Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 125
Likes: 12
Joined: Apr 11, 2014 8:46:25 GMT -5
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Post by william42 on Oct 20, 2014 7:34:34 GMT -5
When I got my scooter back in early March it has been my main mode of transportation, as long as there isn't rain in the forecast. Now we're well into October and it's getting chilly again, Thank God! (It's frickin' hot in northern Mississippi in the summer-for this Yankee anyway). A month ago a found a deal on a pair of Carhart coveralls (which will go nicely with my Carhart jacket) so I bought them in anticipation of the approaching winter because I plan on using my main mode of transportation year 'round. I really don't have to worry about it getting below freezing down here until late December and into January but for the most part it will remain above freezing all winter long. So if it doesn't snow or freezing rain I'll be riding "Betsy Mae" throughout the winter months. I was just wondering what part of the country, or world, y'all are from and how long into the winter you'll be riding barring any foul weather. I'd like to get a trunk sticker that reads "Global warming is not my fault".  |
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Post by scootdoggydog on Oct 20, 2014 9:56:39 GMT -5
last year in chicago was really rough but i rode through most of it. Its not so much the cold for me as it is the road conditions and you really dont know how theyre going to be untill you get out there. As far as the cold goes it doesnt bother me too much I bundle up and feel more protected than i usually do but that polar vortex was brutal and couldnt really ride as long or as far without freezing.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 20, 2014 11:29:29 GMT -5
William42,
When I was young, I rode my Harley chopper year-round in Chicago... Below-zero, on ice and snow... THAT was THEN... 50 years ago. Today, I've been in the Dallas, TX area for over 30 years, and am used to the 100-degree heat. I can comfortably ride much of the year, but winters here vary from almost "tropical" warm, to almost "northern" cold. I have to just play it by ear. One January will be in the sunny 60's, another may be around zero with a foot of snow.
My current scooter (an old Kymco 250 Grandvista) has a factory GIVI windshield that provides a "bubble" of comfort all the way down to around 45 degrees! It even protects my hands... In a half-century of riding, I've never before encountered a bike of any kind with that kind of all-weather comfort. It's amazing.
Whatever your riding weather, RIDE SAFE!
Leo in Texas
PS: A few years back, I spent some time in Olive Branch Mississippi. I was prepared for a "Deliverance" experience, but found that place to be THE most FRIENDLY and welcoming place a stranger could ask for... So, two BIG thumbs up for Mississippi from the Old Chopper Guy!
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Post by pmatulew on Oct 20, 2014 11:55:48 GMT -5
Without really bundling up to the point of being uncomfortable, I draw the line in the mid 40's for a short commute ride. I was able to ride one day last week, but the last few days we've been waking up to low 30's. This time of year the weather is a crapshoot. You just never know.
Once the roads roads start getting sloppy, (it's not uncommon to see snow by Halloween), we're pretty much done for the winter. You might get a nice clear day here or there to go out and scratch that itch. Otherwise it will be March or April before we can get out on a regular basis again.
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Post by scootdoggydog on Oct 20, 2014 13:00:35 GMT -5
I dont know how you could ride a harley chopper in the snow when i encounter any snow with my scooter i start fishtailing like crazy
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Post by xyshannen on Oct 20, 2014 13:19:46 GMT -5
Here in Jacksonville FL You can ride year round. We have cold fronts that come down all winter long but the cold only lasts a few days..sometimes it might even snow a little on one of those days... Then 2 days later it's in thee 70s again. But and this is a big but mornings and nights can be pretty cold. Right now I'm sittin outside sipping an ice tea smokin a seegar in 80 degree weather.  |
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Post by mftic on Oct 20, 2014 18:15:04 GMT -5
Last year 0400 going to work. Truck was broke down for 3 months so i rode every day. Obviously not a scooter, but i must have had more wind on me.   Actually had a lot of fun riding everyday. Only thing i missed was the feeling in my legs and hands...also that cup of coffee on the way into work...LOL |
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Post by tvnacman on Oct 20, 2014 19:42:34 GMT -5
Last year 0400 going to work. Truck was broke down for 3 months so i rode every day. Obviously not a scooter, but i must have had more wind on me. Actually had a lot of fun riding everyday. Only thing i missed was the feeling in my legs and hands...also that cup of coffee on the way into work...LOL Low 40's this morning , sometimes I just want that cup a Joe for the ride . I get that . I have not switched from the vespa to the Chinese yet , no need for the heated gear yet . |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 20, 2014 22:01:48 GMT -5
I dont know how you could ride a harley chopper in the snow when i encounter any snow with my scooter i start fishtailing like crazy Fishtailing? Oh, YEAH... Well, so did I... LOL!
I managed simply because I was young, quick-reacting and VERY stupid... The WORST part was trying to kick-start "Old Blue" below freezing. She had near 200 cubic inches, 13:1 compression and was a handful to start in summer weather.
Back then, I was 6' 2" and 375 pounds. THAT did help, but Old Blue would STILL blow me over the ape-hangers once in a while when kicking her over... Decades of riding hard-tail Harleys mashed my old spine, and "chopped" me down some... Got the arthritis to prove it, too! Today, I'm 6' 1" and 230 pounds, and very happy to have electric start... LOL!
Below, is the only surviving photo of me on the chop... You should have HEARD those straight-pipes cackle... SWEETEST sound this side of heaven.
Here I am today, with the missus, and "Minnie Mouse"... I've tamed-down a LOT!
Like many of the members here, if it's below 40, or slippery with snow and ice, I usually use the car...
Ride safe!
Leo
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Post by scooter on Oct 21, 2014 3:44:07 GMT -5
I dont know how you could ride a harley chopper in the snow when i encounter any snow with my scooter i start fishtailing like crazy
Back then, I was 6' 2" and 375 pounds.
Below, is the only surviving photo of me on the chop... You should have HEARD those straight-pipes cackle... SWEETEST sound this side of heaven.
Here I am today, with the missus, and "Minnie Mouse"... I've tamed-down a LOT!
Like many of the members here, if it's below 40, or slippery with snow and ice, I usually use the car...
Ride safe!
Leo
I'm impressed. Big dude, big bike, pretty bada** picture, Leo. |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 21, 2014 3:55:49 GMT -5
Scooter,
I thought I was the only one still up... LOL!
Yeah, back in '62, in that old photo, I was sixteen... Nearly 400 pounds of "all that on a stick" or so I thought... Duh... With age comes wisdom. I think!
With my girth aboard, the hog would still turn in the high-elevens @ 135mph at the local drag-strip. Not much by today's standards, but back then it was CRAZY fast. Now, my teenage fantasy gal-friend who was 4' 6" and an eye-popping "Barbie-Doll" 76 pounds, could run Old Blue down the quarter chin-on-tank, feet on the pillion-pad and shifting WOT, no-clutch with her hand, ripping off a SMOKING 10-flat at 149mph. They didn't call her "Janice the Flying Squirrel" for nuttin'... LOL!
THOSE were the DAYS, my friend!
Ride safe, me for some sleep!
Leo
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Post by scooter on Oct 21, 2014 4:17:18 GMT -5
Scooter,
I thought I was the only one still up... LOL!Yeah, back in '62, in that old photo, I was sixteen... Nearly 400 pounds of "all that on a stick" or so I thought... Duh... With age comes wisdom. I think! OMG! SIXTEEN! What a bruiser! |
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Post by Jarlaxle on Oct 21, 2014 8:31:40 GMT -5
Mine will be parked soon...it gets cold (30s) at night now, and I do not want to get salt on it.
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Post by dmartin95 on Oct 21, 2014 9:45:25 GMT -5
I live in Southwest Michigan and we're already approaching the end of our riding season....Riding is real hit and miss these days...
For me, the lowest temp I would attempt to ride in is in the 40's..... However. I am extremely bundled up at that temp.
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Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 186
Likes: 37
Joined: Jun 13, 2013 15:39:09 GMT -5
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Post by novaraptor on Oct 21, 2014 9:46:35 GMT -5
I'm in Vegas, so basically an all year ride. Once in a great while we get snow, and sometimes around 30 degree weather. I have two windshields, one a cut down summer rider, and a tall winter one. Reasonably comfortable. And to Oldchopperguy, yeah, when we were young, we did things like ride KZ750's in the packed snow. Teaches you to real easy on the brakes... . Of course now, I've learned. I moved off the northern tier.. |
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