Vespa Scooter in Snow
Winter riding, especially in the snow, generates the most interest and traffic on Scooter in the Sticks. I’m uncertain if that’s true because it’s like watching an accident, or people are searching for reasons to try it themselves, or something more or less profound. Regardless, this activity that I find so satisfying resonates. With that resonation in mind I thought I would share the mental checklist I go through before venturing out into the snow. I made all these pictures this morning and started gathering my checklist thoughts on the road.
There was snow on the ground when I got up this morning with more on the way until changing to sleet and freezing rain. That transition was many hours away. When I made the above photo I had already made the decision to ride. Shoveling snow and cleaning the cars could wait until later. A rider has to have their priorities straight.
Challenges of Riding in the Snow
Winter riding, for me, is considered on three distinct levels: mental, physical, and technical. The mental aspects of winter riding, and especially riding if there’s snow, are focused on risk, acceptance, and patience.
The risk of an accident and bodily harm are greater in the winter. People aren’t looking for motorcycles and scooters. Traction is reduced. Snow, ice, sleet, cold temperatures all conspire to turn a miscalculation into a disaster. Anyone who asks me about riding in winter will be my elevator speech about risk. I simply suggest they think about a crash, an injury, or death as a possible outcome. This same thing applies in warm weather but a lot of riders sort of gloss over the risk. In winter the risk is greater (I don’t know how much) and I ask myself how important is riding. For me, riding is a quality of life issue. It’s not recreation or play that could easily be replaced by racketball or golf. It is important enough to me that I accept the risk. If you plan to head out in the snow you need to carefully consider how important it is to you.
Acceptance means letting go of your riding habits. In snow you simply have to ride differently. Snow means a rider must constantly scan the road surface and travel at a speed that will allow a stop in a very short distance. This means riding slow. A curve managed normally at 35mph may have to be negotiated at 15mph. Or slower. Some riders just can’t do this. If you can’t ride slow for many miles then leave the bike or scooter at home.
Heidenau K66 SnowTex Tires for Winter
Acceptance also means having to yield to traffic. Constantly. When the road surface is snow covered and you’re moving along at a very slow speed it can mean moving to the side of the road for each and every vehicle approaching from the rear, waiting at intersections and traffic lights until there is a stretch of empty road to gain another 200 yards of distance before pulling over again. A 20 minute journey on dry roads can turn into a 2 hour adventure in snow because of the defensive posture you may have to apply. If you don’t have that kind of acceptance in you, leave the bike at home.
Warm and Dry
The physical part of the ride relates to the body and the environment. There are few things for me more miserable than being cold. With this knowledge I sometimes wonder why I spend more time on the road in cold weather than warm. Having the right gear to stay warm and dry is imperative. Don’t have that covered — then leave the motorcycle or scooter at home.
Environmentally checking the temperature and weather forecast comes first. Threats of heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain inform a go/kill decision. This morning indicated 29F, snow showers turning to sleet and freezing rain in the afternoon. For me that gave a green light to move to the next step.
I spend considerable time evaluating the environment before making a decision to ride. I’ll walk the road in front of the house testing my boots on the pavement to gauge slickness. After a lot of experience I can tell from that first test if I can manage on two wheels. This morning I determined the road surface in front of the house was easily managed and not much worse than wet roads. Slush with a few snowy patches. But conditions can quickly change down the road.
Travel Slowly
Two miles from the house the road was completely snow covered and almost packed. Because the temperature was close to the freezing mark the snow left enough give so that the Heidenau SnowTex tires had some bite. Some. On this stretch of road I would travel at 15mph. Slower on turns. Bicycle speeds.
Machine Choices
Another physical aspect to address is the scooter or motorcycle. Each rider has to make an honest appraisal of their ability to manage weight and mass. I am comfortable with the 320 pound Vespa but would not want to deal with anything much bigger. Or taller. And don’t forget the pounding a scooter or motorcycle will take from salt and grime.
Physical Considerations
Being able to flatfoot easily when necessary or push the scooter through snow when it gets stuck is important. I read about riders moving through snow on Harleys and Goldwings but that’s not for me. Too often I have managed slides on the scooter that would be impossible on anything bigger.
And each rider will have to assess traffic. In the sticks I have the luxury of reasonably light traffic in most cases. For some suburban and urban riders the reality of traffic may absolutely preclude riding in snow. I still am amazed at how some riders negotiate big city traffic in winter. Gary Charpentier, author of Rush Hour Rambling, being one of many notable winter riders.
Personal Considerations
The last thing I consider is my riding skill and experience. The only times I’ve ever been tested on skills was on dry pavement in warm weather. Most of those skills have little bearing on snow and ice. The skills I deem important in winter are a sharp eye for road surface hazards, an ability to manage speed for conditions constantly and quickly, and being able to develop risk management solutions to navigate the journey.
In the MSF course they taught me to look far ahead on the road and evaluate hazards — mainly the course of the road and other vehicles. In snow it doesn’t work that way. You manage the road in front of you and adjust speed accordingly to deal with what you see. I can recall more than one instance of moving along a dry road and suddenly come upon a completely ice covered roadway. If I had not been managing for that I would have surely gone down.
Winter Riding Strategy
Developing plans on how to get from point A to point B is an art. Part of it is knowing all the various routes available and what the traffic patterns and density might be. More than once I have had to put together some circuitous routes to get home from work. Or look for creative solutions to navigate a particularly steep and dangerous snow covered road. That kind of action has little resemblance to what most consider riding.
Braking Skills
Another skill that comes in hand is sensitive braking. While riding up this snowy road I took the opportunity to play around with the front and rear brakes. The verdict remains the same. Don’t touch the front. Learn to modulate the rear. Learn to slide. Learn the limits for brake, traction and speed. I’m certain there must be an equation.
Are You Nuts? Just Say No to Winter Riding
Well, those are the thoughts I had today, and this evening while looking at the pictures, related to riding in the snow. I don’t recommend this to anyone and there is ample argument in the motorcycle riding literature to avoid snow and for good reason. All I can say is be honest about your reasons, your abilities, temperament and limits. As I started up this hill which is much steeper than it looks I stopped to consider what I was getting into. I figured I might be able to get to the top but since it was a snow covered dirt path I didn’t really know what the surface would be like. And I could already feel the drive wheel break free on a minor incline. Coming down could be problematic and I didn’t want to drop the scooter on who knows what.
So I figured this was my limit. Besides, a warm house was waiting.
My final advice? Stay home when it snows. Why do I do this? I’m not sure but it is important for some reason. If I figure out an answer I’ll let you know…
Excellent coverage of do’s and don’ts while riding in snow and other sub-optimal conditions!
As to the why, I like the “quality of life” aspect. The world, to me, makes for better pictures with snow on it….
As you know 3 wheels and 2wd will allow a bit more capability in snow….times like those when I really appreciate my rig, especially when suddenly having to ride on top of what appears to be ice.
Gorgeous pictures Steve, once again the bar has been set high…..
I like your report, as you covered many of the details one could make for this type of riding. If you have the physical abilities to do this, I can see why it is important.
If I commuted regularly again in Syracuse, NY, I’d pass. If I had or thought I could make the time to stop and smell the roses, I’d attempt it once a month, but only on my half days.
Keep smelling the roses Steve.
Charlie6: Dom, there is something special about the world shrouded in snow. At least as long as there is heat, food and shelter available. Wouldn’t want to cope with it on a daily basis on a primitive level.
I looked at a URAL on Monday at the local dealer and was thinking that maybe, someday, when I’m older, one of those sidecar rigs might, maybe, factor into my life somehow…
you might find the blog ~ Monday Never to you liking . Two youngsters having sold their sailboat,set out to leave the Un United States for some moto touring aboard their Ural.. Ive watched two, and enjoyed
Thanks for the head’s up. I’ll have a look.
Does it really matter: Smelling the roses. Sounds easy but is in fact difficult. Riding helps but you can’t ride all the time so I continue to try and bring that habit from two-wheels to two-feet.
Winter commuting is a different matter for me. Adds another level of concern. Generally I take the Vespa when the roads are clear regardless of temperature. When snow and worse come along I don’t often chose to commute in that mess.
For many years I rode all year long. One December I was in Indiana PA overnight and the next morning I awoke to 10″ of fresh wet heavy snow on the ground. I had a 40 mile drive to home, and thank goodness there were tire ruts for me to ride in, with my feet down like outriggers most of the way. A State Trooper spotted me at about the halfway point, jumped in front of me and gave me a lights-on, siren-off escort the rest of the way. Very nice. One time I rode for hours in a blizzard over the Continental Divide. Scary and dangerous. The rest of the time I just rode daily in Pennsylvania, year round, for decades. Snow or no snow. I had all the gear, good strength and control, and I liked to think that I was (am) a pretty good motorcyclist. Now I’m way older and I don’t enjoy the cold so much, and I drive (ride) less, so I just use the car in winter if it’s snowing. But I’d love to move to a warmer climate and ride year-round again.
Steve, your comment about looking at a URAL….why wait for tomorrow when today beckons…the future is not guaranteed, live for the day…think of the “miles of smiles” astride your own URAL Sidecar Rig…
Just don’t get an orange one, then I’ll have lost any possibility of meeting your high photographic image standards….
Oh, and are you saying sidecars are “old men” conveyances? 😉
Sidecars were designed not for old men or women..but for supplies,your lover or child and neighbor . I’ve seen one in orange while it sat upon snow and it’s a beautiful sight.. haven’t seen a Ural in a color I don’t like… I think the bike itself is so striking,provoking all rich memories personal,and from films afar… that it’s no matter the color
Sidecars may not have been designed for the old, but they’re might useful in that regard.
I put some miles on the orange URAL — it does look good in pictures. Perhaps the most beautiful one in my mind.
Steve, can’t imagine riding in the white stuff, but appreciate your care and enjoyment in doing so.
Coming from a state where snow was an everyday thing for three months of the year, I certainly like the almost non- existance of it here in New Mexico…I am now not even riding when the temps are hovering around 30*, snow or no!
But your little winter riding seminar is certainly worthwhile, and hopefully for you, comforting.
The photography continues to be inspiring, but not enough to get me out on the white stuff!
Karl U
Las Cruces, NM
Steve:
If I had a lightweight scooter, instead of a top heavy Vstrom, perhaps I would attempt a snow ride
As Dom said, no one knows what the future holds so go ahead and DO IT NOW. Get the Ural . . . you will be safer for it
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Bobskoot, as to your comment re a top heavy V-Strom on snow…it brought to mine a flashback image of me sliding down a snow-covered hill, watching my R1150RT sliding down the same hill, a few feet in front of me, rotating on it’s right side jug….that day I learned one shouldn’t downshift while on snow…..
Hello from NZ again. Wonderful photos, some of my favourite to date. You have a couple of fans in the South Pacific and your posting prompted discussion on training and riding to the conditions. Snow riding sounds complex but I think I’d like to experience it, always good to know where your own abilities begin and end. Thanks for the lesson and beautiful images.
Fred: Sounds like you’ve done some serious riding in all kinds of conditions. Riding in 10 inches of snow, even with tire tracks to follow, is a tough slog.
A warm climate sounds good now and again depending on my mood. I certainly have a better understanding of that thought process.
Thanks for sharing your story with us! Always cool to learn what people have done.
Charlie6: Just not ready for a second vehicle yet. Even if I had one I suspect it wouldn’t get used much.
While in Kissell Motorsports on Monday I think I did call someone over to the URALs and indicated it was part of the old man section — that’s the place with the expensive, big machines. BMW 1600GTL, Goldwings, URAL, Ultraglides, Road Kings. All those machines that old men can afford but probably shouldn’t ride! Hah!
When I consider a graph of my life I see the weight of the machine should be inversely proportional to my age…
Karl U: New Mexico sounds lovely to me and Kim and both hope to make it there one day to explore. Less snow would be fine too.
Thanks for the kind words about the post. I’ll keep writing and making photos!
bob skoot: l am definitely a do it now don’t wait kind of guy for things that I really want. The URAL isn’t high on the list. What’s right at the top of the list now is an EPSON 3880 Photo Printer. Time for me to start putting together some shows…
do that… I can see your show hosted in Point Reyes Station.. with a standing photo exhibit plus your film plus audio.. get to it ! Come to the west coast before or later.. anyway later we’ll have succeeded to suceed from the colder more Trump oriented mentality states… to form our own union.. focusing on human and earth enriching projects.. like ride sharing and tandem motorbikes
It’s been a long time since i’ve been to Point Reyes. Last time was with view camera in tow pretending to be Edward Weston.
I do plan to put together some shows where riding plays a central role. ..
I don’t have much hope for a dramatic shift in our country’s transportation modes. The automobile (or pickup truck) is the crack of modern life. It won’t change easily…
Charlie6: I’ve never had a motorcycle sliding down the hill but have ridden along on a Vespa sliding on it’s side in the snow. Sort of startling to be part of.
Sandy Boyd: Thanks for the encouraging words about the photos. Must be pretty nice in the South Pacific right now.
Glad that my post has generated some discussion about training and riding. I think it’s an area that is neglected and would pay dividends from a little attention if only learning about limits of skill.
Ride safe!
Dear Steve,
Having enjoyed your blog from the beginning, I was delighted to read this scholarly exposition of winter riding, having wondered for so long about the calculus involved in deciding to ride in snow. Although I have only one season of Vespa riding under my belt, I am already certain that winter riding is not in the cards for me; I did OK as long as the temperature was in the 30s or higher, but below that it was too cold to be fun anymore, so why bother? And the risk of a fall, to me is not worth it. But it’s great to live vicariously through your blog and as always I appreciate it very much!
maestro: Your comment was the first ever describing one of my posts as scholarly — thanks!
Seriously though, I write down my thoughts, observations and opinions and hope people see them as such and not as any kind of authoritative writing. Each of us has to find our own way as a rider and learn our limitations.
As far as your observation about the cold makings things not fun anymore — I agree that being cold is no fun but don’t agree that cold weather precludes fun. Just takes more work to stay warm!
Hope you had a great holiday and thanks for taking the time to comment. Always appreciate hearing from long time visitors.
I needed to see a post of this detail on riding in the winter and in the weather. Thanks Steve.
Shad: Don’t rush into anything. My snow riding evolved over a long time and lots of little baby steps.
Ride safe!
Steve I’d like to see you comment ’bout how you pamper your bike once back home… such as for me… spraying down the undercarriage.. etc to de-salt .. your Vespa appears to have been well care for.. good on you ! By the way I’ve been swept’d away by vintage Honda’s… Last month brought home a ’72 CT90 Trail.. 3Kmiles upon it.. now readying to look over a similar but for pavement Honda 70 City . My Vespa 200 may be up for sale soon !
I think you might be horrified at how poorly I treat my Vespa. While I make sure the service needs are met I seldom wash the scooter. Might go an entire winter of salt and muck without ever washing the undercarriage.
So pampering I do not.
Those vintage Honda’s are great. I really like the CT90 Trail…