Commuting

[Jamz]

The best thing about it is I love getting on the bike and going to work every morning!

Then you can spend the day looking forward to going home on the bike again, too!

[hciR]

After doing 3 winters I decided to give up winter commuting on a bike. Yes it will make you a a better/ safer rider, and yes you will get there quicker, but I just got fed up of the numb fingers, toes and face, runny nose, wet leaves, wind, snow, ice, rain, misty visor, low light, poor visibility etc. I did most of it on a 2 stroke which suffered from carb icing on the really cold days and often cut out. And of course you get the odd day or two when it properly snows where you either risk binning your lovely bike or possibly worse, get the train - neither a pleasant experience.

Saying that out of the crashes/ off's i've had, only once have I come off in winter. That was when it was snowing really bad and I slid on ice at about 10mph, you do get alot of 'dodgy' moments though.

Obviously the downside to putting oll the gear on is you have to take it all off again, then put it back on, then take it all off.... pain in the butt. Anyway just thought I'd give the opposing view to the arguement, you just don't realise how comfortable a car is in winter until you ride a bike lol, all I can say is try it and see!

[ZXR400H]

Thanks for the comments, I've just been sat in a load of traffic again in the car so I'm definately give the bike a go during winter. Ice/Snow forget that im not going to be paying over £300 for car tax a year to then ride a bike in those conditions just for the sake of it.

[Jamz]

Thanks for the comments, I've just been sat in a load of traffic again in the car so I'm definately give the bike a go during winter. Ice/Snow forget that im not going to be paying over £300 for car tax a year to then ride a bike in those conditions just for the sake of it.

That's pretty much my take on it. Even if I had a car I'd still take the bike except on maybe the 2 or 3 days a year when there's deep snow or sheet ice on a work day.

Not really worth the expense, is it?

[rene]

i run a car as well as a bike and have done 1k in it this year and 9k on bike. Generaly i use it when i've got a lass on the go due to them not likeing bikes...Once its gone i wont be getting another anytime soon the bike will do fine.

[ZXR400H]

I probably shouldnt admit it on a bike forum but I love cars, bikes and most other things that have an engine and wheels for that matter!

[RedexRobB]

I probably shouldnt admit it on a bike forum but I love cars, bikes and most other things that have an engine and wheels for that matter!

YOU! Get out!

Only kidding matey, theres a couple of car enthusiasts here already with thier scrapheaps

[masterofinsanity]

oooo robB careful now you don't wanna upset vard

[RedexRobB]

lol, think hes already upset at me saying he wears high heels.

On that note, i have no idea why i wrote that

[crushedlizard]

Anyone ever found a real cure for cold hands? I can cope with rain, and the cold... except for my hands!! I once lost all feeling in the tips of my fingers for a few days.
I had some thick gloves too - spent ages choosing the warmest I could find. But punishing 70mph+ wind of a motorway seems unstoppable! I've heard heated grips just heat the palm of your hand and not the outside - which is the cold bit!

[RedexRobB]

Gloves are never going to be 100% water proof, and you hands will eventually get cold, no maytter how good they are.

Funny cos i was thinking this on the way back from Ipswich the other day when my hands were just completely frozen, what is the cure? Ive come to the conclusion perhaps heated grips are the next step?

Anyone ever tried them? Im tempted but ive heard a few stories of melted grips and undless electrical faults.

[masterofinsanity]

robB you'll be wanting a flat cap next?

[Jamz]

Heated grips work and are the only thing that work!

I used mine on the ZXR (Oxford Hot Hands) all over the country through Winter, and for most of it was still wearing Summer race gloves!

P)robably not worth it for short commutes, but if you're riding for longer than 20 or 30 mins regularly they're invaluable.

[RedexRobB]

robB you'll be wanting a flat cap next?

I think most people here know as well as i do, its function over fashion when it comes to bikes

[masterofinsanity]

oh yeah look at my seat plate