Discussion
Used to ride in all weathers when the bike was my only transport. I remember a good number of two up runs of over 25 miles in the dark in falling and settling snow. 
Suffolk Council never used to salt any road less than an “A” road! (If you look at a map you’ll be able to see all three roads they used to salt!!!) 
This has meant many miles were done on ice. It’s also great fun in the late autumn when the sugar beet harvest leaves mud all over the road. Wet mud on tarmac is as slippery as ice. 
It was never fun but it was very good for learning balance and bike control. It was also good for learning how quickly you loose body heat through damp clothes. Good water proof clothing is essential.
If you have to do it now, take it very easy and concentrate on doing everything gently. Apply the throttle slowly and keep the revs down. Plan your braking well in advance so that you use the minimum pressure on the brakes. Always use the back brake as it’s the only brake you can use in all conditions. Use the front less and less as the levels of grip diminish. Keep your feet on the pegs and your hands on the bars.
If you keep warm and dry then a successful winter ride on poor conditions can be very rewarding and you summer riding skills will have improved immensely.
On the other hand, get a cheap car and keep warm and dry!!
Suffolk Council never used to salt any road less than an “A” road! (If you look at a map you’ll be able to see all three roads they used to salt!!!) This has meant many miles were done on ice. It’s also great fun in the late autumn when the sugar beet harvest leaves mud all over the road. Wet mud on tarmac is as slippery as ice. It was never fun but it was very good for learning balance and bike control. It was also good for learning how quickly you loose body heat through damp clothes. Good water proof clothing is essential.
If you have to do it now, take it very easy and concentrate on doing everything gently. Apply the throttle slowly and keep the revs down. Plan your braking well in advance so that you use the minimum pressure on the brakes. Always use the back brake as it’s the only brake you can use in all conditions. Use the front less and less as the levels of grip diminish. Keep your feet on the pegs and your hands on the bars.
If you keep warm and dry then a successful winter ride on poor conditions can be very rewarding and you summer riding skills will have improved immensely.
On the other hand, get a cheap car and keep warm and dry!!
I've used mine solidly for commuting since April until now. I went through a stage of winter blues with it and almost packed it in because wasn't sure it was the thing to do with kids etc. Carried on and I'm glad I did.
I commute from Newbury (Berkshire) to Reading and back which is about 20 miles.
We've had hardly any rain here during my commutes for months so staying dry hasn't been a massive issue. Staying warm has been though. I wear leather trousers over M&S thermals and have water proof over trousers just in case. I wear my sidi vert boots with thick socks or some waterproof socks if it looks like rain. I've got a hein-gerricke jacket which is absolutely superb and completely water proof. Under that I generally wear a t-shirt, thin jumper and a fleece jumper. Over it I wear a class 3 reflective bib. 2 or 3 pairs of gloves (silk under gloves, windproof under gloves, leather waterproof over gloves) and your hands only get cold on the coldest of days. Some kind of neck tube to stop your neck freezing is a good plan. A dark visor is utterly essential on bright mornings if you commute eastwards.
Haven't found the roads to be too bad. My commute is A-roads and the city roads into reading. Main danger has been ice on the coldest of days. Drizzle on salted roads was pretty grim last night. Generally speaking though if you keep it smooth and keep looking ahead you will be fine. The trick is not to give yourself any opportunity to have to brake hard or you'll be on your arse.
Much much much better than commuting by car (unless you have a cold). I must admit that had there been parking at work for a car then on the odd day I really couldn't be arsed I'd have taken the car but the old cliche is true... once you're actually out there it's fine.
Mark
I commute from Newbury (Berkshire) to Reading and back which is about 20 miles.
We've had hardly any rain here during my commutes for months so staying dry hasn't been a massive issue. Staying warm has been though. I wear leather trousers over M&S thermals and have water proof over trousers just in case. I wear my sidi vert boots with thick socks or some waterproof socks if it looks like rain. I've got a hein-gerricke jacket which is absolutely superb and completely water proof. Under that I generally wear a t-shirt, thin jumper and a fleece jumper. Over it I wear a class 3 reflective bib. 2 or 3 pairs of gloves (silk under gloves, windproof under gloves, leather waterproof over gloves) and your hands only get cold on the coldest of days. Some kind of neck tube to stop your neck freezing is a good plan. A dark visor is utterly essential on bright mornings if you commute eastwards.
Haven't found the roads to be too bad. My commute is A-roads and the city roads into reading. Main danger has been ice on the coldest of days. Drizzle on salted roads was pretty grim last night. Generally speaking though if you keep it smooth and keep looking ahead you will be fine. The trick is not to give yourself any opportunity to have to brake hard or you'll be on your arse.
Much much much better than commuting by car (unless you have a cold). I must admit that had there been parking at work for a car then on the odd day I really couldn't be arsed I'd have taken the car but the old cliche is true... once you're actually out there it's fine.
Mark
Winter riding is a mug's game (unless absolutely necessary).
Salt deterioration will be this biggest factor; thus ensuring your pride and joy depreciates even quicker.
Slimy wet roads, little sunlight, unexpecting numptista in shopping trolleys are all perils of the months outside of April - September.
I'd rather catch the bus.
Salt deterioration will be this biggest factor; thus ensuring your pride and joy depreciates even quicker.
Slimy wet roads, little sunlight, unexpecting numptista in shopping trolleys are all perils of the months outside of April - September.
I'd rather catch the bus.
veetwin said:Whether you view riding in the winter to be a mug's game must surely largely be based on whether or not you view your bike as a toy or as transport. If you view it as transport and use it every day with the intention of keeping the bike for many years and doing some miles on it then winter riding with salt damage will affect it cosmetically but that can be minimised and the miles you put on the bike will have a far higher effect on the resale value imo unless you really do let the bike turn into a shitter.
Winter riding is a mug's game (unless absolutely necessary).
Salt deterioration will be this biggest factor; thus ensuring your pride and joy depreciates even quicker.
Slimy wet roads, little sunlight, unexpecting numptista in shopping trolleys are all perils of the months outside of April - September.
I'd rather catch the bus.
I get far more pleasure from riding my bike in the winter than commuting in the car let alone taking the train or the bus.
Regards,
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Wednesday 8th February 12:11
veetwin said:
Winter riding is a mug's game (unless absolutely necessary).
Salt deterioration will be this biggest factor; thus ensuring your pride and joy depreciates even quicker.
Slimy wet roads, little sunlight, unexpecting numptista in shopping trolleys are all perils of the months outside of April - September.
I'd rather catch the bus.
Agreed 100%
dern said:
Winter riding is a mug's game (unless absolutely necessary).
Salt deterioration will be this biggest factor; thus ensuring your pride and joy depreciates even quicker.
Slimy wet roads, little sunlight, unexpecting numptista in shopping trolleys are all perils of the months outside of April - September.
I'd rather catch the bus.
I get far more pleasure from riding my bike in the winter than commuting in the car let alone taking the train or the bus.
Regards,
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Wednesday 8th February 12:11
I'm with you on this one dern. If I had a shorter but more congested commute I would use the bike on all bar very cold days. (It's too easy to come off on ice even on salted roads) As long as you wash the salt off the bike then there is little extra impact on the bike other than the increased miles. Riding in the winter WILL make you a better rider in the summer.
A mugs game - no. I choose not to do it but I admire those who do. They are the better motorcyclist.
black-k1 said:Well, I'm not sure about that... all I can say is that I'm a better, more confident and happier rider now than I would be if I'd just stuck it in the shed this winter as I've done most winters.
A mugs game - no. I choose not to do it but I admire those who do. They are the better motorcyclist.
Suggesting that winter riding is a 'mug's game' or 'stupid' is about as valid a statement as suggesting that summer riders are 'a bunch of poofs'
Haha. I said "unless necessary", i.e. commuting due to restraint, cost, distance, ease.
I would not get the bike out through choice, even though enjoyable, during the winter. Do as you please, I just believe that it really isn't worth the danger/cost involved if you have alternative transport available to you.
I have not said that I don't ride during the winter months at all, on the contrary I sucessfully completed Hottrax's first trackday of the season at Silverstone GP, riding up and back in -2°C.
In effect, I would label, as my wife has already, me as a "Mug".
There you go a self confession.
I would not get the bike out through choice, even though enjoyable, during the winter. Do as you please, I just believe that it really isn't worth the danger/cost involved if you have alternative transport available to you.
I have not said that I don't ride during the winter months at all, on the contrary I sucessfully completed Hottrax's first trackday of the season at Silverstone GP, riding up and back in -2°C.
In effect, I would label, as my wife has already, me as a "Mug".
There you go a self confession.
If your new to bikes, then winter riding can be a bit daunting. However it is well worth the effort, providing you pay real attention to the conditions and the numpties. When summer arrives, you will be a much better rider for it. Saying that; if it's snowing too much an alternative might be wise. If you don't want to ride a brand new bike, because of salt etc, try and get an old CB500 or XT as a commuter, less stressful!
veetwin said:Was my mate 'Big Kev' still instructing - probably on his race-prepared ZX10R? (Mainly blue, with a funky blue chain)
Haha. I said "unless necessary", i.e. commuting due to restraint, cost, distance, ease.
I would not get the bike out through choice, even though enjoyable, during the winter. Do as you please, I just believe that it really isn't worth the danger/cost involved if you have alternative transport available to you.
I have not said that I don't ride during the winter months at all, on the contrary I sucessfully completed Hottrax's first trackday of the season at Silverstone GP, riding up and back in -2°C.
In effect, I would label, as my wife has already, me as a "Mug".
There you go a self confession.
rsvmilly said:
Haha. I said "unless necessary", i.e. commuting due to restraint, cost, distance, ease.
I would not get the bike out through choice, even though enjoyable, during the winter. Do as you please, I just believe that it really isn't worth the danger/cost involved if you have alternative transport available to you.
I have not said that I don't ride during the winter months at all, on the contrary I sucessfully completed Hottrax's first trackday of the season at Silverstone GP, riding up and back in -2°C.
In effect, I would label, as my wife has already, me as a "Mug".
There you go a self confession.
Yes indeed, although I didn't know his name. They were trialling new instructors for the new season and one of the guys on a 98 R1 with replacement fairings came off at 'bridge'. Not a good start, oops. He was alright but the day ended after his crash as parts of the circuit were strating to re-freeze.
Next month I will be mostly trying Silverstone. I have always favoured Donington but it makes a nice change.
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