Help me spec a SV to a winter commuter

Yeah Scottoiler is constantly recommended!

What made you choose V-Strom handguards over handlebar muffs?

I already have heated grips, however managed last year without, just with a good pair of minter gloves and cold killers liners. It's the fingertips that are by far the worst.

The DL650/V-Strom guards are designed to be fit to the handlebars of a motorbike, handlebar muffs look like they were designed for old people to wear while dragging a bag-on-wheels through the snow in the eighties.

The key is keeping the wind off, and I think hand-guards not only look better, but look safer and easier to use, if you take your hands of the bars at any point while you travel like I do.

Also considering looking in to some film for tinting my mirrors, as other road users can be pretty dazzling in the dark, and don't seem to knock off the full beams round here for bikes.

I had my first winter riding experience last year on an old Kwak ER5 and learn't a lot especially on a 120mile ride back from London to Bristol on the M4 where it was an indicated temperature of -15 with windchill Bbrrrrrrr!

Fortunately i had been encouraged to invest in the right gear and combined heated gloves and waistcoat with layers under textiles. Would not be without them this winter!

Another biker showed me how to do a full strip of the brakes and changed the fluids and general check over with protection from ACF50 and WD40....sorted.

I use my old army clothing and thermals the are pukka and available from any Army surplus store for pennies.

As for contact lenses, they are a God send I wear mine all the time. You are very unlikely to get anything like dirt behind them whilst riding. That only tends to happen you are putting them in! Most places offer a free trial. Really worth it!

PJ

Originally Posted by P-J

As for contact lenses, they are a God send I wear mine all the time. You are very unlikely to get anything like dirt behind them whilst riding. That only tends to happen you are putting them in! Most places offer a free trial. Really worth it!
PJ

Yup, and if dailies leave you're eyes too dry, you could try fortnightlies, and if they're no use, you could try monthlies. I've had trial after trial until finding the right ones . I'm now on permanent keep-in-monthly lenses, but also buy the fluid and take them out most of the time. Best, most comfortable lenses I've tried. £18pcm

I think a Rukka suit is the best thing you can buy. Expensive yes, but im wondering if i should buy this year or cage it to work (60 mile round trip).

I tried one of their second from top of the range suits and it was amazing. Fits perfect and was made of all the top quality materials to keep out cold and wet. Also have a five year warrenty. Does cost about £900 though, but i wish i would have just bought it last year.

how about a car?

Pinlock Insert for Visor
Kidney belt (I got a £7 from Aldi and it helps immensely)
V-Strom handguards make an amazing difference (Slight mod needs to be done to LH one to fit)
Heated Grips will help a lot in conjunction with the above
Good Winter gloves , I wear Rukka Xtrafit gloves which are quite thin but are ok with guards and hot grips .
ACF50 is a must
Make sure the brake pistons are cleaned up to avoid seizure
Gear and Brake lever need to be greased as they do bind up
Scottoiler
Fenda Extenda is a must
I have a Kappa rack with a Givi Maxia fitted , you can hide a body in it
Buff neck scarf thingy and wear it up over the nose , keeps the breathe moisture out of the lid a fair bit .

I ride all Winter long and have done for 17 years . Gore Tex if you can afford it , makes a huge difference , I wear Rukka as it has a 5 year warranty and is definately up to 4 season British riding .

Its not my thread, but i've been rinding to work for about 16 months and i cant stand commuting in a car anymore. It takes far too long and i get too frustrated.

Its nice to be able to avoid retards in their cars in the morning, although i do worry about being put in a wheel chair more these days.

+1 for Scotoiler

Wear good gloves

Look after your visor and use an antifog insert (fogcity on mine)

Good waterproofs are essential, I find the wet cold far more taxing.

Salt eats your aluminium brake pistons and calipers. I had to strip, clean and rebuild mine 3 times last winter! (It was particularly cold and they used lots of salt).

+1 for Fenda extender and a hugger is good too to prevent the rear shock getting plastered with crud. A screen may be counterproductive if it gets plastered by the spray from other traffic.

I was actually thinking I might rebuild my front caliper as although its not to bad at the mo might be a good idea to do a bit of preventative maintenance.

I did the rear a few months ago but not 100% happy with it, sometimes it seems to travel further than it should (the rear brake pedal that it). I think I might need to bleed it again.

Do you think I should replace the seals or should they be ok as the bike is only 2 and half years old and has done 12000 miles?

Which grease do people recommend for greasing brake/gear etc pivots?