Biking can be as much fun in winter as in summer. It's all down to gear and good sense, writes John Wheeler
It's that ttime of year when some riders mothball their machines until the first signs of Spring. Others will only venture out on one of those rare, balmy days. The rest ride on regardless.
With our "temperate maritime climate" there are, in fact, relatively few days in the winter when riding a motorcycle is, if not absolutely impossible, then certainly not the preferred option.
Whilst a motorcycle can be ridden with extreme care in fresh snow, come ice or even hard-packed snow or slush, staying upright is asking too much of one's guardian angel.
If your decision is to avoid the winter and hibernate the bike, bear in mind that bikes degenerate faster through non-use and neglect. Simply leaving the bike in the garage for several months can cause all manner of problems.
To avoid the worst; first clean the machine, take the weight off both tyres. Remove the battery, discharge it and store it well away from frost. Change the engine oil and filter.
Remove the sparking plug(s) and carefully drop a few drops of oil (teaspoonful or so) into each cylinder and replace the plugs.
Drain off old anti-freeze and fill with new, to the right strength.
Change the engine oil and filter. Ideally the fuel tank should be drained until dry. Failing that, fill to the brim to avoid the build up of condensation.
Generously lubricate all cables and spray switchgear with WD 40 or equivalent. Cover the machine but leave room for ventilation.
If you think you might use the bike on occasion, or even plan to run the engine during the cold winter months, then it is best to keep it running every now and again. Take it for a 15 minute run, at least every two or three weeks.
For the all-year rider, apart from the normal, sensible maintenance routines, looking after the rider becomes crucial.
Normal, good quality motorcycle clothing is generally good to around 5ºC. The further the temperature drops below that things can get tough. For a start ice begins to form at 3ºC, depending on a variety of factors. Even a few feet difference in altitude, say from Stepaside to Crumlin can make all the difference between ice-free and hazardous roads.
A warm rider is a safer rider. The insidious effects of severe cold are dangerous. By the time shivering starts, hypothermia is setting in and your reactions are severely slowed down.
Stop and get warm, don't carry on bravely, you are already an accident waiting to happen. No matter what, no matter how much you long for it, avoid any form of alcohol at all costs. The warming effect is totally illusory, short-lived and counter productive.
There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Modern materials and good quality clothing can make winter riding a joy. Extra sweaters - always carry one more than you think you can possibly need - "long johns", a warm neck scarf, heated grips, handlebar muffs, a windscreen, and if your budget runs to it, electrically heated gloves and/or waistcoat are all well worth considering and can make the difference between endurance and enjoyment. Wet weather, even in fairly modest temperatures, say from 9ºC downwards, can seem much colder than actual freezing conditions.
This is because rain running off your clothing carries heat away more efficiently than the airstream. You can need every bit as much warm clothing in 8 or 9ºC of pouring rain as you would at 0ºC on a fine day.
Now is the time, before it gets much colder, to experiment with different types and combinations of winter clothing. Find out now what best suits you and always make sure you have your extra 'just-in-case' gear with you. I never leave home in winter without two, if not three spare pairs of gloves, an extra sweater, thicker neck scarf, rain trousers.
One of the most enjoyable rides I have had this year was a trip to London on January 1st, and back the next day. The weather for the round trip was -7ºC at worst, next morning the bike looked like an iced wedding cake, and -1ºC at best, which seemed, thanks to tried and tested gear, perfectly warm.