Useful tips for winter riding.

[UKRobT309]

Im off out for a blast in a bit cause i love riding my bike whatever the weather etc. I know its not for all of us and what the hell, each to their own but you do miss out if you dont use your bike in the winter. This is my 22nd winter on a motorbike (legally that is, since i was 16) and there are a few things you kind of learn that they never mention in magazines etc. I only passed my car test 6 years ago at the age of 32 so a bike was my only transport and i used to do a shed load of miles between Mid Wales (where i originally come from) and Lincolnshire where i live now and there was all the travelling for work etc to.
Anyway, sod my life history as anyone can add tips because no one knows it all.
1/ Goretex jackets, synthetic jackets etc are great but expensive. To save the salt and road grime ruining them go to a work clothes shop and buy a cheap over sized thin waterproof jacket to wear over the top. It doesnt look cool and you cant see the nice Alpinestars or Dianese badges but it also means you wont have to keep buying new good jackets all the time. Its also another layer against the cold.
2/ Wear lots of thin layers in the cold. Warm air gets trapped between layers which in turn keeps you warm.
3/ Got a few quid? Go to good outdoors type shops like Cotswolds, Ellis Brighams etc and have a look at the gear in there. Climbing and the likes has to deal with cold weather etc and they make a far better job of making warm things than bike clothing makers do. Of course it helps if you have an interest in both things and already have the clobber.
4/ Wear Padded leather trousers and wear waterproofs over them. These textile waterproof trousers are ok but when youve travelled god knows how many miles and you wanna stop for a cuppa its horrible sitting in soaking filthy trousers.
5/ Wiggle your fingers while riding to keep the blood flowing. On the same note, dont try and cram to many pairs of inner gloves into your winter gloves as this restricts movement and your fingers well get cold.
6/ Got proper handlebars on your bike like Renthals etc? Buy some cheap MX handguards. Dont look great but they keep the wind off your fingers.
7/ Do what you like with your feet, it dont make a bloody difference cause they well get cold eventually.
8/ Sounds silly but buy a cheap head torch. You break down in the cold and dark and try fixing the simplest of things without light. Its very frustrating. A head torch well keep your hands free and also point where your looking.
9/ Always stop regular and have summat hot to drink in the cold. I got hypothermia once by trying to rush a 200 mile journey in the snow and freezing fog at nght. Took me days to get over it. Whatever you say about McDonalds, theres plenty of them and their coffee ant to bad.
10/ If youve got room carry a small bottle of clean water and a rag for cleaning your visor.
11/ Dont lick your lips. Not only well they split quicker than an essex girls legs you well also be licking off essence of dead rabbit, hedghog, road salt, diesel etc.
12/ Sounds silly but get some good moisteuriser. Your skin well burn like a bastard if you ride a long way on them cold dry days.
13/ Try and plan your journey to where the sun well be. Sounds silly but try not to head west after 2 in the afternoon and dont go east before 10am as the sun is low and its a bastard to try and see, especially brake lights on cars.
14/ Relax and be careful with that throttle.
15/ Have summat stodgy and hot before you go out. Its good for keeping you warm.
Theres more useful tips out there. Go to any Enduro website or outdoors website and you can learn a lot on keeping warm.
Anyway, hope some of this makes sense and if you have any ideas add away. Not all things are going to work for all people so these are only tips, not gospel.
Oh! Go and have a chat with a tramp. They can usually give you good tips to and the grab a few pairs of the diesel pump gloves when at a garage. Always handy.
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[JeffT]

[dainesefreak]

Roadstar GTX, best boots in the world, probably.

[MikeyC]

Good post

[cliff]

Daytona do make the best boots in the world. Period. Did you know that no one has had a foot injury from an off in a pair daytonas?? (As far as the company knows) Its because of the kevlar.
Daytonas Rock. Shame they well expensive.
Another tip, buy yourself some of the Joe Rocket Gloves with the screen wiper blade on the thumb. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
Or Some of the Racer Pluvio Gloves, this is what I use because of the neoprene inner. Top gloves! Never had cold hands in them.
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Sweet reggae music.

[UKRobT309]

Oh, while i think about it and as im stuck in the office at work now. Dont forget money. Was having a nice blast out and forgot me bloody wallet. Now sitting at the office waiting for me missus cause i cant get any bloody petrol
See, none of us can remember everything
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[UKRobT309]

[cathawhitt]

Mobile phone is always a winner with some cash in it - I hardly take one wit me period but necessity if ya break down

[stinkwheel]

Keep said mobile phone in a zip-lock plastic bag then it won't get soaked. You don't need to take it out to use it.

I usually also keep a cheap lighter, some baccy and spare rizlas in with it for if I break down somewhere in the pishing rain and have to wait about.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[UKRobT309]

[Dracan]

Get an anti-fog viser insert for the inside of your visor, and spray rain repelant on the outside of your viser. Both should be available at your local dealer
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Honda CBR600RR - 2004

[JeffT]

[UKRobT309]

[T1z3R]

excellent post, thanks for all the tips
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duck my sick!

[kawakid]

I have a spare old phone with a pay as you go simm always charged in bike for when I brake down. I make a small call every 6 months, just so Orange don't cancel the sim card.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[Stevie GooGs]

Lo
I went all out on my helmet and got the Shoei X - Spirit kagayama
https://www.customlids.co.uk/helmets/shoei/x-spirit/xspirit_kagayama_ltd.jpg
The helmet is great for fast speed, areo dinamics dont make your head wobble as much at 100+, the ventalation on the helmet is the best i have seen 4 intackes at the top and one major at the mouth. The pinlock is the another great feature (need to get contact lenses, as the visor does not steam up but me glasses do ). I got it cheap at £350 but it retails at £445-480 but i would say it is well worth the money. For more info check out https://www.shoei-europe.com/en/swf_products.php?name=X-Spirit

For the winter i also invested in heated grips like below:

https://www.toolparts.co.uk/acatalog/OF695.jpg
I live in Glasgow and the temp dropped bad a few weeks ago and after two hours even moving my fingers was really soar, these are great, they take a few minutes to heat up but once they are warm thats you
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Current: 2019 Yamaha T7 -> 2015 KTM Superduke R | 2000 Yamaha R1 Past -> 2009 KTM 990 SM -> 2005 kawasaki ZX10r -> 2000 Honda CBR 600 FY -> 2002 Honda XLV 125 Varadero
Bike Pics! -> My Photography Website

[UKRobT309]

Oh, i forgot to mention, if all else fails TAKE THE BLOODY CAR
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[UKRobT309]

Just thought i'd bring this up again as quite a few people have added good ideas. DanClarkies thread reminded me this was here.
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[Craggles]