Hitchcocks Forum

I just came to think about that reading the thread about winter storage. Quote: "I always read with mild amusement, all this paranoid fixation about "wintering". I ride my 350 Classic all year round, sometimes in bitterly cold weather. ...... The only exception I make is when there's ice and snow (for safety reasons) or WET salt on the road....." .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Well: That's when it's winter! Ice and snow and salt all over the roads! Weather and riding conditions not including snow, ice and salty roads does not count as "winter riding". It's just a matter of knowing how to dress. Or in case it does, almost half of my motorcycle season, which normally lasts from mid March to early November, counts as "winter".... .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

I put the bike(s) away when they start spreading that bl...y salt on the roads, but before that I normally ride away from home in the morning in down to -5 degrees C several times. I have 24 km to work, btw. Longest trip in below zero temp. was 120 km. OK, I admit that I was not sweating..... .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

My two reasons for putting the bike in winter storage is 1. Safety (Riding to work along Norway's most crowded road on salty sludge is nothing to urge for), and 2. Not wanting the road salt to eat the bike. .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Today it is - 12 degrees here, but only about 15 cm of snow so far. Looking forward to more snow now, then I can go skiing from home, not having to get in the car first. Anyone said anything about winter....? .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Regards, Anders F. R. (Norway)

Irony not a Norwegian strong point, then..?

You think we are wimps Anders?, blame it on the Gulf Stream. It may switch off again like it has in the past, then it will test our mettle.

Hi Anders, I'd like to clarify my comment, which I appreciate may have come over as contradictory.

The point I was trying to make is that I don't see the need to completely moth-ball a bike from December to March, just because it's the Winter season. Why not gauge riding conditions on a week-to-week basis on the off-chance that the riding season can be extended?

p.s Anders - "Winter" is NOT just when it's "ice and snow and salt all over the roads".
Winter, is the period from December to February which includes various climate conditions, some of which are very conducive to staying on two wheels!!

Hi guys-------- Winter is that time of the year in the UK when the SUN (for those who have forgotten, look at this}--- http://nineplanets.org/sol.html ------) doesn't shine and the weather is either cold OR wet but usually BOTH !!..It has no connection to a thing called "The Calendar" ( Gregorian or otherwise) which is an invention of the media to give jobs to their own-- Nationally and, more recently Regionally as well (Thus proving the theory !!)...There are two Solstices..one called "The SUMMER Solstice"--and the other is "The WINTER Solstice" (just to differentiate between them) but at times it can be difficult to tell them apart if relying solely on the prevailing weather...Usually there is a ritual known as "The Saltings" whereupon a group of ageing Prophets ( The "Council" ) will let loose the dogs of spraying, annoying the lead car owners in another winter Family Activity---- the road grid-lock.... For some reason the British seem to be at their best now---perhaps it gives them even MORE to complain about that favourite of theirs:--The Weather !!.... Hardy Bikers are seen at many-a-Cafe, sipping hot coffee between bursts on, or about, the "Queens Highway" whilst lesser mortals shall remember this }------------We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that rides his bike with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That rode with us upon Saint Christmas day.!!...( with apologies to all concerned )....