Do you tuck your pride and joy away at the first salting of the roads and dig out your winter hack?

Do you ride your winter hack all year ?

Yea, I know blokes who put a blanket over their bikes during winter, and still go out to the garage every Sunday for a polish. I also know blokes who use the winter to strip their bikes down, and at the fear of knowing to many blokes - I also know those who brave it in all weather and religiously hose their bike down after every ride out - until such a point where they are so frozen that they leave it (just once) and their bike rots away from the blasted salt.
Unfortunately there are still a lot of us who put it away and forget about it.

We hope this section will be of some use to you - and if you have anything to add - please leave a mention in the forum.

Riding in dodgy conditions

Rain and Fog. You may look like a spod wearing one, but we rate reflective strips and jackets. In heavy rain and fog, you really don't want to be missed. Lots of waterproof riding gear come with reflective strips sewn in. But you can't beat being careful. After all, we don't imagine you'll be out biking in your summer leathers - so who cares what you look like so long as you're seen and warm...
This might seem like simple bike knowledge, but wet white lines are skiddy.. so are drain covers... If you are riding carefully and watching the road. Do your best to avoid these where possible, try not to take the bends to fast, in case the roads are greasy and your tyres are cold. Try not to brake on lines and covers as well! Take care, and look ahead.

Icy Weather. If you've never ridden on ice, or skidded on ice whilst on your bike you're really not missing anything. Its a really strange sensation - even worse than being in a car because you KNOW you are gonna land on the deck.
The best advice is to stay off the roads if there is snow and ice. If your bike is your only form of transport and there is no bus, no train and no-one to car share with, my next advice is get yourself a trials bike. If that won't do, do your best. If it is a rear wheel skid attempt to steer in a controlled manner OUT of the skid with all care, I managed to save a couple of skids on ice coming out of the driveway - attempting to reach the gritted and non-icy road, doing this. Don't accelerate, this will only make things worse. If possible ease off the power and try to come to a controlled stop. If it is a front wheel skid, you're out of luck on advice both times its happened to me I've landed on the deck in the snowy icy wet - waterproofs came in handy :o) If you have any additional winter riding advice - please post it in the forum.

Make sure you wash your bike down after every use, to get off all the road rubbish. Especially the salt when they start out with gritters. Use grease on your nuts and bolts, keep your chain lubed - well.

Wearing the kit to keep your bits warm!

The effectiveness of Marks and Spenser Thermals shouldn't be knocked either. Although specialist thermals can be brought especially for wearing under your leathers and really are a must. Also Hein Gerike do a great undergarment which is waterproof, without being sweaty - so what a bonus if you are caught out in just your leathers?

Motorcycle Maintenance

If you can get one, get a Haynes Manual or likewise. If you can't get your hands on one. Disconnect your battery and put it on charge. When you're ready to go back on the road (like not 5 minutes before May 1st). Its a good time to think about changing your oil, checking your brake fluid and oil. They may sound like insignificant things, but the winter will be over before you know it and it is worthwhile getting things sorted now.

Check your tyres, chain and brake disks before the new season. Better safe than sorry, and you may as well spend the petrol money you are saving now, rather than later!

If you are not brave enough to do the scheduled maintenance yourself, book it into a garage over the winter months. If you don't want to ride it, use a bike trailer or a van. Some garages will collect and deliver your bike for an additional fee.

Fuel. If you run your bike on unleaded, its a good idea to run your engine periodically over the winter, once or twice a fortnight. Unleaded petrol solidifies if left to stand for a period of time. Let your bike run for more than a couple of minutes at a time to get rid of any condensation in your exhaust system.

Got any questions regarding riding in winter? Ask in the Forum.