How cold is too cold?

When I was younger (in my teens) I use to go riding in all kinds of weather. I recall a cold windy even when my phone rang and it was a buddy of mine saying "we have never gone riding when it was this cold" and off we went! I bought my SxS this last summer about being out of the woods for about 30 years. I know some of you have gone riding when the temps are in the singe digits but there is no way you are going to convince me that this is a comfortable temperature to ride in. So, in your opinion, what is the breaking point between the temps being in the "yes, it's cold out but not that bad" range and you wondering why the hell you are not at home where it's warm? What is your temperature cut off?

have rode atvs in 10 to 15 degree weather as long as your dressed for it you can take it....but I would say the mark for me nowadays is 20 if its below that im probably gonna stay home unless there a bunch of snow.....and its snowing here so ill probably go out tomorrow for a ride

It depends on how much of a cab you have,clothes,heater etc. Rode 4 degrees day warned up then got cold again.Also how bad you want to ride. When we rode burning rock the 1st got a little chilly after dark.lol I would agree with about 20. 30 years off you have some making up to do though.

My breaking point is if it never gets above freezing for the day I ride.  When I got back into riding in 2007 I rode no matter the temp.  Many winter rides were 15F for the high.   After watching the damage from breaking frozen mud holes, frozen throttle cables, tires coming off rim and not being able to reset bead, and the fact that it can be uncomfortable I generally pass now if it will not get above freezing.

I ride 2000 to 3000 miles a year so no reason to feel like I "gotta" ride when really really cold.

I'm with Randy, gotta get above freezing for the day, for several reasons. In WV all you gotta do on a 20 degree day is go up on top of the mtn and with the wind up there all of a sudden it's -5 below chill factor or less. Frozen mud hole are a pain in the ass too for tires boots and frozen throttle cables, brakes etc. Another factor if people need to get off the mtn they find it so dangerous getting their trucks and trailer back down on all that black ice and snow. Hell if it ever snow here in Winston Salem we ride till we find a campfire or some chili and stew of some kind.

I don't like ice chunks banging under there.  That stuff is sharp.  Will wait for a thaw, although it's been so long I'm about ready to go anyway.

In the past I have rode in zero degree weather with no windshield on my first RZR.I rode 127 miles one day when it was 7 degrees all day when I had my Ranger.I have always rode no matter how cold it was but the older I get I like it to be at least above 40 but will ride if its a little colder but not as enjoyable.

Really appreciate all of the feedback. The coldest I have been out this year has been the mid/upper 40s and that was a nice ride. I was thinking the middle 30s for minimum temperatures and I think I am going to stick with that. Keep the feedback coming....

I'm with everyone else above freezing but will go when it's colder depends on how bad you want to ride

I rode with Mark and Charlie and crew on the Christmas run in 2011 it was 12 degrees. That's when I had my Grizzly. I about froze that day. Now I seldom ride from December to March.

coldest i rode was 7 degrees about two years ago when Bobby D had his rzr we left hilltop when it was snowing temp stayed about 11 degrees all day with the wind blowing hard he had the picture of his rzr with all the snow on on the site for a long time

Timmi wrote:

I rode with Mark and Charlie and crew on the Christmas run in 2011 it was 12 degrees. That's when I had my Grizzly. I about froze that day. Now I seldom ride from December to March.

Im pretty sure thats the year my battery froze up and I had to be towed back.

As a sidenote I also avoid riding in deep snow.  Three or so years ago we rode a weekend when the snow was over 10" deep.  It was amazing at the number of times we could not get up a trail.  The bypass back from welch on a slight hill the snow was maybe 14" deep and the tires could not grab.  Added maybe 90 minutes since he had to find another way.  Same thing happened in the HM trails.  If the snow is deep you really can get stuck where you don't wanna be.  Winch is useless since it will be an iceblock that will not let out cable.

Good point Randy

I will ride in the cold and have fun as long as there's not alot of frozen mudholes to go through, and the snow is not so deep that it slows you down a lot.  I would get cold when it's in the 20s with the wind blowing and a ton of clothes on.  My taller doors have made a huge improvement.  I still can't believe how much warmer it is in there.  Those, and my chopped cage really keep all the wind out of the inside as long as I'm doing at least 15 mph.  I had to shed my coat on New Years day, and was still getting warm with my carhardts on.  I would say I can ride all day in comfort now when it's in the 20s.

Randy R wrote:

As a sidenote I also avoid riding in deep snow.  Three or so years ago we rode a weekend when the snow was over 10" deep.  It was amazing at the number of times we could not get up a trail.  The bypass back from welch on a slight hill the snow was maybe 14" deep and the tires could not grab.  Added maybe 90 minutes since he had to find another way.  Same thing happened in the HM trails.  If the snow is deep you really can get stuck where you don't wanna be.  Winch is useless since it will be an iceblock that will not let out cable.

I agree and deep snow will really heat up your belt and could cause it to fail and shorten the life of it.Me and Barry rode in deep snow over Camp Creek years ago in deep snow and his belt broke half way thru the day.It really puts a strain on your machine.

Bobby D wrote:

In the past I have rode in zero degree weather with no windshield on my first RZR.I rode 127 miles one day when it was 7 degrees all day when I had my Ranger.I have always rode no matter how cold it was but the older I get I like it to be at least above 40 but will ride if its a little colder but not as enjoyable.

  although last year round this tiime i rode with bobby d and some of the guys about 8 degrees 5 or 6 inchs of snow on kfx700 2 wheel drive racing 4 wheeler thanks to josh keepn tow rope handy to get me out of some ice holes i made it  40 degrees sounds good

Randy R wrote:

My breaking point is if it never gets above freezing for the day I ride.  When I got back into riding in 2007 I rode no matter the temp.  Many winter rides were 15F for the high.   After watching the damage from breaking frozen mud holes, frozen throttle cables, tires coming off rim and not being able to reset bead, and the fact that it can be uncomfortable I generally pass now if it will not get above freezing.

I ride 2000 to 3000 miles a year so no reason to feel like I "gotta" ride when really really cold.

Well said.  

Prefer above freezing. Seen to much damage from ice hitting the machines.

Has to be sunny and 70 with no rain in sight.... 

1 of the best rides I ever had started out at 4* got up to 17* midday, bout two years ago, sun was out bright, 4" fresh snow reflected sun so with ski suit was comfy (Rhino was warmer than my RZR and had heated seats) WV had bout a week at teens for highs all puddles were frozen solid with no breaking through except long deep holes which we putt through anytime of year anyway. No whining from the women either except sun/snowburn faces.
Most miserable ride was same year, started out 25* got to bout 40*. Cloudy and windy all day. Skies black and looked like it would crack into rainstorm anytime but didn't. were wore same suits and were chilled to bone all day. Was back to camp 2 PM women complained all day and hell I was glad to use them as an excuse to cut ride short.
What did I learn? Sun, humidity and wind has more to do with comfort than temps, and cracking ice doesn't bother me, I just adjust speed like you would if it were sharp rocks. I don't ride in deep snow say over 6" like pulling an anchor all day and will result in broken things like belts.

Anytime above freezing for me.

No question deep snow heats the belt.  My Can-am Max Ltd was spinning the tires like heck most of the day when the snow was 10" deep.  Many times I had to let it spin so it would eventually move me along the trail.

If you experience that sensation you realize that people that say "my SxS or ATV goes anywhere in the snow" are full of it.  2" sure; 12" no way.

With the RZR not having any windows I prefer it to be in the 40s. When I had my Ranger it had a pretty decent cab it really didn't matter how cold it was. Windows make a huge difference.

up here we go river running as there is too much snow n the coldest ive been out riding think it was round -25F but as my son found out that the colder it is the easier it is too break parts as he fell through the ice last sunday n ripped off the left front wheel on his 2013 wildcat but goin 50mph didn t help

Yeah, that's way too cold! I'm going to stick with my 30 and above guidelines for now!