Why are people so worried about getting road salt on their cycle and will not ride in the winter?

Question

I bought my cycle to ride and when you live in Wisconsin you ride when the weather is good. Last year I never put it away. So many people thought I was crazy because they did not want to get the salt on thier cycle. Hav'nt they heard of washing it.

Seems to me that some people would rather look at thier cycle sitting in the garage then get out and ride if the weather isn't 75, sunny and between noon and five on a weekend.

Answer 1

I'm in Wisconsin too, born and raised. I have a BMW, no fancy chrome, mostly aluminum. I worry more about corroding the aluminum, and when that happens it's damned hard to make it look "right" again. The rims have a silver coating on them so not much to worry about there, but the engine, trans and final drive don't. Once a salt truck has been out, I'm usually done until after a few good rains after the last salting. I admire guys who don't mind winter riding. There is a group from the Madison Motorcycle Club that always ALWAYS do a New Years Day ride, in case you hadn't heard of it and are in the area, I'm sure you can find that they have a website if you want to do it. Never been my thing, but I do ride late into the fall in 40's or even the 30's. Personal record is 16F. But yeah on a personal level, these days (gettin' older) winter riding is only very very occasional and not for very far. Once the bike is tucked in it tends to STAY tucked in til spring. I don't consider myself a fair weather rider, I will go on a long trip and if it rains, it rains, put on a rain suit. I also have a cold weather suit, kind of like a snowmobile suit, and the bike has heated grips which I like for fall riding when i need it. If you are in the area of Madison or a bit further you HAVE to do the Slimey Crud Run, starts in Pine Bluff WI every first Sunday in May and October, free and loads of fun, do a websearch, make sure you spell Slimey with an "E".

JAKE: You've never seen anyone ride around Detroit in 20 degree weather? I've seen them around Madison and also on the Northwest Tollway in IL very recently. I've seen dirtbikes (street legal Enduros) out in snowstorms, looks like fun, and sure it is until you go down.

Answer 2

Hi there, I ride a BMW F650 just about every day of the year to work and back sunshine, rain and snow. Salt on the road is a killer for alloy engine parts and chrome. I live in Northern Ireland and yes it does rain allot. The winters are very cold tho, not as bad as you get over your side of the pond. Having said that the local councils are very prompt if the weather gets anywhere near freezing, in getting the salt down on the roads. Personally the minute i get home, out with the hose and spray the bike with the engine running. It gets the salt off and the engine heat dries off the moisture. Haven't had any problems yet. The only thing i have invested in is a set of heated grips and a pair of neoprene knee pads to keep the chill off the knees. The only time i didn't use the bike for work was a few months ago when we had some severe gales gusts of 80/90 mph. No fun riding in those conditions. To hell with the summer riders ride when you want to and when you consider it safe. On the plus side there is less traffic in the winter and you can crack on, on those empty roads.
Keep the wheels rolling.

Answer 3

I ride also in the winter...but after they put salt on the road I wash it alot more. Had my rear axel get galded due to excessive corrosion. So I make sure to wash it alot more after exposing it to salty roads.

Really, I'd like to get a second bike...like an old harley that is really used and not very nice to look at so I don't have to worry about keeping it looking nice and it would be my rain/winter ride.

However, I can see how some poeple will not ride due to the price you pay for a bike and wanting to keep it clean...but I will ride usually at least once a week in the winter, but if the roads are clear and ice free I'll ride whenever I can.

EDIT: For the guy above that called BULL. I rode in cold tempertures also...coldest was 24 degrees ferinhight.

Answer 4

I ride all winter in wisconsin. I have rode in -50 that was the wind chill. salt is evil. If you want a fury white motorcycle and green electonics winter salt riding is the way too go. What i have been doing is spraying the bike down from head too to with wd40 and it helps. last year i had a cx500 with a side car I loved that thing was great in the snow. besides salt and cold, cars are what will get you they are stupid and are not looking for you. they drive like morons when it is snowing out. also depends on were is wisconsin you live some areas are better then others.

Answer 5

Because of the way salt corrodes metal I have ridden in the middle of WI Winters myself As long as the road was not full of snow or ice I did this once with a ^50 Triumph I had just finished rebuilding and did not want to wait till spring to try it out. I would take out my Harley in winter if the weather was 1/2 way decent Just made damn sure to clean them up when I was done riding

Answer 6

the older ya get, the more the cold affects u. but givin the scoot a prompt bath after doing a run on salt covered roads is the best insurance against rust. that, and an air compressor to blow out the water that likes to hide in itty bitty places.
i'll ride in the winter as long as the roads are bone dry. no ice or snow, and i'll avoid any wet areas because they could have just ice-over to cause u to go down.

Answer 7

If that's your thing, that's your thing. I don't mind the cold, I'll take 35 degrees over 95 degrees to ride in. Salt is corrosive. I don't feel the need to ruin my aluminum or replace the rusty bolts just because I want to ride a couple of days here and there in the winter. I guess I'm secure enough now where I don't need to ruin my stuff just to prove something.

Answer 8

I've never heard of anyone worrying about getting it ON their bike; my husband and I are both concerned about driving on it. We like to wait for a good rain after heavy salting has been done.

Of course, it doesn't actually stop us from going out if we really want to!

FYI, we're in Wisconsin too.

Answer 9

Salt is corrosive, likes to eat paint. Pitts polished aluminum and gets into those little chrome crevices and causes it to bubble.

I guess not many folks take a likin' to riden in -5 degree weather. Kinda makes it hard when you gots to use a hair dryer to pry your hands of the bars :)

I dont know of too many 4 wheel bikes that can handle snow either lol

Happy holidays!

Answer 10

Salt sucks. Extra wax helps. Ride it.

When there's no snow, Santa rides a Glacier White Superglide.