Autumn/Fall Riding

[GB #121]

Thought best to change the V-Strom/VFR etc comparison bun fight...

Monday night, heading home from Aberdeen (Scotland), there were extended patches of cold rain and temperatures dipped to about 5 deg C. It took almost an hour to warm up when I got in the door :shock: . I considered investing in a DC plug and heated vest.

Our good summer weather now appears lost and I didn't get back out on the V-Strom either yesterday or this morning. I've since flown out to a few oilrigs in the UK North Sea until next week :x.

What's the V-Strom experience elsewhere? Somebody mentioned snow State-side...when are the bikes going away this year? There are some here who ride their other sport model Suzuki's all year round (including snow). I took my previous 600cc Bandit out mid-February last and dropped it on a hitherto un-noticed patch of ice down a farm road (into the ditch). Would rather not repeat that experience with the Strom, a number of you have pointed out how difficult it is to get it off the ground!

[rider1951]

Here in Oregon I ride year round if there is no snow or ice on the ground. I don't like to ride in the rain but if I'm out and it starts oh well you got to get home. I have heated clothing so staying warm is not a problem as temps are usually in the high 30s to 50s. So if it is dry I'm ready to ride.

[Viggen]

Howdy
I've heard from a number of people that the Strom doesn't like winter, the road grit and salt really attack it compared to other bikes.

I'll probably put mine up in the next month or so and ride the scooter through winter (I don't have a car). I just returned from a nice 3 week 3000 mile trip through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden then a ferry to Newcastle England then rode down to London then back home, it was a great trip but the vibration is getting worse so I'll have to get the clutch basket looked at soon, except I won't go back to my inept dealer so it'll cost me a fortune to ferry it back to the main land to have it done...decisions decisions.

A Canadian stranded on Jersey C.I.

[Trooper246]

Here in Oregon I ride year round if there is no snow or ice on the ground. I don't like to ride in the rain but if I'm out and it starts oh well you got to get home. I have heated clothing so staying warm is not a problem as temps are usually in the high 30s to 50s. So if it is dry I'm ready to ride.

What is snow and ice?? :wink:

[replaced]

Damnit Trooper 246, that's just not cool! :) "Litteraly"
Since many of us are not as lucky as Steve, we have the challenge of a slippery tarmac come fall-winter time.

Personally, as long as there is no snow-ice on the tarmac, I ride as much as possible. I almost have too. My current commute is abou 80 miles. My Land Rover only gets about 12 mpg, and at a $1.90 per gallon (have to run premium) it gets a bit pricey.

I wear a Hien Girkin pants with a First Gear jacket, BMW electric vest, First Gear insulated gloves with Hot Hands grip warmers (evaluation on this site) and of course riding boots. It's really a non-issue for me, as long as I don't need to turn my head and I don't have to pee.

Today I opted to wear my MX helmet because the sun was in my face the whole time to work (1 hr ride). I like the MX lid because the visor helps get the sun out of my eyes. (Same thing on the way home)

It was very chilly today, so I wore a respirator (dust mask style) with exhaust flap (keeps from getting breath mist-spit all over face) and it was great. My face stayed warm, and my breathing was much more relaxed then when my face is exposed to the elements with cool (Cold) air.

So there you go, if you get a bunch of snow, strap some chains to the rear tire, a ski on the front and have a blast.

Brendan
(Snow should be here in December, but in Indiana you never know)

[YLO-JKT]

Know where to buy that ski & chains because snow is probably about 3 wks away and stays until around april

[GB #121]

Up until that very moment I had fancy dreams of one day moving back home, either to Calgary or Banff or Canmore.

Guess I'll just have to take up the bagpipes...and keep riding my Strom all winter long (sans the odd few days with snow or freezing rain)! Especially since Costco is now selling root beer here, and the Leafs/Jays are on satellite television.

Cheers.

[Trooper246]

Damnit Trooper 246, that's just not cool! :) "Litteraly"
Since many of us are not as lucky as Steve, we have the challenge of a slippery tarmac come fall-winter time.


Yea, but the price we pay was reflected in a Deals Gap t-shirt I saw today, Ride Florida, 11 turns in 318 miles!