Winter Riding Thread

Not sure if such a thing exists but thought it would be nice for all us winter riders to share a few tips and tricks to keep running safely (and warmly!)

My question is this -

Now that my curvy has a nice coating of crud, should I leave it on for the winter to protect me from the dreaded salt, or should I be cleaning it off every week? Don't have time to hose down every day, besides its dark by the time I get home and sometimes quite late. Would this make a difference at all though?

And my top tip is this -

Always wheel your bike out BEFORE getting kitted up. This stops you from getting all hot and sweaty in your leathers or textiles. This means you won't cool down will riding with a fine layer of sweat which will make you even colder.

Cheers

Gordon

[dizzyblonde]

I don't like seeing either of my bikes covered in crud( black one wrapped up fer winter n suzy is a scabb so it don't matter for now) however, i don't have time to clean her after getting in off nights, so just let it build up. Yorkiechris gave me some scottoiler FS someat or another to spray all over her after a wet run( when engine cooled) it protects it from the salt and makes the crud easier to get off when you wash it. A nice protective layer is advisable IMO

Oh and if you have an sv that don't like the cold, start her up before pushing her out of the garage and down the garden- very frustrating after using up all that energy to get it out in the cold only to find it won't start, then have to push it back again and be late for work

[yorkie_chris]

If you rode more than once a week it might not be such a problem

My take on it, keep your visor clean, put something over your expensive gear to keep the crud off, I put an old fleece over my leather jacket and even if its belting down the fleece stops the leather getting wet. Use the same fleece for maintenence, oil is waterproof

I use ACF50, give it a good soaking every couple of weeks, the protective layer builds up. I've tried wiping a small area of my forks clean and the finish so far is pristine underneath.

Very interesting question on the dirt... Id say use the scottoiler stuff dizzyrascal mentioned above.

Top tip for winter riding, is to have heated gloves (plus as much heated gear as possible! Good for those 100 miles rides i have...).

Ride with a mind not to use the front brake at all, by that i mean use engine braking mostly and then the back brake only use the front if bsolutly necessary. Its so easy when its dark wet and cold to miss Ice or desiel spills and fall on your ****

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

If you rode more than once a week it might not be such a problem

My take on it, keep your visor clean, put something over your expensive gear to keep the crud off, I put an old fleece over my leather jacket and even if its belting down the fleece stops the leather getting wet. Use the same fleece for maintenence, oil is waterproof

I use ACF50, give it a good soaking every couple of weeks, the protective layer builds up. I've tried wiping a small area of my forks clean and the finish so far is pristine underneath.

25 mile commute everyday now so bleh!

Leathers have gone into storage for the winter so wearing textiles, but top fleece tip. Saved me a soaking when I rode down to Bournemouth in the 'summer'

Got a linky for a cheap purveyor of ACF50 anyone?

Originally Posted by Jamaxx

Got a linky for a cheap purveyor of ACF50 anyone?

3 page list of all stockists of ACF50 in the UK

I ended up going with Nippy Norman as he is just down the road from me. £12.50 for one, £20 for two, £24 for two and a tube of ACF's grease as well.

Originally Posted by MeridiaNx

3 page list of all stockists of ACF50 in the UK

I ended up going with Nippy Norman as he is just down the road from me. £12.50 for one, £20 for two, £24 for two and a tube of ACF's grease as well.

Top Man.

Cheers

Gordon

[northwind]

Keep warm and dry... Yes, you can keep on riding when you're freezing but it's not just about comfort, your observation, reaction times and motor control go all to hell, and you probably won't even be aware of how badly you're affected.

I like ACF50, I only wash my bike twice all winter but it's in great shape, the whole "wash after every ride" idea sounds clever but if you don't get some protection on after the wash, you'll get a nice fresh layer of salt etc on all those clean parts the second you ride off again. I do give the discs an occasional hose down as they'll rust given the chance. And rubber grease on the caliper seals!

Preventative maintenance is a pain but vital to avoid winter breakdowns, I've just finished cleaning and re-lubing every electrical multi plug and connection. Some of them were disgusting and i had done them in the summer ! It don't take long for the crud to get in .

Hmm, just seen my link didn't work properly, maybe as it's a search result that times out. I think I've edited it to show the results properly now.

HTH