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Anyone have any thoughts on winter tyres for when we have snow on the ground?
Here in Germany it's ileagal to ride your bike (or drive the cage) without winter tyres when there's snow on the ground, and thier thinking about making the law seasonal...
Now I cannot go to the darkside as that would make my insurance non-valid, so they would have to be motorcycle tyres. also in BRG (Burocratic Republic Germany) the tyre size, type, make and model are recorded in you vehicle documents. However most Voyagers do have a certain amount of leeway as make and model are not compulsory...
And before anyone asks, I don't have a cage I ride all year in all weather...
Regards Steve
In our part of the woods, for CAR tires to pass the "winter tire" law they must have a snowflake embedded in the sidewall. Does the same apply in Germany? Otherwise, all I can think of is a "trail bike" tire or dual sport tire, something with deep tread. But finding the right size. . .
Ron in Oregon
AVA Webmaster ("master" is optimistic!)
AVA Board Member
1995 Voyager XII
Yep, here in Germany it's the same. There are one or two companies who produce winter tires but they are very rare, as most bikes can only use the tires that are in the bikes papers. so there's not a great market here.
Yeah, I checked them out, but they don't do any thing in the sizes or speed specs that we need...
So I guess it's either build me a rat bike (The LTD) , buy a cage or walk ...
Around here they do do mass vehicle checks every now and then, and especially when the big OMGs party, which is often around here...
Which means yes there's a good chance.
Also bikes are rare in the winter, so the cops get curios. And most people who know me just shake there head and say "Crazy Englischmann!"
Normaly I don't bother with winter tires, but the Voyager is a little heavier tha the other bikes, and the cops have been cracking down.
in the last couple of years...
Asfor the penalties... Certainly a hefty fine, points on your driving licence (8 and you loose it) and in all probability the bike impounded as the would consider it unroadworthy.
Due to the type approval over here any changes usually have to be checked and entered into the vehicles documents, and one can only use parts that have been tested for that vehicle. Now there are exceptions, and as the Voyager was never officially imported to Germany, you can get away with a lot. However, knobby off-road type tires are definate no-go...
I can't even fit extra lights on the back of the bike...!
I used to ride in all weather ,including snow up to about 3 inches on my 1300.
A good set of Dunlop E2's never let me down,even on ice.
E3's would probably work just as well.
Got a little hairy when the car ahead of me hit the brakes or I passed them cause they were going to slow.
well thats a first, never heard of a snow tire for a bike, maybe thats why they drink beer out of those big mugs... get the guts up enough to ride in the snow..LOL
77 LTD 1000
77 kz 650
75 z1 900
98 voyager xii
State Captain
Texas Patriot Guard Riders
When I lived in Denver, I rode in the snow all the time. Did I fall, you bet, did it improve my riding, yes. As I write this I can feel all of my bones, just last May while on a ride back to Colorado I was caught in a snow storm in the mountains. They even closed the Interstate because of accidents. But me and my 1700 Voyager made it through, the pucker factor was 20 out of 10. The temp was 26 degrees, but I carry my electric gear in my saddle bags until June. Two days before the temp was 98 degrees in Denver.
I have no problem riding in the cold. Last year I rode to work every day through mid December at 5am on my XS1100. However, the second the snow hits the ground, thats it for me. No way hell would I try riding on ice or snow.
or walk 
