Source
r/MotoUK•
phyphor

The sun is out, the weather is grand, and all the fair-weather riders are back on the roads

And, honestly, I'm glad to see them!

I know some "proper bikers" look down on those who only venture out when it's fantastic weather, but those same sort look down on me because, even though I commute in Winter, what I ride isn't a real bike ^^(which ^^it ^^isn't, ^^it's ^^a ^^trike)

I was out yesterday evening and for the first time in a long time I got to see a load of motorcylists, and almost all of them shared a nod with me as we passed in opposite directions.

It's damned good to feel part of a community that shares very little, except that we get to travel without being in a cage.

So, whether you're just dusting off the gear, or have not stopped whilst it's been wet and windy weather, let's all enjoy the sunshine and good times while we can!

Posted Mar 23, 2022, 3:41 PM UTC

5443
pizzaguy9012019 YZF-R125/2003 CBR600RR•

I wish more people had this attitude, it riles me when I hear people slagging “fair weather bikers” off. I tend to ride from March-October purely for pleasure as I don’t need to ride to work.

Doesn’t mean that just cause some people ride in the warmer climate that they’re immediately going to be dangerous arseholes.

Okay sorry, rant over. On a much more positive note enjoy the warm weather and ride safe!

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

When you ride a "toy" like I do you get treated with disrespect so I could either try to claim a higher position on this theorised hierarchy of "proper bikiness" over those who only ride when it's fun, or reject the entire idea as the bullshit it is.

We're all out there for a variety of reasons but we're all out there, and maybe all I can do is share a nod as we pass but we're still part of a community.

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The_Anglo_SpaniardI don't have a bike•

I think trikes are cool.

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fucknozzleLondon '21 MT09•

The issue with trikes, for me at least, is that many of them are ridden by people on a car licence.

They have absolutely no training whatsoever on a bike. Not even a CBT.

Put them on a 500cc machine like yours, and they're a fucking menace.

Unfortunately all trike riders are then assumed to be the same.

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ShedbuiltTriumph Daytona 675•

Great attitude to have. We all ride for different reasons and I’m now a sports bike guy with no commute so I’m as fair weather as they come! Also had a crash last year in the rain so I will leave my bike where it is unless the sun is out and the roads are dry! Don’t care what anyone says

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

You gotta look out for you. And good on you for still getting out after a crash, I know many wouldn't.

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MetalFaceTV‘21 kawi ninja 650•

I passed my cbt in December and have been riding every weekend since. Rode the 25 mile journey to work for the first time today and I was confused, as when I got off my bike I could still feel my fingers for the first time 😂

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

Heated grips are your friend, my friend!

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MetalFaceTV‘21 kawi ninja 650•

I have my das in a couple of weeks. Just bought the 125 for a bit of practice. Didn’t want to go spending money on it that I didn’t need to. I have a 2021 ninja 650 sitting in the garage which I will for sure be fitting heated grips too 👍🏻

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

I stay dry when I ride, and I'm warm with heated grips, and when I was commuting through roads with hour-long jams a motorcycle was so good. But that's my decision and doesn't mean it's right for anyone else.

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JamiemufuZx6R + Thunderbird 1600•

My car got written off. I used the money I got to do my license and get a bike a few years ago now. I was one of those “I commute in all weather” brigade ass hats.

Until I got a much higher paying job. Got my self a better car. And now I agree. Fuck riding in all weather unless I absolutely have to. I now ride for fun when I want to.

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dovey60I don't have a bike•

I’m 62 and have come back to biking after many years. I’m deffo a fair weather biker and when your joints creak and you don’t bounce very well anymore you will understand why :-)

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

You have twenty years on me but my right knee was replaced about a decade ago after a road traffic collision, so I get the joint creaking!

And, like I said, we're all riders, whatever our reason, and whenever we do it.

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Thunder_Pants46Suzuki SV650S '15•

We're all part of the tribe!

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

True!

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bad_egg_77‘77 XT500, ‘76 RV125, ‘72 SL350 🏍•

What a nice post! I just ride for fun, my bikes are all from the 70s with drum brakes but I do feel like an imposter sometimes, though I enjoy the bikes immensely!

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

Any reason you ride means you're riding!

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MaximumKickVFR800 5th generation •

It does feel nice to see more of us on the road. I ride all the time, just because I don't own a car or a car licence and can't be bothered to get one. I completely understand the people that just ride for fun,I just miss seeing them on the road in the cold months.

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

I just miss seeing them on the road in the cold months.

Yep, exactly my thinking!

Whatever the reason, though, seeing more of us fills me with community spirit & joy.

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EsmuPliksGen4 Z1000•

To be fair, for many it's less about the "real biker" stereotypes and more about people having not ridden in 6 months and then acting like they have, resulting in some Deliveroo pilot style riding except with a 200+ kg bike doing 70+. I like staying alive, you expect kamikaze shenanigans from the scoots, not so much from the actual bikes, but around spring you see an awful lot of that.

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OmblaeCB600F - Triumph Street Triple - Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory•

There are lots of responsible riders out there who take it easy and warm into riding.

There's also the premium raisers who throw themselves down the road the first week of spring.

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

Enh, that's fair.

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foldingsafariVFR1200F, CBF500 ABS •

First fucking sensible reply here.

All these other ones bemoaning the year round boasting bikers are just as fucking bad.

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sgryfn '17 VFR800F |'96 CBR600F3 |•

I get cold really easily, riding in wet weather or when it’s freezing just isn’t fun for me, it’s a chore.

I ride a bike for the best bits of riding a bike, out with a group of friends, talking shit on the intercoms, going somewhere interesting or to beautiful places / stretches of road etc.

I don’t feel I need to put myself through misery to belong to a group of ‘proper bikers’

I don’t even care about being a ‘biker’

I just like to ride in the sun.

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Too_Old_For_All_ThisWLA45,800XC•

I've ridden bikes since the 70's. Rode my Moped in the snow to work. Rode in a Donkey jacket in the rain. I put the hours in, and now, as I approach retirement I ride when I want to. Fair weather Biker...Mostly. Biker.....Forever. I don't care if you only ride when it's 70 degrees or more, or all year in any weather, the point is you ride, and that's what counts...

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Dannypeck96CB125F- A1 🐙•

I ride for a living. If the solar powered bikers want to avoid the shittier weather I honestly can’t blame them. It’s good to see them back out on the road

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philswitchengage•

I commuted up until the pandemic, now I WFH and get to enjoy my bike on my terms so ye it's when the weather is bloody lovely.

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

Good to know you still enjoy riding when it's grand out!

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Harvsnova2•

Since I got hit, last October, I only use the bike when I have to. I can't bring myself to go out for fun. The only time I don't use it for commuting, is when there's snow or ice, but I still prefer it to the car, even if I'm freezing me bits off. Maybe the nicer weather will change my mind about just going for a ride out.

I don't care if anyone rides only in the summer, that's their choice. I don't feel superior because I choose to ride all year, I just get on with it and nod to everyone.

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

I'm sorry you don't feel safe going out for fun. I hope you find a way back into it, if you want, and in any case I'm glad you survived and are still riding!

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Harvsnova2•

Cheers matey. I think the warmer weather might persuade me to get out when I'm off shift.

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

It's been some great weather, recently, and it'd be a shame to miss out on it, right? :D

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crotalu5I don't have a bike•

Just in time. Had to make a round trip from Southend on sea to Swindon today. Got in around midnight and found it was a little early for the summer gloves at night

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Duke0fWellingtonI do have a bike•

I used to commute on my bike. It's shit. Really shit. Wished I was sat in a warm car with a cuppa and some music on nearly every day.

I couldn't fucking wait to become a fair weather rider.

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

I love commuting by motorcycle, but then I'm weird in lots of ways.

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underscoresruleMoto Guzzi V7II / Honda CB500X•

I'm the same, back in the old times I would commute to the office every day year round, and every day in winter I'd say the same thing - I'd rather be cold and moving on the bike for 30 minutes than warm and stuck in my car for over an hour.

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Duke0fWellingtonI do have a bike•

Lol. I've only enjoyed it when the weather is decent, which isn't very often. The occasional nice bit of filtering is fun. Overall it isn't good though.

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foldingsafariVFR1200F, CBF500 ABS •

Where do people get this bullshit idea that the weather between October and March is constant torrential rain/winds/ice/darkness etc?

The Sun does come out quite frequently you know? Wet roads don't reduce grip by THAT much.

Some of us don't need a road that's as dry as a Nuns Cunt to be able to enjoy ourselves. If you do then fine, whatever.

All these comments bemoaning those who ride all year are just as fucking bad as those who ride all year making fun of others.

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

All these comments bemoaning those who ride all year are just as fucking bad as those who ride all year making fun of others.

I don't think people are complaining so much as explaining why their choice is as it is. But we're all out now, which is great, right?

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foldingsafariVFR1200F, CBF500 ABS •

Multiple posts here specifically calling out all year bikers as "asshats" and other names.

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phyphorOP'19 Piaggio MP3 Sport 500 HPE ABS ASR•

I'm not seeing any as replies in this post. Maybe elsewhere but this one seems mostly positive.

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foldingsafariVFR1200F, CBF500 ABS •

Go read through then and you will

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ashleymanGot Nicked Mate•

I enjoy riding in all weathers. It does get a bit grim when it's -3 or the rain is sideways but honestly it's not that bad. I see people moaning all the time about oil or drain or paint and I genuinely have never had any issues. Some people are just strange I guess!

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