until you have tried.

Posted by: Rango on 2010-03-09, 22:01:05

Sure, if you want to. We ride because we enjoy it, if you are tough enough to ride all year, then dont let anyone to tell you not to. there are people in Alaska that ride year round. In Russia they used to make a ural motorcycle that had a sidecar with power to both rear wheels, made for year round riding in Siberia. \ You can fit studded traction tires on a motorcycle and ride on any road in any weather. Gotta have balls though, I'm not that tough but I ride at least some whenever I can, missed January this winter, every other month I have ridden, and this is in Montana.

Posted by: Dustin on 2010-03-09, 22:14:48

You can buy a set for 250s and 450s that have a track that you can put in place of the back tire and a ski for the from tire when it snows and there supposed to work good and they can be used in sand too

Posted by: Mr. Smartypants on 2010-03-09, 22:47:50

I live in California and I ride year-round. When I got my first 'big' bike I got a rainsuit and decided I'd ride in any weather. And it wasn't too bad in the rain, but it got tired of suiting up, dealing with the rainsuit, glove covers and booties added about 15 min. at both ends of the ride. So I seldom ride in the rain (luckily it doesn't rain here much). I do have a car, and I use it when I have to carry several people, or a big package, or when it rains. The rest of the time I ride one of my bikes (I have two), It's never too cold here (behind a fairing, that really helps). And I really enjoy it too. And I don't have the problem of putting the bike in storage for several months every year.

Posted by: Max Cruise on 2010-03-10, 03:33:55

I believe you folks had lots of snow this winter. Imagine trying to ride a motorcycle during one of the many snow storms that hit the Atlantic states. I know it does rain in Virginia. Do you like riding in the rain? I wish I lived in an area I could ride year round. But I don't. We are just seeing temps in the 40s here in the Chicago, Illinois area. And it is raining. It would be hard to get motivated to don the rain gear and head to work. So is it a good idea? It all depends on your situation. And the type of motorcycle. I ride a big touring bike. I have more protection from the elements and hard bags and trunk. I stay warm due to Gerbing heated riding gear. And I am slightly safer due to the fact I have lots of lights on my bike and it is yellow. Sport bike for instance has none of these advantages. Good Luck

Posted by: Tim D on 2010-03-10, 06:33:55

I ride year round in Britain. Rain is no problem, snow can be a pain but dealt with, ice makes it tricky. btw Road salt or whatever it is they spread on the roads will cause even the best steel to disintegrate before your eyes.

Posted by: ddrum on 2010-03-10, 08:28:28

I'm from VA also and if you can ride a bike year round you're a better man than I. Of course that's not saying a hell of a lot. It will be extra fun in our all too common ice storms.

Posted by: Firecracker . on 2010-03-10, 18:47:04

It's not really a good idea, but it's fun as hell.