winter motorbiking

[Bushcraftsman]

Hi all,

I am in a bit of a dilemma, I need a form of transport to get to and from work, and a car is just way too expensive for an apprentice to run. I really want a bike (been looking at a honda CBR125) I have added everything up and its perfectly affordable however my parents seem convinced that I will not ride it in the winter because 1) ill be too cold (i dont care about that just wear some extra clothes)
2) its too dangerous

can anyone tell me what they think about riding in the winter?

Thanks

 

[nunzionuk]

I can confirm its cold and dangerous in the winter on a bike, esp a sporty one like a cbr, you would be better off with a CBF125, would get better grip on the snow/ice and wet roads.

Also you will be very cold, i'd advise looking at heated gloves as that is what does winter riding for me.

 

[Bushcraftsman]

so would you agree that i wouldn't ride the bike in the winter months?

 

[Bushcraftsman]

wouldn't OR "shouldn't" haha

 

[Retired Member southey]

Hey dude, have a flick through this thread, lots of good info and Asa samuals trials through the winter on his 125.

 

[Bushcraftsman]

is asa samuels winter thing in that thread aswell?

 

[Bushcraftsman]

ignore that! found it all now

 

[nunzionuk]

I wouldnt tell you one way or the other when to ride, just use some common sense.

I like my bike, so I dont ride in anything but fair weather.

 

[Grendel]

I ride all year around to commute to work. Only days I don’t take the bike is when it's snowed into the garage otherwise warm cloths winter kit and a good breakfast before you leave. As for 125 commuter bike you can’t go wrong with a CG125 yes I know they are old and boring but there bombproof and you won’t be heart broken if you drop it.

 

[Bushcraftsman]

no sorry i should have been clearer, the bike ive got (well will have in a couple of weeks) is a Honda CBR125, basically what im saying is would it be stupid to ride my bike to work (6 miles)

 

[rik_uk3]

These folk don't seem to mind
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177702

 

[Grendel]

I commute 14 mile a day across Southampton come winter or summer. Some one once said to me there is never bad biking weather just the wrong kit. As I said before unless the roads are covered in snow and ice can’t see it being a problem. Also being a little CBR 125 it should be a lot lighter to hold up in bad weather compared to my 400lb+ Transalp.

 

[cbr6fs]

You'll be fine.

Just use some common sense with regards to icy and snowy conditions.

You'll also learn very quickly which parts need covering up when riding in winter.
I've done everything from shove newspapers down the front of my jacket, to wrapping bin liners round me legs.

These days though you can get warm, waterproof outers that also have crash protection built in, so i'd advise looking around at shops like Hein Gericke.


Best advise i can give though is, buy a cheapo winter hack bike as your CBR125 is going to get dropped, scratched, banged, rusty and furry very very quickly.

 

[No Idea]

Er....

Assuming you are young and the insurance is going to hurt....

have you considered a tractor?

Cheap tax, no mot, £160 per year insurance for a learner 16 year old, has a cab, does 15 - 20 mph which is faster than most commuting traffic jams in the mornings.....excellent in any bad weather....

 

[R.Lewis]

I agree it is cold and potentially dangerous. During the summer months learn danger awareness and learn to avoid manhole covers leaves, potholes etc as in winter are all going to be VERY slippery. Good smooth riding technique, common sense and good clothes will keep you safe. Also be prepared for the damage salt will do to your bike, one winter can destroy the finish on any bike. Bike will need preparing well to survive winter too!

 

[Doc]

I have a CG125. Last winter there were many days where the ice and snow made it a suicidal option. But I live in rural Scotland where the winters are hard and the local B roads ungritted.

If you live in the south and can confine yourself to gritted A roads it might be doable, but definitely not possible up here. If you have a plan B (car/bus) for the bad days it could be done.

Of couse salt and grit is very bad for the bike. One thing I will say for the Honda is that the bike starts easily, even at minus 12. I charge the battery regularly over winter though.

 

[R.Lewis]

At minus 12 you can get all sorts of new problems... I had my throttle freeze wide open on my old 250! Learned what the killswitch is for that day!

 

[mrrivers]

i have ridden all year in all weathers on a bmw r80, snow and ice no problem! it certainly sharpens up the reflexes. but buy a few dozen new seats, as your backside will be eating chunks out of them every day

seriously, don't do it, it's something that you do as a young person and wished you hadn't when you are older. it's the stopping distances (among many other things) needed when people pull out on you, (and they will!) in rain and the like.

i don't want to put you off biking buddy, i've been a biker all my life and wouldn't change that. save the bike for the nice days and escape.

 

[Asa Samuel]

My ears a burning!

As Southey said I recently had my first winter on a motorbike commuting 16 miles to college from the middle of nowhere about an hours ride in decent weather round these roads.
It's frightening the first time you try to ride on snow, I remember it was for me but I think it depends on the road conditions where you live and where you are travelling to. Like I said I live right out in the countryside of Cornwall with it's fair share of icy patches and blind-corners but there was only one day where I actually felt completely unsafe and decided to turn back. I was very apprehensive about riding my first winter - I had only been riding about 7-8 months - but I listened to all the advice I could find and I haven't had a single accident. I knew where the ice was bad and often took a different, albeit longer route to avoid it. I've never had a problem with rain but ice and snowy conditions are horrible to ride in because you often can't see ice, and snow just covers the whole road. The day I decided to turn back It was snowing and I had to pull over to let someone coming the other way through a narrow road and my back tyre locked up even though I was going pretty slowly and being gentle on the brakes - there's nothing worth enough to ride through conditions like that.

I don't really want to tell you do it or don't do it because I don't know you and I don't know what the roads are like around your area. You have to be confident riding in the winter because if you falter you are going to make mistakes but don't get cocky. If you do decide to ride through the winter get yourself a decent pair of gloves - I tried to ride with summer weight gloves and my fingers went almost numb , wear proper safety gear - boots, trousers, jacket, gloves, a decent helmet and a high visibility vest, try to figure out where the ice is worst, give yourself bigger allowances for cars in front, try and get some extra lessons if you can and most important of all think to yourself: Is it worth it? Is you getting to work really worth the risk? You've got to be smart when it comes to biking before you actually get on the bike - nobody is good enough to avoid accidents completely even if they are arrogant enough to believe it so be the smart one and decide whether you actually can get on the bike today or whether you are just gonna have to suck it and be late getting the bus.

Good luck with whatever your decision. I hope it all goes well and make sure whatever you do, be safe!

 

[BonnieWolf]

For a start, Motorbiking is not dangerous, its the ****** that f**k about on bikes that make bikes dangerous! (gets down from soapbox)

I absolutly love my bike, and hate being without it! I have no desire to learn to drive really, i'm only doing it so i can cart the dogs to rallies.

I think i was lucky in that i started to ride in the Autum and through into winter, so i had time to get used to the winter weather getting worse. When summer came round i felt fully at ease with riding in most weather conditions. At the end of the day so long as you are sensible you won't have any issues. I only lock my bike up for winter if i know it will be snowing for a while. I know people do still ride in snowy conditions, but personally i wouldn't risk it. As for the normal windy wet weather of winter? you get used to it pretty quick. Its worth investing in some good gear to keep you warm though!