Bandit Alley

GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: H2RICK on November 18, 2007, 12:23:08 AM

Title: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: H2RICK on November 18, 2007, 12:23:08 AM
Well, I winterized my last bike yesterday. Yes, it was my Bandit. I was hoping for one more good ride before the glaciers blocked up the door to my garden shed for another winter but it's just too darn cool out there.
Even with the liner in my Kilimanjaro, winter gloves and ski pants it's just a little too cool for my liking. Daytime highs are in the +8C (45F) range and that only lasts for an hour or two, soooooo.......
The worst part is that there's no snow on the ground and no sand/gravel on the roads. Calgary and surrounding area is totally brown. It looks like mid-September, not mid-November. We may get a few nice days yet....but I'm not counting on them.
Oh well....roll on Spring !!!!
How about the rest of you snowbelt folks ??? Got 'em put away yet....or you waiting for that first really BIG blast from old man Winter ???
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: pmackie on November 18, 2007, 01:52:44 AM
October 14th was it for me, although there have been a few good days since, but not many. High here today was +2 C, and we had 1" of snow yesterday...

We are freezing every night, and daytime highs in the 1-4 deg C range for the next few days. LOTS of snow in the local mountains, so riding is basically out of the question, even if I wanted.

Winterizing everthing else this weekend, and ordered some upgrades for this winters projects to keep me interested...Leo Vince slip on, heated vest, and I still have my Double Bubble windshield to install, that I didn't get on last spring.

Sigh...we will be getting the locals guys together in Dec to start planning our big yearly trip next year, late May/early June...some talk about going through Eastern Wyoming, all the way to South Dacota...

Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: CWO4GUNNER on November 18, 2007, 12:13:31 PM
You wouldn't think winter here in Southwest Arizona would affect riding, but we are so acclimated to the warmer temperature that when the temperature drops down to the 50's-60's  it will be uncomfortable enough to limit street riding too mostly just short trips, bundled up of course with jacket liners and long pants.
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: StangMATA on November 18, 2007, 02:17:32 PM
I'm getting out today for what could possibly be my last ride of the season. Depends on what the temps/weather does these upcoming weeks. Might squeeze a cold weather ride in to burn some rubber off the tires.  :lol:
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: JamieK on November 18, 2007, 03:10:17 PM
Parked mine today...now its farkle shopping time  :grin:
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: Barbarian on November 18, 2007, 04:30:01 PM
I rode to work today -- 2 Celsius. It'll likely be 4 below by the time I head home tonight. Good thing I've got my fleece pants on under my leathers.
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: vwkaferman on November 18, 2007, 08:44:40 PM
You wouldn't think winter here in Southwest Arizona would affect riding, but we are so acclimated to the warmer temperature that when the temperature drops down to the 50's-60's  it will be uncomfortable enough to limit street riding too mostly just short trips, bundled up of course with jacket liners and long pants.

Hogwash! I can't wait to ride through the season out here. Just not looking forward to Summer.

Coldest I've ridden in was 17F. I had to do it. If there wasn't snow or ice on the roads over there, I rode. Glad I did. Looking back, sure was fun. Actually, pulling up to a German couple in a VW Polo with the windows all iced over, them all bundled up as if they were cold and seeing their faces when I pulled up next to them on the ole ZX-10 was priceless.

James
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: CWO4GUNNER on November 18, 2007, 11:00:01 PM
As infrequently as I have experienced black ice terror in a cage, I cant imagine what happens on a motorcycle. I would like to think you slide or spin like a cage without falling off.
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: aussiebandit on November 19, 2007, 05:41:21 AM
summer may be over for you guys, but it's just starting in the land of Oz.  At least in my part anyway.

Forecast for the nex week is 32-38 C.
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: willo on November 19, 2007, 08:20:17 PM
Same in good old QLD just a bit of rain but who cares about getting wet anyway, gotta love Australia  :aus: :bikeflip: :bikeflip:
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: PitterB4 on November 19, 2007, 09:32:44 PM
I'll keep the street bike road-ready through the winter for the occasional winter warm-up here in the mid-Atlantic.  I'm ready for it already!  It's been such CRAP lately! 
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: aussiebandit on November 20, 2007, 06:47:27 AM
Same in good old QLD just a bit of rain but who cares about getting wet anyway, gotta love Australia  :aus: :bikeflip: :bikeflip:

Rain, what's that
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: willo on November 20, 2007, 06:29:12 PM
Wet stuff from the skys, been getting plenty here but not where we need it. (dams + such) Graham
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: StangMATA on November 20, 2007, 07:41:50 PM
I think we finally hit winter tonight. Temps are dropping like a rock.  :duh:
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: vwkaferman on November 20, 2007, 10:16:03 PM
Saw your location, I was born there but don't consider it home. USAF? Right on, I spent 8 years, Radio Maintenance. 5 in Germany, 3 in New Mexico.

I'll ride this Friday for ya, gonna do an all day trip in AZ. Riding the Salt River Canyon. It's Amazing.

James
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: aussiebandit on November 21, 2007, 06:49:15 AM
Wet stuff from the skys, been getting plenty here but not where we need it. (dams + such) Graham

It tried to rain here today, but all it did was make the roads slippery and bring out the idiot car drivers.
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: willo on November 21, 2007, 05:18:57 PM
Yea something about rain brings all the tossers out :motorsmile:
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: smooth operator on November 24, 2007, 06:36:17 AM
 We have a few inches of snow here at my house,I go into town (Erie)and theres hardly any. But I'm further away from the lake in whats called "The Snow Belt". I yake my bikes to my buddies shop for the winter. If we do get a warm up,its close to the road and I can burn up a tank of gas and fill up w/ a fresh one. Last yr I bought the SV in Dec,got a 86mph warning on 01/01/07 from a state trooper.Was waring insulated Carharts and snowmobile gloves,but it was still cold. The Sv gives me better wind protection than the Bandit,maybe its the ergos/screen combination. The Bandit is just waiting for a open lift,going to change all fluids,check bearings,have rear shock redone, everything gone over and ready for 3 hr endurance in 08.
  The only thing I want to do to the SV for now is finish paying for it. 1 more grand befor the end of the year.
   I did but a bottle of Stable,might put some in the SV. Once I start on the Bandit, I'll run the gas dry, and I have some work to do on the tank. There is a dent on the rt side where I slid in turn 4(left hander) and then flipped once I hit the grass. Instead of trying to get the dent out or fill it in, just fix the paint around it,put a couple of those bullet holes over the dents,then put my grippers on the side.
  If I can't ride, I'll enjoy working on the bike and getting everything ready.   Dan
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: CWO4GUNNER on November 24, 2007, 09:26:33 PM
Temperatures are finally getting brisk here 50's-60. Slow dirt biking not bad but a bit chillier for a street ride at speed. Also have to ware long pants now.
Title: Re: Summer Is Officially Over......in Cowtown, at least....
Post by: vwkaferman on November 24, 2007, 11:54:47 PM
I rode Friday to Globe, then over to Payson via Roosevelt Lake. Morning was chilly, escpecially in the shadows in the Canyon leading to Miami/Globe. That was nothing. Payson was COLD. Still bearable, and nothing what most of the country is experiencing. Had fun. Actually got pulled over for the first time in my LIFE on a bike (since about 1995). I guess the streak is over. Cop was very nice, gave us a written warning. No prob. 55mph does suck though. :(

Time for some real gloves, pants and boots I reckon.

James