Will you take your bike out if the weather is between 50-60 degree?

Question

It's gonna be 55 degree this Sunday, and I wanna ride so bad. Will people think I'm crazy if I take my bike out? I have seen a Harley dude riding in 30s degree weather, and my whole family in the car said he's insane.

Answer 1

It's really a matter of comfort. In a tee-shirt and jeans, with no windshield, you'll get really cold and it won't be fun. But with a warm jacket, maybe with a liner or a sweater under it, and warm gloves, you might be quite comfortable. I often ride in the 50s.



I think the hard limit is freezing. If it's below freezing there could be 'black ice' on the road. I don't know how people handle that on a motorcycle, but I've known a number of people who have ridden on ice and snow.



A friend and I had a plan to go over the Sierras (here in California) a couple years ago, to a maximum height of about 9500 feet. He couldn't go until the 1st week in October, and then we rode all the way across the Central Valley (about 100 mi.) only to find that the pass had been closed by snow. We decided to have lunch and ride home. But by the time we were finished with lunch, the pass was open again. So we took off.



It turned out the pass had just been plowed. There was a foot of snow on the ground all around us, and I was scared to death we'd hit patches of ice on the road. But we didn't. The next morning it had snowed again and our bikes were covered with snow! And we came back over the same pass.



The thing is, despite the snow, despite the cold, I was never uncomfortable. I wore my all-temperature jacket (mesh shell, thinsulate liner) and my heavy gloves and a balaclava. I actually enjoyed the cold temperature!



Also having a windshield or fairing makes a HUGE difference when it's really cold. It's that blast of air in your face that makes you cold. 8^P

Answer 2

I ride all year long, provided the roads are clear. I won't ride on ice/snow covered streets. I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid. Coldest day I road this year was about 5 degrees... the only issue for anyone riding in that sort of weather is how you prepare for it. You can't go out in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt... you will die. Layers, with the top layer being windproof, is the way to go. Heated gear is good too, but I don't use it. My bike has a fairing, which helps a lot, and detachable lower fairings that go over the engine guards too. I wear a 3/4 helmet with face shield and a microfleece balaclava. My choice for wind proofing is leather, but it doesn't have to be.



Proper preparation is the key to any riding, not just cold weather.

Answer 3

Why are you worrying so much about what other people think ? I am in UK, have not ridden a bike for some time, but when I was younger a bike was my sole transport. So it was ridden all weathers, and here we don't get bad winters but it is sub 55 for 4 months of the year. Do what you want to do...

Answer 4

50-60 is nothing bad. It wouldn't stop me if I wanted/needed to ride. It was 4 here yesterday morning! I don't particularly care what OTHER people think. If YOU do, I think you need to live in a bubble.



I rode in the winter because my car broke.

Being cold is about how you dress, the speed you travel and your general toughness.



There is less traction as the temperature gets less.

There may be salt or other sloppy/slippery stuff on the street if you get winter where you are.

Answer 5

I ride my bike down to around freezing, then grab the heated gear.



Yes, people will think you are insane, but many of those think you are insane just because you ride period.



Dress for the weather. Just because it is warm standing in the sun, it won't be when riding at speed in 50 degree weather. You are creating your own windchill.

Answer 6

Of course I would. I rode my bike in 30 degree weather. Weather doesn't mean a thing when you have a heart for riding. Neither do their opinions either.

Answer 7

50 degrees here today, and I just got back. I wasn't cold at all. The only real downside is the road conditions. They are salty, wet, and full of gravel in the turns. I've ridden in temps as low as zero degrees Fahrenheit before, but not very far and it was mostly to be able to say I did it.

Answer 8

I've ridden in temps as low as 19 before factoring in wind chill and road chill while moving. It can be done, but has to be planned for. Anywhere north of 50 shouldn't raise an eyebrow. Dress warm, and always be on the look out for hypothermia when riding in colder temps. It's slow and sneaky so you really have to watch for it. It can happen even in warmer temps.

Answer 9

Well, I am dumb,and I am also stupid. I have ridden down to negative 20. Look at your owners manuel. It will tell you what oil you should use for different tempuratures. I have a 250 Yamaha v-star. Using 10W40 it is good from 10 to 110 F. Below 10 you will need a thinner oil. But, the bike is not the weak link. the rider is.

Answer 10

i rode to work 20 mins one way this entire winter average of ~40 or so down to the 20s some mornings .. 55 is nothing if you dress right .. i actually prefer 60-65 theres less bugs and if you do dress right theres no sweating .. summer weather is sticky hot and bugs everywhere, but really the only thing that stops me is water, and not so much me im worried about, but i dont like to slime my nice bikes with road grime ...

Answer 11

Once the overnight temperature stops dropping below zero and the temperature at 8 am averages 50, my season has started. And I have ridden in below freezing temperatures. You just have to dress for it, that's all. But I don't tend to ride in the winter.

Answer 12

Yes. I understand some people don't ride when it is cold but it really does not need to be a barrier. Instead of electric heating in grips or gloves I prefer bar muffs, keep the wind and rain off and conditions are easily bearable.

Answer 13

Of course.

For me, that temp is a summer's night. Typical of my daily ride home.

If I had kept my bike at the top of the driveway like I used to, I would have been riding last month.



I still don't believe you ride.

Answer 14

Why wouldn't you? In the mornings it is usually in the low 50s here, I ride in slacks and a long sleeved shirt, not a problem. If I want to be warm, I wear a jacket.

Answer 15

Why care what people think? You will be out in the fresh air getting exercise so they should be jealous! :) 55 degrees isn't too cold to ride a bike. Do it!!! :)

Answer 16

Before I got my first car, I rode my street bike for 2 years straight.

Winter, spring, summer, fall.

Riding through a snow storm was just another day.

Answer 17

Do it all the time and it rains here too (usually a lot, not so much this year) so my wet-weather gear is better than sitting at home. Also run all-season tires and watch my butt when around 35F in the sun.

Answer 18

Just add layers underneath the riding gear. Not rocket science. Agree about the motorcycle balaclava. The hands get cold unless you have electric gloves.

Answer 19

I have , if I was just going here or there locally . But , it's not what I do -- rather , it's what will you do .

Dress warm , and yes there is always a major draft . That is what motorcycle riding does .

Answer 20

13 Celsius ? Of course!

I just did, in sandals (OK it was only a mile to the store and back).

Answer 21

if you wear proper gear and heavy clothes you should be fine.