Less riding this year due to weather
Discussion
Worst winter I can remember in terms of gloom, cold, wet. The weather has turned local roads into downright dangerous potholed moonscapes. I would go for a weekend blat at least every fortnight in winters past, but not this one - I ended up buying a smart charger as the bike has been out once a month if that!
Meanwhile, I normally turn off house central heating first or second week April. This year I turned it off last night, but looking at the forecast I may well need to fire it up again by the weekend. Dismal.
Meanwhile, I normally turn off house central heating first or second week April. This year I turned it off last night, but looking at the forecast I may well need to fire it up again by the weekend. Dismal.
I started my riding career in October and I've done about 3000 miles since then, terrible weather is my entire experience of motorcycling!
The roads are absolutely in the worst state they've ever been though, proper lunar quality surfaces, often half underwater. It has made me think that for next winter something like a Himalayan 452 would be ideal, cheap, tough, not too precious and not afraid of a bit of water.
The roads are absolutely in the worst state they've ever been though, proper lunar quality surfaces, often half underwater. It has made me think that for next winter something like a Himalayan 452 would be ideal, cheap, tough, not too precious and not afraid of a bit of water.
TurboHatchback said:
I started my riding career in October and I've done about 3000 miles since then, terrible weather is my entire experience of motorcycling!
The roads are absolutely in the worst state they've ever been though, proper lunar quality surfaces, often half underwater. It has made me think that for next winter something like a Himalayan 452 would be ideal, cheap, tough, not too precious and not afraid of a bit of water.
Not convinced on the build quality of the RE bikes... 1 Scottish winter and they all look like sThe roads are absolutely in the worst state they've ever been though, proper lunar quality surfaces, often half underwater. It has made me think that for next winter something like a Himalayan 452 would be ideal, cheap, tough, not too precious and not afraid of a bit of water.
t up here...I have a 1990 Honda Pan with over 100k miles for the winter slog... still looks OK and is in better condition that many "summer" bikes I see locally.
Cheaper than a RE too...
The other weekend in the pub my mate mentioned we have had 6 days since October where it did not rain in Falkirk, Scotland. I was fked if I could find grounds to question that.
I've literally had to force myself out on cold, or windy/wet days to get the miles in for servicing. I've did 500 miles since April and I've not done what I'd call a proper ride yet.
ked if I could find grounds to question that. I've literally had to force myself out on cold, or windy/wet days to get the miles in for servicing. I've did 500 miles since April and I've not done what I'd call a proper ride yet.
I commute on a moped to work and its been cold much later than I remember previously along with A LOT of rain
I'm no flat earther but have seen some stories/posts on man made reasons for this and conspiracy's as to why its being done...no doubt all hearsay
Definitely though in my years of riding on and off (since late 1990s) I never remember this much rain or constant wet mornings
I'm no flat earther but have seen some stories/posts on man made reasons for this and conspiracy's as to why its being done...no doubt all hearsay
Definitely though in my years of riding on and off (since late 1990s) I never remember this much rain or constant wet mornings
The last seven months have been utterly bleak here (just outside Edinburgh). It’s rained pretty much every day, and on the odd day it hasn’t we have had high winds. I normally ride through the winter on dry days but that has obviously not happened this year. I took the bike off the road in January to powder coat the swing arm and change the bearings, and then when I got it back together and went for a ride on a very rare dry day I had to get recovered due to an electrical fault. It’s fixed now and today was the first decent ride out.
I absolutely depend on my bike to keep me sane so it’s been tough. My mum is in a care home and suffers from dementia and I visit a couple of times a week; it’s really sad and challenging, so taking the bike makes it much easier for me mentally. I enjoy the ride there, and the ride home allows me to make sense of things (it’s difficult to explain that to non-bikers but it’s definitely a thing for me). When I visited today it was just so much easier, so hopefully the tide has turned on the weather!!
I absolutely depend on my bike to keep me sane so it’s been tough. My mum is in a care home and suffers from dementia and I visit a couple of times a week; it’s really sad and challenging, so taking the bike makes it much easier for me mentally. I enjoy the ride there, and the ride home allows me to make sense of things (it’s difficult to explain that to non-bikers but it’s definitely a thing for me). When I visited today it was just so much easier, so hopefully the tide has turned on the weather!!
Same as OP - I can ride most days but even if it's ok here it's been crap in Wales - which is my preferred riding area
Was out on the enduro on Sunday as I said I'd go - cold and wet
I decided not to advertise my bikes over the winter and haven't bothered yet - might try a few next week but all the dealers are saying interest is still low
Was out on the enduro on Sunday as I said I'd go - cold and wet
I decided not to advertise my bikes over the winter and haven't bothered yet - might try a few next week but all the dealers are saying interest is still low
Dog Star said:
It’s dreadful - and the last few years the weather has turned to pouring down at the end of May/June. We may not get a summer at all.
My R1 did 30 miles last year, 60 the year before.
Mrs DS got a new Tenere in September.
She has sat on it. Once.
Where on earth do you live where it's getting such little use? I smashed through 1000 miles on my new bike last year without a spot of rainMy R1 did 30 miles last year, 60 the year before.
Mrs DS got a new Tenere in September.
She has sat on it. Once.
the cueball said:
TurboHatchback said:
I started my riding career in October and I've done about 3000 miles since then, terrible weather is my entire experience of motorcycling!
The roads are absolutely in the worst state they've ever been though, proper lunar quality surfaces, often half underwater. It has made me think that for next winter something like a Himalayan 452 would be ideal, cheap, tough, not too precious and not afraid of a bit of water.
Not convinced on the build quality of the RE bikes... 1 Scottish winter and they all look like sThe roads are absolutely in the worst state they've ever been though, proper lunar quality surfaces, often half underwater. It has made me think that for next winter something like a Himalayan 452 would be ideal, cheap, tough, not too precious and not afraid of a bit of water.
t up here...I have a 1990 Honda Pan with over 100k miles for the winter slog... still looks OK and is in better condition that many "summer" bikes I see locally.
Cheaper than a RE too...
The KTM was already going rusty on a fastener (at 67 miles old), neutral was a guessing game, even with the gear indicator and for me the kickstand was very nearly unusable.
I returned from a trip to Spain (Valencia/Alicante region) in March where I spent an absolutely glorious 4 days riding a hired MT09.
Due to time constraints I don't get to ride as much as I want in the UK but now I'm seriously questioning why I bother and whether I should just do riding holidays.
In March in SE Spain there wasn't any rain and the temp was between 15-22 degrees.
The roads were absolutely marvellous, I rode more twisties in 1 day than I have done in SE England in years. Not only that the roads were deserted and I think I only encountered one pothole in over 400 miles of riding. The roads down here in rural SE England will soon unrideable in a few years (it's a challenge in the car ffs).
Granted the UK is the UK (busy roads and st weather most of the time), but this trip really opened up my eyes to how riding somewhere like Spain is such a PLUS.
Due to time constraints I don't get to ride as much as I want in the UK but now I'm seriously questioning why I bother and whether I should just do riding holidays.
In March in SE Spain there wasn't any rain and the temp was between 15-22 degrees.
The roads were absolutely marvellous, I rode more twisties in 1 day than I have done in SE England in years. Not only that the roads were deserted and I think I only encountered one pothole in over 400 miles of riding. The roads down here in rural SE England will soon unrideable in a few years (it's a challenge in the car ffs).
Granted the UK is the UK (busy roads and s
t weather most of the time), but this trip really opened up my eyes to how riding somewhere like Spain is such a PLUS.I agree with all of the above. Been riding as main source of travel for many years, I do 20k a year on average and this autumn/winter/spring has been the sternest test yet of my resolve.
Never even fitted my heated jacket. It hasn’t been especially cold, but Christ almighty has it been wet. My kit is nigh-on ruined at having been soaked twice a day, 5 days a week for months on end. I wear Rukka gear, but even that looks 4 years older than it actually is.
I’m fastidious about cleaning my bike (GS) at the weekend. Has to be spotless at all times. This year I got to the point where I just stopped cleaning it, as the 2hrs spend cleaning on Saturday would be completely undone by 07:00 on Monday morning.
It has honestly got me to the point of feeling a certain amount of depression. Riding has become a chore and the roads are a dangerous lottery. The amount of diesel spills, potholes, mud and gravel I see every day means you are constantly stressed, constantly on your guard. You’re doing 60 on the M3 through pouring rain and people are going past you at 90, completely oblivious. No part of it is fun.
But then last night it was not cold, dry, and I took the twisty road home where there was only light traffic. It reminded me why I love bikes. Hopefully, a sign of things to come.
Never even fitted my heated jacket. It hasn’t been especially cold, but Christ almighty has it been wet. My kit is nigh-on ruined at having been soaked twice a day, 5 days a week for months on end. I wear Rukka gear, but even that looks 4 years older than it actually is.
I’m fastidious about cleaning my bike (GS) at the weekend. Has to be spotless at all times. This year I got to the point where I just stopped cleaning it, as the 2hrs spend cleaning on Saturday would be completely undone by 07:00 on Monday morning.
It has honestly got me to the point of feeling a certain amount of depression. Riding has become a chore and the roads are a dangerous lottery. The amount of diesel spills, potholes, mud and gravel I see every day means you are constantly stressed, constantly on your guard. You’re doing 60 on the M3 through pouring rain and people are going past you at 90, completely oblivious. No part of it is fun.
But then last night it was not cold, dry, and I took the twisty road home where there was only light traffic. It reminded me why I love bikes. Hopefully, a sign of things to come.
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