Turning Cool Here In The Uk

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by johne, Oct 26, 2025.

  1. johne

    johne Standing on the shoulders of dwarves.

    Jan 16, 2020
    2,451
    1,000
    Where the Wolds meet the sea
    Yes, I know its an obvious statement as we approach the end of October. I went out for a short ride on my Tuono yesterday, looking like the MIchelin man, with umpteen layers of clothing on and despite the bright sunshine, I did get cold and I will be SORNing that bike and most of my others come the end of the month. I probably will keep the Triumph road legal for at least another month, but as we have discussed here previously, it's no fun cleaning dirt and salt off your bike after a winter ride. Even if your clothing does keep you dry and warm whilst you are riding. So that will be that for my 2 wheeled exploits until next Spring. There are still quite a few bikers out and about in my area, despite the cold, but my (soon to be) 67 year old bones have called time on the 2025 season. How about you guys and gals? Are you die hard all year rounders, or like me, are your motorised steeds spending the winter tucked up in your garage/shed?

    20251025_151010(1).jpg
     
    • Like Like x 6
  2. TRIPLE X

    TRIPLE X Senior Member

    Sep 1, 2021
    660
    243
    Norfolk
    Just cleaned and SORNED my Speed Twin 900 until the spring. My 76 years old bones no likey the cold and my bike insists on being kept immaculate and will not tolerate winter grime.
     
    • Like Like x 5
    • Useful Useful x 1
  3. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,550
    1,000
    Three Counties
    We keep ours going all year ;)
     
    • Like Like x 7
  4. ajc400

    ajc400 Senior Member

    Jun 4, 2024
    837
    243
    Glasgow
    Mine will be SORNed by the end of the month.... see you in the Spring!! ;)
     
    • Like Like x 5
    • Useful Useful x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

    Jun 12, 2020
    3,735
    800
    Yorkshire
    I don’t think my, soon to be, 66yr old bones (and brain) could cope if I didn’t have something to ride all year round. People would start dying around me. :mad:
    The ZZR will be SORNED at the end of December when the tax runs out. The Triumph is an all year rounder and the Berg is about to be retaxed ready for some Winter laning after being SORNED since May.
    I agree, some Winter prep and subsequent regular cleaning are an absolute necessity but approached in the right frame of mind can be quite therapeutic.
    Accessories like heated grips, hand guards etc and decent clothing can make the difference between just bearable and enjoyable.:grinning:
     
    • Like Like x 7
  6. Mrs Visor

    Mrs Visor Elite Member

    Aug 21, 2021
    4,160
    800
    UK
    All year round here; I only don't go out if there is a lot of salt on the roads. There was ice on windscreens in the early hours this morning when I was at work and very clear skies. Looks much cloudier and milder overnight tonight though.
     
    • Like Like x 5
  7. Dawsy

    Dawsy Cumbrian half-wit
    Subscriber

    Aug 24, 2018
    1,162
    800
    Cumbria
    Both mine are kept taxed all year but Speedy only comes out in winter if we have a half decent few days. Was going to nip over to our friends house on the Scrambler today but just got in from a miserable wet cycle ride so I think it will be the Defender :grinning:
     
    • Like Like x 4
  8. learningtofly

    learningtofly He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
    Subscriber

    Sep 25, 2018
    2,406
    1,000
    Hertfordshire
    I ride through the winter, but only if it’s dry and the roads are free of salt. I like crisp sunny days, but it does require a few layers, neck rolls, heated gloves and heated grips.
     
    • Like Like x 6
  9. stinger

    stinger Senior Member

    Nov 28, 2017
    778
    243
    Yarnbrook
    My bikes are road legal year round though they dont get ridden as much. Cold doesnt bother me, HEATED jacket and gloves people, they are what the words "game changers" were invented for. I honestly think October is the worst month. Wet, windy, leaves and farmers winter ploughing mud on the roads make it a lottery. I reckon i ride more in December and January.
     
    • Agree Agree x 5
    • Like Like x 2
  10. Bikerman

    Bikerman Life's not a dress rehearsal.
    Subscriber

    Oct 29, 2014
    3,274
    1,000
    Lincolnshire
    Both mine are SORN'd now till April. Don't fancy the runny nose and sniffing that goes with winter riding.
    Maybe I'm getting old before my time, but just for me, going out for a ride while freezing your nuts off, doesn't appeal to me anymore. But for those that go all year round well [​IMG]
     
    • Like Like x 6
    • Agree Agree x 1
  11. Dod

    Dod Member

    Dec 30, 2023
    30
    13
    Scotland
    All year round too, there are still some days that aren’t too bad.
     
    • Agree Agree x 6
    • Like Like x 1
  12. Johnjo

    Johnjo Senior Member

    May 29, 2017
    571
    243
    Birmingham
    I agree with stinger, heated clothing is the key to comfortable cold weather riding. I bought a bikertek heated inner jacket donkeys years ago. It has heated elements in the arms and collar too. I plug it into the accessory socket for power. It's a game changer.

    I layer up for the legs. Modern materials allow a double layer to be worn under a pair of decent bike trousers.
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Agree Agree x 1
  13. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
    Subscriber

    Oct 28, 2020
    4,515
    1,000
    AUSTRIA
    I am also riding all year long. I am just switching between my two bikes. On the bad days (some rain; without snow and salt) I take the BMW and my Rocket stays at home.
     
    • Like Like x 4
  14. Rob the Scott

    Rob the Scott Active Member

    Dec 14, 2022
    160
    43
    New Jersey
    Since my registration is annual, I can keep one of the two bikes available if we get a nice day or two in New Jersey. The Trophy SE's wind protection makes it much warmer to ride in cooler weather. Layers and the heated grips keep me comfy. As soon as the salt gets deposited on the roads, I will park them for the winter, but that may be in January.
     
    • Like Like x 4
  15. Walter C Licker

    Jun 12, 2025
    25
    13
    Essex
    Going SORN at the end of October at 77 years old. My replacement knee freezes and arthritis in hands puts a stop to winter riding. Also the money I save on road tax buys me three tanks of fuel in the next biker season. Us OAP’s have to watch the pennies, now our pension is taxed.
     
    • Like Like x 8
    • Funny Funny x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  16. Taran_las

    Taran_las New Member

    Sep 25, 2023
    14
    3
    Mold, North Wales
    All year round for me even at 69. Heated grips make the world of difference along with appropriate clothing. The Welsh mountains make for an exciting ride in the summer but a little more subdued in the winter.;)
     
    • Like Like x 3
  17. Baza

    Baza Elite Member

    Jul 25, 2020
    4,456
    750
    Amazing Grace
    Heated grips fitted to the Striple at the beginning of the month. Very pleased with them but can see in really cold conditions handlebar muffs would complete the protection.

    Anyway, I have a few years on you youngsters and will be SORNing the bikes at the end of the month.
     
    • Like Like x 5
  18. JackWS

    JackWS Well-Known Member

    Jul 23, 2025
    88
    68
    Scottish Highlands
    Even in the Scottish Highlands, I'm not giving up yet. I was told that Highland Council have started to pre-grit roads last week, so that will have a bearing on whether I venture out on the bike over everything else.
    Nice dry sunny days are still out there, but there are no real bad days, just poor clothing choices. The bike is taxed until January 26, so anything between now and then, is fair game.
    January is usually the worst for us up here, so it will be SORN time until the weather behaves again.
    4°C this morning, so the shorts are off and I thought I better put a fleece over the tee shirt...:p
     
    • Funny Funny x 3
    • Like Like x 1
  19. ajc400

    ajc400 Senior Member

    Jun 4, 2024
    837
    243
    Glasgow
    Reminds me of those jokes you hear when a storm is coming through -

    When high winds see the rest of the country sheltering indoors, in the Highlands it's just a good drying day!
    or....
    When a storm has severe weather warnings and the rest of the country is thinking about barricading doors and windows, in the Highlands you put on your big coat.

    You get the idea! :joy:
     
    • Funny Funny x 2
    • Like Like x 1
  20. Stuart 1

    Stuart 1 Member

    Dec 5, 2021
    64
    18
    Stoke On trent
    I am an all Year round rider and hopefully out this week with the Staffordshire Triumph guys on Wednesday......last week we did a ride from there shop to the Chain & Sprockets cafe in Ruthin....absolutely fabulous I think there was around 17 bikes....Every Wednesday meet up at 10.45 for an 11 am start and everyone is welcome whether on a triumph or Harley ....if weather looks dubious check on there Facebook page. I don't go Every week, but they normally put on there page on a Tuesday where they're going. I'm 72 and I'll keep winter riding as long as possible....riding is in the blood
     
    • Like Like x 9
Loading...

Share This Page