QUESTION - Can you ride a MOTORCYCLE year round in Dallas??? (Austin: power lines, rent)

[NJerseyBorn]

I can't afford car insurance on a car right now...cause I had an accident, and no insurance policy for a while.

But I can't rely on just public transportion...Is it possible to have a motorcycle year round in Dallas. If I bundle up on cold days??? Are the winters realy cold?

[txgolfer130]

Originally Posted by NJerseyBorn

I can't afford car insurance on a car right now...cause I had an accident, and no insurance policy for a while.

But I can't rely on just public transportion...Is it possible to have a motorcycle year round in Dallas. If I bundle up on cold days??? Are the winters realy cold?

On avg. yes. However the last 3 winters have been pretty bad (by TX standards). You can probably ride 290-310 days/yr.

[DitsyD]

Very few days remain in the 30s, most are at least in the 40s.

I'd worry more about the rains. You know, those that flood roads and cause trees to knock out power lines.

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by DitsyD

Very few days remain in the 30s, most are at least in the 40s.

I'd worry more about the rains. You know, those that flood roads cause trees to knock out power lines.

I agree. Rains and any ice we may get. Other than that, I see people on motorcycles throughout the year.

[MckinneyOwnr]

I did it for two years a long time ago in Austin when I was in college. Getting rained on wasn't fun, nor was riding in the winter time, with the windchill factor it got extremely cold some days.

You'll need a good helmet, leather riding jacket with an inner liner, thick gloves, boots, long underwear, and either riding pants or jeans for those cold days.

It can be done, but if at all possible, buy a cheap beater car to ride around in, and just get liability ins on it.

[m0nty55]

ride the bus when it is freezing

[TrueDat]

Originally Posted by txgolfer130

On avg. yes. However the last 3 winters have been pretty bad (by TX standards). You can probably ride 290-310 days/yr.

This last winter wasn't bad at all. There was hardly any snow/ice. Now 2011, on the other hand, was something else. It varies from year to year but, in general, you can ride nearly all year round in Dallas.

[stan4]

My trainer goes everywhere on his motorcycle...until the bad weather hits. Snow, bad wind, ice, or even heavy rain - then it's time for the truck.

I would not feel comfortable relying on the bike if I had very far to go (more than 5 miles or so).

I second the comment about just getting a beater.

[redmenace]

I commute by motorcycle in North Dallas as much as I can, which seems to be about 95% of the time. (I do have a car, I just prefer two wheels.) It is totally possible with the right gear and planning.

Winters are relatively mild, so the right combination of gear and layering should get you through any combination of cold/dry/wet. Ice and snow are rare (a few days every other year) but when it happens you should forget about riding. Rent a car, take a taxi, bum a ride, do anything else.

In my opinion, it's the heat that's the challenge around here. The afternoon commute will have you sweating like crazy, so if you work second or third shift you will show up sweating and stinking. Even if your afternoon commute takes you home, you will stink up your gear pretty quick. I wash my helmet liner once a month and jacket twice a month but am still losing that battle.

[EDS_]

An old friend of mine made it not quite three years in Chicago with just a bike. Think about that for a second.