Rding On Through Winter....?

[Knot600RR]

As in the title, how many of you battle on with shitty weather, cold and the dark?

My bike will be flogged on this month, covers will be off the car and I'll look forward to researching and buying a new (to me) bike in spring.

I'm not a wuss (ok, maybe a bit) but it becomes unrealistic covering daily trips in excess of 200 miles on two wheels for me.

[Daimo]

This year is the first year in 12 that i'm not riding my bike all year.

Sold my daily work hack, bought a cheap sh1tty car.

I miss getting home quick, but, with the additional 10 minutes kitting up in winter, 5 minutes idling, im already halfway to work in the car.

Also, my bike didn't like snow suprisingly. Actually, the bike was fine, the rider didn't like riding 225kg in the snow morelike.

It done me well, saved me loads of money, lots of time and never worry about traffic jams.

But then i work against the london flow of traffic, and not with it anymore.

As a youngster, i'd ride to work, have blue hands, and run them under the cold tap to warm them up. And i'd still get chillblaines. don't miss that at all.



Have to say, I do feel a little smug when its hammering it down with rain, and im in the car with a heater and stereo and big seat. I won't miss winter riding, i've earnt my right to become a power ranging fair weather rider now.

[bunglebubs]

Don't mind it when it gets a bit chilly but due to crap weather this year and road tax ended end of August I didn't bother re-newing it, I just wrapped up my bike for the winter.


Roll on easter
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899 Panigale, K7 GSXR 750

[deleted111]

My plan was to ride the ZZR until the weather got bad and resort to my CG over winter. However, due to engine failure on the ZZR and a lack of funds to get it repaired, I'm back on the CG permanently.

But yes, I'll be riding all winter.

ETA: I don't have a car licence.

[robbieguy2003]

I think this totally depends on your scenario and available options. My considerations were always;

> What options are available (Car, Bike, Train, Bus etc)
> What is the dress code at work (i.e. smart)
> Can you get changed easily at work?
> Parking - is it also free for a car?
> Time saved - how much do you save on the bike?
> Cost - how much worse are the alternatives?

Basically if you save more time than it takes to faff around then it may be worth taking the bike, it might also cost less. I think dress code at work plays the biggest part for me, i've found it hard to get anywhere smart, either in the summer when it's roasting or in the winter when chucking it down. In between isn't as bad.

In my scenario when i commuted all year round, the bike took 45 minutes, dress code was jeans/t-shirt or shirt and bike parking was free. Petrol cost ~£35 a week. My alternatives were a train with a ~1:20 door to door triptime and it cost ~£50 a week or a car with petrol then £14 per day parking and a trip time of 1:30.

Basically the bike won always unless it was icy or I was planning on having beers with people after work.

I think it can/can't work depending on your situation and place of work.
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Current Bikes: Honda CBR 600RR - '07, Suzuki GSX1250 FA ST '11
Old Bikes: Suzuki Intruder 125 LC - '2001, Honda CBR 600F - '92, Honda CBR 600RR - '03

[Kris]

Yep, although I find the trick is to have a bike that you aren't too precious about and prepare for the cold properly.

As long as the roads are gritted then it's no problem. If there's a risk of ice / compacted snow on untreated major roads then I don't bother. I tend to clear and grit the local small roads near to me anyway after snow.

We don't get *really* bad winters here TBH.
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[phonesurgeon]

I don't believe in bad weather... only in bad choice of clothing!

I am an all weather rider, and i will continue do so this winter.
I've ridden through snow, but then again mine is a dual purpose bike(Aprilia Pegaso 650) and proper on/off road tyres( Metzelers Tourance).

ok it may take me 10 mins to get gear on, and 5mins idling the bike... but do that in reverse order...

Of course not all of us work in a warehouse, or similar where the choice of work clothes is minimal.

[P.]

Got the CBR for the winter Going to be quite fun, especially if we get that mental snow again I really fancy the challenge

[MarkJ]

I'll be riding every day to work through winter. It saves me loads of time commuting through city centre traffic, and I'm in a much better mood when I've been on the bike, even if the weather is shitty

[Chalky.]

I don't like riding in the rain, let alone the cold

Car for me.

Pussy and proud.

[Daimo]

It was never the cold that really got me. Always buy good gear, it makes a difference.

But the cold air/visor/steaming etc got on my nerves. Got a dodgy nose, so i'd sneeze loads, open visor, cold air, watery eyes, more sneezing, it was just a nightmare. Then i'd get into the warm building, and my nose would just run for ages. Just a pain in the arse really.

Rain never bothered me. Cold didn't bother me.

Buying two sets of kits, winter gear, summer gear, plus sportbike gear, ended up costing lots. Had to replace commuter gear every 3-4 years, lots of kit taking up lots of space. 3 years of farting in your trousers with no escape also leavings stinky trousers


Im actually looking forward to buying some nice summer gear for a change instead of stuff ive have for years thats come down from my commuter kit.

As said above, totally depends on your situation at work though. I always needed a bike (Central London), trains sucked, coaches were not much better.

Now i ride the other way, I dont neeeeeed the bike, and I can still use Nelli for nice days. fingers crossed, tomorrow

[DrDonnyBrago]

I'll be using the bike; parking and traffic are too bad to use the car.

Riding in the dark, cold, rain, ice and salt isn't exactly fun, but it beats me buying a second car, sitting in traffic and parking miles away from work (GF uses the car).

[Tenko]

Gave up riding to work in the winter many years ago - 3 'offs' in one month did it for me. My elbows hurt when it gets cold and damp nowadays and I put that down to years of crawling along in ice, snow and fog... Give me a car and Dusty Springfield any day!!!

[hellkat]

Its better than getting the tube.

No doubt I shall be confined to the tube at some point in the winter, but I dread those days worse than a visit to the dentist.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[panrider_uk]

They don't grit the side roads in the village and my bike's heavy so its the car on frosty/snowy days for me.

Mark
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[wiznyme]

I ride up till the snow falls, then I chicken out. usually means bikes under wraps most of Dec/ Jan & I have to commute by train.

Also happens to be the time when all the trains come to a grinding halt, as it always seems to be the wrong kind of snow for them. So I spend 2 months being a grumpy B.
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Don't sweat petty things, or pet sweaty things
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?”

[robbieguy2003]

[Dan_Davies]

I ride all winter. out 6.30am everyday for work, just wrap up and wear waterproofs, take it easy if its really bad. or at least untill the snow comes in, then its time to get lifts. Weather really isnt an issue, just take my time more in bad weather. to be honest i find you have a lot more fun when its dry again as your used to riding in the bad weather
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current ride: 07 suzuki sv650s
ex rides : lifan mirage 125

[GSXR_Warrior]

Like quite a few here I ride all year but not when there is snow on the ground. Take wife's car or cadge lifts then.
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GSXR600K4 Blue - fastest colour. No mods as yet. Happy with standard bike.
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[Al]

Not commuting this year I don't think as I should be getting a company van next month, I've commuted by bike for 10 of the last 14 years though so I've done my time. Free fuel, a radio and warmth will be nice but come next summer when I'm sitting in traffic sweating I'm sure I'll miss two wheels.
Won't be wrapping the bikes up for winter though as I'll still be using them for non work stuff, will probably ditch the car so might actually end up using them more in the evening and weekends.

I salute you men of winter motorcycle commuting.
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[Nai]

All year all weathers for me. London in a car sucks balls in the snow. If it gets to bad I will cycle the 40 mile commute. However......

I am really looking forward to my nice 3 months of crisp Autumn mornings before Winter starts.

[pepperami]

I work for a college and they send to places all over East Anglia so a bike in the crappy weather is not an option for me.
Also I have to take a fair bit of kit with me to sites.

Lucky for me I`m a fair-weather warrior so the zx6r can stay tucked up in the garage.
That said I still go out when I feel the need and if the weather is really bad I can use the 125 .

I had a bike license before I had a car license and could`nt afford a car anyway.
That meant I spent many a winter riding through wind/hail/snow/rain so I have done my share of sh*tty weather riding, so no more for me thanks!
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Asharin]

Last few years I've ridden all through winter..however as I will be living only 3 mins walk from work after October (hopefully) then I'll just walk..still use bike on days off though..no car :p

[temeluchus]

would have to be a monsoon/blizzard to put me off.

I work outdoors so not bothered by some inclement weather.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[headlamp]

I'll only stop riding if there's 3" of snow on the ground.
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