How do you cope when you can't ride your bike?

[rfn]

Since I passed my test in 2014 I've always had a bike. Even when my Fazer got written off I'd replaced it within a week.

However, I've been struggling with a very sore right wrist (yeah, I know) for a while and early September went to the doctor - seems to be a damaged tendon on my index finger. Riding the bike was agony and so I stopped a little before this.

Long & short of it is I haven't ridden the bike in 10 weeks and I'm absolutely itching, despite having bought a second car, and the weather being rubbish. Probably be a couple more months before I can ride again.

How did you cope with an extended period off the bike?

[MrGman]

I hate it but this time of year i really don't ride much so

1. Watch videos from track days I've done
2. Look at pictures from track days i've done and days out
3. buy stuff i don't need but think will make me faster
4. tilt my head when i drive my car round roundabouts making bike noises
5. buy more stuff
6. day dream about spring rides
7. walk round dealers convincing myself i need a new bike
8. look at my bikes

and that about sums my winters up

[Jazoli]

I don't worry about it, last time I rode a bike was back in September, its been sat in the garage ever since, it used to bug me not being able to ride through winter, I just watch youtube, play on my xbox and talk st on forums to pass the time.

[moto_traxport]

Winter, not a fan. This is my normal plan;

1. Look at buying cheap / track / crashed bikes
2. Buying cheap / track / crashed bikes
3. Regretting buying cheap / track / crashed bikes
4. Fixing up cheap / track / crashed bikes in cold garage
5. Getting help from ex bike trade mates fixing cheap / track / crashed bikes on the bits I can't do (paint & dyno)
6. Persuading mates to book some trackdays
7. Watch Death In Paradise
8. Pretend to do some work / sell some expensive stuff

If only I'd sold even more expensive stuff and not sold the track bike that didn't need fixing up

[S2r]

Haven't rode mine for a couple of months, but I know it's there so that's alright - the last bike I rode was the yoof's moped down the road and back (didn't get out of second) a couple of weeks ago

I don't do much different to any other day really as I don't do many miles a year, hopefully now there are 2 bikes in the household I'll be doing more.

Anyway, in these dark nights I'm currently researching tuning options for the 50 for when I have it back. Yes, I'm going tune / improve / waste money on a 4 speed, 4 stroke 50cc to see if I can get it to 50mph...

[Biker's Nemesis]

Pornhub.

Anyone seen my glasses.

[Biker's Nemesis]

S2r said:

Haven't rode mine for a couple of months, but I know it's there so that's alright - the last bike I rode was the yoof's moped down the road and back (didn't get out of second) a couple of weeks ago

I don't do much different to any other day really as I don't do many miles a year, hopefully now there are 2 bikes in the household I'll be doing more.

Anyway, in these dark nights I'm currently researching tuning options for the 50 for when I have it back. Yes, I'm going tune / improve / waste money on a 4 speed, 4 stroke 50cc to see if I can get it to 50mph...

Electric turbo.

[mattrg]

moto_traxport said:

Winter, not a fan. This is my normal plan;

1. Look at buying cheap / track / crashed bikes
2. Buying cheap / track / crashed bikes
3. Regretting buying cheap / track / crashed bikes
4. Fixing up cheap / track / crashed bikes in cold garage
5. Getting help from ex bike trade mates fixing cheap / track / crashed bikes on the bits I can't do (paint & dyno)
6. Persuading mates to book some trackdays
7. Watch Death In Paradise
8. Pretend to do some work / sell some expensive stuff

If only I'd sold even more expensive stuff and not sold the track bike that didn't need fixing up

This... Although my #4 is breaking cheap track bike for parts to attempt to get my money back. This renders #5 unnecessary

[Esceptico]

I can empathise as haven’t ridden for over three months since moving to NZ. What is really annoying is that the weather is great (we are moving into summer), I’ve bought a bike (new GSXR 750) but I can’t ride it because my riding gear is sitting in a container somewhere in Auckland waiting to clear customs.

One of the good things about being here is that even in winter it doesn’t freeze so you can ride all year (once I get my gear!)

[Krikkit]

Esceptico said:

I can empathise as haven’t ridden for over three months since moving to NZ. What is really annoying is that the weather is great (we are moving into summer), I’ve bought a bike (new GSXR 750) but I can’t ride it because my riding gear is sitting in a container somewhere in Auckland waiting to clear customs.

One of the good things about being here is that even in winter it doesn’t freeze so you can ride all year (once I get my gear!)

That just makes me envy-hate NZ even more!

This is my first winter, I miss it hugely. Is it worth getting an enduro for mucky winter fun?

[crofty1984]

Fix them. Window shop on eBay.

[Ho Lee Kau]

Sex, drugs, rock’n’roll

[Dakkon]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Pornhub.

Anyone seen my glasses.

Have you broken the seven wk wall yet?

[Biker's Nemesis]

Dakkon said:

Have you broken the seven wk wall yet?

I'm to lazy for self abuse. I'm more of a window shopper now.

[Grindle]

I dislike the coldest months like other people have mentioned,
My answer is 4-5 weeks in California every January-February. Gets rid of a month of crap freezing weather here. Gives me access to roads ideal for sports bikes that the UK can only dream about having, (one favourite road is 46 miles of twists and turns and short straights and the traffic volume is almost always very, very low and you never see a copper). Gets me petrol at 40 pence a litre. Great way to spend some of the English winter and all boooked again for February 16. Recommend it to any of you, even 2 weeks is well worth the outlay and time.

[Grindle]

(On a borrowed GSXR750 btw, a nice 2014 bike).

[thatdude]

I stopped riding through winter a few years ago - it's just a horrible experience, especially during commuting hours (dark, cold, wet, bleugh).

So every year I put together a list of things that need to be done on the bike each winter. last year it was just a general oil service. This year I have forks to service, rear shock linkage to strip, clean, regrease, oil service and I'll have new tyres put on as well. I take my time, and while bits are off I clean things that are otherwise hard to access.

I'm still involved with my bike and when better weather / lighter evenings and mornings come about the bike is in a nice state and I dont have to do much through the rest of the year.

[PTF]

Same here. Used to ride all year round apart from the absolute worst bits of snow/ice. It was horrible.

Now the commute is longer and more country roads i've simply stopped riding when it's down to single figures.

I'd rather be 30 mins later getting to work but have a warm coffee on the way while listening to an audiobook. Plus not having to mess about with layers of clothing at each end. Sad but true.

For me the bike is a commuting tool more than a hobby. If the roads weren't so horrible at the moment (potholes, salt/grit, debris) i'd be up for a casual weekend ride, but normally i'm too busy.

[NITO]

Sorn all bar one of the bikes, carry out modifications/maintenance over winter, although not had much time so far with other commitments. I still go for the odd ride but only when it's light, so maybe a morning whizz out to the bike cafe followed by a ride but not if it's getting near freezing temps or raining hard/too blustery because that isn't much fun!

Have plenty of bike maintenance jobs to be getting on with.

[Benni]

@ S2R : What 50cc 4-stroke is it, Honda ?

50 mph while keeping it 50cc will be hard work, if it is a Honda it might be possible,
as they have several crank / rod / piston varieties, you have to raise compression to the max the fuel allows,
and flow the head, and use a well-tuned cam, carb and exhaust.