Given that the cold(er) weather is fast aproaching, thought you might be interested in a couple of blogs I have done. They are in 2 parts, 1st part deals with the rider and the 2nd with the actual riding in cold weather. It is only intended as a general interest blog, but hope you find it interesting none the less https://www.hudgellsolicitors.co.uk/news/motorcycle-accident/cold-weather-riding-part-1/ https://www.hudgellsolicitors.co.uk/news/motorcycle-accident/cold-weather-riding-part-2/
Two useful blogs Tony. After many years where two wheels was my only means of transport I rode in conditions I would never go out in today, and remember how cold I was in jeans (tracky bottoms underneath) and poor quality leather jacket but I neither knew any different nor had much choice. Today I have become "soft in my advancing years" The downside is getting back up to speed in the spring when my bike has been garaged for winter. I still use the bike for short social runs over winter but the excessive use of road salt and slimy leftovers limits this more than the cold.
So true Frankblue. I can live with frostbite and rattling nads, but won't put up with a crap on my undercarriage - the bike, that is!!
Interesting reading , however cold riding ain’t for me anymore. Did it all when I was a young lad . Now I just hate winter . Bike will be back out in April or May once it’s above 10 degrees . I prefer 14 degrees and upwards . Wind chill makes anything less seem not very warm
Got to add to that , surely riding a bike during winter must increase the chances of having an accident by 2 or 3 fold , due to lots of things associated with winter . Compared to the summer months & autumn I’d like to see some stats on that if ever there were any
I used to commute in all weathers didn't mind the wet and cold but ice was deadly doesn't matter how good you think your bike skills are .......whoosh off you go.....not good,,,,,
Here’s a list of things I’ve thought about at work today . Probably a lot more that I haven’t thought of . Feel free to comment or add to it Road conditions Rain , snow , ice , damp leaves, Salt. Rider /driver errors Erratic riding due to extreme ties being cold Loss of concentration due to being cold Steamed up windows Iced up windows Dirty headlights Dirty visor Tyres unable to hold the heat in (fact) and causing low confidence
I commute every day on mine. I've not been enjoying the cold much. The ice on Friday was a treat for sure.
I rode year round for about 20 years, of which some days were just getting home and surviving the journey. It wasn't until I got older and my knees were causing me problems did I cave and do my car test. Now I get in the car in the mornings and it's like pre-flight checks. Heating on, front and rear defrost going, heated seat on max and finally the heated steering wheel.
Mmm. I've just done some serious editing. I was going to make one of my usual smart-ass comments about the heated steering wheel - and then I remembered that I switched on my heated grips last week!!
I'd got to know the sales guy at BMW quite well over the course of screwing a couple of 20% discounts out of him. Funnily enough as he handed over the car keys in their posh presentation room, he lent forward and whispered quietly in my ear "enjoy your gay fucking steering wheel".
