Riding in the Winter

[guile]

I am planning to commute by bike throughout the Winter except when it is really icey. Is this feasible? I see some people garage their bike for 8 months of the year which seems pointless to me. It will be London roads so they should be gritted fairly well.

Also how big a problem is the road salt? I gather you have to use lots of ACF 50 but will the bike get completely ruined from this salt? Does it just get superficial rust which can can removed or will it eat away at vital components?

Does a faired bike make much difference over a naked in terms of corrosion? I am looking at ER6n/SV650 but I heard the sv650 rusts like anything..

[JoeDougieDoug...]

As long as you coat the bike in ACF50 or similar, you'll be fine. I was commuting all last winter and I never had a problem. Its always a good idea to keep it covered at night aswell (if possible).
____________________
CBT Passed - 22 / 10 / 11 >> Theory Passed - 16 / 02 / 2012 >> Mod 1 Passed - 07 / 03 / 2012 >> Mod 2 Passed - 18 / 05 / 2012.

[WannaBeDude]

Deep clean bike, apply acf but do not cake the bike in the stuff, it needs applying so it leaves a film / stroke coating.

Hose road salt off over winter only. Maintanance and lubing, job done.
____________________
Jogging on, destination living.

[map]

It is possible, I do it.

However, I use a shaft drive bike so do not worry about chain maintenance. Obviously a consideration and I'd fit a Scottoiler if I had to use a chain driven machine.

If you use a bike in winter then it will look worse than a bike that has been stored. Rather than rust I find the alloy fur more depressing.

I do not use ACF50 (maybe I should) but I did have some FS365 (thanks for the reminder, need to get more). I also have one of those larger pump up water bottles sold by garden centres to spray plants. I use this after particularly messy rides to clean off the bike (saves getting out hoses and the like).

I do make liberal use of grease and vaseline on various nuts and bolts. Picks up muck and looks bad (anti-theft measure perhaps) but works for me and cleaned off for summer use. Worse for rust IMO is condensation. So if a bike is used rather than stored then this (IMO) is less of a problem.

Can't say noticed much difference in terms of corrosion for faired/unfaired. However faired makes a journey in winter more pleasant. Downside is more to repair should you drop it. I guess the possibility of that is increased the more you use the bike and the increased likelihood of rain, frost, leaves, etc.

For riding in winter I've found it's more of a hassle looking after myself with warm clothing, keeping dry and dealing with the traffic rather than worrying about the bike rotting.


HTH
____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Lord Percy]

I'll be using mine all through winter too, and since my uncle just told me he's never used a closed face helmet in his life, wind rain snow or shine, I now am thinking of rising to the challenge of doing that too. Hah!

[kotachi]

Clean bike at weekends when vaguely warm.
Attach testes whilst using bike for commute.
Job's a good 'un.
____________________
CBT done - 24/03/2012, theory test done - 03/04/2012.. Mod 1 done -26/06/2012, Mod 2 done - 29/06/2012. Current steed: Cage.
Suntan Sid said: "Look at it this way, your employer wants to pay you the minimum amount, it thinks it can get away with, and extract from you the maximum amount of graft. Ergo it's your responsibility to ensure that karma is restored and you do as little work as you think you can get away with, for the maximum amount of money."

[Rogerborg]

<Ob rode to my Mod 2 in a full on blizzard>

map has it nailed. Some form of rust protection, grease, wash it down if the crud is likely to become structural.

The pump sprayer is a great idea, I use a 5 litre one that looks like this.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/public/FqnCnq2-kMWNyub6GgyUvzmvCnxw16d5Ya87PZ76lgVZcE4nMLY3k1mbVMHu9pYbW-D1le41VgGhWIMFxKAaOyisy87Q-2qRG9HBoW8myamzmTlGe0zs6WvDOZpoy5Jp_MO4a4DJwsNNWbY

Brakes and discs, suspension, up under the mudguards, keep the lights and mirrors clean, the rest can take care of itself.

A few feet of black ice are all that's between Like A Boss and Like A Plonker, so do have a backup means of transport.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[CaNsA]

Winter riding...

It's cold
Miserable
Wet
Dark
Cold
Miserable
Wet

and so on.

But i find it i ride better in the summer when i ride though the winter, dunno why though.