From: dc-cycles-digest-request@XXXXXX (The dc-cycles list administrator) To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Errors-To: dc-cycles-digest-request@XXXXXX Subject: dc-cycles digest for 12/23/05 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ __ /-----\ __ 'dc-cycles' is an unmoderated email discussion list (__\/ _____ \/__) about motorcycling in the Washington D.C. area. =( \___/ )= \ ___ / An archive of the dc-cycles list is available at: | / _ \ | http://www.dc-cycles.org/ \ || || / \|| ||/ Subscribe/unsubscribe requests should be sent to: \| |/ dc-cycles-digest-request@XXXXXX |_| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2005 23:36:48 -0500 From: skip To: adamme@XXXXXX CC: DC-Cycles Subject: Re: [dc-cycles] ?Anyone out there? adamme@XXXXXX wrote: > ..ok, I admit it. I'm a super turbo power wussy when it comes to cold weather. Ain't NO WAY I'll ride in this kind of weather. ain't nothing wrong with that. it's a tool, it's a toy, it -is- what it is -to you- I've got nothing to prove to the other jokers on the road; the challenge of surviving the cold and potential loss of traction holds no sway over me. I ride because I enjoy it, and only ride when I -will- enjoy it. blue skies, gentle breezes! --skip _ _ _ _ .-.-.=\-. .-.-.=\-. .-.-.=\-. .-.-.=\-. (_)=='(_) (_)=='(_) (_)=='(_) (_)=='(_) Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 08:17:17 -0800 (PST) From: Leon Begeman Subject: Re: [dc-cycles] ?Anyone out there? To: skip , DC-Cycles --- skip wrote: > blue skies, gentle breezes! Tonight after work I leave for my daughters house in Monmouth County, NJ. Because of the longer than normal ride, I figured it would be prudent to find my electric clothes. This morning on the way in to work, I had to keep the face shield up to prevent overheating. It's a nice day out there, and with electric clothes, it's a warm day. I like this nice weather. Leon. '03 V-Strom on most days this winter. _ _ _ _ .-.-.=\-. .-.-.=\-. .-.-.=\-. .-.-.=\-. (_)=='(_) (_)=='(_) (_)=='(_) (_)=='(_) From: "Doug Allis" To: dc-cycles-digest-request@XXXXXX, dc-cycles@XXXXXX Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 16:48:58 -0500 Subject: [dc-cycles] Cold Weather Riding One of the reasons I got my Honda Pacific Coast 7 years ago was b/c I wanted to ride 12 months of the year to my office. Free parking, protected HOV access on I-95 and a straight shot up I395 from Springfield were all great on my 1985 Nighthawk CBC-650, but it was cold the first winter... even with a windshield. Plus the bike didn't handle so well with the big w/s one I used in winter. I rode b/c I liked it, and b/c of the time involved. To go the 16 miles on the bike during rush hour was 20 to 40 minutes max. Metro takes 60 minutes minumum. I owned the bike.... I could gas it up and ride it, or I could winterize it, let it sit and pay Metro. I already loved winter. I ski and I grew up in Syracuse NY, I know how to dress for cold... it's called layers. Call me nuts, but I went out and bought the warmest winter riding suit I could find. For less than $250.00 the Fieldsheer one piece suit seemed to fill the bill. Add the warmest leather ski MITTENS I could find and a warm pair of socks. On the coldest days.... 20 degrees and below I wear my normal work dress pants, shirt, sweater and fleese pants over my pants. I DON'T NOT GET COLD on the PC. I don't use heated grips, vests or any of that crap. I always wondered what would happen to me if they failed? I'd freeze! I have direct access to the Fairfax Co Parkway entrence to 95. 100 yards on a side road is all I have to do. I DO NOT do ice. If you want to ride during the winter you can, but don't expect to do it on a poorly faired bike or without the proper clothing! _ _ _ _ .-.-.=\-. .-.-.=\-. .-.-.=\-. .-.-.=\-. (_)=='(_) (_)=='(_) (_)=='(_) (_)=='(_) Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 17:19:12 -0500 From: Paul Wilson To: dc-cycles@XXXXXX Subject: Re: [dc-cycles] Cold Weather Riding On 12/23/05, Doug Allis wrote: > One of the reasons I got my Honda Pacific Coast 7 years ago was b/c I wanted > to ride 12 months of the year to my office. Free parking, protected HOV > access on I-95 and a straight shot up I395 from Springfield ... > > If you want to ride during the winter you can, but don't expect to do it on > a poorly faired bike or without the proper clothing! > This is my 6th winter of riding non-stop, (pace Carl Custer) with only the occasional hiatus due to ice and snow. I've done it on naked bikes (CB750), mini-faired (VF500F) and now on the KLR650 (OK wind protection on the chest, but that's about it) and VFR750 (better wind protection, but it ain't no PC or a land barge like a 'Wing either). I've not had to resort to extreme clothing measures, and usually don't bother with electrics just for the ride to work. On longer rides the electrics get the call. My commute is short (~9 miles and 25-30 minutes) and I guess you just get used to it. It does get a little unpleasant below 10 degrees F. ;-) One advantage: you don't need to futz around "winterizing" your bikes if you just keep on riding them! I usually ride the KLR four days a week and the VFR once a week, just to keep the oil moving and the battery in good shape. Besides I'm too lazy to push it to the other side of the street for alternate-side street cleaning. That lasts until the first week in January in the District. I'll take the VFR out on the weekends throughout the winter, if it's nice, i.e., no salt slop on the roads. Happy Holidays everybody. -- Paul in DC - www.wilsonline.org 95 VFR - 90 KLR