revtothelimit - motorbike forum

If you were going to ride a bike in all UK weather and road conditions, including salted roads, what bike would you pick?

I've no intention of doing this just curious to see what bikes people would choose, last bike I did it on was a DRZ400, which was good for riding, but the rear brake caliper really didn't like road salt and the underside of the petrol tank got surface rust. So for me picking a bike that's good to ride all year round is easy, it would be finding a light, slim bike that can cruise at 75mph that's corrosion resistant that's the challenge.

Did it on a CCM R30 and a Triumph Speed Triple, wash down at weekends neither gave me any bother

BMW R1150.

An RT if i was doing major miles, or an R if there was any town work involved.

It's what i choose for the job 20 years ago, and it's what i would choose today.

VFR800. Cheap enough, good enough, resilient enough, fun enough.

Rockburner wrote: Fri Dec 19, 2025 3:46 pm BMW R1150.

An RT if i was doing major miles, or an R if there was any town work involved.

It's what i choose for the job 20 years ago, and it's what i would choose today.

My R1150 was an all-year-rounder and, apart from the alloy bits at the bottom of the forks which lost their shine somewhat it survived without much cosseting.

Not convinced that anything they've made since then would shrug it off though, certainly don't think my R1200 would have if I'd kept it longer.

CBR600 F3 (1997).

Cheap, fast, comfortable, plenty of spare parts around, pretty weather resistant. I commuted one through three winters, rinsed off most days in the works car park.

My last 2½ years of winter commuting was on a Piaggio 400 scooter. Excellent weather protection, 90 mpg, plenty of space under the seat and in the top box. Cheap to buy a tatty but mechanically sound one. Zero street cred, but hey ho.

While this doesn't quite meet the brief, I rode a Yamaha RD125LC YPVS, full fairing, for 10 years, all weathers and conditions. It never let me down and I just cleaned it weekly and increased servicing. Sold to an Irish lad for road racing.

I almost always choose a small Homda when I needed a Winter bike.

CB125
CD200
CD200 Benly
CB350
ANF 125 Innova
SH300i

I'd have no hesitation in buying another SH300i if the need arose. 80mph and 80 mpg.

If the requirement was for something bigger,then any of the CBR600s would do nicely.

Honda something or other. Probably the Africa Twin I am doing this on or maybe the NC750X.

ZZR600 I ran one as a winter hack for 14 years. Didn't wash it as often as I should. It did ok but looked scabby. Really low seat and low CoG made it easy to handle on slippery roads

My 2001 Triumph Sprint RS had excellent paint that did well in winter but allegedly the paint got thinner later

Rockburner wrote: Fri Dec 19, 2025 3:46 pm BMW R1150.

An RT if i was doing major miles, or an R if there was any town work involved.

It's what i choose for the job 20 years ago, and it's what i would choose today.

I was going to suggest a K100, with RT as an option for longer distances.

But both a bit long in the tooth now (and that's the ones not cut up as hipster customs).

I'd go for a 650 Transalp,CBR600 or Gen II SV650S

Dodgy69 wrote: Fri Dec 19, 2025 6:20 pm https://ebay.us/m/NgaQfr

Sitting at 500 quid. It's worth a punt for that.

I imagine a RE Himalyan could do we ...

That Triumph looks tidy. The older ones had a reputation for the paint scabbing off the cases but that's cosmetic, and the starter sprag clutch failing. That happens if you don't keep the batter charged. Check it starts cleanly then just keep a good battery in it and keep it on an optimate.

I've had that 900, think 883 in a thunderbird, my mate still has it in a speed triple and trident. Go forever.

Dodgy69 wrote: Fri Dec 19, 2025 7:49 pm I've had that 900, think 883 in a thunderbird, my mate still has it in a speed triple and trident. Go forever.

It sat at £500 right until about 3 seconds to go,then someone sniped in at £565. Got to be worth that.

Depends on your commute or the journeys you like to make.

If it was all longer motorway trips, then you want something with a bit of go and some weather protection.

For a local commute on the un-treated B roads in winter, I'd want something light and easy to keep upright, that crashed well.

If I was commuting from my house in the Hollywood Hills, to the Warner Studios, I'd have an H2 or a Panigale.

Skub wrote: Fri Dec 19, 2025 8:13 pm

Dodgy69 wrote: Fri Dec 19, 2025 7:49 pm I've had that 900, think 883 in a thunderbird, my mate still has it in a speed triple and trident. Go forever.

It sat at £500 right until about 3 seconds to go,then someone sniped in at £565. Got to be worth that.

All day long.