New rider question

[matt415]

I have been a Buell owner for a whole six days now and the weather has only cooperated for two of them. I am new to the bike and new to riding but I really want to get some time on my new bike before it gets really cold in Pennsylvania. If I can stay warm, is it any more dangerous to ride a motorcycle when its 40 degrees versus 60? Thanks for your input.

 

[Thaloc]

With colder tires and roads your tires wont be as tacky so you wont have as much grip. Plus snow/ice/rain will of course all contribute. Just dont lean on her too much and take your time feeling her out and you'll be fine.

 

[Sayjackb]

No, not really, the bike should preform better in the cool temps.

once you put about 2 miles on the bike, even with freezing asphault, the tires will be warm (to the touch) warm rubber is more pliable and maliable which allows you the same amount of traction you would have on a warmer day....

When it gets near 40, be aware of brindges and over passes, the fact that the air can cool the structure all the way through makes the formation of Black ice due to super cooling much more likely.

and in the end, don't ride if you don't feel up to it. If you are 5 miles away from home and get a feeling like you probably shouldn't ride, pull over and give someone a call to get you and your bike home. Better to wimp out then to check out... But then again, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, and inflates your ego making it more likely that it will kill you the second time around HA HA....

Dude, Have fun, Use Common Sense, Be Alert, BE SAFE!!!

 

[ADAMLEE]

Wheelies are extremely easy in the rain, try stop stopies as well!

I'd say take it easy, there is a lot of torque with thee bikes and you don't want it coming out from underneath you.

 

[climberfreak]

nah man your fine . . . just have common sense and you will be fine

please let me know if you have no common sense then ill get deeper into the dont ride in the snow and ice theory

 

[ROJO]

That is the only thing I'm gonna miss about my quad. Riding in the snow is the jam!!!!

I'm pretty new myself (August) Matt. Just take it easy when it's cold. The bike will be fine, it's your body that will not want to work in the colder weather.

 

[Stevenc150]

Just dont lean on her too much and take your time feeling her out and you'll be fine.

Ditto here. Just watch the throttle in the corners. Wait till you exit or come on the throttle slowly when exiting a corner. I was going to church on a 35 degree morning last month, leaned into a right hairpin, punched a little too hard, and had the tail kicked out to my left....way left. Just kept my front tire pointed where I wanted to go and it lined back up without a hitch. My wife was behind me said it was almost full broadside, but she exhaggerates. [smirk]

Anyway, welcome to the Site Matt. [up] Ride Safe.

 

[matt415]

Thanks everyone for the replies. These forums are great, tons of useful info.

 

[08pegasus]

where in pa are you from. im in centre county only seen 2 other buells from here to harrisburg

 

[Thaloc]

Ride Safe.

Ride FAST! TAKE CHANCES!

No just kidding, but I couldn't help myself.

 

[RegulatorMIA]

never a better time to learn how to wag than when you're in the rain lol. if you dont know what i'm talking about then you shouldn't be trying it anyways just be super careful and ride like you actually want to make it home in one piece and you'll be fine

 

[matt415]

I live in Manayunk just outside of Philly. Never seen another Buell around here. I am all for driving my car sideways but I dont have any plans to find out what it feels like on a bike.

 

[RegulatorMIA]

seems like a good enough plan lol.

 

[GatorBuell]

Another think most people dont think about when its cold is not the bikes performance but the riders performance. If you ride cold your reaction time is slower and its harder to use the controls, Very cold will even makes concentration and mental awareness less so if your freezing stop and get warm or get home. Just food for thought.

 

[Stevenc150]

I am all for driving my car sideways but I dont have any plans to find out what it feels like on a bike.

Right on bro. I love kicking the rear of my Hemi out around curves, but my butt was puckered up so tight when that bike kicked out on me, couldn't have stuck a needle in my rump.

 

[XBear9S]

If I can stay warm, is it any more dangerous to ride a motorcycle when its 40 degrees versus 60? Thanks for your input.

No. Is 40°f cold???

It's only more dangerous if yer tearing into an unknown, blind corner, @ 3 times the speed limit, washed out w/gravel and yer a freshly picked squid with grease drippin' from your 50's styled haircut; sans helmet...

Then yer screwed...
But ifin' you got a 50's styled haircut drippin' w/grease, you probably deserve it!

Ride fast! Take chances!

You can always sue me for bad advice.
You won't get anything...
But you can sue me.

Robtk! a.k.a. "Special K"

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were to live forever.
Lean as if you were to touch your elbow to the ground!"

--M2hatma Gandhi