Each winter, I ask myself the same question … Am I a Winter Rider?
While the idea of hibernating appeals to me, the thought of not riding for three months distresses me. I argue with myself for a while, but I know what the outcome will be … Yes, I’m a winter rider.
According to some, my desire to ride through winter qualifies me as a basket case, and I’ll agree there are times when winter riding is just dumb. All the ACF-50 and FS365 aren’t going to help when the road surface has no grip.
With the improvements in riding gear, especially heated clothing, being cold on a motorcycle is now optional, which makes riding on cold, clear days throughout winter a joy.
In a quirky way, they are some of the best days to ride, not because of the performance advantages the cold, dense air brings but because of the sense of achievement.
While everyone else is camped around a warm radiator, cursing the weather, I’m sneaking in as many miles as possible. Fighting winter and winning … Nice.
There will be days when the weather is complete crap, then the distress of being on a motorcycling detox can be easier to accept. Yet, on the next cold and clear winter’s day, I’m the person you see riding and think … “They must be cold”.
This was the office conversation that landed me the Diary of a Winter Rider assignment. The editor’s view was that as I’m going to be riding through winter, I can write about it. Fair enough, I guess.
Winter Routine
The start of “winter riding” for me begins the day I take the thermal liner out of my jacket so I can wear my Keis heated body warmer (vest) instead. They are a necessity; the impact of riding in minus ten °C wind chill and how it affects your decision-making is well documented.
Looking at the long-term weather reports, the temperature is set to drop to something more normal for November early next week. “Perfect” timing for a 6 a.m. ride to Motorcycle Live at the NEC. I’m sure I’ll end up talking about Keis Heated Clothing sooner rather than later.
The more immediate requirement is getting the Suzuki V-Strom 800RE I’m riding this winter, ready for the colder days ahead while the weather is relatively warm.
Tyres
My first choice for winter tyres is Dunlop Mutants because of the volume of water they shift. If I can’t have them, I try to stick with Dunlop tyres because I find they heat up faster than most other tyre brands.
The Moto Guzzi Stelvio, which wore Michelin Anakee tyres, was a perfect example. For the first few miles, there was always something harsh, almost wooden, about the Stelvio.
After a few miles—in summer—most manufacturers’ tyres are up to temperature, and the Anakees were no different.
Given that the road surface will be close to freezing, I’ll see if I can talk the Editor into a pair of Dunlop Mutants to replace the OEM Dunlop D614 that came with the V-Strom.
Motorcycle Protection
I can’t remember how long the arguement over which is best has been going on, but I guess it has been as long as FS365, XCP, ACF-50, and Ceramic Coating have been options for Winter protection.
There are more than enough reviews and opinions available. Other than ceramic coating, which we didn’t manage to arrange in time, we’ve used all of them at one time or another, and they all work if used as the manufacturer recommends.
My favourite is FS365 because it is designed to be washed off with a mild detergent and then reapplied. I’ll be using it on the V-Strom 800RE.
Others in the office prefer to “sheep dip” their motorcycles in ACF-50 and accept that, come the spring, in those hard-to-reach places, it is a bugger to get cleaned off.
I’m sure someone will do a test and declare a winner that others will disagree with. Through all of these discussions, one thing is certain: washing the salt and road crap off your motorcycle during the winter months is a must-do job.
Come on Then Winter
There is no stopping winter, and the good news is that it will also bugger off after a few months. Meanwhile, there is nothing to do but get on with it.
Our thanks to Suzuki for the V-Strom 800RE. Considering most launches and press photos involve warm temperatures, beautiful locations, and buckets full of sunshine, it is always impressive when manufacturers are willing to have their motorcycles used in drab, soggy, and salt-infested conditions.
Spanners out … I’m off to the garage.
To be continued …
