What I really worry about in the winter are cars and trucks that can't stop and aren't afraid of a little `ped up ahead.'So WATCH YOUR MIRRORS !! I think the biggest problem,besides traction,is what Miguel said,THE ROAD SALT.If this is used in your area you can do what I do:Get cans of rubberized undercoating spray and do the underside of fenders and unreachable areas that aren't meant to be seen.When you get back from a big `salty' run,let the bike sit for a while in a warm place,and then re-lube your cables with WD-40 so they'll work smoothly .You don't have to do this often,just when you think there,s a danger you got some water into the cables. Don't coat the cooling fins! As for the reachable part of the bike,you wash it with soapy water and wax what you can or use `Armor-all' protectant,before the first winter storm.