Riding through the winter ?

[rml]

Yep planing to ride through the winter, as much as possible
(bike main form of transport) ACF50 the bike, & ludicrous
amounts of layered fleece for me. Although having just read
about the two off's from riders of this parish, I thinking engine
bars maybe a good investment. Or it might be the excuse I
need for winter hack bike, or emigrate

Stay safe.

 

[Dan]

I'll be riding all winter too, although I will draw the line at snow and ice - I fell off twice on black ice last year

 

[Packer]

Muffs, (I use perforated summer gloves with them) heated grips, and technical clothing for warmth, ACF 50 to combat the salt. Do it before the bike is ever exposed to salt.

Boxer twins of all types have built in foot warmers the benefit of which are only noticed when you ride a bike without them.

 

[IainMac]

I use my F800GS all year round, even here in Norway.

In february I will go to the Dragon Rally in Wales, can I go legal on UK roads with studded tires? It may not be necessary with studs, but it's a hazzle to change and change back tires for this rally.

I think studded tyres are a pull if plod can demonstrate your damaging the roads etc, dont think they are specifically outlawed by uk road traffic act but I think your on dodgy ground if stopped by the old bill. They may also take a dim view of the potential to damage any pedestrians that you chance to run over with the studs.. so ride on them at your own risk but I dont think you'll get a firm yes that you wont get pulled or have issues with uk plod.

 

[divelandy]

can I go legal on UK roads with studded tires?

Damage to road, person or vehicle

If the tyre causes either damage to the road, or to persons, or to any vehicle using the road. [snip]. Studded tyres also are included in this clause and if used in inappropriate conditions (i.e. where there is no ice or snow) and they damage the road surface then they would be clearly illegal.

ref

 

[bladerunner]

I try to ride though winter to keep up skills, but NEVER in snow and not in ice. You are kidding yourself if you think you can control a slide on ice on 300Kg of bike - and there may well be a truck coming the other way. (Although the stats say summer sundays are far more dangerous).

Heated clothing - I use Aerostich kinestu windblocker - is a must. With 'leccy heating your core, your feet and hands will be warm enough.

The new Buff neck warmers with windblock and fleece are excellent - eliminate any gaps cold air can get in. Skiing thermal base layers are also excellent these days.

Liberal use of scotoiler365 and if you can have a hose convenient, hose down the bike every ride to get rid of salt. Give your bike a real good wash at least once per week.

I like riding on crisp winter days - no plod and no tw*ts on suzukis over extending the envelope.

 

[Baard]

More studs

Thanks for feedback.

These tires are not extreme, I will think about what to do.
Still a long time to February.

 

[rc mad]

oi, i've got as suzuki Which will be put away as soon as the dakar is back on the road, the suzuki will rust as soon as it sees road salt

I have always rode through the winter as i have never owned a car and have no plans too, if it gets too bad its back to a push bike to get too and from work.

I have fitted some tkc's this year in preperation

 

[LOLGEOFF]

You want cheap hand muffs?

Make 'em yourselves.....

 

[Stop Stop]

They look, mmmm, interesting...

 

[SKON]

Brrrrr

I`ll keep riding through the winter too,as long as there`s no ice or snow on the roads! Without studded tyres,its asking for trouble IMO.I snap more easily than I used to! As previously advised ACF50 will be regularly applied,and I have just ordered a pair of muffs from VAL.H of this parish.They look the business and come highly recommended as you may have read!Plan to give it good cold water rinse with the Karcher after every winter ride too.
I just got the new 2010/2011 Wunderlich Offroad catalogue kindly sent out of the blue from Nippy Normans. As well as the usual brightly colored frippery, there is a whole heap of mouthwatering stuff for our bikes in there Worth a peek anyway

 

[Dean]

Ok pay attention

Muffs.

post 3 above by Mr Monkey.... Val (C I think) is a fellow ukgser and a fine vendor of muffs here a p.m maybe. A lot buy from him from here.

Ok why not A C F 50 your self buy more of the product for future use like a job lot here. http://www.ruggedroads.co.uk/shop/category_46/Maintenance.html?shop_param=cid=& think of the DIY savings to go towards other things



happy shopping

Appologies to Val c who does not exist Yet I actualy ment VAL H

who is of course by all apearance winters best friend


http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239585


A warm rider is an alert happy rider


Ride Safe

 

[biggles12]

I'm getting ready for the winter with a new set of TKC's. Just love them in the wet and means if your out when it snows you can keep going.

Pete

 

[mr_magicfingers]

My bike is pretty much prepped for the winter, don't own a car so it's bike only for me. Muffs are on most of the year, those and the heated grips mean summer gloves all year round. Have had the bike 'done' by allyearbiker and this morning I will be fitting the harness for my new heated jacket from warmnsafe.eu

When I get a day free I'll convert the fogs and spots using the hid kits I have sitting on a shelf.

I've just fitted Dunlop roadsmarts which are so much better handling than the metzler karoo T's which were on before. After an off last year in a blizzard (last day of work before christmas and it was that or spend a couple of days in the office, stupid decision but there you go) knobbly tyres are not what you need unless they're studded. Roadsmarts give much better grip in wet or dry so I think they're a better choice for the winter. If it snows I'm staying at home or taking a taxi.

Work commute can be anything from 8 miles each way up to 90 depending on the day's location.

Rukka armas suit is the best riding suit I've owned and keeps me warm and dry each day. Highly recommended despite the cost.

 

[biggles12]

knobbly tyres are not what you need unless they're studded. Roadsmarts give much better grip in wet or dry so I think they're a better choice for the winter. If it snows I'm staying at home or taking a taxi.
.

Woose

 

[fireman]

Sorry guys but go buy a snickers, unwrap, eat and get some nuts.
a set of karoo 2 tyres and get up on them pegs for better balance. youll have lots of fun and it will improve your riding skills.
i use copious amount of scotoiler winter spray and swill off after each ride.
after one hard winter the bike still looks like new. pay lots of attention to the chain to and enjoy the bike for feck sake, sorry about the rant but when i listen to some comments i wonder why you have a gs,if you dont want an allrounder go get a sports bike and bring it out on sunny days.

ok finished now

well almost. dropped my bike a few times but the adv spec bars did the job and no damage, plus i aint a young spunker and its character building to carry a few aches and pains .
happy riding

 

[High-Tower]

Yep, I ride and commute all year round, haven't had a car for years. A cheap crappy trail bike saves me trashing the GSA or spending half my life cleaning salt off it. Hein Gericke 'lobster claw' gloves and Keis heated vest are my friends in winter.

 

[Canuck]

A set of muffs from Val, a heated vest and a neck warmer thing and you are set. After last year however... I will always avoid driving when there is snow on the road and when the temp is in the 0 to +3 the range. If it is below freezing during the night expect road to remain frozen until the sun can get at it and heat it up. Remember... falling over on the ice is the easy part... try picking the bugger back up on a sheet of ice.... oh the joy!

 

[Dean]

View attachment 168162

Sorry guys but go buy a snickers, unwrap, eat and get some nuts.
a set of karoo 2 tyres and get up on them pegs for better balance. youll have lots of fun and it will improve your riding skills.
i use copious amount of scotoiler winter spray and swill off after each ride.
after one hard winter the bike still looks like new. pay lots of attention to the chain to and enjoy the bike for feck sake, sorry about the rant but when i listen to some comments i wonder why you have a gs,if you dont want an allrounder go get a sports bike and bring it out on sunny days.

ok finished now

well almost. dropped my bike a few times but the adv spec bars did the job and no damage, plus i aint a young spunker and its character building to carry a few aches and pains .
happy riding

Ark at Mr T

 

[alphadog]

You want cheap hand muffs?

Make 'em yourselves.....

ok,that has to be the ugliest home mod i have ever seen.

"necessity is the mother of invention" is clearly proved here.