Riding in icy conditions;

[Icarus]

The last few weeks have been unsual (where I live) in the low temp's and icy conditions. I tend not to ride when there's ice but sometimes it's necessary. Can anyone offer any good tips on bike handling in these conditions.

It would be nice just to have a winter hack and if drops it's no big deal, but when a Harley goes down it's expensive!!

[Tiz]

Main thing is to read the road and be very gentle with the throttle I had a bit of an episode yesterday when I wound the throttle only to find the back end trying to overtake the front but throttled off and got home to change the undies.

[Scotty]

Yea, just dont do it.

Cos sooner or later its gonna cost you a large wad of cash

[grbrown]

I have been riding since the 1960s and for many years used a bike as my only motorised transport. We had winters then similar to recent weather and I have travelled long journeys on ice and snow, the most memorable being the 1973 Thistle Rally in central Scotland.

The only answer I can give is 'familiarity'. These conditions are in some ways merely an extension of 'normal' conditions and, just as we all had to learn the basics at the start of our biking careers, we have to learn the more advanced skills and judgement of unpredictable conditions like these.

I have watched cars spin in front of me, also other riders go down and managed to avoid both without falling off. I can only put it down to repeated exposure to the conditions, and acquiring that extra 'sense' of what is or is not safe.

Or in other words, get out there and keep doing it!

[naz-t]

same ideas as wet riding really, be smooth, dont lean over overly far, dont brake hard with the front, dont be afraid to ride real slow on areas that look dodgy, be carefull on tarmac that hasnt had sun on it yet, and as posted the more if it you do the less stiff youll be

[devon.john]

you have to be aware all the time and ride as smoooothly as possible
the problem is the wait of a harley .
i did the elephant rally in Germany in the seventies and a lot of Dragon rallys
if there was a lot of snow we let the tyres down to about 12lbs but you rode slowly, smoothness is the answer in my book. its good to see Harleys out this time of the year good on you mate!

john (ROSPA gold rider and observer )

[Steppenwulf]

As every one says keep it smooth, gently on the throttle and easy on the brakes. Use less of the front than normal and don't change down a gear too early.

Main skill is reading the road conditions, careful of areas in shade and especially roads flanked by trees. Water run off from fields and hills can cause localised ice spots and the Winter sun can easily blind you when it's so low in the sky.

All in all you just need to proceed at a slower pace and be more alert but the extra effort is well worth it. Main thing is to enjoy the experience and wrapping up warm makes sure the pleasure never becomes a murderous masochistic battle against the elements. Plenty of fag, coffee and piss stops help keep you fresh and awake.