Winter... fun?

[Acemastr]

I've ridden a 125 through 2 winters, wasn't so so bad, but now I have a 600 I ask this question...


Can biking be fun in the winter?
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[Mord]

Not much fun really.

- it's cold
- it rains or snows
- it's dark
- roads are often slippery, icy or wet
- main roads for of salt which f00ks up your bike (rust)
- car drivers don't see you through misty windows
- warming up the engine can take a while
- cold drains batteries quicker

The list can be endless. I'm not going to ride in winter anymore. Last two winters were enough.

[salty21]

90% of the time you just think of the summer and plough through, but then the other 10% is when its either snowing or one of those rare dry days you get when the roads turn white from all the salt, its still slippy but the rear wont light up under full throttle as it usually does when its wet or icy but as we found out last winter the snow gets annoying after a week or so, but for me the first 2 days of snow are mega, especially now i have a bonified work bike i dont mind getting damaged so much.
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04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[craigs23]

[kawakid]

Done 6 years, its awful.

4 weeks this year, the wife left me have the family car.

Every day washing the bike down, spraying Scotoiler preventative.

Riding in an upright position, too frightening to lean.

Jumpers under your leathers, Heated Grips. It's all shxt.

I can remember getting to the end of my drive, then not being able to get off the bike, without fear of falling over due to the snow. Having to use the horn to attract the wifes attention and then 2 of us pushing it through the snow to the garage.

Am I fecking mad, I must be. It's a relatively new bike (58 plate) and I can afford another car.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[imanupstart]

Sucked on the Bandit, 2 winters on a 125 was fine, good days and bad just like the summer really. Shall be picking up a smaller capacity bike for the winter as the cbr is going into hibernation. Last winter almost did it for my Dad though, after 20 odd years riding bikes it almost made him give up for good

[neil.]

I knew it was a cold winter last time round, but to make a seasoned rider consider packing it in, well, it must have been extreme! Low powered bikes FTW in the ice/snow! The light weight means it's easier to recover to an upright position in the event that something starts to slide (happened many times to me), and the low power gives you great control when there's no grip. I adopted the position of legs dangling, feet as 'stabilisers/skids', slipping the clutch in second gear, hand/foot off the brakes, when trying to pilot the thing through really icy roads.

By the way, early forecasts say we're in for a bad time, if not worse than last year, this winter.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Blue_SV650S]

If we are talking the WHOLE of the winter, then there are still many many days where the weather is perfectly fine ... but with less traffic about, actually makes it better than some of the summer months!!

But the wet, cold, salt and ice is not 'fun' - no ....

That said, with the right bike the wet and the snow can be 'fun' ... but at that point you really have to just be out to play, not trying to get somewhere!!
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[Alex A]

Man up chaps! Call yourselves bikers....

It's mostly cold, wet, slippy, hazardous and generally a test of endurance. Last winter was particularly bad with ice for weeks on end but that's rare.

I've done two winters on an XR125, one on a VFR750, one on a Firestorm, one on a 900 'blade and one on a Falco (with the SP-1 in the garage as a backup - no good as a winter bike). The 125 was least fun with precarious knobbly tyres and zero weather protection. Heavy wind and hard rain was a nightmare. The best winter bike I've had was the 'blade. With sticky but wet weather friendly tyres, there was still plenty of opportunity to have a lot of fun despite the miserable weather. Even did a few 300 mile rideouts through December/January on dry days last winter.

Sure it's nice when you get a clear, sunny, warm day but you got to work with what you've got, and there's no reason winter can't make for enjoyable riding.

Cleaning wise, 2-3 through cleans and treatments with ACF-50 should see a decent bike through it rust free.

Get a decent, warm jacket, a pair of well insulated gloves and properly waterproof boots, get some tyres that work well in the wet and cold, and you'll be set.
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Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5

[Reppyboyo]

Not really, has its days when its fun on sunny ones.

Otherwise, done 4 winters now, 1 on a 125, 1 on a 600 and 2 on a 1050.

This winter, Im getting a bloody car.

[neatbik]

I've done 4 winters now, 3 of those on a 600cc naked.
As long as you have the right kit its bearable - the thing that annoyed me was not being able (or willing!) to go out for a ride for pleasure.

Thats why i've now got a thumping big dual purpose bike so i can go and have some fun in the mud

[everyreasonto]

Riding in the winter is fine, so long as you don't go out on an icy day like I did last year.

I got caught out on my way to work but I was already half way there so I though I might as well continue. Came to stop at a junction and could hardly keep footing on the floor.

Left my bike in the loading bay at work that night and caught the train home!

[Villers]

Winter was no fun when biking was new, I was young and my bikes were cheap shit. Now Im older, I have nicer bikes and biking is old guess what? Its still shit!

I guess you could get through it and then convince yourself that you're a real biker and those who dont are weekend warriors! Then that will maybe keep you warm and fuzzy inside whilst your hands freeze, your bike rots, your wheels spin and half asleep drivers barely miss you. Meanwhile those who have been there and done that are in the car, having no dramas!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[Blue_SV650S]

[trevoriv]

Done 4 winters all on a ZX6R and its not that bad. The cold on long distance high speed rides is really unpleasant! Worcester to Bolton at 5am belting up the M6 in January was extemely painful!

Hoping to get a smaller capacity off-roader for this winter as I only have a 4 mile commute, should be more enjoyable / stable on something like that.
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Past: '96 Thundercat, '02 ZX636R (A1P), '58 KTM 690 SM LC4 Current: '06 ZX636R (C6F)
Mudskipper wrote: Someone just has to sig that...

[G]

I still reckon people that complain just don't have the right kit.
Sure, complain you don't have the right kit, but don't complain you're getting cold .

I don't think you need heated clothing, though I expect it does help.
Decent muffs or not so decent muffs and heated grips make a big difference.
After that, obviously a decently well lined jacket and trousers. Or a decent one piece textile suit with extra lining etc.

Sure riding in the pissing rain is rarely great and the snow/ice isn't that fun (until you get studded tyres anyway ), but the rest of the time can be 'most as enjoyable as summer.

[Villers]

The alternative though is very easy, I get up and go to work in the car. It suffers no more than usual and neither do I. I dont need to get home and dry out my kit, I dont need to wash the bike down and my pride and joy is safe in the garage. Its not getting covered in salt, its not going to get smashedto bits because of black ice or a dopey driver in the dark.

If I had a complete piece of shit bike and no cushy option perhaps it would be viable but as I am it would be for the sake of doing it, maybe an upshot would be that I was a real biker though
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

6 winters on unfaired bikes....Brrr on the knees and fingers. And i wrap up proper. The windchill eventually eats through.
Under 40mph and all is well.

[thinking aloud]
My dilemma is whether to get a cheapish faired bike and not be happy but practical, or carry on saving for an unfaired beauty that i have my eye on......Yeah i can always wear 3 pairs of gloves

To be honest i have fun nearly everytime i go out...well, enjoyable at least. Weird, i surprise myself how i'm still up for a wet winter ride.
But i draw the line at ice and compacted snow. Lost the front too many times and lucky i'm strong enough to keep the 250 up.
Back end powerslides are addictive as well.


Pat
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The Harry Turner Project

[baldy]

Yes it can be fun.....

https://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae260/bikerphil1987/off%20roading/SL370665-1.jpg

https://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae260/bikerphil1987/off%20roading/SL370748.jpg

With the right bike.
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One day i will rule the world, just not today.

[G]

Thought the question was about fun?

Regardless, for me washing the car is most hassle than washing the bike - or applying ACF50 once and ignoring it for three months .
I don't have much pride in owning a bike and the joy comes from riding it .
My car is as likely (or more) to get smashed to bits because of black ice or a dopey driver.
I don't consider myself a 'biker' by many people's standards .

Mostly, I use a bike in winter because it's much more convenient for getting from A to B for me. Car can be plenty of fun too, though I prefer to drive for fun in summer with the extra grip etc.

[Nai]

Are motorcycles that bad during the winter? I take it then they are worse than bicycles for winter travel

[FURBAR]

Blimey ,, is summer gone already ... i remember last years winter chit chat, here we go again .. cage vs bike ..
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Fuk um !!

[Alex A]

[Nai]

Except for odd summer commuters, cyclists don't pack up cycling for the winter, by the look of some of the posts I was guessing it was hard going on a motorbike.

[Alex A]