Rockburner wrote: Sun Dec 21, 2025 10:30 am
I think the way to successfully appreciate an all year round bike is to bear in mind that very few bikes are built to the standards required these days, and that even those aren't always built with the UK's propensity for using salt on the road in mind.
You have to not care about the outer presentation of the bike, but keep the mechanisms in good condition, because the UK market is going to make it worthless after your tenure simply on the mileage, let alone the outer condition.
So you have to treat the bike as a permanent, "for life", purchase and expect it to die in your ownership, (in effect). Thus the longer it lasts, the better, (obviously), and it's the choices you make regarding servicing and maintenance become utterly based on its mechanical longevity rather than saleability.
I look at them like my rescue dogs, when I get them, it's their forever home, that RT is as good, or better mechanically than most of the immaculate ones about, but looks like frig all squared. It'll need a few things for MOT probably but no biggie. The GS walked its MOT a couple of weeks ago.
I gave my little CBF125 a refresh a couple of years ago, it's on the button with nearly 30k on it. Not bad for a cheap Indian built bike that's never had any more than routine oil changes.
Rockburner wrote: Sun Dec 21, 2025 10:30 am
I think the way to successfully appreciate an all year round bike is to bear in mind that very few bikes are built to the standards required these days, and that even those aren't always built with the UK's propensity for using salt on the road in mind.
You have to not care about the outer presentation of the bike, but keep the mechanisms in good condition, because the UK market is going to make it worthless after your tenure simply on the mileage, let alone the outer condition.
So you have to treat the bike as a permanent, "for life", purchase and expect it to die in your ownership, (in effect). Thus the longer it lasts, the better, (obviously), and it's the choices you make regarding servicing and maintenance become utterly based on its mechanical longevity rather than saleability.
That’s exactly the way my Transalp will be getting treated, ridden all year-round and it’ll no doubt end up looking rough as hell but as long as it’s mechanically sound and reliable then I’ll be happy.
In my mind bikes that are used year-round are like white goods, you get your moneys worth out of them when you use them and when they die you replace them, if you’re lucky getting a few quid in your pocket when you move it on.
I'm not sure why you lot are after suggesting heavy high powered bikes for winter. Little twist too much on the gas and you'll be picking it up and, let's be honest, most of our backs aren't as young as they used to be.
I'd have a CBR300R or CB300F, but those are harder to find.
Small bike, cheap parts; it only takes 110/140 tyres, 1.5L of oil, and a 520 chain.
100mph top speed so cruising at 75 is quite doable (the 250 has a too speed more like 90 so holding 75 is harder work).
80mpg says fuelly, you might even do better through winter.
Most/all had ABS (it was only optional on the 250).
Only @30hp so you won't be spinning tyres as easily.
It's a fuel injected Honda, so it'll start every day.
It'll still be worth something when you're done with it (even if only to a Grom boy for an engine swap)
Light weight in case you drop it on some slimy roads.
A_morti wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 10:31 am
I'm not sure why you lot are after suggesting heavy high powered bikes for winter. Little twist too much on the gas and you'll be picking it up and, let's be honest, most of our backs aren't as young as they used to be.
I'd have a CBR300R or CB300F, but those are harder to find.
Small bike, cheap parts; it only takes 110/140 tyres, 1.5L of oil, and a 520 chain.
100mph top speed so cruising at 75 is quite doable (the 250 has a too speed more like 90 so holding 75 is harder work).
80mpg says fuelly, you might even do better through winter.
Most/all had ABS (it was only optional on the 250).
Only @30hp so you won't be spinning tyres as easily.
It's a fuel injected Honda, so it'll start every day.
It'll still be worth something when you're done with it (even if only to a Grom boy for an engine swap)
Light weight in case you drop it on some slimy roads.
I'd agree, if those little bikes were made well and finished reasonably. But UK winters will kill a poorly finished bike with cheap components.
Rockburner wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 10:35 am
I'd agree, if those little bikes were made well and finished reasonably. But UK winters will kill a poorly finished bike with cheap components.
Who says it's cheap or poorly finished?
Granted I'm not in the UK now but I have the 250 and it looks decent for a 15 year old bike that doesn't get washed often.
Rockburner wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 10:35 am
I'd agree, if those little bikes were made well and finished reasonably. But UK winters will kill a poorly finished bike with cheap components.
Who says it's cheap or poorly finished?
Granted I'm not in the UK now but I have the 250 and it looks decent for a 15 year old bike that doesn't get washed often.
That's the difference between clean dirt and the salty shit. UK Winter roads will punish a bike even when not neglected.
A_morti wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 10:31 am
I'm not sure why you lot are after suggesting heavy high powered bikes for winter. Little twist too much on the gas and you'll be picking it up and, let's be honest, most of our backs aren't as young as they used to be.
I'd have a CBR300R or CB300F, but those are harder to find.
Small bike, cheap parts; it only takes 110/140 tyres, 1.5L of oil, and a 520 chain.
100mph top speed so cruising at 75 is quite doable (the 250 has a too speed more like 90 so holding 75 is harder work).
80mpg says fuelly, you might even do better through winter.
Most/all had ABS (it was only optional on the 250).
Only @30hp so you won't be spinning tyres as easily.
It's a fuel injected Honda, so it'll start every day.
It'll still be worth something when you're done with it (even if only to a Grom boy for an engine swap)
Light weight in case you drop it on some slimy roads.
The vast majority of my commute is Motorway or Dual Carriageway, on a day like today, I'd have been drenched riding a CBR300, on the RT I was barely dampened. It's an 1150RT, it won't be spinning up tyres, it's not that powerful, it doesn't have a chain and it uses the cheapest car oil you can buy because it's such a lowly tuned engine. I can carry all my work stuff in the boxes and the old thing still manages 46 mpg and I don't hang about. I can guarantee you that a CBR300 won't do 80mpg with my weight on it.
The deciding factor though is that the thing stands me a grand. You'd struggle getting a decent small bike for that money.
Bigjawa wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 12:54 pm
The deciding factor though is that the thing stands me a grand.
I think the discussion ends right there.
An 1150 RT, with luggage, in decent mechanical nick for £1k?
Sign me up.
(I preferred it to the 1200 - so much that when I test rode the 1200 I was so disappointed I didn't buy one - as I intended to. Waited a bit and bought a K12GT instead).
I think the answer is "any bike". It's you who needs to be dry and warm, bike will be fine. Folk generally go for an old necker obviously, but if funds allow get a new cheapo or nearly new. If salty, give it a cold rinse.
Dodgy69 wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 4:23 pm
I think the answer is "any bike". It's you who needs to be dry and warm, bike will be fine. Folk generally go for an old necker obviously, but if funds allow get a new cheapo or nearly new. If salty, give it a cold rinse.
I'm salty, but I don't appreciate a cold rinse with a hose.
Good advice though - get whatever suits your journey and budget, just understand it'll look rougher at the end of winter.
Or perhaps better advice - just get a car if there's not some other significant advantage of doing it by bike than misguided pride. It's miserable arriving at work cold and wet (or in cold and wet gear at least). Plus there's eventually going to be that one day where the ice gets you. In a car you might slide into the curb and break some suspension bits, on a bike it'll be worse.
Dodgy69 wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 4:23 pm
I think the answer is "any bike". It's you who needs to be dry and warm, bike will be fine. Folk generally go for an old necker obviously, but if funds allow get a new cheapo or nearly new. If salty, give it a cold rinse.
I'm salty, but I don't appreciate a cold rinse with a hose.
Good advice though - get whatever suits your journey and budget, just understand it'll look rougher at the end of winter.
Or perhaps better advice - just get a car if there's not some other significant advantage of doing it by bike than misguided pride. It's miserable arriving at work cold and wet (or in cold and wet gear at least). Plus there's eventually going to be that one day where the ice gets you. In a car you might slide into the curb and break some suspension bits, on a bike it'll be worse.
Dodgy69 wrote: Mon Dec 22, 2025 4:23 pm
I think the answer is "any bike". It's you who needs to be dry and warm, bike will be fine. Folk generally go for an old necker obviously, but if funds allow get a new cheapo or nearly new. If salty, give it a cold rinse.
I'm salty, but I don't appreciate a cold rinse with a hose.
Good advice though - get whatever suits your journey and budget, just understand it'll look rougher at the end of winter.
Or perhaps better advice - just get a car if there's not some other significant advantage of doing it by bike than misguided pride. It's miserable arriving at work cold and wet (or in cold and wet gear at least). Plus there's eventually going to be that one day where the ice gets you. In a car you might slide into the curb and break some suspension bits, on a bike it'll be worse.
Everything is manageable if you're sensible.
That day, my GS was the only non 4wd vehicle to get out of the street. It was like an ice rink, but I was able to ride across the pitches to where the roads were salted.
That pic reminds me of my fizzy day's at 16. We had a lot of snow 82/83 maybe, but just pissing about doing doughnuts, dropping it and do more. Good fun day's indeed.
