POLL: Cold weather riding...

[WestBrantKid]

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"
In fact, according to a Quebec, Canada highway safety code regulation that went into effect on December 15, 2014, only tires that meet the 3PMSF standard are considered to be acceptable snow tires for use in Quebec. The law specifies the winter months there as ranging between December 15 and March 15 each year. Winter vehicle requirements may differ by region, so it’s worth familiarizing yourself with what’s legal in your area before you go tire shopping.


While you’ll find many motorcycle tires that bear M+S designation, the Anlas Winter Grip Plus is one of the only (if not the only) motorcycle tires with a 3PMSF rating as of January 2022. "

Ask RideApart: Are There Motorcycle Snow Tires?

I think you're right. I searched the internet for hours/days/weeks and those were the only ones I found. Then I spent many more hours looking for a supplier/dealer in North America (there aren't any!), then many more hours, and emails, to England to find a supplier willing to ship to Canada.

Anlas had another winter tire, too, but seems to have been discontinued. Can't remember the name now.

 

[48Connor]

If you made me ride when it was below 10C or raining I'd sell the bike.

 

[Mad Mike]

+5 and dry for me. Could care less about being cold, my primary concern is grip and slip.

 

[TwistedKestrel]

I don't trust the road when it's below 5. Had bikes skrrt sideways enough times when it was colder than that to be comfortable dropping the marker there. Maybe modern electronics would make that less hairy? But I also don't like salty bikes. I get plenty of riding opportunities the rest of the year

 

[mimico_polak]

My comment is simply 15C because…

1. My tolerance for cold is quickly disappearing with age
2. Grip is garbage in low temps and black ice abounds
3. People don’t expect you in those temps. They barely see us during warm months and you expect them to see us in the colder weather?

I had a motorcycle blow by me today and it startled me as he came so close and i wasn’t Expecting him at all.

 

[ToSlow]

I had a motorcycle blow by me today and it startled me as he came so close and i wasn’t Expecting him at all.

Don’t you just hate that

 

[mimico_polak]

Don’t you just hate that

Nah. Was waiting to turn left and he came out of nowhere.

Today was nice here in the GTA but just around Orangeville I saw more snow and more slipper spots on Hockley. I don’t think I’d be comfortable there on a bike.

 

[Wingboy]

My comment is simply 15C because…

1. My tolerance for cold is quickly disappearing with age
2. Grip is garbage in low temps and black ice abounds
3. People don’t expect you in those temps. They barely see us during warm months and you expect them to see us in the colder weather?

I had a motorcycle blow by me today and it startled me as he came so close and i wasn’t Expecting him at all.

#1.... Bull ****.
#2.... Slow down.
#3.... They never see you.
I'm cold tonite. Extra blanket.

 

[Baggsy]

#1.... Bull ****.
#2.... Slow down.
#3.... They never see you.
I'm cold tonite. Extra blanket.

* We

 

[ToSlow]

Looking off the patio at the ocean from my room at the west gate in Myrtle Beach right now, should have trailer my bike down with me

 

[Homme007]

reading some of y'all saying +5c or even -10c.. I sound like a wimp..... not planning to head back out until it is at least 10c in the morning.. and gets up to 15c in the afternoon... riding this thing is supposed to be a joy.. I am not about to freeze my butt just to say I do it..

but to those who does.. props to you... I sincerely admire your grit... I certain don't have it...

 

[High Flya]

About 7C is the cut-off point for me for local riding. I need double digits for extended rides.

 

[Norcorider]

Ride in whatever temperature, climate , road conditions you enjoy riding. Be it -5 or +15. Nothing to prove.

Nobody is a pansy (as some have referred others) for not riding in cold temperatures if they don't like to or someone like myself who doesn't take bike out before spring. Some like to ride all year long but short distances and others take their bikes out on weekends and log 800 km days. To each their own. Live to ride !!

 

[Lightcycle]

I think you're right. I searched the internet for hours/days/weeks and those were the only ones I found.

They're not the only ones.

I have Mitas (Trelleborg) Winter Friction tires on my dual sport, they're rated 3PMSF:

 

[canuckwr250]

I stop riding once they start salting the roads and in spring I wait for a few good rains to wash all the crud off the roads before I start riding.

 

[Matt Rain]

I rode from Kingston to Toronto yesterday on @mistersouthpaw 's old Shadow 1100. I wore a heated vest and Dickies insulated steel-toed boots which worked well. My winter gloves did not fare so well - I ended up wrapping my fleece-lined helmet bag around my throttle hand which meant I couldn't really operate the front brake. Rear brake only and mostly one-handed (clutch hand resting on the tank) for most of the 300km ride. Fun!

With heated grips (and better overall preparation ) I reckon I could tolerate down to 0c.

For quick jaunts around town temperature doesn't matter, every red light is a reprieve from the cold windblast. I've ridden in -10c. As long as the roads are clear, it's fine.

 

[WestBrantKid]

reading some of y'all saying +5c or even -10c.. I sound like a wimp..... not planning to head back out until it is at least 10c in the morning.. and gets up to 15c in the afternoon... riding this thing is supposed to be a joy.. I am not about to freeze my butt just to say I do it..

but to those who does.. props to you... I sincerely admire your grit... I certain don't have it...

You're not a wimp. I was the same for years because you need the right gear for the right weather, and gear so expensive and VERY overpriced. I made the decision to to invest in the great and could afford to stop so because it saves me a lot of gas money from the 5.7L I was driving.

 

[WestBrantKid]

They're not the only ones.

I have Mitas (Trelleborg) Winter Friction tires on my dual sport, they're rated 3PMSF:

I did see Mitas winters, but they have been discontinued. I don't think you'll find those anymore. Correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe you'll find old stock, I couldn't.

 

[Lightcycle]

I did see Mitas winters, but they have been discontinued. I don't think you'll find those anymore. Correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe you'll find old stock, I couldn't.

I just bought mine a couple of months ago. They had lots in stock. Where did you hear they were discontinued?

I bought mine here:

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Fortnine also carries them:

https://fortnine.ca/en/catalogsearch/result/?q=winter%20friction

 

[WestBrantKid]

I rode from Kingston to Toronto yesterday on @mistersouthpaw 's old Shadow 1100. I wore a heated vest and Dickies insulated steel-toed boots which worked well. My winter gloves did not fare so well - I ended up wrapping my fleece-lined helmet bag around my throttle hand which meant I couldn't really operate the front brake. Rear brake only and mostly one-handed (clutch hand resting on the tank) for most of the 300km ride. Fun!

With heated grips (and better overall preparation ) I reckon I could tolerate down to 0c.

For quick jaunts around town temperature doesn't matter, every red light is a reprieve from the cold windblast. I've ridden in -10c. As long as the roads are clear, it's fine.

A trick I've been told, which doesn't help me on a Katana, is to place your hand on the motor at each stop to warm it up. For me, I could only fit a couple fingers inside the fairing, lol.

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