V4 Are You Done For The Year?

Just got up to Yorkshire from Norwich on the Panzer. Weather fine till east of Manchester then monsoon time for giggles my kill switch has decided to kill itself. Ffs. It’s just had a major service and new shaft,

 

Did my years commuting in the winter on a bike. I'm an adult now, no reason to put my self at risk riding in icy weather. So when people wear it as a badge of honor, I do think it's a bit silly.

I'll get out here and there if there is no frost on the ground and it's a joke day. But the girl is in the garage for now.

 

As mentioned before and like others have said, I ride all year round but only when the conditions are right. There's nothing like a crisp cold dry winter day on the bike. Wear the correct gear and look after your bike and and all year riding is not only possible, it's a good way of honing your riding skills and great fun. It's not a badge of honour, it's about enjoying the bike!

 

Bit windy on the A66 last week

 

You're right, those crispy short days to the office to blow the cobwebs out is nice.

I hadn't eaten earlier and was being a grumpy fart. Even with the right gear, I'd rather be on a toasty warm seat in the volvo when it's pissing it down at single digit degrees. I did those years on a 748! Poor bloody bike lol

 

We just got our first snow here in Ottawa. That's it for us until the spring.

 

I’m off to a friends pub the first week of December with a mate. He can’t understand that the minute the gritters are out, the Ducatis are locked away. Plus, I have no insulation, so riding in the cold is my idea of hell.

The thought of going on the train with a packed lunch and couple of bottles of red is rather appealing.

 

IMPORTANT
Although the wet pavement and road sand is an obvious clear and present danger, your cold tires are your greatest stealth hazard. This is especially true for those bikes mounted with sport tires as they may not reach optimal operating temperature. Please keep this in mind as you ride away on a cold bike and now's the season to switch your traction control to wet / urban mode.

 

I was out on the weekend. A bit parky at -2c but no rain. Got a long trip planned mid week and I expect it’ll be tanking down so I’ll be washing it on the weekend no doubt ready for the next trip. I’ll maybe shut up shop for a month or so when the hard frost gets going proper.

 

Winter riding, cheap schitters to buy on eBay, £1600 Transalp will bath in Wet salty rides whilst my MV sits Winter out.

KTM may come out on dry days……..

 

Mine are ALL parked up 4 now, tucked up in bed with new dustsheets for those winter months, but i'm happy to use your machines over the winter period.

 

Even here in Ottawa, there are days in winter where the roads are free of snow but usually full of dry salt that gets into every crack. I have heated gear dating back to 2016 but I no longer find any thrill riding in near or freezing temperature.
Kudos to those that still have fun riding in those conditions.

 

I used to do a 60 mile round trip every day to Kings Langley round the m25, day in day out, rain, sun sleet and snow. I dont miss it one tiny bit.

 

It was freezing putting the bin out just now, bugger riding a bike in this.