Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North America
Question for BC riders Question for BC riders
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North America Topics specific to Canada and USA/Alaska only.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By PanEuropean

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 May 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6
Question for BC riders
Will be moving to Vancouver in the coming months. Curious if people ride year around?

I'd appreciate any advice on gear and riding equipment.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 May 2016
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,125
I can answer based on having lived in Victoria (just across the water) for 5 years.

Pretty much, you can ride year round. It might be wet, and it might be cold, but it is not common for the streets to be covered for continuous days with ice or snow.

Having said that, I would not want to rely on a motorcycle as my only form of transport 12 months of the year. You will often have days when snow falls at night and it is still on the ground until perhaps 11 in the morning. That means you need to find some other way of getting to work in the morning. Similarly, you might get cold snaps from time to time that leave the roads coated with black ice - you don't want to go riding on that.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 May 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by PanEuropean View Post
I can answer based on having lived in Victoria (just across the water) for 5 years.

Pretty much, you can ride year round. It might be wet, and it might be cold, but it is not common for the streets to be covered for continuous days with ice or snow.

Having said that, I would not want to rely on a motorcycle as my only form of transport 12 months of the year. You will often have days when snow falls at night and it is still on the ground until perhaps 11 in the morning. That means you need to find some other way of getting to work in the morning. Similarly, you might get cold snaps from time to time that leave the roads coated with black ice - you don't want to go riding on that.

Michael
Thanks Michael.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 May 2016
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,125
Dan:

If you do intend to ride year-round in Vancouver, it would be worth your while to consider getting a one-piece suit such as an Aerostitch Roadcrafter.

Such a garment will serve two purposes: It will provide you with more than adequate protection in case you have an accident or take a tumble, and it will also keep you warm & dry if you are riding in the rain. When buying such a suit, you want to size it so that you can put it on over top of normal indoor clothes. That way, you can dress for work, put the Roadcrafter on over top, ride to work and just take it off.

Aerostitch's factory is in Duluth. You mentioned in another discussion that you were thinking of riding out west via the US (going south of Lake Superior). If that is the case, then it would be well worth your time to visit Aerostitch in person for a fitting.

Their garments are not inexpensive, but the quality is legendary, and their stuff lasts - literally - forever. I have a Roadcrafter that I bought 15 years ago and use regularly, it still functions as well as it did when it was new.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 May 2016
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Yes, get ready for quite a bit of rain, we moved to SSI, BC from Alberta at Christmas and even I was surprised how much it rains here - and I'm British!

I do like the idea of the Aerostitch one piece suits, but they work out to be nearly $1700 CAD, I use Klim Traverse Gore-Tex pants with an MEC Gore-Tex rain jacket over my riding jacket, I will have to start saving some tokens for a Roadcrafter.......

As Michael says, there will be days in Winter when you cannot ride, so have an alternate means of transport lined up.
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 May 2016
brclarke's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 812
I think PanEuropean gave you a great answer. Vancouver, the lower mainland, and the southern end of Vancouver Island get a lot of cool, rainy weather from say mid-October until mid-March - but it is rare to see ice or snow last more than a handful of days. I keep my bike insured and on the road year-round.


Temps in January are usually still above freezing, even at night, and often we can get a spell of warm dry air coming in from the Pacific. It isn't unusual to have wet slushy snow one day, then have long-sleeved golfing weather the next.


You will want to some good rain gear that slips on easily over your regular riding gear.
__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Jun 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NorthVancouver Island
Posts: 137
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan.e View Post
Will be moving to Vancouver in the coming months. Curious if people ride year around?

I'd appreciate any advice on gear and riding equipment.
I live on Central Vancouver Island {after moving from the North Island} and ride year around, have done so for many yrs.. I put up a picture thread of a year of riding on Vancouver Island here: B.C. Daytripping | Adventure Rider
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2013 Rocky Mountain Adventure Riders Rendezvous, July 25-28, Colorado, USA Big_John Motorcycle Events around the world 5 22 Feb 2017 01:03
Question for UK riders. jed1 Europe 23 22 Jul 2014 01:41
From zero to Zambia: A learner about Africa Riders for Health Ride Tales 0 22 Mar 2013 13:13

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:51.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top