not been on your bike for a while? hows it feel?

[G]

I always feel rusty for the first hour or two after a long break. I've not ridden since probably novemberish since I dropped the bike at mallory. So I imagine it will be an even more interesting first ride after a break. Maily because I'll be waiting to see if the bike rides straight and feels ok after a winter fixing it.

I tend to stop riding when the salt starts going down, if there a cold dry day during winter where the salt won't get everywhere then I'll head out otherwise I will stay in... I don't really have any seriously cold weather gear either.

I feels lovely...

I don't see why people don't ride throughout winter? I do, and I think it makes you a better rider as you keep on top of it, and the less than good road surfaces, cold e.t.c. help to make you more aware and a better rider.

agreed again lol, BUT i've wrecked 3 bikes in the past and i dont want to wreck another on black ice.

Originally Posted by matt_rehm_hext

I don't see why people don't ride throughout winter? I do, and I think it makes you a better rider as you keep on top of it, and the less than good road surfaces, cold e.t.c. help to make you more aware and a better rider.

Its the increased risk of chucking your bike down the road.

Thats why some people get a winter bike.

just sliding your pride and joy down the road can write it off.

Originally Posted by kwak zzr

just sliding your pride and joy down the road can write it off.

Thats why I use a winter bike

Theres no way I'd risk it specially as my bikes no longer made, it makes replacement parts harder to find and more expensive so theres more chance of an insurance write off

[G]

Originally Posted by matt_rehm_hext

I don't see why people don't ride throughout winter? I do, and I think it makes you a better rider as you keep on top of it, and the less than good road surfaces, cold e.t.c. help to make you more aware and a better rider.

I don't think it makes bugger all difference, if you can ride you can ride, if you can't you can't.

I think people that ride through winter like to think that they are a better rider for it though... In 90% of the cases I've witnessed that definitely isn't the case.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by matt_rehm_hext

I don't see why people don't ride throughout winter? I do, and I think it makes you a better rider as you keep on top of it, and the less than good road surfaces, cold e.t.c. help to make you more aware and a better rider.

I totally agree with you. I have had some cracking rides on crisp frosty winter mornings. But after riding through 3 winters I lost my love for it.. it can be fun but it can be completely horrible and I stopped enjoying it. So now I dont do it anymore. Plus the fact that for me its just not feasable to wash the bike after every single ride, apply ACF-50 et all, Salt is a real killer, my GSXR has done 22K and still looks pretty tidy, it wouldnt look like that if it had been through a winter. Yes I know I could get a winter bike, but there isnt room in the garge for another bike !

I know I'll be rusty when I do ride again, but knowing that is half the battle to get through it, take it steady build back up again it'll be fine.

I rode for the first time in about 6 weeks today due to a broken collarbone.

I've found out that I've got a slow puncture in the rear so need to get that pumped up and along with that my front brakes are binding a bit (rust on the disc). To be honest it felt very wierd at first, but in the same vein its told me that I need to get back on the race bikes as soon as possible, cause the bug is definatly still there.

So in short, I feel a bit rusty; but that is probably down to completely different reasons to kwak. All i know is that I'll be taking it extra careful over the next few weeks!