Fatbiker

Done a good bit of riding this month and the Buell is running really well. The combination of the white wire mod, maz breather mod and the air filter swap has really smoothed the lumps out of the engine, even when cold. I’m getting a good 51mpg+ out of an average tank of super unleaded fuel so can’t complain about that. Fuel prices are coming back down now so fuel economy is now not such an issue. It’s currently 90p per litre compared to £1.20+ per litre a few months back.

Kit wise, I reckon I’m pretty well sorted for the winter now. My BKS leather jacket with winter liner is excellent on the dry days at keeping me warm and toasty. I wear an EDZ liner inside it to keep the wind out that gets through the odd seam when going fast. When it’s wet I wear a two year old Hein Gericke Craig 2 jacket. It only cost £80 new and is not technically classed as water tight but having ridden to Wales and back in heavy rain I believe it to be an excellent jacket so thats what I wear when the weathers bad. To keep me legs warm and dry I wear a pair of textile Hein Gericke over trousers. They cost £170 new and were worth the money. Lets hope I dont grow out of them.. The hand guards on the Buell are excellent so I’m still wearing a pair of mid weight gloves and silk liners. This allows me to feel the controls. I did wear my full on winter gloves yesterday coz it was just above freezing out and whilst I had warm and toasty hands, I could not feel a thing. I tend to alternate my helmets. The Shark Evoline is excellent when its not really cold. I like the visibility the wide visor offers but its a very noisy and drafty helmet so when its really cold I use my Arai Astro R. 

The bikes holding out well considering the roads are layered in salt now. Yesterday it was dry and after a good run the tyres were warm and I can tell you now, cornering was great. The riding conditions whilst cold were spot on for a good blast. This is why I own a Buell. All out top end speed is a problem in the UK now what with so many speed cameras out to get you so instead of blasting around at 130+ I cruise on the fast roads and blast around the country lanes. Cornering is my new adrenaline rush. I’m still a newbie and have not got rid of the small chicken strip on my rear tyre but I’m getting there. 

I’m washing the bike down every weekend with muc off and then applying acf-50 to keep it rust free. In the spring I’ll give the bike a good valet and that will lift off all the layers of muck that have built up from the winter riding and hopefully return the luster to the bike….

I’m using my Rex Marsee tank bag when its dry. I only need my ruch sack to carry my wet gear around. It’s nice being able to travel light. The tank bag is perfect for storing my small bits and pieces… The Kriega R30 is an excellent ruck sack. Even fully loaded up you hardly notice you are wearing it when on the bike. I recommend this over any other ruck sack I have used for biking…

What are my top tips for winter riding?

• Keep very warm by using lots of thin layers of clothing. You still need to be able to move around so don’t pile on loads of fleeces. A cheap woolen jumper does wonders and is cheaper than the technical clothing available. 
• Make sure your tyre pressures are spot on. Dont let them go down because the grip patterns used for channeling water will close up and therefore not be as effective.
• Make sure your visor is clean inside and out. Use a demisting product or pinlock to stop yourself steaming up. Cheap helmets are a complete false economy when riding in the wet and cold. Their ventilation will be crap and it’ll put you off riding for ever more…
• Clean your bike down as much as realistically possible with COLD water. Warm water will activate the layer of salt on the components thus speeding up the corrosion process. I clean my bike at the weekends. It the best I can do.
• Apply a protective spray to all metal surfaces except for brake rotors. You still need to stop…
• Ride slower and look further ahead in to the action to predict any problems. If needed concentrate on holding your chin up further. It’ll help you see ahead. 
• Use your peripheral vision for the road surface and avoid drain covers and the like. If you go over one whilst leaning it’ll have you off before you know it.
• If you feel your rear wheel spinning up whilst leaning, dont panic, just pull in the clutch and let it regain traction. If you let the throttle go you’ll risk a high side and there will be no chance of catching that unless your name is Valentino

Tags: winter riding