Winter SV riding precautions?
 

well having only had the bike a few months and only really pottered about on nice days im planing a trip to Cardiff from aldershot on saturday. Just wondered if anyone had any tips to stop any likely problems I would have riding in the wet i.e. common electrical gremlins.

Also gota buy a few bits of wet weather gear some over trousers ect.. any recommendations?

cheers Malcs

Re: Winter Ride
 

Its a 99 sv650s for what it counts!

Re: Winter Ride
 

Have you got a fender extender on the front?

If not, unbolt the bottom of the radiator and pull it forwards, then pull the plug cap off and smear it in grease to stop water getting down the plug hole and causing a misfire on the front pot.... Err that's all I can think of really, I'm sure the resident gurus will add to this :D

Re: Winter Ride
 

Check your engine oil level and lube the chain.

Re: Winter Ride
 

tyre pressures as the temperature has dropped alot recently.

Re: Winter Ride
 

cheers guys will give the bike a good look over before the trip, im looking forward to giving it a decent run. Ive just changed the battery for a bosh one as the old one gave up on the 1st cold day we had

Re: Winter Ride
 

Whilst your out there if its not an awful day give it a good clean and ACF50 if you have any to keep the road crap off it.

Re: Winter Ride
 

Check overtrousers actually go over your boots before stumping up your cash, and that they are long enough with legs bent on bike. If you are riding in leathers and already have a decent waterproof walking jacket or similar that will probably do in a pinch. Probably flap about a bit more that a specific bike one but will keep wind and rain off.
Take a couple extra base layers with you including some long johns or similar. If temp drops again being cold on a longer ride quickly becomes very unfunny.
Have a good one.

Re: Winter Ride
 

go with an all in one waterproof not a jacket and bottoms as i have found you will get wet where the two meet, also most are now double lined so keep you warm(ish) as well.

check battery is charged
check oil level
tires tread and pressures and over all condition
chain/sprocket condition
lube chain
grease plug cap if not all ready done, even if you have fender extender
obviously check lights, indicators and all that lot.

bit OTT but well worth doing every now and then

Re: Winter Ride
 

Take the car if it's cold or raining ;)

Re: Winter Ride
 

Take something to clean your visor with.

Mine gets filthy from the crap off the road when its wet, and after it dries, it's horrible. Bad vision.

Re: Winter Ride
 

^ wood polish helps :lol: makes it easier to wipe off

Re: Winter SV riding precautions?
 

I'm heading cardiff way on saturday :D so am teking the same precautions.
As others have said, about waterproofs and bike check, but also some food, cause service stations charge a fortune.
Maybe take a spare pair of gloves (bike gloves) if you have some, should it rain and you get wet, theres few things worse than putting wet gloves on.

Re: Winter SV riding precautions?
 

Make sure that you clean it well after you have done your ride. Things like brake calipers start to sieze up

Re: Winter Ride
 

Polish it with turtle wax !

Re: Winter SV riding precautions?
 

you'll both be fine driving to Cardiff, but I recomend that as soon as you get to the welsh border put your wet proofs on it'll probably be raining.

make sure you bring your passports and take your injections, you'll need to go into quarantine for 5 days before we let you loose in the popluated areas, after all we dont want you bringing exotic illnesses accross the border like swine flu/Con-Dem Virus etc.
Also, watch for Oily roads in Cardiff, the local bus company has an excellent track record of maintaining their busses and dont belive that it's their own busses that are leaking oil all over the roads.

Collis
For and on behalf of the people of Wales.

Edit
Naah...
I'm sure the Taffia team will come and meet you on route or even offer a tea/coffee. I cant unfortunately as i'll be going out and my kettle is broke. :(

Re: Winter SV riding precautions?
 

Think about the time your going to start out and how long the journey is going to take because if you get delayed you could be riding in the dark.

Its not the dark that's the problem its the possible temparature drop at this time of year. Are you dressed accordingly or have you packed a set of running tights, helly hansen type long armed vest to put on just in case. You can never have enough layers.

I've been caught out a couple of times when taking long journeys at this time of year in the past. A 2 hour ride up the M1 with a clear sky night and 0 degree air temp or -10 at 70 mph.

The conundrum is that you want to get out of the cold but the faster you ride the colder it is.

My own golden rule about this is the 40 minute rule. If your journey is going to be longer than this then you need to layer up.

Re: Winter SV riding precautions?
 

Get some of the free plastic gloves at the fuel station and wear them under your own - very effective.

Oh and get a lip salve thingy from Boots.

Edit - if you don't ordinarily wear ear plugs then give em a try as the noise on long journeys will make your ears ache.

Re: Winter SV riding precautions?
 

+1 :smt038

Re: Winter SV riding precautions?
 

Definitive answer :

1: Fender Extender or at least/or as well as a good Greased up front plug
2: ACF50 on everything apart from the front discs
3: Heated Grips
4: DL650/Vstrom Handguards
5: Lots of good thermal laters preferably Merino Wool
6: Maintain the pad pins , these can seize up in a nasty fashion
7: Fog City or Pinlock
8: Thin "ALDI" bike gloves
9: Dont go too fast and increase windchill , keep it lower and warmer
10: Good Winter Gear in the first place , consider heated inner jacket and keep kidneys warm

Re: Winter SV riding precautions?
 

maybe a bit late but a puncture repair kit is essential.

Re: Winter SV riding precautions?
 

Right cheers for all the fantastic replies, ive just been out to the bike everything is toped up,all the lights checked and chain lubed so its all set. Ive got plenty of layers to wear so I think im just about set! Ive got my RAC card to hand should all else fail tho lol, I know they carry the motorcycle temp puncture repair kits should i get stuck.

Re: Winter SV riding precautions?
 

Get a small can of De-Icer as well , handy for the occasional Frozen Lock that always happens when your late for work

Re: Winter SV riding precautions?
 

Thanks to the advice I made it to Cardiff and back with no dramas, the bike ran like a dream, ear plugs made a huge difference. Im quite pleased that it rained a fair bit on the trip as idd not ridden in any kind of rain for about 2 years since I passed my test and was quite nervous about it, but its given me a confidence boost in using the bike :-)