Winter commuting questions

jamminbmx · 19-07-2022, 09:20 AM

Hi all!

Bit of a weird question during the heatwave but...

I use my Monster 600 in the summer and DR800 in the winter for commuting.

Need to take the DR off the road and use the Monster in the winter this year.

Does anyone have any tips for winter commuting? I'm worried about electrical issues and corrosion in the rain!

Cheers

Ben

Nickj · 19-07-2022, 02:29 PM

If the temperature is down towards zero and the humity is just so you can get ice forming in the intakes, possibly heightened with the potential water content of E5/10 fuel.
You just need a bit of fuel additive to stop it happening.

Corrosion, ACF50 will keep that at bay.

Water proof electrics ... well my 750 got me home though some floods >> pics etc here << If you scroll down there's the main grid station for the county which was on my route home, spot the road on the right, half a mile on your off the embankment and it got to be real fun

Didn't miss a beat in water up to knee level, that's knee level sitting on and riding (make a bow wave and hope it gets shallower and DON'T STOP!!) the bike so it's probably less of an issue than you think. Just make sure your connecters are clean and lube with some suitable grease.

Hopefully not one you'll find but given reasonable tyres you'll be OK in snow up to 10 - 20 cms deep, the forest was always a bit carp for winter weather, well OK depends on how you ride but the motors doff along nicely and the flat torque curve means it rarely snaps out on you.

The motor casing paint will fall off anyway, salt will make it happen faster and the cases can get messy, again ACF everything.

No problems Jamin, good gear and it'll be a doddle.. not enjoyable but a doddle.

jamminbmx · 19-07-2022, 02:58 PM

Holy moly! I was just thinking of a light downpour...not riding home via the nearest river

Good to hear its more robust than I think it is!

ACF50 sounds like a plan. Will have a look at fuel additives and contact grease as well.

Thanks for all the info. Put my mind at ease. DR800 needs a piston and with my mechanical abilities this could take a few winters

spuggy · 19-07-2022, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamminbmx

Does anyone have any tips for winter commuting? I'm worried about electrical issues and corrosion in the rain!

Clean your electrical connections and apply dielectric grease liberally before the winter.

Check your battery is up to snuff/charging works well (as cold temperatures will kill a marginal battery quicker). I fitted a lithium battery and will probably never buy another lead acid battery - tired of them needing a tender, or even just not holding a charge anymore at a year old.

Tyres. If they're a few years old, even with good tread, putting fresh rubber on for the winter might be a really smart move. The ones that came on my S4 looked fine and really weren't high on my list of priorities in the dry. But they quickly moved to the top - they were absolutely horrifying with any moisture at all.

jamminbmx · 19-07-2022, 08:23 PM

Got new tyres the other day…man what a difference! Got a motobatt too which is great.

Never used dielectric grease so that will be a Youtube video!

Cheers all!

spuggy · 19-07-2022, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamminbmx

Got new tyres the other day…man what a difference! Got a motobatt too which is great.

Cool. Hope the AGM works out for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamminbmx

Never used dielectric grease so that will be a Youtube video!

It's a non-conductive grease, usually silicon-based. Clean your electrical connectors if/as necessary- and then apply dielectric fairly liberally. and re-connect. The pressure of remaking the contact displaces the grease - and then the connection is sealed from the air/moisture.

It just prevents air or water getting into the connector causing them to oxidize or otherwise corrode/degrade the connection. It's probably not so vitally important for the WeatherPack/SuperSeal connectors on the main harness (these should be weathertight anyway, if in good condition) - but that cheesy alternator block connector? Bullet terminals on the indicators? Pack that stuff in there, you betcha... LOL

I'd do battery terminals, multi-plug connectors, handlebar switches, spark plug caps etc. are all candidates. I'd probably also do relay bases etc and anything else I could find while I was at it for good measure. Basically everything on a bike is exposed to the elements, especially at any out-of-town speed...

Nickj · 19-07-2022, 10:12 PM

The looms are usually OK it's the connecters that are the weakest spots, just make sure everything is lubricated and it'll be fine.
Oh and on one deep long wade on my way home a cheeky bugger on a BMW offered me a squirt or two of WD, hmmm who was misfiring when we got to the other side

jamminbmx · 20-07-2022, 07:27 AM

Yeah I went past a massive mint BMW GS type thing broken down on the hard shoulder yesterday in the heat. My old DR800 loved the 40 degrees...probably because the carb is set up for desert conditions or something I don't understand.

Mind you my DR800 sounds like it is about to let go of all its metal bits so I should not be too cocky

Thanks for all the tips!

Zimbo · 20-07-2022, 12:56 PM

Should be fine in the winter, but you may run into carb icing when the temps are 2 or 3 degrees, causing the bike to die on you but be fine after a few minutes of being stopped. Addition of Silkolene Pro FST to the fuel prevents this. Suggestions above on ACF50 and protecting electrical connections are all good!

jamminbmx · 21-07-2022, 08:42 AM

OK will make up all the connectors with this magical grease! Will have a look at the fuel additives as well...but might wait to see if I have issues first.

Cheers all!

jamminbmx · 05-12-2022, 08:21 AM

First ride to work in cold conditions today! 2 degrees and damp. Bike was not really happy even after running for a while. Had to keep the rev's up and it was a bit jerky when throttle opened.

Could carb icing be the issue here? Might have a look for the Silkolene Pro FST...

alan s4 · 05-12-2022, 09:40 AM

Any excuse for my favourite monster in the winter video. I thought I was brave yesterday going out for a ride in 5 degrees.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4irRAZ8hkgQ

Kato · 13-12-2022, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamminbmx

First ride to work in cold conditions today! 2 degrees and damp. Bike was not really happy even after running for a while. Had to keep the rev's up and it was a bit jerky when throttle opened.

Could carb icing be the issue here? Might have a look for the Silkolene Pro FST...

Almost certainly carb icing addition of Pro FST will help enormously, try not to use E10 if you can.

https://www.mandp.co.uk/products/pro-fst-1-litre-544454

A cap full in every full tank

When it's cold, miserable and wet like now the best recommendation I have is UBER

Bitza · 12-01-2024, 06:01 PM

The first winter (1998) that I had my M900, I rode it through the winter. Not the most wonderful experience, icing up of the carbs in snowy condition, was the most inconvenient. However the worst issues were due to salt, the engine unit went All furry with the paint peeling off, I suspect it also accelerated paint peel on the wheels. On top of that brake calipers becoming sticky was also an issue.

jamminbmx · 05-12-2022, 11:02 AM

What a nutter! Might stop complaining about my jerky throttle...at least I didnt need to brush the snow off my number plate

19-07-2022, 09:20 AM	#1
jamminbmx Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: oxford Bike: M600 Posts: 131	Winter commuting questions Hi all! Bit of a weird question during the heatwave but... I use my Monster 600 in the summer and DR800 in the winter for commuting. Need to take the DR off the road and use the Monster in the winter this year. Does anyone have any tips for winter commuting? I'm worried about electrical issues and corrosion in the rain! Cheers Ben

19-07-2022, 02:29 PM	#2
Nickj Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Forest Of Dean Bike: S2r Posts: 3,207	If the temperature is down towards zero and the humity is just so you can get ice forming in the intakes, possibly heightened with the potential water content of E5/10 fuel. You just need a bit of fuel additive to stop it happening. Corrosion, ACF50 will keep that at bay. Water proof electrics ... well my 750 got me home though some floods >> pics etc here << If you scroll down there's the main grid station for the county which was on my route home, spot the road on the right, half a mile on your off the embankment and it got to be real fun Didn't miss a beat in water up to knee level, that's knee level sitting on and riding (make a bow wave and hope it gets shallower and DON'T STOP!!) the bike so it's probably less of an issue than you think. Just make sure your connecters are clean and lube with some suitable grease. Hopefully not one you'll find but given reasonable tyres you'll be OK in snow up to 10 - 20 cms deep, the forest was always a bit carp for winter weather, well OK depends on how you ride but the motors doff along nicely and the flat torque curve means it rarely snaps out on you. The motor casing paint will fall off anyway, salt will make it happen faster and the cases can get messy, again ACF everything. No problems Jamin, good gear and it'll be a doddle.. not enjoyable but a doddle. __________________ "The final measure of any rider's skill is the inverse ratio of his preferred Traveling Speed to the number of bad scars on his body." Song of the sausage creature Last edited by Nickj; 19-07-2022 at 02:32 PM..

19-07-2022, 10:12 PM	#7
Nickj Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Forest Of Dean Bike: S2r Posts: 3,207	The looms are usually OK it's the connecters that are the weakest spots, just make sure everything is lubricated and it'll be fine. Oh and on one deep long wade on my way home a cheeky bugger on a BMW offered me a squirt or two of WD, hmmm who was misfiring when we got to the other side __________________ "The final measure of any rider's skill is the inverse ratio of his preferred Traveling Speed to the number of bad scars on his body." Song of the sausage creature

20-07-2022, 07:27 AM	#8
jamminbmx Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: oxford Bike: M600 Posts: 131	Yeah I went past a massive mint BMW GS type thing broken down on the hard shoulder yesterday in the heat. My old DR800 loved the 40 degrees...probably because the carb is set up for desert conditions or something I don't understand. Mind you my DR800 sounds like it is about to let go of all its metal bits so I should not be too cocky Thanks for all the tips! Last edited by jamminbmx; 20-07-2022 at 07:29 AM..

12-01-2024, 06:01 PM	#14
Bitza Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Poole Bike: M900ie Posts: 513	The first winter (1998) that I had my M900, I rode it through the winter. Not the most wonderful experience, icing up of the carbs in snowy condition, was the most inconvenient. However the worst issues were due to salt, the engine unit went All furry with the paint peeling off, I suspect it also accelerated paint peel on the wheels. On top of that brake calipers becoming sticky was also an issue. __________________ Bitza

19-07-2022, 02:58 PM	#3
jamminbmx Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: oxford Bike: M600 Posts: 131	Holy moly! I was just thinking of a light downpour...not riding home via the nearest river Good to hear its more robust than I think it is! ACF50 sounds like a plan. Will have a look at fuel additives and contact grease as well. Thanks for all the info. Put my mind at ease. DR800 needs a piston and with my mechanical abilities this could take a few winters

19-07-2022, 08:23 PM	#5
jamminbmx Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: oxford Bike: M600 Posts: 131	Got new tyres the other day…man what a difference! Got a motobatt too which is great. Never used dielectric grease so that will be a Youtube video! Cheers all!

20-07-2022, 12:56 PM	#9
Zimbo Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Stonehouse, Glos Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,085	Should be fine in the winter, but you may run into carb icing when the temps are 2 or 3 degrees, causing the bike to die on you but be fine after a few minutes of being stopped. Addition of Silkolene Pro FST to the fuel prevents this. Suggestions above on ACF50 and protecting electrical connections are all good!

21-07-2022, 08:42 AM	#10
jamminbmx Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: oxford Bike: M600 Posts: 131	OK will make up all the connectors with this magical grease! Will have a look at the fuel additives as well...but might wait to see if I have issues first. Cheers all!

05-12-2022, 08:21 AM	#11
jamminbmx Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: oxford Bike: M600 Posts: 131	First ride to work in cold conditions today! 2 degrees and damp. Bike was not really happy even after running for a while. Had to keep the rev's up and it was a bit jerky when throttle opened. Could carb icing be the issue here? Might have a look for the Silkolene Pro FST...

05-12-2022, 09:40 AM	#12
alan s4 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Glasgow Bike: S4 challenge Posts: 447	Any excuse for my favourite monster in the winter video. I thought I was brave yesterday going out for a ride in 5 degrees....... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4irRAZ8hkgQ

05-12-2022, 11:02 AM	#15
jamminbmx Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: oxford Bike: M600 Posts: 131	What a nutter! Might stop complaining about my jerky throttle...at least I didnt need to brush the snow off my number plate