How are you preparing for winter?

[Troy]

Good evening all.

Well it's that time again, and I'm just considering what to do to get myself prepared for the awful weather.

Due to leaving my on recently, I'm looking at other positions that may wel be further afield. I will therefore not simply be able to leave the bike at home and use a bus if the weather looks grim. Obviously in serious weather I can find another way, but for the most part it looks like ill be on the bike all winter.

Last year I was on a tatty high mileage GS500. It was an ex school bike, had been dropped in its life quite a lot, and didn't run the best, I therefore had no real care for it. This year, however, I'm on my ZX6. I keep getting the feeling it's perhaps too much for the wet and icey roads we get, and my dunlops don't instil much confidence. In spite of this, I'm getting the preparations ready. I'm on the look out for some cheap wet weather gear, as I feel my jackets aren't the best fit. My boots are also getting on a bit, but have heard good things about goretex socks. I did manage to stumble across an unused set of Oxford hot grips on gumtree for £15, and they'll be fitted tomorrow.

So is there anything I should be thinking about? Should I be cleaning any specific parts of my bike after a motorway run etc etc.

[billinom8s]

Don't buy cheap waterproof kit - waste of money.
Chain wax not lube
Fs365 - looks after bike
Wash Bike down after use to prevent salt corrosion
Buy a cover for it.

[Troy]

Ah I didn't know it was best to wax rather than lube, good to know.

I don't mean cheap waterproof kit, but rather second hand eBay stuff. Both my current textile jackets were second hand, and are surprisingly good, but could do with something that has a better fit.

I've heard good things about stuff like Nikwax. Anyone tried such things out?

On the topic of covers. I have a good one, but it gets neglected because once its wet, it's hard to dry. What do you do to keep it nice and dry on the inside, and at least easy to get back on at the end of the day?

[TLS-Moose]

How am I preparing for winter?

1. SORN bike
2. Make sure it's tucked up snug in the garage
3. Make sure I've got decent A/T tyres on the Landrover

[scorcher]

Don't buy cheap waterproof kit - waste of money.
Chain wax not lube
Fs365 - looks after bike
Wash Bike down after use to prevent salt corrosion
Buy a cover for it.

ACF 50 instead of FS365. Used by the military on aircraft carriers to keep corrosion at bay (amongst other things). Lasts a lot longer aswell

http://www.acf-50.co.uk/motorcycle.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And always use cold water not hot water to wash salt off!

[Troy]

Will make sure I ACF the hell out of it, especially as the bike is actually in good nick for 45,000 miles.

Annoyingly the hose is as far away from my bike as it could be on the outside of my house, but I'm sure I can run it round and give it a hose down after longer runs.

[SteveR3]

How am I preparing for winter?

1. SORN bike
2. Make sure it's tucked up snug in the garage
3. Make sure I've got decent A/T tyres on the Landrover

Ditto.

All 3 bikes are now SORN as the Government have decided to put up road tax again, only a bit, but enough to p*ss me off. Strikes me as yet another stealthy sly grabbing move in times of recession.
My part in this recession to make savings means waiting 6 months & save £40+ whereas the government thought they could gleem another few quid out of me, that misfired
Car remains on the road, so I'm still mobile

[Smiler]

Sorn??? You're kidding me!!

I cant bear the idea that I could be bikeless for an indeterminate number of weeks

There's still good days to be had....

I know its not for everyone (chill out!) but more/better layers for me...and more careful cleaning for the bike post-ride......

Sorted (not SORN'd)

[goatpants]

Sorn??? You're kidding me!!

I insure for 12 months on the bike,

I tax it for 12 months too

And I have not rode it nearly enough

Prepare for winter by sticking on the heating and putting the liner back in my jacket.

And when the weather is shite I will be doing my pipe

[TLS-Moose]

Sorn??? You're kidding me!!

I cant bear the idea that I could be bikeless for an indeterminate number of weeks

Yes, there was a large dose of "Tongue in cheek" in my comment The bike is taxed & insured 12mths a year, and if the weather is nice and the roads relatively salt free, then it might come out.

As said, I can live with having the bike taxed & insured but not used, but it drives me mad if it can't be used and I want it ........

[Troy]

Good to see I'm not the only one who will keep on going. It's not the cold I'm worried about, it's the horrible and frankly dangerous rain.

Anyway my bike decided not to start today, even with hours trying to suss out the problem, so all of this could end up pointless after all!

[Stikley]

Leathers and tinted visor away, Textiles (although need to buy some as my jacket was cut by NHS in March) and clear visor (with yellow pinlock) on instead. Heated wrap around grips maybe but wearing my warmer gloves will help, boots are the same waterproof ones I have anyhow. Wash the bike more often and put FS365 or ACF50 on (have both) Getting my KE125 sorted for the snow as Ninja 9R might not like it like my Bandit 12 didn't.
If I was worried about rain and snow etc I would of taken my car test 12 years ago. Just ride a bit more easier on the throttle. Mind you haven't rode too quickly since last year as not had the weather or brain doesn't work as well since the knock.
My car is SORN'd though and hasn't moved more than 2 miles since I bought it in early 2000's.

[Jay]

Well in November the blade will be stripped, cleaned, polished and coated with ACF50 and put up on paddock stands and covered over and tucked up in the garage until April as i will be at Sea until then.
Upon my return i will be treating her to new tyres and a service as i thought there isn't any point doing that before i go away...... is there?

Any other pointers i should take into account........as i've never laid a bike up before?

Jay

[graham22]

Winter preparation - I turn the heated seats on!!!!

4 wheel drive, turbo charged small hatch, slippery roads it's when it starts to be come fun.


All comes to a grinding halt as I'm standing in a wet cold field getting changed out of my muddy wet trials gear before loading the bike onto the back of the car!!


Bikes will still be taxed & batteries charged ready for that OK winters day after the rain has washed the salt away.

Done the all seasons riding when I was younger, have a trials bike and a trail bike which can be used in the roughest of weather, I don't mind riding in the wet simply dont want to or can afford to wreck the road bikes when I have good alternatives.

After all, I got wet enough this summer.

[Funky]

Buying shares in FS365, decent touring tyres (I like the 021-023 in the wet)
An optimate as the cold will your battery
Warm under clothing, thick socks and inner thin gloves
Fogcity/pinlock visor insert