Dunlop E3's ... in the snow

[Sonny S.]

Anyone have any experience with E3's in snow ?
My 402's were good, but the E3's don't look like they will be. That's what I'm runnin on my 01 Ultra.....and winter is here 
30% chance of snow showers in the AM, gotta 35 mile ride to work
That means 70% chance of no snow 

I don't intentionally ride in it but, ..chit happens

[Tsani]

What makes you think they won't do well?

[PoorUB]

What makes you think they won't do well?

My guess is the thread on the E-III is not very agressive looking.

To Sonny, I have run the E-III's in snow and they did fine. My guess the 800 pound Ultra had something to do with it too.

Personally, I would avoid riding that far in the snow and find some other mode of travel. 5-10 miles is doable, but if the roads are really slick, it will not matter what you have for tires it may be a dangerous ride. If you there are cars in the ditch, it is definately not motorcycle weather!

[Sonny S.]

yeah it's the tread. heck most of the tire is slick. They are great on dry road and rain.
I agree, it's dangerous no matter what the tire.
I need a side hack 

Tsani ...are you running E3's ?  Wednseday is looking dry....just a little chilly .. 20-30* 

[tinkerman]

I don't know guys..

I have been riding a bike for my share of years and I have unintentionally got them out on some slippery stuff from time to time,,(early morning black ice and such)  but this whole snow thing blows my mind. Every now and then I run across someone who is expecting winter conditions and where I would park the bike they are planning on cruising on through it. Worked with a couple of guys down in Nevada 10 years back or so and they used to come across the mountain passes when trucks were putting on their chains...or at least that is what they told me when they arrived at our job site with their bikes crusted up pretty good with road crap.

So, not to hijack the thread, but how many folk here would set out for a ride knowing they might be riding in snow before the end of the day. I vote "no f&%king way". Not to start an argument here...just wondering if I am missing something. Maybe I need to upgrade my riding skills....

tink

[marc]

Anyone have any experience with E3's in snow ?

Nope...I would stay home, call a friend, rent a wreck, or take a cab...

Good luck...

[mayor]

Sonny, U R In sane.....    with that said, I wouldn't try my luck with those tires.   

[IndyHarley]

I ride year around regardless of temperatures and will ride in the rain of course but not in the snow. It has to many possibilities of being very hazardous, temps usually can get to and below freezing when it snows - snow being driven over by anything will eventually result in ice or at least a  slippery road - When it's ice covered or slippery it doesn't matter what tires you have or how many wheels you have (and that includes jokers that think 4x4 will stop you from sliding) you will have negative results.

I've been living nearly 64 years and life has taught me many things and two things are to not think I am invincible and don't ride on motorized two wheels in the snow.

[Big Dan]

When I was in my early 20's I spent a winter riding back and forth to work. My truck croaked, and I was broke. My bike at the time ('76 XLCH) was torn down so I had to borrow my brother's highly modified Water Buffalo (GT750 Suzuki). There's not too many things that are quite like a hot 2-stroke when it "gets on the pipe"...especially in the snow. Good times.

[Tsani]

Sonny, I am running  Metzelers. Haven't had the problems some say they are having. Been icing up around here a bit.

As for riding in snow, well, it does induce a pucker factor at times, but so does things like rain or coming across a fuel oil spill suddenly! . I have been caught in a ice storm in Abilene Tx. It was either go or freeze to death. Got caught in the beginnings of a blizzard in Boston. Did you know it can snow in June in the mountains? Yup. A lot of my riding in snow occured before today's access to weather technology especially while mobile. And while I do not actively seek to ride ride in the snow, snow happens. I didn't learn to drive a car till I was 28. Been riding since I was 9. I ride every chance I can get. Weather happens and like life, I deal with it. That being said, it's not for everyone.

[Sonny S.]

I don't see snow on the road and say..hmmm, think I'll go for a putt.
I do ride year round, and have been caught in snow several times.
Weather forcaster's aren't that accurate....you know ? Snow can sneak up on you just like rain....not the same hazard..I know.
My vehicle ain't the greatest, and both my bikes are pretty reliable....so I ride most times. I keep the truck close to home. I'm not saying it's the smartest thing to do.....but I never claimed to be.......

[Tsani]

Well according to all the "normal" people, if we was smart, we wouldn't ride murder sicles!

[Sonny S.]

Well according to all the "normal" people, if we was smart, we wouldn't ride murder sicles!

I AIN'T SKEERED !!   

[Princess Butt]

Last time I rode in significant snow, it was on a set of Avon's.

Around here, I wouldn't ride in the snow if given the choice. It's not the motorcycle I'm scared of. it's all the maroons in cages who would just stare and forget they have to stop before they plow into me or someone else.

[Justpassingas]

30% chance of snow showers in the AM, gotta 35 mile ride to work
That means 70% chance of no snow 

I'll take those odds anyday....

[Sonny S.]

BTW....I never said I was riding 35 miles in the snow.
I just asked about how the E3's do in snow incase I got caught in it.

Yup....it's happened before

[R.Bingham]

I'll ride when its cold and I'll ride when its wet. But I ain't riding when its cold and wet unless I absolutely life and death situation am required too.

[Tsani]

First off, a legit question was asked and like most things on this forum, it spun into several areas. So no, I don't think it was a shot about asking if it was okay to ride in the snow or bad weather. Second, Sonny never said he was going to start out riding on snow covered roads and like you said hd06myway, "Potty mouth" happens. 70% chance of no precip is pretty damn good. Third, Sonny never said anything about thinking it was cool to do so. As for the corrosive crap spread on the roads, if I parked my bike untill the stuff was off the roads, I wouldn't ride till June. Not going to happen. I know how to clean my ride. I bought the bike to ride it and ride it I will. I have friends that that have 12000 on a 1999. Why bother IMHO. But it's their bike, their life, not mine, so I woun't judge them. They do what they do and I do my thing.

As far as I am concern, the biggest cause of death is living. There is a 50 percent chance you will die today. Better stay in bed! No, wait a minute now, how many people die in bed?.....

[Tsani]

BTW Sonny, I will try the E-3's when they make them in WWW. Gotta have those gangsta white walls!

[Sonny S.]

BTW Sonny, I will try the E-3's when they make them in WWW. Gotta have those gangsta white walls!

You and Mayor   

[TXChop]

I know how ya feel Sonny..Got caught in the snow this morning taking a customers trike to work a test ride..

Trikes can be a little slippery in the snow too. Front tire didnt want to hold on a turn..

[mayor]

BTW Sonny, I will try the E-3's when they make them in WWW. Gotta have those gangsta white walls!

You and Mayor   

yep, I'll be second in line.   

see Sonny, TX just found the answer to your earlier trike question.  You was thinking back wheel traction....the front's the problem.     looks like you need to go side hack....

[Sonny S.]

Dave Mann did a spread of a Trike with a Ski mounted up front instead or a tire   

[calgary56]

Not intentional, but sometimes, sh_t happens

[calgary56]

"Weather forcaster's aren't that accurate" ... 'bout the only time they're right, is when they're talkin' 'bout YESTERDAY'S weather

[Mark222]

I was going to start a post Sat / Sun about having to ride in the snow for the first time in almost 20 years.  I got caught in a little (snow) here in NC that was supposed to be rain.  (Weatherman missed it again, Lol) But this thread seems to have covered all the bases  :gob:l!  Living in the Great Lakes midwest for the first 35 plus years of life and only having only a bike for transportation for several years of that time I learned to dress for cold and ride in crappy conditions.  Granted the bikes I owned then were not prized possesions and yes, I dropped a bike more than once in the snow.  Do not intend this story to make me an expert or anything, for I was poor and more stupid then, but running on fresh snow before any tracks pack it down is always better.  And once it get slick like ice, I don't care who you are, it is time to stay off the roads on two wheels. 

So anyway, I got some real interesting looks from drivers while running home on the bagger Saturday evening here while collecting snow accumulation on the fairing, but the roads were still warm enough the accumulation could not really get started by the time I got home.

But it brought back memories for sure.

Mark

[03deuce]

They make snow tires for cages, what about motorcycles?

[marc]

They make snow tires for cages, what about motorcycles?

LOL...Try these...

http://stores.ebay.com/MOTORACE-CLOSEOUTS

[Sonny S.]

"Weather forcaster's aren't that accurate" ... 'bout the only time they're right, is when they're talkin' 'bout YESTERDAY'S weather

Aint that the truth !!
During the summer months I don't even listen to it......no point !   Just ride and whatever happens happens

[PoorUB]

BTW....I never said I was riding 35 miles in the snow.
I just asked about how the E3's do in snow incase I got caught in it.

Yup....it's happened before

Well you mentioned 35 miles to work, so it was a fair assumtion you may have to ride home on the white shi.....stuff. I have ridden on snow many times over the years, once I rode over Beartooth Pass in the snow. It was a wet snow, and the road was warm, so it just turned to slush so it was not too bad. I got caught at the dealer one day and ran home, maybe 10 miles in 3" of snow. That was far enough! If I was to ride in the winter enough that I was certain I would be riding in snow I would buy a set of soft compound tires and get them studded, and run them just in the winter. There was a kid here in town that ran a crotch rocket all winter with studded tires.

[Kirbo]

When I was 16 I rode my Honda Trail 90 to work every night in the winter. It was only 3 miles tops but I never had trouble. Only time it was a pita was when I got out of work at midnight to find it covered in 8 inches of new snow. Those were the days!!!

[ironbutt]

30 years ago I left Pittsburgh, Pa for Phoenix, Az, 6'' of snow on the ground and 28*. I had the old Touring Elites on back then. What a ride, talk about young and dumb, but I made it.

[Rags722]

Slightly off subject, but about 15 years or more ago I rode with a guy that rode all year long (SE PA) and commuted every day at least 35 miles each way.  One day, he showed up for a club meeting in the middle of a steady light snow fall.  His comment was " If I ride the Sporty, it's easier to pick up, but the tires are shot so I know I'm going down.  If I bring the bagger, it's harder to pick up, but the tires are better".  After the meeting, a few of us helped him get the bagger out of the road when it went down.  A few months later, we had a business meeting at my place ( 40 miles from his home) on a Saturday night.  Roads were frozen in about 3 inches of ice, and I spent the day chipping the driveway so people could get from the cars to the house.  About 6:00 PM, and 20 degrees F, here came Sam up the street on the bagger.  So cold when he went to leave we had to put a heat gun on the oil tank just so the bike would start.  We found out later on the way home a car went off the road due to drifting snow and had to be towed out of the ditch.  Sam was the next vehicle to come along and his tires got stuck in the ruts and he went into the ditch as well.  Took a while for the next car to come along and call for help for him.  He did ride the rest of the way home.  Boy just wasn't wrapped right! 

[Big Dan]

I spent that Wisconsin winter riding a bike back and forth to work because the biggest thing my dad ever taught me, was that "Men work- period." I was 24 years old, a home-owner, and my first wife had taken off (I don't blame her). It was tough enough making the mortgage on my own. Missing time from work was not an option, nor was spending any money on the truck. Sometimes ya just gotta bite the bullet and do what ya gotta do. Truthfully, I was far more embarrassed about it than feeling like a hero or a badass or whatever. Now I just look back and laugh at what a dumbass I was.

[hotroadking]

......... Now I just look back and laugh at what a dumbass I was.

I think we all have a lot of times that happens....

[Back Road Mike]

I started to ride into town in Alaska one time in the snow.  Got 1 mile from the house and found myself in the left track when I had been riding in the right track.   Rode back home and walked the 4 miles to the store.

Never again.

[Ridetard]

Its one  thing to get caught in the snow, its another all together to intentionally set out in it.  The next thing you know theres a thread about a poor biker that got slammed by a cager Do we point the finger at the driver ??  .  Who do you feel sorry for in that situtation?

I fail to see any logical reason to ride in ice or snow.  The risk far outweighs the cause.

Stupid is as stupid does.
We have to do it better!

[adayrider]

Not intentional, but sometimes, sh_t happens

At least you don't have to deal with the corners. (road looks straight as an arrow LOL)

[Phu Cat]

Knobbies always help.  Not hers, the tires.

PC

[Rags722]

I don't understand Calgary56's photo.  What's that fluffy white stuff on the road?  Around here, our SUV Mom's and Cell Phone Kid's would have had that packed down to a nice icy hard pack with-in a minute or two from shoulder to shoulder.  The fluffy stuff I might try to ride in, but I think I'd opt for the crunchy dead grass right by the side of the road.  The hard packed icy stuff is the real test of manhood. 

[PoorUB]

I don't understand Calgary56's photo.  What's that fluffy white stuff on the road?  Around here, our SUV Mom's and Cell Phone Kid's would have had that packed down to a nice icy hard pack with-in a minute or two from shoulder to shoulder.  The fluffy stuff I might try to ride in, but I think I'd opt for the crunchy dead grass right by the side of the road.  The hard packed icy stuff is the real test of manhood. 

The snow and grass is pretty slick. The hard, packed stuff is worse. The white fluffy stuff in the middle is your best bet.