Just got back from a nice ride on a twisty road. No jacket, no gloves. Just a short sleeve shirt, pants and tennis shoes. 77 degrees out and that is the sweet spot where my bike runs at it's best.

I could never put my bike away for the season. I broke my all time record and went 3 weeks without riding. Sure felt good....

 

I know the feeling! I have ridden every day since late-October and have yet to put on a jacket. I didn't ride for a couple months late this summer while on a 500 mile hike. So I am riding EVERY day. SJ Ron

 

I just got back from skiing, took the dog for a walk and plan to read Chapter 2.69 of the service manual to the scoot tonight before bed....

 

Okay I will rub it in also. Just did five rides during this past week of Polar Vortex weather in the teens and twenties. Was comfortable for each of the five rides totaling over 400 miles. Watched the last of the corn being picked and fields being prepped for next season. My typical winter averages 6,000 miles which I suspect equals or exceeds the typical sun belt riders full year total.

From my perspective being retired and having a passion for riding trumps all other reasons.

77 degrees is not the sweet spot for a HD air cooled engine. You have not experienced it unless you ride in the teens and twenties. That TC engine will feel liked it is supercharged on the dense cold oxygen. A TC88, 96, or 103 will feel more like a hopped up 110.

 

I'd feel your pain if I hadn't spent a a decade and a half in Minneapolis (prior to the past year). I rode until my fingers fell off (almost literally) but the power of winter is strong up there.

Being in DFW has brought a new thrill to winter for me. That said, for whatever reason 30 degrees feels awfully cold on the hands without heated gloves. Today, a beautiful 70 degrees until 2pm. Temp was the same but man, wind was out of control. Riding local streets was fine except for the usual crazies on 4 wheels.

 

So true! The wind was a little strong but very tolerable. Today made up for yesterday's rain.

 

Good for you dude. I love riding but I love customizing my ride just as much and that is what I do over the winter along with all the super cool winter activinties. Winter can be grand if you know how to enjoy it. I love Michigan. A seriously awesome place to live so no hate here.

 

x2 my 103 runs like a coked up cheetah at temps below 50!

 

I rode 158.4 miles today....you're right, perfect weather. I rode up to Bandera then over to Kerrville.

 

A "little strong". Brother you've got bigger ones than me. Cruising normally at 70 mph has a little strong wind lash. Cruising at 100ph consistently (+30 mps headwind) is like dragging a skinny guy on top of a plane for me.