The legality of riding a motorcycle in the winter.?

Question

I live in Canada, and studded tires are legal again. Now don't get me wrong, I don't plan on bombing around like a fool, I just want to get to the trail, which is like two blocks away. I don't have a truck, or trailer, and a touch too lazy to walk it, when I could be riding. It is an on-off road bike licenced and insured. It is my luck that I meet up with the cops in that distance, just curious is all, besides people just love to answer 'why a bike in the winter?' or give smart ass answers, sooo have at er'.

Answer 1

There should be no legal issues.
Make sure your ride is in good repair.
Studded tires will make all the difference to many people.
I rode mine all last winter in New Hampshire.
Lots of funny looks, no issues with the police other than conversations.
This winter I was pulled over once by the new cop in town.
We had sleet, snow and ice on the roads that night.
The best he could come up with was mumbling about being able to maintain a minimum speed. There are no minimum speed limits in this state other than on the Interstate. Furthermore, all drivers are required to reduce speed when road conditions are bad. Traffic (all 3 cars) was moving at 15-20 mph. I had no problems, did not slip once. Yet this officer, with his studded snows, could not keep from losing traction.

With only 2 blocks to go, you shouldn't have many encounters.
My trip is about 8 miles.

Answer 2

If I understand the question properly, if the bike is setup to be legal to drive on the street, then it should be legal to drive it on the street during the winter, unless there is an issue about riding with the studs on the street. Where my dad lives in Maine, they have rules about driving with chains on the road, (weight limits, etc.), because the damage they cause to the road, and difficulty affecting repairs in the winter without causing additional damage. If there are no restrictions due to the studs, then you should be ok. If the bike is not street legal, then it really doesn't matter what season you are riding in, you run the risk of getting a ticket.

Answer 3

Some years back I lived in Newark Valley, NY, about 15-20 miles from Endicott. A chap in the lab where I worked lived about 6 or so miles further up the road from me. He was an ardent BMW rider, had two street legal. One fall, he made a $100 bet with a comrade, that he would ride every day, to work. Thinking that was an easy $100, the comrade took him up. The chap studded the tires on one bike, new set of knobbies on the other. Depending on the weather, every day, he made the trip. In afternoon, sometimes stopped by my place for coffee. He won the $100. I was chicken, I had a side hack, would not ride if it was below 20F.A Triumph Trident was a pain to crank at 20F.

Tomcotexas. (Its warmer down here.)

Answer 4

I agree with Spyder with the exception that we don't have much snow down here, but there are some areas where they restrict motorcycle travel due to high winds, as well as trucks hauling glass, such as across the Lake Pontchatrain Bridge.

As far as smart answers go, I walk into a place soaking wet and they wonder what's wrong with me. I usually answer 'Lots and lots of things, riding my bike takes care of all but a couple of them.'

Answer 5

I rode about daily last winter, we don't get snow here. My coldest morning @ 7 am was 27 degrees. My boss said James you are crazy. I simply replied thats why I'm able to work for you,lol.
Me an him allways picked at each other. @ 27 I had to admit I got cold. 30 an above was o.k. rideing a 11 mile 1 way trip there.

Answer 6

do you have a full time job?
think of this? if you do something stupid and get hurt doing it and you can't work because of it, you won't get paid from workmans comp or insurance

Answer 7

I don't know about cannuk' law but I used to stud my dirt bike up and ride every winter. It's definitely more challenging then riding on dirt.

Answer 8

Just do it!

I ride my dirtbike in the snow. It's fun.

Answer 9

no

but its VERY dangerous