Hi. I ride all year long in all weather, in rainy Seattle.
Rides: Honda Rebel, Honda Helix
(I'm currently shopping for something with a tad more horsepower. Probably a bigger cruiser, as they seem to handle wet roads better than sportbikes. Center of gravity, fork angle, and such.
Gear: (I live in rainy Seattle, so my gear is.. geared... for dryness and warmth)
Helmet: HJC modular & balaclava
Jacket: Tourmaster
Gloves: Klim Element leather, with a 2nd pair of wool underneath on really cold days.
Pants: insulation, jeans, pullover waterproof pants.
Boots: dexter waterproof
I don't own a car, so the bikes are my only form of transport. Ask me anything!
Rebel: http://imgur.com/a/Nbpq4
Rebel&Helix: http://imgur.com/hsTu4uG
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[–] SkinnyMagna [S] ago
It rarely snows up here. Mostly, winter is just cold and wet. It'll dip below freezing for about a month, which makes for ice in the morning. The trick is to take it easy (especially in the turns), and just coast gently through rough patches. Also, dress very warmly, so your muscles are relaxed and not tense from the cold. This is probably the most important cold weather tip I can give. If you are tense and uncomfortable, you won't be riding at 100%, and that just compounds the road hazards. To sum it up, be comfortable and take it slow on slick roads. A few minutes late is better than calling from the ER.
I live and work in Seattle, between Georgetown and Sodo. It's about a 15 minute commute through the back roads. It used to be 45 minutes riding the freeway, usually due to traffic snarls in rush hour. I might be moving in the next few months, preferably to a more affordable location.