What is your wind/weather threshold?

ilektron · Post by **ilektron** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:02 am

What are your thresholds for inclement weather and riding?

The wind is a steady 33mph with gusts up to 43mph and I'm missing riding to work today. It made me wonder,

What is everybody else's wind or other weather threshold?

I tend to take the cage if wind gets above 25mph, and if it rains at all. (It rains here on a workday perhaps 2 times a year). I haven't met my temperature limit yet, coldest I've ridden is probably around 25F

rkcoker · Post by **rkcoker** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 3:25 am

For me rain is my limiting factor, I don't trust others when the roads are wet. 35 degrees is the coldest I've ridden and the wind is more annoying than scary.

ed85379 · Post by **ed85379** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 3:51 am

I've been concerned when I see a high wind forecast, but unless it is tropical storm level, I don't think I'd ever let it stop me.

Rain, the scooter stays home. I've been cause in light rain a couple times, and a downpour once. It sucks. I must've looked funny pulling over to the side of the road and trying to pull my rainsuit on as quickly as possible when that downpour started.

Cold, I've gone out at 33 degrees at the lowest, but that's when I hit black ice and crashed. Since then, the coldest I've done is ~37. With my heated glove liners and long underwear, the cold doesn't bother me at all. But with the liners on, I lose digital dexterity, which makes me nervous, and therefore less than comfortable. Perhaps next winter I'll try the wind-blocking mounted hand-guard things.

ilektron · Post by **ilektron** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:53 am

I agree. I think for me, the thought of other drivers in the rain is what keeps me off the roads. They have enough problems avoiding smaller vehicles in the best conditions.

Am I the only wuss that chooses not to ride in the wind? In my defense, the 395 and 14 were closed near me to vehicles towing trailers today.

Spiffy · Post by **Spiffy** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:17 am

no wind threshold... at least not until I get blown out of my lane... been close, but it hasn't happened, yet...

no cold threshold, but I won't go out on the ice until the cars wear some tracks for me to follow... I don't like having to put my feet out too often...

with the cold I've just been getting warmer clothes...

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:24 am

I'm not a fan of wind gusts 15 mph and faster; rain is a bummer; 50 degrees and higher is preferred, but 40 degrees is okay if I layered enough; any colder and I get skittish since I slid on black ice on a manhole cover when I was injured

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:15 pm

Wind scared me early on, but unless you combine it with a certified phobia (e.g. height when crossing a bridge) or other weather (e.g. rain) it doesn't really bother me any more.

I don't like riding in the rain, but that's as much about getting wet as it is about road conditions.

Cold down to, say, 25ºF I can deal with for short rides (just bundle up) but that tends to combine with bad road conditions which are the real problem in winter.

Snow and ice are my kryptonite. Ice on the road scares the shit out of me, which is why I'm so relieved that the local weather has just stopped dropping below freezing overnight.

jasondavis48108 · Post by **jasondavis48108** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 2:05 pm

I try not to ride when the wind is steady and above 30mph as that seems to be when it wants to blow me off the road. As for temp, I've ridden down into the 20's but generally these days I want it to be above freezing (black ice scares the crap out of me and it almost took me out a few winters ago). If the roads are really dry then I'd say 20-25 degrees is my cut off point.

Rippinyarn · Post by **Rippinyarn** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 2:18 pm

I was on my heavy scoot (Reflex) yesterday and made the calculated choice to take I-75 to work to save 15 minutes. During one gust, I swear that the front wheel lightened so much I thought that I was popping a wheelie. The winds were forecast at 20-30 yesterday, with potential gusts of 40 and I would think that I got a solid 45 mph gust (along with WOT) off my right beam that was the convincer

I took Woodward home.

Temps are easier on me. My lowest was 15 for the last two winters before this one, but a combination of mild winter and remembering ice on the inside of the visor has kept me off at about 20 degrees this year. As long as there is no ice, or the potential for a thaw and a freeze, I'll be out there in 24 degrees every time. I especially like the cold, dry, clear days. There is nothing like it, as long as you are comfortable.

Rain isn't a problem. I've got great gear and I figure if rain was a problem with scoots, the whole "Mods" thing would have never happened. Yeah, I (carefully) ride in the rain.

hal888 · Post by **hal888** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 2:39 pm

On shorter trips it doesn't matter much, but I prefer not riding in wind above 30 mph or so on my 18 mile commute to work. There are areas of wide-open space next to my route, and gusts above 40 mph are fairly common around here.

Temps above 30 F, otherwise I'm a Popsicle when I get to work. Light or scattered rain is OK, but I also try to avoid the heavy stuff.

Lotrat · Post by **Lotrat** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 3:47 pm

I started riding when I lived in Chicago and since moving to San Diego 16 years ago my tolerance to cold has dropped. I used to ride as long as the streets were clear of snow and dry. Now if I need to wear gloves to keep my hands warm, then it's probably too cold for me... but that doesn't happen much around here.

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 4:14 pm

If there's anything frozen on the road or falling from the sky*, I ride the bus. I also park it when it's raining really, really hard. I think I did that maybe twice this year - actually during late fall. As for wind, it hasn't really stopped me. Once or twice, I've been caught in a wind that was a little bit scary, but for the most part, it hasn't been an issue. I'm more concerned with gusty winds than steady winds. The gusts are the ones that take you by surprise.

(*have to asterisk that because it was snowing really lightly when I rode in yesterday. I knew it would melt as soon as it hit the ground, though, so it didn't bother me.)

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 4:53 pm

I've done a short work commute in 12f temps, but I don't advise it.

Mostly if it's above 25 when I am to leave the house, there's no ice, and it should warm up to above freezing, I'll ride. Otherwise I'm fine putting 15 more miles on the cage

.

Scooterboi · Post by **Scooterboi** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:31 pm

Frozen water on the road. Temp is not a problem but any ice or snow and I take the cage.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:38 pm

For me in Southern California, the only thing I don't ride in is the rain. I don't even chance it in light rain, just because of the potential that it might really come down later. Luckily that's not much time at all. Our winds and 'cold' are not an issue for me.

BigBenlor · Post by **BigBenlor** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:55 pm

Ive done a morning commute in 16 degrees.

I look to make sure no rain/snow for ride in, and ride home times. Then depending on how much frost in on my Girlfriends car window, that helps me figure out if the road will be hiding any slick spots. then I bundle up real good.

Now, I do ride over a tall bridge (climbing a hill) getting to and from work, and when the wind is blowing (accross) it can toss me several feet within my lane. So there are some days where I find that there is just to much wind to ride in, but I'm not sure exactly how much that would really deter me if I really wanted to ride.

Any day with no snow, and temps over 20 I'd concider riding.

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 11:06 pm

BigBenlor wrote:Ive done a morning commute in 16 degrees.

16 degrees is my personal record too. I'll ride in below freezing weather as long as the road is bone dry. Just have to look out for patchy ice that might happen as a result of some non-natural water source. The main ones I've encountered are a huge curbside patch that looked like it might have been from something leaking, the bar that's a couple of blocks from my workplace that dumps out their ice in the morning, and a patch at the exit from a carwash I pass when I take a certain route. Actually, because of that dangerous corner of ice, I take the non-carwash-passing route when it's below freezing.

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 11:08 pm

I don't have any hard numbers for wind but my commute is about 50 minutes on 45 - 50 mph roads. So, I'm usually reading 50-60 bmph. Wind is a real issue at those speeds in wide open places where I have to ride. One area goes by the Rocky Mountain Arsenal which is a huge wide-open area with Bison. the wind can really blow through there. If there are high wind warnings, I'll have to think twice before taking the scooter.

For other weather, I have learned to be OK with rain and have ridden in some pretty heavy stuff.

I will ride in cold temps as long as it's the mid teens or higher. I've come up with good ways to keep warm.
I will not ride in snow or ice and I don't ride until the roads are clear after a snow storm, either.

I keep a pretty keen eye/ear on the weather. Denver is one of those places where "if you don't like the weather, just wait a minute". That's said in a lot of places but it truly applies here. Yesterday was 73 and today I woke up to freezing drizzle frozen to my windshield and the high is 33 with snow. It'll be 57 Friday and Saturday and 61 Sunday. That's Spring in Colorado.

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 1:46 am

My commute is 30 mi. round trip to town and my scooter is my primary transportation, so I really don't have to many limits. I have riden in temps as low as 10, only for 10 miles I turned around because my hands were completely frozen, so I think as far as my current gloves are concerned I think 25degrees for any trip over 15miles. As far as wind, its mega windy here in southeast Kansas with most days in the spring in the 20-25mph range. Todays grocery trip the winds were 25mph with gust over 40, when I cleared a tree lined stretch I got hit with a big gust that blew me into the oncoming lane and at 60bmph, thank God there was no other traffic. The only good thing about the wind is when it is at your back. I haven't riden in any kind of heavy rain, light rain only so far, however I don't think the Prima tires would work in heavy rain.

ilektron · Post by **ilektron** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 5:15 am

2wheelNsanity wrote:My commute is 30 mi.

I think my temperature threshold would rise if I had a commute that far. Mine is just over 4 miles one way. For awhile I would ride in freezing temps with just a half helmet and sunglasses because I didn't think I'd need a full face in sunny CA. Boy, that Christmas Santa mercifully brought me a full face helmet.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 5:45 am

The past two days have seen winds in the 30-40mph range; I've taken my RAV4 to work each day.

Tomorrow includes 100% chance of rain. Typically, if it's 30% or less I ride; 40%+ and I take the RAV4. Oklahoma seems to get a lot of rain when there's only a 40% chance!

Cold? Depends on the possibility of ice. When it is in the 20s, I switch to the RAV4. The grooved highway I ride to work on is another factor. I hate it and don't trust it at all. A small amount of water frozen on it could be disasterous (especially with cars zipping by at 70mph+ and me going 60-65mph). But if it's cold and dry, I ride!

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 7:15 am

Weather isn't too often a concern here. I won't ride in heavy rain and try to avoid riding in any rain, though.

As for winds, I've been caught out many times when the Santa Anas have hit. It's bearable, and sometimes kind of fun even. However, I think my Vespa and Stella handle wind a bit better than Buddys. The "Weeble Effect" makes the Buddy a bit harder to control in high wind.

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 5:50 pm

Hate the rain...but have been caught in it. Was dry when I started from home but got caught in two storms last summer on the way home late from work.

As for cold I dislike anything near freezing.

And this past Sunday the wind was a steady 20MPH with gust of 35+. I was in it but it wore me out. Got home and promptly fell a sleep.

rkcoker · Post by **rkcoker** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 7:02 pm

Well, scratch off not riding in the rain. Had to take the scoot in for its 2k checkup and it's been raining all night and this morning. Wasn't too bad as I kept to the back streets that are normally a bit roughly surfaced.

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 7:30 pm

My cold weather set up is:
Head: Full-face Icon helmet, full clava, Neoprene wind scarf attached to the helmet, and micro fibre scarf. Anti-fog from fog-tech.
Upper Body: Long-johns, sweat shirt or sweater, Cortech jacket, and wind-breaker.
Lower Body: Long-johns or sweat pants, jeans, and wind pants.
Hands:I installed wind gaurds, leather works gloves with cotton liners.
This is good to upper teens comfortably for 30 minutes+, however my glove situation is not up to the job, next winter I will be getting better gloves + heated liners, just waiting for them to go on sale.

rkcoker · Post by **rkcoker** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 7:36 pm

cooten liners

Is that from a Kansas wild one?

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 8:48 pm

wind / wind chill idk? i do okay with 40F if layered from head to toe but much colder and idk. and of course a windshield does help. but i don't have one

i am thinking of getting a lap apron. they would seem effective but idk? also, an under hoody. and also look in the ski section of sporting goods stores for warm under clothes. living in SoCal seems the cold days and nights pass so quickly i really don't think about it. then again, this is only my second winter of riding, ever

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 12:03 am

JHScoot wrote:wind / wind chill idk? i do okay with 40F if layered from head to toe but much colder and idk. and of course a windshield does help. but i don't have one

i am thinking of getting a lap apron. they would seem effective but idk? also, an under hoody. and also look in the ski section of sporting goods stores for warm under clothes. living in SoCal seems the cold days and nights pass so quickly i really don't think about it. then again, this is only my second winter of riding, ever

My leather jacket became my indispensable staple for riding in what we quaintly refer to as winter around here. Warm but doesn't overheat as the temps get warmer. Keeps out wind and cold better than any textile I have—even those with liners.

DanielPerrin · Post by **DanielPerrin** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 4:43 am

I have ridden all winter this year with the cold. The coldest that I've seen was 15 degrees, but I could have gone colder if it had been a real winter. I have insulated coveralls that I wear when it's under 50 degrees, with my leather jacket underneath. My body has been toasty every day with that.

There is a lot of wind. Lots of days have 25-35 mph sustained, and gusts up to 55-60 mph. When it's really windy, I take a different route so that I don't have as much traffic around me and risk getting blown into someone in another lane.

Long ago I got riding in the rain out of my system. I've done it on a few LONG trips (4+ hours), but it just isn't fun for me. So I avoid rain. I've gotten wet too often when the rain chance is 30%, so that is my rain cutoff.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 2:33 pm

Cold isn't too much of an issue, I draw the line at about 30 degrees, wind I hate...... Remember the wind chill created by riding itself. Gusts can be scary, especially when I have to run parallel to a mile wide river.

I will not go out when it's raining, although I have rain gear if I get caught out.
Spring time here in south central Pa can be fickle, cold in the morning, no biggie, warm in the afternoon, have only so much room in the pet carrier to stuff my extra layers.
One 'scary' thing to keep in mind in spring and summer weather is those sudden thunder storms that bring hail!
Note to self: If hail is coming, find shelter RIGHT AWAY that shit hurts!!

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 5:34 pm

i'll ride in heavy rain no problem--doesn't get too cold here so that's not an issue. winds above 25 do unnerve me tho..

Post by **ericalm** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 7:28 pm

I have ridden in 40° weather here on a few mornings and late nights. I don't know that I'd be a Cold Weather Warrior if I lived somewhere I'd have to contend with that kind of cold—or colder—on a daily basis. Much like riding in the rain, at some point it's just not enjoyable for me anymore.

Around here, though, it's ridiculous. Some people won't ride unless it's over 60°. They're called motorcyclists!

There are cold days when I see many more scooters out than motorcycles. It may be because more scooterists use their bike as a primary vehicle. Or maybe they're more commuter-minded than recreational.

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 9:02 pm

I rode no matter what if work was involved. Play, however, was a different story. 30 degrees? Probly not going back out once I get home from work. Raining and I got home at 1230 from work, last call is in an hour? Not showing up to the bar, sorry. Come over to my place and drink with me instead.

If I have the gear I may as well use it, but some stuff you gear just can't protect you from.

I've ridden in some winds... I don't know the numbers but once or twice they were bad enough to scare me, so I'm guessing they were 30 or more. I haven't ridden in snow or hail or a crazy thunderstorm or anything like that.

I have ridden through heavy heavy fog, and that was... interesting. It was early on a weekend morning, though, so traffic wasn't too much of a problem.