Winter Riding ???

[emu]

I keep reading where people take their Nomads out for a ride during these winter months. They mention ice and snow ... so it must be cold. So that gets me to thinking ... Do they not throw salt on the roads in these areas where people are out riding. Back in the 1960's I rode all year long here in Toronto. Had a Honda 305 Superhawk, rode her every day, even in blizzard conditions for fun. But the salt got into everything and the bike rotted a an accelerated rate. Salt got into places you can't get at to clean it out. The engine cooling fins looked like crap ... and they were easy to wash clean. Or so I thought. Anyway I learned my lesson and Have never put a motorcycle in the salt ever since. I ride right up to when the first spreading of the salt each year ... Which was right up into December this year . Anyone else suffer from Saltaphobia ...

[novijoe]

I snuck a ride in a bit back but it had rained and washed all of the salt off the road. That is the only way I will ride in the winter if conditions are right and temps are in the 40's. Used to date a gal who rode a Harley in the winter and she's had nothing but trouble with the electrical system.

[darthvulcan]

Emu,

We also get tons of road salt used on our roads out here. The only time I used to get out for a mid-winter ride is during those bizarre few days where it suddenly warms up and rains - washing the road salt away. Once the roads dry off, only then will I take a bike out. That only happens a few times each winter.

On my old Interceptor, we used to do a Christmas lights tour around the city at night. Always fun to do, and watch the reaction from cagers.

[jasperboy]

Yup, lots of salt and cinders on the roads here as well. Like the others have mentioned, if it warms up and rains real hard for a few days, followed by warmer and dry conditions, I'll try and get out. Buddy and I did 200 miles in late November, and 100+ miles in late December on just such days, but so far January hasn't provided any such days.

[jayc]

Gotta rinse surfaces with cold water after the ride.

[groundbean]

previous bike was a 2001 honda shadow 750. short rides every winter, every couple of weeks if the roads were dry. 7 years and never any problems with salt. my mechanic says as long as the salt is dry and not wet there is no problem. also have a wash area in underground if needed.(Toronto)

I just try and ride when the roads are clear, but in Idaho there isn't a lot of salt used. Mostly sand. Currently they are using a de-icer that has not damaged any of my vehicles. We havent used salt here for years.

[schoeney]

No salt out here. De-icer on the interstate but I only take Miss Ruby out when the roads are dry in the winter....not often.

[ells]

What Yridehd said above except substitute Colorado for Idaho.

[skeeter]

No salt here so I rode today. Good Lord was it cold. Got down to 30*. Might have to visit CJ.

Won't ride on ice.

[landman]

nothing buy sand used in wyoming.

[dhomoney]

Originally Posted by novijoe

I snuck a ride in a bit back but it had rained and washed all of the salt off the road. That is the only way I will ride in the winter if conditions are right and temps are in the 40's. Used to date a gal who rode a Harley in the winter and she's had nothing but trouble with the electrical system.

You sure that just wasn't because it was an HD? :)

[Top Cat]

Couldn't get the bike out in the winter here if I wanted to and believe me, I don't want to.
I rode it back from the painters, 40 miles in 38 degree weather, NOT fun.
I wait in the spring till I think the road salt is all washed off the roads. You can tell because when the roads thaw and the sun dries them they are actually white if the salt is still present.
I will post a pic on this thread when that happens so you guys can see what I mean.


This pic was taken back in Dec. there's a lot more snow than that now :(

[dantama]

In Utah they use a lot of salt (come on, the capital is Salt Lake City) and it doesn't rain in the winter to wash it off, it dries as a white coating like a previous poster said.

I'd ride around the valley and up to Park City many times throughout the winter. I wasn't religious about washing it each time, but I washed it at a car wash a lot.

I had it for just over four years, and 63,000 miles and didn't have any corrosion or electrical problems at all. The chrome all looked great and all the fasteners too. I don't think any of you would be able to tell that I was riding it in the salt all winter.

Conversely, I bought a used on out of Texas with only 2,000 miles on it, and the underneath of everything (rack etc) had surface rust.

[poppy]

What is this salt on the road you speak of??