 cold weather and traction
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 37
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 37 |
Is it just me, or does traction decrease with temperature? I've noticed in the mornings, even at the end of a half-hour ride at 32 degrees, I'm not getting the cornering traction that I am happy to have when it is warmer. Plus, when it has been cold and raining, it also seems that I'm getting less traction than during warm rain. It seems the rough boundary is about 45 degrees. It it that the tires never really warm up, or something else?
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Re: cold weather and traction
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
I've definitely heard of less traction in very cold weather as tires become less plyable, but haven't heard anything about hot problems.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: cold weather and traction
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Is it just me, or does traction decrease with temperature?
Yep.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: cold weather and traction
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 455
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 455 |
Firm acceleration and firm braking will help warm the tires/tyres up. Note: not pealing out and slamming the brakes on while leaving skid marks.
I also like to carefully weave to try and get the outer edges warmed up. Just my two cents.
Brad
Neon Blue '05 SM
Where are the pedals on this thing?
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Re: cold weather and traction
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 37
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 37 |
Thanks for the information! I should clarify -- traction seems to decrease with a drop in temperature. When the road is wet, I'm being especially careful not to get on the gas coming out of a turn, as it can break loose pretty easily. Good practice also for picking the right path through curves!
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Re: cold weather and traction
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
The surface temperature of the road bed has a lot to with traction, it's especially apparent when you reduce the contact patch in a curve. You might find it to your benefit to experiment with a slight drop in tire pressure to assist the tires in carrying some heat, but a cold road surface is always going to be slick.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: cold weather and traction
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Heat softens rubber and oil based pavement, making both stickier. Cold pavement will leach heat from tires so they never reach a temperature high enough to give you good traction.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: cold weather and traction
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
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Re: cold weather and traction
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
Good article Martin. One good thing, I don't have much opportunity or really want to ride when it's in the 30s. I don't usually ride if it is below the 50s. Fortunately, I can ride year round doing that.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: cold weather and traction
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
You guys don't know what COLD is! Here in Florida it dropped below 50  last week!(or was it 60, doesn't matter) My traction got better. May have something to do with having four tires under me during these ARCTIC BLASTS! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: cold weather and traction
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 31
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 31 |
Quote:
You guys don't know what COLD is!
Here in Florida it dropped below 50 last week!(or was it 60, doesn't matter)
WHAT!!! Florida is telling us what cold is !?!?!?!?
I rode to work in the snow this morning. SNOW!!! Not to mention the blizzard to rode through this SUMMER in Montana. I didn't know it then, but I know now, that June in Montana is snow season.
umm... was that sarcasm...?
Without the sacrifice of the devoted none shall reap the fruits of peace.
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