not much fun on the bike today!

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lazarus · #1 Post by **lazarus** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 10:18 pm

Took it into cardiff for the final service before the guarantee runs out and to get a few minor issues sorted. 10 minutes into the trip and the heavens opened to the point where I needed the rain suit. And you know what its like, hopping around on one leg in the pi55ing rain struggling to get the other foot down the leg of the rain suit whilst trucks roar past squirting you with water. Rain trickling down your neck and the visor steaming up. And of course it was blowing strongly so as I crossed any open space, I was fighting to stop the bike changing lanes of its own will.

Only bright spot was that the Aldi cheepo winter gloves stayed dry, a first for any bike gloves I have ever had.

But the really odd thing is that I enjoyed the journey. Somehow it was all much more real than it ever is in the car. Do you feel the same?

HisNibbs · #2 Post by **HisNibbs** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:25 pm

Riding a bike is always involving and often challenging, that is what makes it enjoyable. Certainly as you say more real than the car. This year however with my new job, 4x4 and not very congested commute the bikes have mostly stayed in the garage.

I did nearly bin the bike the last time I took it to work, largely due to being in a car driving frame of mind. I didn't anticipate sufficiently the chain reaction stop taking place in front of me in the dark damp conditions. Lost the front and had to kick it up while swerving to avoid rear ending the car in front. That woke me up a bit.

Mainly I'm not on the bikes due to the damage wrought last year by the chemical mix (Salt doesn't do its destructive power justice) thrown on the roads.

How ever my respect to those out there "keepin' it real"!

Dusty · #3 Post by **Dusty** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 4:40 pm

I can empathise with that; riding in foul weather can be good fun! I recently bought a Yamaha XT660R as a back-roads explorer/winter commuter and although I don't enjoy commuting, I've been having a blast on the waterlogged, gravel-strewn B roads near to home. The wee bike is so much more fun than my K12 on the same roads; it just seems so sure-footed and easy to ride with its softer suspension, lighter weight and minimal power. However, I did discover that my 7 year old waterproof boots now leak and that my cheap Spada Enforcer gloves absorb and retain water like a sponge.

Obiwan Kenobi · #4 Post by **Obiwan Kenobi** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:15 pm

I am unashamedly a fair weather rider that's been caught in a few storms and didn't think much to it.

But, then I did a track day at Mallory on the TRX850 and it was bloody brilliant. Being forced to ride fast in the wet (to get my moneys worth) was ace and made me a better wet weather rider to the point I enjoy it!

Apart from the fact on the trackday I had no waterproofs and the blue dye came out my leathers so I resembled a smurf afterwards.... :-/

... and yeah, Dusty I agree, sometimes less power is more fun. My MZ Baghira 660 was just like that on crappy roads, a real hoot!

fatboy · #5 Post by **fatboy** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:17 pm

Usually thise time of year Im in the ancient SJ 413 but the cost of living crisis means Im still on the bike.
Dont like riding in the rain but it makes you take more care, hate riding when its icey, too much fear factor.
Riding is always more involved than driving, full stop.
As for seasonal riding attire, warm and waterproof makes sense, dont trust Mother Nature to shine her rays on you for a while yet

D-Rider · #6 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 8:19 pm

7th Jan and I've not ridden the bike yet this year.
Last week (and the week before) I was on holiday - so no chance to ride as there wasn't much need to go anywhere - other than a trip to my brother's in London to collect my mum.

I was back at work yesterday but had to take the car as my son (who is currently working for us) wanted me to bring a load of boxes home for him and today I had to take the car to bring home a parcel that my wife had ordered.

Maybe tomorrow normality will be restored.

lazarus · #7 Post by **lazarus** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 4:01 pm

Treated myself with Xmas present money from M-I-L. I've bought a set of muffs so that I can ride in winter in summer gloves. I hate big thick winter gloves with a passion - apart from anything else, they seem to insulate my hands against the heated grips way better than they insulate my hands against the cold wind.

Anyway, report back in due course.

D-Rider · #8 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 4:11 pm

.... and I can report that normality has been restored and I've taken the bike to work today.

.... though it does seem to be raining now and I can't find my waterproof over-trousers ..... don't think my work trousers are going to be much of a defence against the elements on the way home.

fatboy · #9 Post by **fatboy** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:29 pm

Raining so hard this morning, rain managed to trickle down the inside of my visor, which was down
New textile jacket and Buffalo gloves kept me dry, only letdown was my brand new work supplied leggings

randomsquid · #10 Post by **randomsquid** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 9:55 pm

Unseasonably warm though. Yay cfcs and bugger the dolphins.

Aladinsaneuk · #11 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:25 pm

Why am i not surprised you have a new target for buggery ?

randomsquid · #12 Post by **randomsquid** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:21 pm

Aladinsaneuk wrote:Why am i not surprised you have a new target for buggery ?

Starfish rich environment...