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14 Mar 2012
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Has anyone riden in deep snow?
...what's it like to ride in deep snow. Can it be done?
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14 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fastship
...what's it like to ride in deep snow. Can it be done?
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Off road, deep snow is little different from mud or sand depending on temperatures and snow condition.
On road, not tried it, but don't like the idea!
The Finland boys will answer more fully. 
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14 Mar 2012
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Depends on how deep you mean and the terrain you will be riding, but generally it is sufferable for short distances but not recommended due to stability, traction, etc, issues. Deep snow can be a workout even when riding a snowmobile.
Where are you planning on riding that deep snow will be an issue?
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15 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MountainMan
Depends on how deep you mean and the terrain you will be riding, but generally it is sufferable for short distances but not recommended due to stability, traction, etc, issues. Deep snow can be a workout even when riding a snowmobile.
Where are you planning on riding that deep snow will be an issue?
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Highly speculative just now but for a long time I've been considering the possibilities of riding Russian zimniks. Russians I've spoken to advise against going on the "bottomless snow" as they call it and deep snow here in England just covers your toes (twice in ten years - maybe) so I have no experience of snow.
Often the winter roads become overwhelmed with snow and will then be graded but so long as there is a solid and even surface underneath I imagine you can plough through? Like I say, never done it so I can only imagine.
Here's an idea of what they can be like:
[YOUTUBE] PNY 2009 Pevek - Daroschni HQ - YouTube[YOUTUBE]
Ice grip and traction seems no problem with these for tyres:
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15 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fastship
Often the winter roads become overwhelmed with snow and will then be graded but so long as there is a solid and even surface underneath I imagine you can plough through? Like I say, never done it so I can only imagine.
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How deep snow it’s possible to drive in depends on several factors. If the snow is light, the traction is good, the surface is even, your skills are good and you are lucky you can plough through pretty deep snow. Normally we have these conditions 2-3 days every winter where I live.
If the snow is heavy or there has been cold after a warm period you might get problems even if it’s not much snow. A few weeks ago I used 6 hours to cover less then a km, with a light KTM EXC with no luggage and the best tires you can get.
You will never know how deep the snow is in front of you, snow evens out the surface and suddenly it can be pretty deep. It also camouflages ruts, potholes and stones, sometimes you have to guess where the road/track goes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fastship
Ice grip and traction seems no problem with these for tyres:
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I use tires like that (Trelleborg/Mitas with 7 mm studs) and as you say grip on ice is excellent, better then you get with slicks on tarmac. But usually you don’t drive on ice and the tires are lethal on tarmac/concrete.
When it comes to overlanding I would say that travelling in deep snow on remote places is high-risk. If the weather turns bad you might be stuck for days, or weeks, or months. Can you handle it? How cold can it get? Will your bike handle it?
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15 Mar 2012
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15 Mar 2012
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Only done it a few times on ordinary tyres and it was horrible. Soft snow was bad but on the kind of semi-hard packed soft snow skiers call spring snow it was absolutely terrifying. Never again!
You might be all right with those studded monsters though!
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15 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBaba
You will never know how deep the snow is in front of you, snow evens out the surface and suddenly it can be pretty deep. It also camouflages ruts, potholes and stones, sometimes you have to guess where the road/track goes.
When it comes to overlanding I would say that travelling in deep snow on remote places is high-risk. If the weather turns bad you might be stuck for days, or weeks, or months. Can you handle it? How cold can it get? Will your bike handle it?
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That was my thought, what's under the snow!
I think a bike might be more capable than four/six wheels in these conditions. I'm more off road than on nowadays, my beloved KTM 500 two stroke is the evilest bike I've ever ridden (only I can start it  ) but I think a spell at the Norwegian School of Winter Warfare on the Hardangervidda plateau would be required by me! I have not the first conception of what real cold is really like - but that's the adventure of it. Also, no one has ever been to these parts by bike, as Colebatch and the Polish lads have demonstrated, it can only be done in winter (I'm thinking Chukotka)
I have a Zil 131 and know lots about URAL trucks too, when it comes to a bike simple is best also so air cooled, replace seals with aerospace spec ones (for the cold) up rate the electrics, design a warmer heated suit...it's all just a thought experiment for now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ta-rider
Hi,
It can be done untill the engine tuches the snow and starts to buch snow in front of you while riding then you get stuck:
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That's a good point, never thought of that one. I wonder what a GS would be like?
There's also snow chains for bikes:
and Snow claw:
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Last edited by Fastship; 15 Mar 2012 at 15:30.
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15 Mar 2012
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i have ridden off road in snow about a foot deep on an XT600E fitted with TCK80's. I found it quite grippy and fun, you got used to the back sliding about and even the odd front slide. The problem came when the snow was less deep and you were riding on the ice under the snow, that was less fun
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15 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fastship
I wonder what a GS would be like?
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I've used my GS (R80GS...) on tires with small studs for commuting and fun a few winters and it has been a good winterbike. I never did any extreme offroad but I'm sure there will be problems before the snow reaches the cylinders.
With synthetic 0Wxx oil and a standard battery it started easily to -17-19°c. I should have had a bigger battery for the cold days.
When driving in snow tires are extremely important, I never use anything else then winter-tires from Trelleborg/Mitas. It's far better then anything else I've tried.
Some soft-core pics:
This has to be fun:
June in Norway:
Testriding Ural:
Last edited by AliBaba; 15 Mar 2012 at 18:50.
Reason: Added pics
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7 May 2012
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More on cold and snow riding
The internet has lots of good information. Paul Mondor is the real person with the experience to listen to:
Paul "The Iceman" Mondor - ICEMAN Motorcycle Tour Co. Tour Introduction
Arctic project (Epic Arctic Ride) - ADVrider
Trans labrador HWY in Winter - ADVrider
Canadian Arctic Winter Ride; Ice Roads and the Dempster Highway - ADVrider
I've done some snow riding, not by choice most times, and light bike is much better. Deep snow doesn't work. Cold, you have to gear up for it. That takes time and experience with what gear works for you, extending your riding distance with each trip. Snow, with traffic, requires respect. Cold, you need to understand the issues of cold and how it effects you, how to dress for it, and how to fuel yourself and stay hydrated.
Getting a bike running and keeping it running in snow and/or cold is another skill set to develop. I use a propane heater to warm the engine prior to starting the bike, for one.
Cold and snow riding are both interesting elements of riding. There are many solutions and unique skill sets that are interesting to learn. All day riding in those conditions will test your knowledge and equipment, and make you a better rider. (Or it will insure that your SO and friends can confirm that you are really nuts - which is good!)
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7 May 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LD Hack
The internet has lots of good information. Paul Mondor is the real person with the experience to listen to:
Paul "The Iceman" Mondor - ICEMAN Motorcycle Tour Co. Tour Introduction
Arctic project (Epic Arctic Ride) - ADVrider
Trans labrador HWY in Winter - ADVrider
Canadian Arctic Winter Ride; Ice Roads and the Dempster Highway - ADVrider
I've done some snow riding, not by choice most times, and light bike is much better. Deep snow doesn't work. Cold, you have to gear up for it. That takes time and experience with what gear works for you, extending your riding distance with each trip. Snow, with traffic, requires respect. Cold, you need to understand the issues of cold and how it effects you, how to dress for it, and how to fuel yourself and stay hydrated.
Getting a bike running and keeping it running in snow and/or cold is another skill set to develop. I use a propane heater to warm the engine prior to starting the bike, for one.
Cold and snow riding are both interesting elements of riding. There are many solutions and unique skill sets that are interesting to learn. All day riding in those conditions will test your knowledge and equipment, and make you a better rider. (Or it will insure that your SO and friends can confirm that you are really nuts - which is good!) |
That's exactly right respect nature is the key thing! You can't fight against nature and conditions you must live with them and you'll survive.
I have done 3 shots over 1000 mile less than 24h on cold and coldest one have been -32C. Every time it's easier because of knowledge what you are facing how to prepare and how to react on the road.
Do not under estimate cold that can kill you easily before you become aware of it.
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