Snow birding this year

The wife and I have decided after much thought to move down to Lakeland, Florida for the winter. We will be staying with my in-laws there until next spring. I’m taking my Silver wing (on my trailer) and look forward to riding through the entire winter. From what I understand even in January the normal high temps stay in the mid 70’s. I know this morning that here in Iowa it was 10F and when we called the in-laws it was 84F at the same time. I’m looking forward to doing a LOT of exploring and one of my goals is to ride the Keys. If all goes well we intend to depart Iowa on December 13th or there about.

Thought I’d keep everyone posted on my progress this winter if you’d like. I will also be taking a lot of pictures to post.

If anyone on this website lives near there I’d be grateful for a riding partner that knows the area.

Keith
Iowa – soon to be in Florida

OK Keith,

I'm sure that every Silverwing rider on this forum would like to go with you on this ride to the key's. I know that I sure would like to go. That sounds like a bunch of fun to me....Any time of the year. I've looked at the marker on tip Key west, many times on Google earth.

Have a great trip and besure to take some pictures.

DennisB wrote:

OK Keith,

I'm sure that every Silverwing rider on this forum would like to go with you on this ride to the key's. I know that I sure would like to go. That sounds like a bunch of fun to me....Any time of the year. I've looked at the marker on tip Key west, many times on Google earth.

Have a great trip and besure to take some pictures.

Dennis you took the words right from my mouth.

I spent seven weeks in Florida way back and my one regret was not driving down the keys.

I am ridiculously jealous.

That's great news Keith! The silverwing will do exceptional on a trip to the keys. We were just there this past summer, it was beautiful! You will be glad to know that there were a lot of road improvemnts, but they keep traffic moving quite well. Stay warm!

Just look out for the speed bumps with the wiggly tails. Sounds like a great adventure.

Good for you ,I will be doing a month of that my self this winter .But I will be in Texas .

Why not ride down? One day straight south to get out of the nasty weather. More fun than trailer. Your wife can drive car....if you need it.

I know somebody will say my reply is nasty----but riding is what this thing is all about....at least to me.

John Grinsel

john grinsel wrote:

Why not ride down? One day straight south to get out of the nasty weather. More fun than trailer. Your wife can drive car....if you need it.

John, you are making a huge assumption, that his wife would be willing to drive alone in the car all the way to Florida ... my wife would not be willing.

john grinsel wrote:

I know somebody will say my reply is nasty----but riding is what this thing is all about....at least to me.

Not nasty just insensitive ... if someone does trailer a motorcycle/scooter you berate them for their decision.

Riding is not my top priority (even though I do a lot of miles):

1) God
2) Family
3) Job
4) Riding

honda_silver wrote:

Riding is not my top priority (even though I do a lot of miles):

1) God
2) Family
3) Job
4) Riding

We could turn this into a very interesting topic unto itself.
For me it's family, riding, job, god
How about a poll?

It could be -30 when I leave ,I will stick with the trailer . But I love your input John .

john grinsel wrote:

----but riding is what this thing is all about....at least to me.

John Grinsel

yes sir, got it, oh yeah, okay, 10-4, okey dokey, word, check, true dat, roger, affirmative, yup, point taken, I'm hearin' ya, thumbs up, all the way dude, si. Hope that's not too repetitive.

Trailer your bike if you find it is the best thing for you to do. Enjoy the trip.

Or, even though you would not feel comfortable and may be exposing yourself to unnecessary risk because you would be riding outside of your comfort zone - ride the damn thing. Who cares if it may be unsafe because you are improperly clothed or bundled to the point of immobility. It's about riding - you jackweed! -- We now return to the rational world.

jdeereanton wrote:

john grinsel wrote:

----but riding is what this thing is all about....at least to me.

John Grinsel

yes sir, got it, oh yeah, okay, 10-4, okey dokey, word, check, true dat, roger, affirmative, yup, point taken, I'm hearin' ya, thumbs up, all the way dude, si. Hope that's not too repetitive.

I forgot about your dream of returning to the UP so am amending the above with - Ya sure you betcha! And since you also dream of returning to Germany - Jawohl und Ja!

Ignore Grins...he has a pathological hatred of trailers.

When he goes on trips he rides around looking for bike trailers so he can judge people. This is not an exaggeration, he literally does this.

Don't let him and people like him succeed in stigmatizing trailers. If you want to go somewhere you will need your other vehicle and your bike, trailer it. If you're going somewhere you want to ride that's farther than you feel comfortable riding, trailer it. If you're driving through some weather or some territory you don't feel like riding through, trailer it.

If while on your way you see guys like JG riding without their underwear and freezing their bare butts off, feel free to give them the middle finger as you go by.

P.S. I'm in Florida as I write this, but not as far south as Lakeland but it's perfect riding weather, 70s and 80s every day.

I'll post pictures later but my bathroom inspections are going well, very filthy. Yet there hasn't been one driver in the entire state with a cell phone, can you believe it?

Question on winter trailering from the cold north.
Will you guys cover the scooter on the trailer or leave it open to the elements?
The reason I ask is that in the US they use horrendous amounts of salt to melt any ice and snow on the interstates. I have seen dark colored cars look absolutely white from the brine drying on them. I sure wouldn't want that crap all over my scooter.

If you cover the scooter, insure that it is an inflexible cover, such as an enclosed trailer. If you simply use a tarp or bike cover the damage to the bike will be MUCH greater than the road salt (which will wash off easily at trips end).

This advise is based on several years of hauling an observed trials bike all year around, week in week out.

:flower: :flower:

bigbird wrote:

Question on winter trailering from the cold north.
Will you guys cover the scooter on the trailer or leave it open to the elements?
The reason I ask is that in the US they use horrendous amounts of salt to melt any ice and snow on the interstates. I have seen dark colored cars look absolutely white from the brine drying on them. I sure wouldn't want that crap all over my scooter.

It will be open to the elements on the way there and back .It will get a bath when I get there . This will be my second trip the last time my car was still clean when I got there . There was no snow south of Omaha .

joncallihan wrote:

If you cover the scooter, insure that it is an inflexible cover, such as an enclosed trailer. If you simply use a tarp or bike cover the damage to the bike will be MUCH greater than the road salt (which will wash off easily at trips end).

This advise is based on several years of hauling an observed trials bike all year around, week in week out.

:flower: :flower:

Thank you, I didn't think of that and was planning to cover the bike with a tarp. Makes sense to just strap it down and if I run into salt or whatever just stop off at a car wash.

Keith
Iowa

john grinsel wrote:

Why not ride down? One day straight south to get out of the nasty weather. More fun than trailer. Your wife can drive car....if you need it.

I know somebody will say my reply is nasty----but riding is what this thing is all about....at least to me.

John Grinsel

Actually your idea at least for me would have been great if not for 2 factors.

1. The wife don't want to drive 1500 miles in the car by herself.
2. Here in Iowa we have wind chills of -20 at this time of the year not to include the wind from the scooter travel which would bring it down to around -60. How does one dress for this?

Now had the wife and I had this idea planned out in October when we still had high temps in the 40's and 50's I would have ridden the scooter and stopped more stops to let the wife rest up.

Keith
Iowa

joncallihan wrote:

If you cover the scooter, insure that it is an inflexible cover, such as an enclosed trailer. If you simply use a tarp or bike cover the damage to the bike will be MUCH greater than the road salt (which will wash off easily at trips end).

This advise is based on several years of hauling an observed trials bike all year around, week in week out.

:flower: :flower:

Thank you. That fully answers my question.

EEEERRRRR






MMMMMM summer at last

I'm looking out my living room window watching the first blizzard for the year. Knowing that this Monday I'll be driving down south is refeshing.

Anyone along the way seeing a blue 2010 Honda CRV hauling a 2010 Swing on a trailer that will be me.

Catch back up to you guys from Fl.

Keith

I was watching the weather tonight and wondering when you were heading south! Have a safe trip.

OK, news from the new 'locals' here. We live in Tampa and are out almost every weekend - - last weekend was down to the everglades. We've been to Key West now several times and welcome another rider - - but why are you alone? My wife rides the SW and I ride a Sacarbeo GT - - three to four day trips are always a possibility. Email us and we'll get back to you.

tj

Texas Viper wrote:

OK, news from the new 'locals' here. We live in Tampa and are out almost every weekend - - last weekend was down to the everglades. We've been to Key West now several times and welcome another rider - - but why are you alone? My wife rides the SW and I ride a Sacarbeo GT - - three to four day trips are always a possibility. Email us and we'll get back to you.

tj

I tried to find your email address but can't. You can email me at: compguy@iowatelecom.net

Looking forward to meeting you.

Just a few pics for Christmas:









Merry Christmas everyone.

Keith

blimey i really envy you sitting in my room with 6inches of snow outside.plus haven't ridden my wing for 4 weeks now.

Just bought my first Silverwing. I'm a Concierge and live in Key West, FL.
Come on down the weather is great! If you drop me a line before you get here I'll set you up with freebees and discounts on all the great stuff to do in Key West or I'll be happy to help you anyway I can. papamatt@gmail.com

Safe Travels,

Papa Matt

I'm in north Florida and I'd like to say it looks like the pics compguy posted a few days ago, but it's 37F, overcast, and snowing. Just little flurries that won't stick, but d*** -- this is Florida.

I'm in Jacksonville FL for Xmas vacation and there are flurries....

But yesterday was T-shirt weather...gorgeous.

Holly Smokes PaPa Mat,

There are a bunch of us that would just love to ride to Key West and take in the sights, food, and warm weather of Key's. Hopefully soon... I sure would like to make that trip after I find a job and get some money and vaction time.

Thank You for offering.

I quit my job before I came to Key West. Lots to do down here. If I can help any fellow SW riders and friends it will be my pleasure. Just give me a call or drop me an email. 305-849-1054 papamatt@gmail.com

Try to keep warm til you get here...

papa matt wrote:

I quit my job before I came to Key West. Lots to do down here. If I can help any fellow SW riders and friends it will be my pleasure. Just give me a call or drop me an email. 305-849-1054 papamatt@gmail.com

Try to keep warm til you get here...

I'll come. Just right after the 1st of Jan.

Keith

with the Silver Wing in Florida? Extraordinary!!! Make many pictures.

It was really warm today.





There are some bad things about living in the warm weather.

Tresspassers will be eaten ??

Bob

compguy wrote:

one of my goals is to ride the Keys.

When is the tentative date for the ride to the Keys (and pictures)

When is the tentative date for the ride to the Keys (and pictures)

I had a contact made in Key West for a scooter rider to give me a tour, but for some reason I'd lost contact with him and I will wait to see if I hear from him. But if not then I'll plan a trip solo.

Keith

Yesterday I found this State Park. Looks like if you don't have a horse(s) then there isn't much to do. It cost $4 to even get in, even though the other state parks would let me in on my word that all I did was take pics and check things out. The Harley was owned by a vet like myself and we were the only two vehicles in the parking lot. I never found the owner of this bike he/she must have gone walking on a trail.

Keith

Keith- if you come to the east coast of Florida, let us know. We live in Palm Bay and would welcome a visit and a ride.

You cam pm me for contact info.

Icecream anyone?




No not snow, white sand.



Keith

Are the toilets clean down in Florida?

bigbird wrote:

Are the toilets clean down in Florida?

Mostly, however in the more populated areas of course it's hard to find a clean restroom. So far the State Parks have had clean toilets.

Keith

compguy wrote:

bigbird wrote:

Are the toilets clean down in Florida?

Mostly, however in the more populated areas of course it's hard to find a clean restroom. So far the State Parks have had clean toilets.
Keith

We should forward this critical bit of info to John Grinsel :lol!:

Ok this is a question I have for any of the locals here in Fl. Who no fly's or Mosquitos here? I've been in many places in this world but one thing always stayed the same and that was those two insects. There is plenty of standing water but I don't see any Mosquitos. Why?

In Iowa if I leave a bucket outside durning a rain and forget to dump it for a couple of days it will be full of Mosquitos.

I realized this one day when my father-in-law opened the front door wide open and just left it there. Try that in any place else and you'd have a house full of insects in no time, here he left it open for better than an hour with nothing.

To everything there is a season -

Keith, those are some awesome pictures. Something is missing though... when I watch CSI Miami... the beaches are covered with babes in bikinis. Don't tell me that those tv shows are based on reality.

I can't explain the absence of mosquitoes, but I suspect that all the flys have migrated to the Tennessee restrooms.

I am being silly, great country we live in. Florida IS special. And I love visiting the great state of Tennessee.

Opalsboy wrote:

Keith, those are some awesome pictures. Something is missing though... when I watch CSI Miami... the beaches are covered with babes in bikinis. Don't tell me that those tv shows are based on reality.

I can't explain the absence of mosquitoes, but I suspect that all the flys have migrated to the Tennessee restrooms.

I am being silly, great country we live in. Florida IS special. And I love visiting the great state of Tennessee.

I've been keeping my eyes open for the babes in bikinis, so far though I think it's been a bit cool for them. It's been getting down in the 30-50's at night but still averages around 70 or better during the day. It's my understanding that the month of Feb the average high will be around 80 so I think they'll be out in force then.

Keith

compguy wrote:

Ok this is a question I have for any of the locals here in Fl. Who no fly's or Mosquitos here?

Down in they keys we ran a bug that was so small it could fit through the screen and bite you ... they would call them "no see ums" because they were so small. The only thing that would stop them was a very very fine screen.

Around where I live in Texas there are hardly ever any mosquitoes due to the bat population ... which do a great job.

That's the only advantage I can see to this record-cold weather we've been having in FL -- the skeeters aren't around. But trust me; once it warms up and we have a few showers, they'll be back. Big enough to feel them land before they bite.

19 degrees yesterday morning and 62 this afternoon. It's no wonder everyone gets sick. But it sure was nice riding weather today.