The ardent motorcyclist won?t let a bit of rain or snow stop him (or her) getting out on his (or her) bike. But plenty of us will. As well as being a bit cold and miserable, the chances of throwing your pride and joy into a ditch certainly increase. And on most roads, you don?t even have to lob it to ruin your lovely, shiny bike; the road slime and grit salt will do it for you. So how do you do year-round motorcycling, without destroying your number one bike" It?s simple, and last week a mate popped round to tell me exactly how he?s doing it.

As usual, he wandered into the house (without knocking, also as usual) and helped himself to a cup of tea. Whilst the kettle was boiling, he pointed out the window at a (slightly ropey looking) 20 year old R6 and said ?What do you think"?. I wasn?t sure what he was getting at, because he normally rides a Fireblade (2019). Had he brought a friend with him that was too polite to wander into a strangers house unannounced" I looked at him confused and then he told me it was his new bike.
?You?ve traded a nearly new Fireblade in for a 20 year old R6"? I said

?No!? He replied. ?I?ve simply added a 20 year old R6 to the fleet. I now have a fleet of two.?

?Why"?

After giving me a condescending chuckle, he explained to me that motorcycles don?t do very well on UK roads during winter. Especially the posh ones, he said. But he loves being on two wheels, and hates the idea of not being able to get ou...