motorbike costs

boyse7en

n3il wrote: »

Never had a bike myself but I did consider swapping from a car, the main thing that put me off was riding one in bad weather, I work in a different town only about 8 miles away, but what do bikers do in weather like it is now (snow, ice etc) is it even possible to ride a bike that distance in this sort of weather.

Snow (or more specifically, ice) can be a real hazard on a motorbike. I wouldn't advise riding in snow.

Cold weather, on the otherhand, is character-building. I ride 15 miles each way to work, and the coldest has been -5deg this year (rode in -9deg last year) An extra pair of socks, a windproof layer (could be as simple as a newspaper stuffed down the front of a jacket) and heated grips (or heated gloves) keep the chills away.
An 8 mile trip is hardly enough time to get cold.

Trebor16

The biggest difference you can make when riding in winter is to your body core temperature before you set off. If you are already cold when you put your motorcycle clothing on then the best gear in the world will not make a difference. But if your body is warm when you put your gear on it makes a significant difference.

Keith

n3il wrote: »

Never had a bike myself but I did consider swapping from a car, the main thing that put me off was riding one in bad weather, I work in a different town only about 8 miles away, but what do bikers do in weather like it is now (snow, ice etc) is it even possible to ride a bike that distance in this sort of weather.

I used to ride through the winter, snow, ice, rain. I remember spinning the back wheel on a few occasions exiting junctions.

Decent kit is the key to being able to keep warm. Over 8 miles though it shouldn't need as much as I was using over 40.

After 7 years of riding, I hung up my gloves. Oddly I don't miss this...



But I do miss the summer evenings

Cash-Strapped.T32

Hats off to you boys & girls who ride big-bikes in the snow & ice; My little 125 skiddoo is a snow-romping beast, but I wouldn't fancy taking out anything with a clutch or more than one cylinder in real snow. :eek:

shane-23

well im 100% booking my DAS course, ill just put a bit of money away for next 2 months and book it.

as for riding in winter times, ill use my car as 8 months of the year is wet / dry and for remaining 4 months we get ice / snow
so ill use bike 8 months
car 4 months

so minimum risk of accidents in winter weather plus warmer,

as for the rain - simple use a wet / wind proof suit, gloves an so on

wazza

Just wondering where would you park your bike at home? Garage or driveway?

Trebor16

Garage for me, I can fit four bikes in it.

fivetide

Shed. Converted it with a double door. bike goes in nicely.

Heated grips are poor I think, give you hot palms and cold fingers.

These babys http://www.getgeared.co.uk/Heated_Gloves-GERBING_G3_Waterproof

Are the best bit of kit I've bought. Nice and toasty. Keep in mind I live in scotland and commute 60 miles a day, including all last week so I value decent (warm) kit!

5t.

Trebor16

fivetide wrote: »

Heated grips are poor I think, give you hot palms and cold fingers.

They work very well when combined with handlebar muffs though.

fivetide wrote:

These babys http://www.getgeared.co.uk/Heated_Gloves-GERBING_G3_Waterproof

Are the best bit of kit I've bought. Nice and toasty. Keep in mind I live in scotland and commute 60 miles a day, including all last week so I value decent (warm) kit!

5t.

My wife bought some Gerbings in 2006 and they were great when they were working but they were not very reliable. Gerbing replaced them every time with a new pair, but after the third set failed she lost confidence in them.

fivetide

Trebor16 wrote: »

They work very well when combined with handlebar muffs though.

so that means they don't actually do what they should... you need the grips, making the throttle etc fatter too and then you have to pay again for bar muff which look rubbish, can be nicked off the bike and/or end up full of water if you have to park in the rain.

My wife bought some Gerbings in 2006 and they were great when they were working but they were not very reliable. Gerbing replaced them every time with a new pair, but after the third set failed she lost confidence in them.

Never had an issue with them and they have been fine for two years now. Given I could spend more than what they cost purely on a pair of waterproof gloves I think they are an absolute bargain.

5t.