Discussion
Yes.
I wear textiles all year round. It is not cold enough in the UK to require heated gear in my opinion, apart from heated grips, which I would consider essential.
I primary concern is salt damage to the bike, which is the main reason for driving. Washing the bike down every day is just not practical!
Also tyres become even more critical in winter...I need to wear out the Avons I have on at the moment as they are bad enough on a warm, dry road, let alone a cold wet one.
I wear textiles all year round. It is not cold enough in the UK to require heated gear in my opinion, apart from heated grips, which I would consider essential.
I primary concern is salt damage to the bike, which is the main reason for driving. Washing the bike down every day is just not practical!
Also tyres become even more critical in winter...I need to wear out the Avons I have on at the moment as they are bad enough on a warm, dry road, let alone a cold wet one.
CAPP0 said:
Following on from the roll call/ATGATT threads, prompts me to ask: Who commutes by bike all year round?
Those of you who do:
What do you ride? Do you make any alterations to it for winter?
What do you wear?
What does it have to look like outside the window in the morning for you to finally concede and not bike in?
etc etc
Mate of mine has commuted all year round, almost entirely on sports bikes, for 20 years or more. He used to live in a house with a steep drive and his only concession to the weather was if the drive was too slippery to get the bike down/up. I know he uses heated kit in winter now.
Reason for the thread, well, I'm commuting again, it takes me 40-45 mins each way on the bike whereas by train would be easily an hour & three quarters each way, not to mention at least three times the daily cost, so I'm angling at using the bike for as long as humanly possible!
Yes almost every workday year round save for post work pub/social events, heavy ice or snow (rare in london) or when the bike is broken/in for a service. I get secure free parking under my office in central london.Those of you who do:
What do you ride? Do you make any alterations to it for winter?
What do you wear?
What does it have to look like outside the window in the morning for you to finally concede and not bike in?
etc etc
Mate of mine has commuted all year round, almost entirely on sports bikes, for 20 years or more. He used to live in a house with a steep drive and his only concession to the weather was if the drive was too slippery to get the bike down/up. I know he uses heated kit in winter now.
Reason for the thread, well, I'm commuting again, it takes me 40-45 mins each way on the bike whereas by train would be easily an hour & three quarters each way, not to mention at least three times the daily cost, so I'm angling at using the bike for as long as humanly possible!
Last 7 years ridden in london on honda blackbird, fits through pretty narrow gaps compatively, no changes for winter other than turning on the Honda OE heated grips
Wear HG Goretex textiles year round.. liners for winter.. open vent zips for summer. Goretex gloves for colder/rainy days.. don't need full winter gloves as I have heated grips, vented gloves for warmer months. Daytona Goretex boots year round.. all kit totally waterproof. Chromatic Pinlock on my shoei to cope with brighter days and stopping the visor fogging up on colder/wet days.
I can cope with limited bus/tube commuting but couldn't do it for months on end.
CAPP0 said:
I was about to say you must live and work near me, but the train for me is more like £450 a month!
If I was London bound then it would be that much, luckily I go the opposite way, Maidstone to Tunbridge Wells. If I ever worked in Central London I'd use the bike too, 70 miles a day/an hour each way, but £165 a month vs £400.Riding all year round for me means a cheap bike that I don't mind getting shagged due to salt/muck etc. Doing 10k plus miles a year in all weathers, unless you're washing the bike every few days it's hard to keep it looking nice. I would consider getting a K1200s as a year round commuter, should be able to handle the weather and they're cheap enough now, down to £3500.
CAPP0 said:
What do you ride? Do you make any alterations to it for winter?
Honda Deauville. Heated grips added but they would be worth having even if I wasn't commuting.CAPP0 said:
What do you wear?
Hein Gericke textiles. At some times of the year I can be blasting down the M40 early in the morning while car drivers are clearing ice off their windscreens, then sitting in a Euston road traffic jam in late afternoon when the pedestrians are in shirt sleeves. So Goretex is important. Being a bit warm on a bike is tolerable because it's usually only for a short period. Getting sweaty is another matter. The problem with getting cold is that even if it isn't particularly uncomfortable it's a distraction. You find yourself identifying which bits of you are coldest and counting the minutes to the office coffee machine instead of concentrating on the traffic.CAPP0 said:
What does it have to look like outside the window in the morning for you to finally concede and not bike in?
Snow or ice is enough to stop me riding. Wet and windy is not really in issue. A friend of mine used to say 'Only use the train if the storm has a name' but that's a little extreme.Decent waterproofs will work. Maybe not perfectly in a long torrential downpour but you'll still be dryer than if you'd walked from the station. Also, it doesn't rain as much as people think. Even apparently wet days are often dry half the time. How often is it raining when you travel to work now?
I'm too much of a fanny to ride in the winter. Tried to a couple of times last year but the draw of a car with heated seats was just too powerful.
I am determined to ride at least once a week even through the winter this year, to keep the bikes used, even if it's just popping to the shops.
I am determined to ride at least once a week even through the winter this year, to keep the bikes used, even if it's just popping to the shops.
Reardy Mister said:
heated screen,
Whaaaa....?! I didn't know such a thing existed! I did used to when I was younger, but don't have to now. I couldn't ride anything nice all year up here, the salt on the roads would absolutely ruin anything. I had a plastic scooter that got trashed because I didn't wash it enough.
Part of the reason I asked was that I "had" to drive in today, partly because I had a jab in the arm at 0750 which takes an hour or so to wear off, and also because I had to collect something on the way home. However, taking 75 minutes to get from Docklands to the A2/M25 junctions enough to convince me that I'll be riding as long as I can keep the damn thing upright.
The R1100RT is a big old bus but it's comfortable, not diabolically thirsty, and it has shaft drive. Plus plenty of weather protection. Also, I'm not remotely concerned about theft, and it it does fall over any time then, as long as I walk away, and hopefully can straighten it out enough to ride home, there's no great drama.
I was going to post a "what bike" at some stage but quite honestly I think I'll just use this until it dies. Which may be tomorrow or may be in a year's time!
The R1100RT is a big old bus but it's comfortable, not diabolically thirsty, and it has shaft drive. Plus plenty of weather protection. Also, I'm not remotely concerned about theft, and it it does fall over any time then, as long as I walk away, and hopefully can straighten it out enough to ride home, there's no great drama.
I was going to post a "what bike" at some stage but quite honestly I think I'll just use this until it dies. Which may be tomorrow or may be in a year's time!
What do you ride?
'02 ZZR1200 with full set of panniers, Benfleet to Central London every week day.
Do you make any alterations to it for winter?
Nothing other than adding a set of mitts.
What do you wear?
Textiles all year with removable thermal liners, summer vented boots and winter lined boots, for wet weather riding I put a double skin one piece rain suit on over the textiles. Flip front Shoei NeoTec. Single skin short leather motorbike gloves in the summer and dry weather, insulated long gloves in wet weather. Scarf when it's cold.
What does it have to look like outside the window in the morning for you to finally concede and not bike in?
A white out, so if I can get the bike moving off the drive and up the road I'll commute.
The alternatives for me are:
Driving into London, which takes between 1.5 to 3 hrs depending on traffic and time of year.
Public transport, consisting of a short walk, 20 minute bus ride (if they turn up), train to Fenchurch Street, then a walk to either Bank or Aldgate East to arrive at either Chancery Lane or Farringdon and another 10-15 minute walk to the office, or a 40-45 minute brisk walk from Fenchurch St to the office.
'02 ZZR1200 with full set of panniers, Benfleet to Central London every week day.
Do you make any alterations to it for winter?
Nothing other than adding a set of mitts.
What do you wear?
Textiles all year with removable thermal liners, summer vented boots and winter lined boots, for wet weather riding I put a double skin one piece rain suit on over the textiles. Flip front Shoei NeoTec. Single skin short leather motorbike gloves in the summer and dry weather, insulated long gloves in wet weather. Scarf when it's cold.
What does it have to look like outside the window in the morning for you to finally concede and not bike in?
A white out, so if I can get the bike moving off the drive and up the road I'll commute.
The alternatives for me are:
Driving into London, which takes between 1.5 to 3 hrs depending on traffic and time of year.
Public transport, consisting of a short walk, 20 minute bus ride (if they turn up), train to Fenchurch Street, then a walk to either Bank or Aldgate East to arrive at either Chancery Lane or Farringdon and another 10-15 minute walk to the office, or a 40-45 minute brisk walk from Fenchurch St to the office.
What do you ride? Do you make any alterations to it for winter?
Tend to use my commuter CB500x and the R1 gets covered in the garage unless its a winters sunny day. I fit my handlebar muffs back on and make sure they are sealed up nicely.
What do you wear?
Put the lining back in my textiles and have a waterproof strapped to the back for rainy or extra cold days to use as a wind breaker.
What does it have to look like outside the window in the morning for you to finally concede and not bike in?
Very deep snow. I live close to the motorway so it would have to be very bad conditions to stop me going into the office on a scheduled day.
I try to wash the bike a couple of times over the winter and keep on top of maintenance to avoid snapped chains etc!
Tend to use my commuter CB500x and the R1 gets covered in the garage unless its a winters sunny day. I fit my handlebar muffs back on and make sure they are sealed up nicely.
What do you wear?
Put the lining back in my textiles and have a waterproof strapped to the back for rainy or extra cold days to use as a wind breaker.
What does it have to look like outside the window in the morning for you to finally concede and not bike in?
Very deep snow. I live close to the motorway so it would have to be very bad conditions to stop me going into the office on a scheduled day.
I try to wash the bike a couple of times over the winter and keep on top of maintenance to avoid snapped chains etc!
All year round biker here
Yam FZ8 , I wear my textiles , have heated grips which a great bit of kit wear a thermal top and also Primark 100 Denier Opaque Tights
which keep me cozy
Also have a cold killer baraclava which keeps me snug.
If its really Icy or really really pissing it down with rain I dont use the bike.
Yam FZ8 , I wear my textiles , have heated grips which a great bit of kit wear a thermal top and also Primark 100 Denier Opaque Tights
which keep me cozy
Also have a cold killer baraclava which keeps me snug.
If its really Icy or really really pissing it down with rain I dont use the bike.
I ride my GSA all year round. In winter I wear my BMW Streetguard gortex suit and waterproof gloves. I fix a gaucho to the bike which keeps my front and legs bone dry. I'll be the first to admit the gaucho looks s
te, but on a freezing cold wet winter day thats the least of my worries. I also fit muffs to the grips which stop any rain getting to me. Only my sleeves and back get wet, but the gortex suit takes care of that.
Not my bike, but heres what it looks like..
te, but on a freezing cold wet winter day thats the least of my worries. I also fit muffs to the grips which stop any rain getting to me. Only my sleeves and back get wet, but the gortex suit takes care of that.Not my bike, but heres what it looks like..
Honda CRF250L. Sump guard, hand guards, folding gear shift - all set for when it goes sliding down the road. Never tested yet, touch wood.
Everyday... even if I have to 'carve' my way to the main road.
I think I'm going to have to change my winter gear very soon, as I got soaked - big toe to little finger - in the rain last week. It was almost like someone had turned off my waterproofness!!!
Everyday... even if I have to 'carve' my way to the main road.
I think I'm going to have to change my winter gear very soon, as I got soaked - big toe to little finger - in the rain last week. It was almost like someone had turned off my waterproofness!!!
CAPP0 said:
What do you ride? Do you make any alterations to it for winter?
What do you wear?
What does it have to look like outside the window in the morning for you to finally concede and not bike in?
R1200GS for 45min each way M way commute. Already has heated grips, ABS and TC. I added some hi viz tape and and HID headlight. Seems to work.What do you wear?
What does it have to look like outside the window in the morning for you to finally concede and not bike in?
Rukka jacket, HG trousers, gloves n boots. Keiss heated inner gloves if below freezing, plus jumper and extra socks. BMW Prowinter gloves are really warm.
Not keen on snow, but done it anyway - public transport would be 3 hrs. Anything else I'm not bothered about.
I ride all year, 120miles a day, Kent to Central London.
Bike: FJR1300
Gear: Best I can get, I've had Rukka, zips were crap, nearly all broke! Now wear an Alpinestars suit. Any clothing must have Goretex, nothing else seems to work quite as well. I have Held gloves, again goretex with Sidi goretex boots. When the weather is really bad I have a Keis heated fleece that is fantastic, have had their gillie but that burnt out and failed, have also used their heated undergloves, they worked well too, but now just ride with silk undergloves from Decathalon for under £10. they are brilliant.
What stops me: Not much, I have ridden in snow, it's not a lot of fun, I live in a village with a hill either end, if the road is icy I can't get out and that's my 'get the train' day.
Stay warm, stay dry, stay alert, I think that's the key for winter riding.
Tim
Bike: FJR1300
Gear: Best I can get, I've had Rukka, zips were crap, nearly all broke! Now wear an Alpinestars suit. Any clothing must have Goretex, nothing else seems to work quite as well. I have Held gloves, again goretex with Sidi goretex boots. When the weather is really bad I have a Keis heated fleece that is fantastic, have had their gillie but that burnt out and failed, have also used their heated undergloves, they worked well too, but now just ride with silk undergloves from Decathalon for under £10. they are brilliant.
What stops me: Not much, I have ridden in snow, it's not a lot of fun, I live in a village with a hill either end, if the road is icy I can't get out and that's my 'get the train' day.
Stay warm, stay dry, stay alert, I think that's the key for winter riding.
Tim
I ride all year round - 100 mile round trip into the City and back. Have been doing this for many, many years (perhaps foolishly).
Ride a TDM 900 (have had several) which is the best commuter bike there is, bar none.
In terms of prep - bike must haves are heated grips AND bar muffs. I can ride in summer gloves with this combo albeit with silk glove liners. I give it a good clean in late Autumn and smother in ACF50. Then leave it like that pretty much through winter. This stops the worst of the road salt corrosion (but not all - so if you're precious about your bike, consider buying a second 'hack' for the period).
For clothing, I just add layers. On top I usually have a T-shirt, shirt, thermal layer then jacket with liner AND waterproof HG overjacket.
For legs, thermals, lined Dainese textiles and a pair or GoreTex overtrousers.
The reason for the overtrousers and jacket are that in my experience no kit is 100% waterproof. Even with these it's only 98%. But they're also very good at keeping you warm as wind chill is a major factor and these pretty much block it.
That said, I bought a new set of Alpinestar arctic textiles earlier this year, but won't wear until winter so can't comment on whether better/worse etc.
Also wear a 'snood'. Don't underestimate the damage a cold wind and weight of a helmet has on your neck. Keep it warm (and a cold chin is flipping uncomfotable too).
Ride to suit conditions - that includes snow!
Ride a TDM 900 (have had several) which is the best commuter bike there is, bar none.
In terms of prep - bike must haves are heated grips AND bar muffs. I can ride in summer gloves with this combo albeit with silk glove liners. I give it a good clean in late Autumn and smother in ACF50. Then leave it like that pretty much through winter. This stops the worst of the road salt corrosion (but not all - so if you're precious about your bike, consider buying a second 'hack' for the period).
For clothing, I just add layers. On top I usually have a T-shirt, shirt, thermal layer then jacket with liner AND waterproof HG overjacket.
For legs, thermals, lined Dainese textiles and a pair or GoreTex overtrousers.
The reason for the overtrousers and jacket are that in my experience no kit is 100% waterproof. Even with these it's only 98%. But they're also very good at keeping you warm as wind chill is a major factor and these pretty much block it.
That said, I bought a new set of Alpinestar arctic textiles earlier this year, but won't wear until winter so can't comment on whether better/worse etc.
Also wear a 'snood'. Don't underestimate the damage a cold wind and weight of a helmet has on your neck. Keep it warm (and a cold chin is flipping uncomfotable too).
Ride to suit conditions - that includes snow!
Yep all year round on an S1000RR
I have an outside radio thermometer with a little digital read out that goes in my bedroom - it will flash if the temp goes below where I set it. I think below 3 degrees is around my cut off - so if feeling like a chicken that day I know to get up early and take the car/train instead.
I have spidi H2OUT textiles which are brilliant / never leak and can be bought pretty cheaply from europe these days. alpinestars drystar gloves do a good job - I just picked a pair off the internet after looking a "ride recommended products" thingy and they are great. But i have really struggled to find a good boot that can cope with 40mins of heavy rain and not let anything in..... (I guess full rubber ones will work - but I want something that looks like a proper boot)
The IT people love me drying my socks on my PC box thingies under the desk !
I have an outside radio thermometer with a little digital read out that goes in my bedroom - it will flash if the temp goes below where I set it. I think below 3 degrees is around my cut off - so if feeling like a chicken that day I know to get up early and take the car/train instead.
I have spidi H2OUT textiles which are brilliant / never leak and can be bought pretty cheaply from europe these days. alpinestars drystar gloves do a good job - I just picked a pair off the internet after looking a "ride recommended products" thingy and they are great. But i have really struggled to find a good boot that can cope with 40mins of heavy rain and not let anything in..... (I guess full rubber ones will work - but I want something that looks like a proper boot)
The IT people love me drying my socks on my PC box thingies under the desk !
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff