What makes the best winter bike?
Discussion
I’m considering getting a 2nd bike, something more suitable for winter use, long journeys and carrying a pillion & luggage than my GSX-8S. What factors do the learned members of PH think make for a good winter bike?
• Wheels: Cast (easy to clean, can’t rust) vs spoked (tougher)?
• Tyres: Slightly knobbly vs road?
• Big, heavy & powerful vs small & light?
• Does wind protection make much difference to how cold and/or wet you get?
• Drivetrain: Is shaft the best option?
• Gadgets & heated stuff.
From learning to ride last winter on naked bikes I found my hands got cold but the rest of me was largely fine with the right gear, I’ve not had more than a 45min test ride on bikes with screens & fairings. The road conditions were shocking around me last winter, floods everywhere for months and giant crater potholes. I imagine they will only get worse this winter and beyond.
My thoughts look towards adventure bikes, with soft long travel suspension to deal with the potholes, good ground clearance and wading depth for floods, protection against drops, beefy enough to handle a passenger and luggage and comfortable for distance. The Moto Guzzi Stelvio (tested, liked it), Africa twin 1100, Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (budget option) are models on the prospective shortlist thus far.
• Wheels: Cast (easy to clean, can’t rust) vs spoked (tougher)?
• Tyres: Slightly knobbly vs road?
• Big, heavy & powerful vs small & light?
• Does wind protection make much difference to how cold and/or wet you get?
• Drivetrain: Is shaft the best option?
• Gadgets & heated stuff.
From learning to ride last winter on naked bikes I found my hands got cold but the rest of me was largely fine with the right gear, I’ve not had more than a 45min test ride on bikes with screens & fairings. The road conditions were shocking around me last winter, floods everywhere for months and giant crater potholes. I imagine they will only get worse this winter and beyond.
My thoughts look towards adventure bikes, with soft long travel suspension to deal with the potholes, good ground clearance and wading depth for floods, protection against drops, beefy enough to handle a passenger and luggage and comfortable for distance. The Moto Guzzi Stelvio (tested, liked it), Africa twin 1100, Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (budget option) are models on the prospective shortlist thus far.
Something that shirks off corrosion - so not a BMW.
ABS and whatever other aids you can afford. I find it odd people choose old s
tters without ABS for winter riding.
Japanese.
I ride my old CBF500 ABS through winter and the only time it's ever let me down is when I've abused it (way too much heated kit but a Blackbird stator cured that).
ABS and whatever other aids you can afford. I find it odd people choose old s
tters without ABS for winter riding. Japanese.
I ride my old CBF500 ABS through winter and the only time it's ever let me down is when I've abused it (way too much heated kit but a Blackbird stator cured that).
I'm of an age where the best winter bike has 4 wheels and a good heater, but before I grew up 
I did ride through the winter.
Don't overthink the requirements. The weather and conditions will degrade whatever bike you use so something cheap that you're not too attached to is a good idea. That said it also wants to be reliable so you're pretty sure it's going to start every time.
Get good road, not sport or knobbly, tyres and good lights. Shaft drive is an advantage but it restricts the bikes you can choose from.
Working ABS is a real bonus in poor weather and extras like heated grips are also worth it.
I did ride through the winter.Don't overthink the requirements. The weather and conditions will degrade whatever bike you use so something cheap that you're not too attached to is a good idea. That said it also wants to be reliable so you're pretty sure it's going to start every time.
Get good road, not sport or knobbly, tyres and good lights. Shaft drive is an advantage but it restricts the bikes you can choose from.
Working ABS is a real bonus in poor weather and extras like heated grips are also worth it.
I'd recommend an ambulance with flashing bule lights, you get there quicker and it's alot more comfortable than lying on a grass verge.
It's very difficult to see black ice, on a corner, even at 30pm,car coming at you, best roll into the grass verge. Still it did cause a bit of a traffic jam..
It's very difficult to see black ice, on a corner, even at 30pm,car coming at you, best roll into the grass verge. Still it did cause a bit of a traffic jam..
Ideal for commuting, cast wheels, weather protection, loads of storage, easily take two people - Yamaha Tricity 300
https://www.yamaha-motor.eu/gb/en/scooters/urban-m...
https://www.yamaha-motor.eu/gb/en/scooters/urban-m...
The bikes I've enjoyed riding in winter are light, not precious and for short journeys only.
A trail bike or 250 -450 'all rounder' of some sort can be fun.
A 125 or similar in nice snow can be an absolute riot.
If you want to do distance in Autumn or early spring then heated grips make a huge difference.
Big heavy bike with a pillion, bugger that when things get iffy
If we are really talking about salty dirty roads with no real danger of ice, then many bikes will be OK if you can hose them when you get home and they can dry in a well aired garage or car port.
Equally most bikes will suffer if put away salty and wet in a closed garage.
Maybe something British, already rusty with generous oil leaks will degrade least?
A trail bike or 250 -450 'all rounder' of some sort can be fun.
A 125 or similar in nice snow can be an absolute riot.
If you want to do distance in Autumn or early spring then heated grips make a huge difference.
Big heavy bike with a pillion, bugger that when things get iffy
If we are really talking about salty dirty roads with no real danger of ice, then many bikes will be OK if you can hose them when you get home and they can dry in a well aired garage or car port.
Equally most bikes will suffer if put away salty and wet in a closed garage.
Maybe something British, already rusty with generous oil leaks will degrade least?
I used a Kawasaki kh250 through all weathers , after a night shift in Bristol I headed up to the East Midlands through freezing fog , went to fill up at more ton on the marsh & the girl had to undo filler cap , then unzip jacket & remove wallet then cash , my hands were gone .i did get a 1300 cortina & flying down m69 I
Wondered why everyone was pointing , beeping horn , one look in mirror , plumes of smoke told me I’d blown the motor , switched off in East Midlands & never statered again
I actually did Bristol to East Midlands on my
Moped , Suzuki ap50 , that was a journey , just the thought of it now
Now a spot of rain would have the bike hid in the garage , young & foolish I guess , but I’d not change a thing .
Wondered why everyone was pointing , beeping horn , one look in mirror , plumes of smoke told me I’d blown the motor , switched off in East Midlands & never statered again
I actually did Bristol to East Midlands on my
Moped , Suzuki ap50 , that was a journey , just the thought of it now
Now a spot of rain would have the bike hid in the garage , young & foolish I guess , but I’d not change a thing .
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff