Is biker season over already?

[gibbzy2k1]

Is it really over already? Huge drop in temps and some bad rain and wind and the roads seem to have a lot less bikers this week. Have I missed the season already? I've done a grand total of 70 miles the the Bird since ownership and at the moment she is still in the garage in bits. Can't see me getting her out if its over already.

I do have an old SV which, once my ribs are better, will be my winter hack. so not completely bikeless.
How many on here ride all year round and commute?

 

[andyBeaker]

Ooooh, dangerous topic, all year riding on here.

I rode all year round for about fifteen years, with around 6am starts most days. The two things that put me into public transport were snow and frost. An indoor/outdoor thermometer with a memory was a godsend - if it fell to a minimum of 2c overnight the bike stayed in the garage, not least because I lived in the sticks and had about six miles of windy country lanes before hitting the motorway.

The Bird took winter riding well, always cleaned up a treat.

Heated grips, courier boots with thermal socks, winter jacket over leathers, one piece under suit, neck muff....... jobs a good un.

The thing that surprised me was eventually learning that really good winter gloves negated the benefit of heated grips. I ended up with an 'all season glove that let the heat through. A great alternative is the lobster claw type mitts (Heine Gericke sold them as 'Pathans'), best glove I ever used for warmth and thin palms meant the grips were never on full blast........but the protection in a spill would be next to useless.

Don't let anyone put you off winter riding - it makes you a riding god in the summer

 

[Lee337]

Sadly, due to health issues, I have only ridden around 200 miles in the last year, but now been given the all clear (by Docs and the Missus) I'm looking forward to getting out again once I've got a new MOT. Don't really care what the weather is as long as it's not snowing.

 

[gibbzy2k1]

I rode through the last 2 winters on the SV, first year was 4am starts, sometimes hitting -4. Only the snow stopped me. The bird is a beautiful bike, so I wasn;t planning to use her through the winter. My thought being that the salt would get under the fairing etc and need a lot of cleaning. Where as the SV on has a bikini fairing so a quick hose down with the pressure washer weekly does the job. Plus the SV is a little more forgiving I think.

On my list are some new waterproofs, gloves and possibly boots (might settle for sealskins). Looking at the army surplus stuff, have been recommended it by a few riders.

 

[andyBeaker]

Don't know if they are still available - the HG Voyager jacket was absolutely brilliant. Just stuck it on over the top of the leathers, was plenty warm enough even without the detachable lining. Plus if you get the fluo yellow one everyone thinks you are plod

 

[Jaws]

Oddly enough, I have just retaxed my bike.. I had intended putting it away come October. but due to my brain fart I had a few months where I could not ride...
As I aint had anywhere near enough saddle time so far it is gonna be in use until January when we leave for Spain ( and have to use the `125 for a couple of months )

 

[Me!]

Well some of us are still enjoying the sunshine. A fine 120 miles around the South coast on the 'Bird today. Finished with a wipe down on my new skylift. Happy days.

 

[andyBeaker]

Well some of us are still enjoying the sunshine. A fine 120 miles around the South coast on the 'Bird today. Finished with a wipe down on my new skylift. Happy days.

Don't know how you managed that - showers all day on this part of the south coast!!

 

[Me!]

South central was glorious until about 15:00.

 

[Centaur]

I had a lifetime of all year round riding albeit many years in hot climates. Most of my life I rode in the UK with wet balls in the winter until I finally bit the bullet and bought HG gear a few years before I had to quit. Warm, dry and comfortable; my whole body especially with a heated vest. Had all sorts of heated grips but wind chill always meant my fingers were never really warm until heated under gloves with waterproof outers finally solved the problem. Double glazed visor and a strip of 3/4 inch tape across the top for evenings when the sun was really low and bright kept my vision good at all times. The proper gear is every bit as important as a well sorted bike with good tyres. Snow is not too bad if you can make your own track in a fresh fall but ice is a feckin killer, worse than diesel or SMA. Ah, the memories.

 

[Me!]

Do you sit at home in the heated vest whilst chugging on Old Holborn ?

 

[slim63]

I have been riding all year round since march 1979 & don't intend stopping quite yet, I still find riding enjoyable whatever the weather but in recent years have struggled to keep my feet warm so stop more often on a longer ride now

 

[andyBeaker]

Thick thermal 'towelling' type thermal socks with a thin pair over the top to keep the warm air in = warm feet.

Providing you keep them dry, hence courier type boots, no zips.

Perfick!!

 

[ScottyUK]

My Daytona Roadstar boots are zip up and I've never had a single issue with water. They've done silly mileage (soles worn out) but still reliable. Love 'em.

I enjoy my winter commute. Less bikes means straight to the front at traffic lights rather than the fight of cycles, mopeds and bikes.

 

[russ_fae_fyvie]

Yup I'll be carrying on riding as usual unless there is ice or snow, then no !
Heated grips on the Tracer along with decent gear and I'll be commuting the 25 miles each way, its got great lights as well so although its not always pleasant I'll try my best ! However if its pishing down to start with I'll chicken out as I don't have a drying room in the office ! however if its dry going in and wet coming home I can live with that.
Hopefully this so called Global Warming (my arse!) will keep the icy stuff away !

 

[slim63]

Thick thermal 'towelling' type thermal socks with a thin pair over the top to keep the warm air in = warm feet.

Providing you keep them dry, hence courier type boots, no zips.

Perfick!!

I got bad feet mate so proper bike boots are out because of that, even when I was still wearing bike boots my feet got cold, its more medical rather than a temperature thing although it is worse when the temp drops

Now I wear army boots, good thermal socks & a thin pair as you said to trap air +boot liners when its really cold, its as good as anything & the boots don't leak, my bloody jacket has just decided to though

 

[derek kelly]

Pissing down this morning, cold wind, two cars parked on my drive, opened garage, got bird out & rode to work, greasy roads, no bother, idiot drivers, too easy, I enjoy winter riding almost as much as summer riding.

 

[Centaur]

Do you sit at home in the heated vest whilst chugging on Old Holborn ?

Don't smoke, Me
and the house is WARM!

 

[Vinterceptor]

Have sorned the Blackbird to do a bit of work to it, first time I've ever sorned a vehicle. Currently using the Fazer, done 1200miles on it since Wednesday. Will ride it through the winter but only at weekends or holidays (work too close to home to bother commuting to work).

 

[andyBeaker]

Have sorned the Blackbird to do a bit of work to it, first time I've ever sorned a vehicle. Currently using the Fazer, done 1200miles on it since Wednesday. Will ride it through the winter but only at weekends or holidays (work too close to home to bother commuting to work).

I loved both my Fazers - in the real world the 600 was every bit as good as the 1000. Great brakes - the brakes the Bird could have or perhaps even should have had....?