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Help with preparing to ride in winter

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John Proton
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Joined: 12 Jul 2025
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PostPosted: 15:55 - 05 Oct 2025    Post subject: Help with preparing to ride in winter Reply with quote
Thinking it would be useful to buy a bike dryer. I've heard people say it's better to buy a dog dryer as they're cheaper.
As I don't have electricity in my garage, I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a wireless gadget and where to buy it from please?

Also looking at using XCP clear coat to protect the bike. Having looked at several reviews, this appears to be better than Acf50. Anyone have any comments on this?

Thank you
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Deadonkey
Renault 5 Driver



Joined: 04 Aug 2012
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PostPosted: 20:02 - 05 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi,

I've used both ACF50 and XCP Clearcoat. I prefer XCP as it isn't as sticky. But to be honest it doesn't really matter which one you use. they are both basically the same.

The solution I've found is that I wash my bike after every ride where there is salt on the roads. I know that isn't practical for many winter riders but as a weekend only rider it is just about possible for me.

Also a bike dryer is a game changer for winter as you can actually get the bike dry. I've never used a pet dryer so i cant comment on that but I wish id bought some form of dryer earlier.
If you don't have electricity you could look at a leaf blower, fair enough you wouldn't get the heat but it would be better than nothing.
Makita 18v or whatever battery platform you already have, (if any)
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WD Forte
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Joined: 17 Jun 2010
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PostPosted: 11:05 - 06 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
bike dryer...................................

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fc.tenor.com%2Fk6UgEaycpqMAAAAd%2Fgay-shout.gif&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=8303890ae3b69144e54f4e56a04e260a173f8ea4bacfb05304a4b8f9dda95f2c
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John Proton
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Joined: 12 Jul 2025
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PostPosted: 15:20 - 06 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
Deadonkey wrote:
Hi,

I've used both ACF50 and XCP Clearcoat. I prefer XCP as it isn't as sticky. But to be honest it doesn't really matter which one you use. they are both basically the same.

The solution I've found is that I wash my bike after every ride where there is salt on the roads. I know that isn't practical for many winter riders but as a weekend only rider it is just about possible for me.

Also a bike dryer is a game changer for winter as you can actually get the bike dry. I've never used a pet dryer so i cant comment on that but I wish id bought some form of dryer earlier.
If you don't have electricity you could look at a leaf blower, fair enough you wouldn't get the heat but it would be better than nothing.
Makita 18v or whatever battery platform you already have, (if any)


Thank you Thumbs Up
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John Proton
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Joined: 12 Jul 2025
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PostPosted: 15:21 - 06 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
WD Forte wrote:
bike dryer...................................

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fc.tenor.com%2Fk6UgEaycpqMAAAAd%2Fgay-shout.gif&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=8303890ae3b69144e54f4e56a04e260a173f8ea4bacfb05304a4b8f9dda95f2c


There's nothing wrong with being gay, not that I am.
Interesting that your profile picture contains an actor who was gay!

So, your post was pointless!
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to v or not to v
World Chat Champion



Joined: 24 Nov 2020
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PostPosted: 18:12 - 06 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
John Proton wrote:
WD Forte wrote:
bike dryer...................................

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fc.tenor.com%2Fk6UgEaycpqMAAAAd%2Fgay-shout.gif&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=8303890ae3b69144e54f4e56a04e260a173f8ea4bacfb05304a4b8f9dda95f2c


There's nothing wrong with being gay, not that I am.
Interesting that your profile picture contains an actor who was gay!

So, your post was pointless!


its called humour, you should try it sometime.
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Ayrton
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Joined: 02 Sep 2010
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PostPosted: 10:43 - 07 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
Does it need to be hot air? I have seen people just use a battery powered leaf blower to dry a bike off.

Personally I cant be bothered messing around drying off a bike after riding in the wet and cold so it just goes straight in the garage.
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A100man
World Chat Champion



Joined: 19 Aug 2013
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PostPosted: 13:18 - 07 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
If you're slathering it in ACF (or WHY) you won't neeed to rinse it off and dry it until Spring... Isn't that the point?
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Kawasaki Jimbo
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Joined: 09 Oct 2015
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PostPosted: 19:55 - 07 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
One does not have the time to spend on such fripperies.

Back in the day when I commuted through winters and my bike lived outside I would empty a watering can over it after the filthiest journeys, but drying it? Nah.
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John Proton
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Joined: 12 Jul 2025
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PostPosted: 15:11 - 08 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
If only the people who could help replied, that would be appreciated.
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Easy-X
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Joined: 08 Mar 2019
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PostPosted: 16:27 - 08 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
A small air compressor would probably be more useful. Blow out the water collecting in various spots and the rest can sort itself out naturally.
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Kawasaki Jimbo
World Chat Champion



Joined: 09 Oct 2015
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PostPosted: 17:27 - 08 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
John Proton wrote:
If only the people who could help replied, that would be appreciated.

Laughing
You’re new here, aren’t you.
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A100man
World Chat Champion



Joined: 19 Aug 2013
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PostPosted: 18:41 - 08 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
John Proton wrote:
If only the people who could help replied, that would be appreciated.


If you use a barrier like XCF then drying won't achieve anything, washing then drying might succeed in washing some of the barrier off (depending on how vigorous your actions are and if you use detergent, pressure washer or what have you. My comment - pertinent I thought - was to help you decide on one path or another.

1) Use xcf and forget
2) fanny around washing and drying after every ride

PS If you're not getting the reply you want to hear there's always VisorDown.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600
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Ste
Not Work Safe



Joined: 01 Sep 2002
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PostPosted: 20:06 - 08 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
A100man wrote:
there's always VisorDown.

They got rid of that years ago.

Razz
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Capt Sisko
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 22 Jan 2022
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PostPosted: 20:17 - 08 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
A100man wrote:

If you use a barrier like XCF .....


It's important to realise ACF50 and the like are barriers and your bike needs to be spotless before you apply it otherwise all you're doing is trapping the dirt in. A bucket & sponge will clean the tuppaware & bright bits, but it ain't going to touch the grime in the nooks & crannies of the engine etc. For that you're going to need snow foam or similar, a powered pressure washer and a load of time & elbow grease. Worth a quick read if a little biased:-
https://fliesonthevisor.com/fs365-vs-acf50-no-thats-wrong/

Me, I prefer to wash my bike after a winter ride so it's clean then apply a light coating of FS365. To my mind the damage salt does to your bike isn't what happens when you're riding it, it's what happens whilst the bike's sat inbetween rides. I'd rather than have the bike clean and protected rather than it looking mucky and hoping ACF50 is doing it's job. If you're using you're bike everyday the above isn't practical, and this is where the barrier types win. You pays your money etc etc.

Ref Dryers. No, heating is not needed, it's power to blow the water out of switch gear, filler caps etc you need. Type "car dryer air blower battery powered" into Amazon and there's quite a few rechargable ones available for modest sums. Whether any of them are any good is another question.
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A100man
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Joined: 19 Aug 2013
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PostPosted: 18:15 - 09 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ste wrote:
A100man wrote:
there's always VisorDown.

They got rid of that years ago.

Razz


2019? Practically yesterday Rolling Eyes
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600
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A100man
World Chat Champion



Joined: 19 Aug 2013
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PostPosted: 18:22 - 09 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
Capt Sisko wrote:



Me, I prefer to wash my bike after a winter ride so it's clean then apply a light coating of FS365. To my mind the damage salt does to your bike isn't what happens when you're riding it, it's what happens whilst the bike's sat inbetween rides. I'd rather than have the bike clean and protected rather than it looking mucky and hoping ACF50 is doing it's job. If you're using you're bike everyday the above isn't practical, and this is where the barrier types win. You pays your money etc etc.

Ref Dryers. No, heating is not needed, it's power to blow the water out of switch gear, filler caps etc you need. Type "car dryer air blower battery powered" into Amazon and there's quite a few rechargable ones available for modest sums. Whether any of them are any good is another question.


Quote:
The FS 365 is a blend of mineral oil, surfactant, anti-corrosion additives and water, which forms a stable micro solution. This forms an effective layer of protection against corrosion, clinging to all surfaces and building up over time with each application. The FS 365 is water soluble and readily biodegradable, which further helps when it comes to cleaning as any dirt which sticks to the FS layer is easily washed away.


OOOH - some potion. Eh?
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600
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lisaansley
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 26 Jun 2014
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PostPosted: 04:37 - 10 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
XCP Clear Coat is solid stuff. I switched from ACF50 to it last winter and found it lasted longer in salty conditions. Goes on easier too.
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Skudd
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Joined: 01 Oct 2006
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PostPosted: 19:34 - 10 Oct 2025    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have a dryer, I keep forgetting that I have it, its just like the dog grooming one.
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