Winter in Australia cannot be compared to that in the northern hemisphere where motorcycling is almost prohibited and highly dangerous with snow and ice covering roadways.

Motorcycles are tucked away indoors and used only in extreme circumstances till a change in the season when they reappear for use or enjoyment.

The observant rider would admit that air cooled engines prefer cooler weather and perform better under such conditions, much less prone to petrol vaporisation, spark plug misfiring and poor ignition besides other failures when a motor becomes overheated.

At times it isn’t all that pleasant when caught out in the rain and freezing wind, but your mount wouldn’t complain if it could talk.

With the onset of summer and more comfortable riding weather, longer trips and more and more often will become the norm as it has done in past years.

To my mind this past winter has allowed the use of our machines frequently, dry days and almost nil or little wind, pleasing even the most selective rider, except the farming fraternity as they look at cloudless skies.

All in all, we really have little to complain about, we are better off than riders in Europe and America, we can still ride all year round if we so desire. In retrospect, winter is not all that bad, or indeed any of the seasons. Personally I’m just glad to be alive and able to enjoy them all.