Winter Shitters

[mangocrazy]

30-odd years ago I did need to ride through (most of) winter, as it was the only way to make sense of my commute, which was basically through Birmingham. To do it I bought a brand new VFR750 (one of the early pre-single sided swingarm jobs), partly because I really wanted one and partly because the build quality was stellar. I put 80k on that bike in 5 years and it still looked and rode mint when I PX-ed it. I didn't ACF50 it, just washed it down after salty rides. I basically treated it like a 2-wheeled Mondeo repmobile, had it serviced on the button and it just worked. To be honest I doubt if you could find anything these days with the build quality and reliability of that bike.

But now I don't need to ride in the winter and I cannot imagine why I would want to. The only exception would be the odd warm sunny day in midwinter when the roads are magically free of salt. Otherwise I have no desire whatsoever to endure cold, wet, foggy, icy conditions. I ride exclusively for fun these days and between November and February that is a vanishingly rare commodity on 2 wheels. But each to their own, obviously.

[Rockburner]

Dropping the 'shitter' bit, what's the perfect winter bike?

When I was doing reasonably serious all-year commuting, circa 180 miles per day, the best thing I used was a Divvy 900 - simple to maintain shaftie, minimal bodywork if I dropped it and comfy. Doubt many available these days but were great.

Not to mention: engine in lower state of tune so less stressed (less wear and tear); lower power output means less grippy rubber (which lasts a lot longer) can be used perfectly safely; less harsh braking (due to relaxed riding): so less maintenance required there; less sporty riding position: so easier to relax and control... etc etc

[MingtheMerciless]

The ZH2 gets ridden in all weathers, usually through winter when engineering work stuffs up the trains. It gets ACF-50 treatment and also I spray a Bilthamber Wax oil into the frame drain holes (it's steel and the paint is VERY thin). It's survived two winters reasonably well so far apart from the fairing bracketery paint starting to bubble a bit.

[The Spin Doctor]

Dropping the 'shitter' bit, what's the perfect winter bike?

Less bodywork the better in case you drop it, or more the better to keep you out of the chilly air?

Cheap enough that you don't care if it dissolves, or something with a premium finish that will still look good after the salt has gone and retain some value?

Small and light with modest power so you don't get into trouble or a commanding position with plenty of power to 'get out of trouble'

Upright riding position. Anything with a forward lean is a nightmare on ice and snow.

Light so a) it bounces when you drop it and b) you can pick it up again.

Power's irrelevant on black ice since it'll wheelspin.

[dern]

Dropping the 'shitter' bit, what's the perfect winter bike?

ABS, cornering ABS, traction control, screen, heated grips, crash bars, plenty of power, tall, massive air horn.

[Horse]

Dropping the 'shitter' bit, what's the perfect winter bike?

Less bodywork the better in case you drop it, or more the better to keep you out of the chilly air?

The best I’ve found so far for keeping dry and warm.The only issue is the non folding mirrors make it a bit wide for filtering.

If they go over, the mirror is often the first thing to touch down. Often punching a hole in the big top fairing section.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Dropping the 'shitter' bit, what's the perfect winter bike?

A car

[Taipan]

Dropping the 'shitter' bit, what's the perfect winter bike?

A car

Warmer yes, but shit for filtering...

[Supermofo]

Dropping the 'shitter' bit, what's the perfect winter bike?

A car

Warmer yes, but shit for filtering...

Not owning a car till I was 28 (passed my test at 17 but rarely drove) on one of my first commutes in my first car I found myself between the 2 lanes of traffic on a dual carriageway I very nearly started to make progress before the shouty voice in my head made itself heard with a 'WTF you doing boy'

[ChrisW]

A car

Warmer yes, but shit for filtering...

Not owning a car till I was 28 (passed my test at 17 but rarely drove) on one of my first commutes in my first car I found myself between the 2 lanes of traffic on a dual carriageway I very nearly started to make progress before the shouty voice in my head made itself heard with a 'WTF you doing boy'

I literally did that the other day - there's a railway crossing not far from where we live which takes aaaages and I'm usually on either a bike or bicycle - I just started sailing past the queue in the car, had to pretend I'd wanted to turn right into a side road.

[Skub]

I did my car test when I was 30,it was all bikes before that. I recall at the start when I took a few car lessons,the instructor would periodically move the steering wheel to avoid his forgotten side of the car being altered...

[Noggin]

A car

Warmer yes, but shit for filtering...

Not owning a car till I was 28 (passed my test at 17 but rarely drove) on one of my first commutes in my first car I found myself between the 2 lanes of traffic on a dual carriageway I very nearly started to make progress before the shouty voice in my head made itself heard with a 'WTF you doing boy'

I read Taipan's post and instantly thought, I've tried!! LOL Glad I'm not the only one. Seems I'm the only one that had a car from the age of 18 and didn't get a bike till 32 - and still tried to filter in a car

[ChrisW]

I did my car test when I was 30,it was all bikes before that. I recall at the start when I took a few car lessons,the instructor would periodically move the steering wheel to avoid his forgotten side of the car being altered...

A couple of my cars in the UK have been LHD and I'd be lying if I denied having enjoyed hanging various people *cough-usuallythemotherinlaw-cough* close to or over the white line from time to time.

[mangocrazy]

Warmer yes, but shit for filtering...

Not owning a car till I was 28 (passed my test at 17 but rarely drove) on one of my first commutes in my first car I found myself between the 2 lanes of traffic on a dual carriageway I very nearly started to make progress before the shouty voice in my head made itself heard with a 'WTF you doing boy'

I read Taipan's post and instantly thought, I've tried!! LOL Glad I'm not the only one. Seems I'm the only one that had a car from the age of 18 and didn't get a bike till 32 - and still tried to filter in a car

Bike at 16, didn't get a car until I was 26 and I've done exactly the same thing. More worryingly, I do still get the urge to filter between lanes in the van from time to time...

[KungFooBob]

Snap, bike at 16 and car at 26 for me too!

I don't try to filter, but I do try to swerve around potholes and avoid manhole covers and drains in the car.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I had a bike licence at 17 and a car at 21, I didn't actually own a car for several years after that.

I've never tried to filter in a car. You'd have to be properly on autopilot to not notice the difference in sensation when driving

[Taipan]

A car

Warmer yes, but shit for filtering...

Not owning a car till I was 28 (passed my test at 17 but rarely drove) on one of my first commutes in my first car I found myself between the 2 lanes of traffic on a dual carriageway I very nearly started to make progress before the shouty voice in my head made itself heard with a 'WTF you doing boy'

Warmer yes, but shit for filtering...

Not owning a car till I was 28 (passed my test at 17 but rarely drove) on one of my first commutes in my first car I found myself between the 2 lanes of traffic on a dual carriageway I very nearly started to make progress before the shouty voice in my head made itself heard with a 'WTF you doing boy'

I literally did that the other day - there's a railway crossing not far from where we live which takes aaaages and I'm usually on either a bike or bicycle - I just started sailing past the queue in the car, had to pretend I'd wanted to turn right into a side road.

I did my car test when I was 30,it was all bikes before that. I recall at the start when I took a few car lessons,the instructor would periodically move the steering wheel to avoid his forgotten side of the car being altered...

Warmer yes, but shit for filtering...

Not owning a car till I was 28 (passed my test at 17 but rarely drove) on one of my first commutes in my first car I found myself between the 2 lanes of traffic on a dual carriageway I very nearly started to make progress before the shouty voice in my head made itself heard with a 'WTF you doing boy'

I read Taipan's post and instantly thought, I've tried!! LOL Glad I'm not the only one. Seems I'm the only one that had a car from the age of 18 and didn't get a bike till 32 - and still tried to filter in a car

I did my car test when I was 30,it was all bikes before that. I recall at the start when I took a few car lessons,the instructor would periodically move the steering wheel to avoid his forgotten side of the car being altered...

A couple of my cars in the UK have been LHD and I'd be lying if I denied having enjoyed hanging various people *cough-usuallythemotherinlaw-cough* close to or over the white line from time to time.

Not owning a car till I was 28 (passed my test at 17 but rarely drove) on one of my first commutes in my first car I found myself between the 2 lanes of traffic on a dual carriageway I very nearly started to make progress before the shouty voice in my head made itself heard with a 'WTF you doing boy'

I read Taipan's post and instantly thought, I've tried!! LOL Glad I'm not the only one. Seems I'm the only one that had a car from the age of 18 and didn't get a bike till 32 - and still tried to filter in a car

Bike at 16, didn't get a car until I was 26 and I've done exactly the same thing. More worryingly, I do still get the urge to filter between lanes in the van from time to time...

OMG! We're surrounded by 5th Columnists!






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[mangocrazy]

Snap, bike at 16 and car at 26 for me too!

I don't try to filter, but I do try to swerve around potholes and avoid manhole covers and drains in the car.

Hah! I resemble that remark...

Even though I cover more miles per year these days in a car/van than I do on bikes, I still regard myself as primarily a motoryclist who sometimes drives a car.

Habits/opinions are formed young, I guess.

[The Spin Doctor]

Warmer yes, but shit for filtering...

Oh, I don't know... I had a bit of a rush job on one evening, and found filtering up Regent Street not too tricky... I was in a Transit at the time

[Supermofo]

OMG! We're surrounded by 5th Columnists!

https://imgflip.com/i/70vzkh

Otherwise known as fuckwits