It seems clear from this thread that there are as many sound reasons for tucking bikes up in warm garages over the winter, as there are for taking them out and using them as intended.
That's fine, each to their own.
My point was that if you *do* take your bike out in more adverse conditions , then something which one owner/rider might regard as unsightly and a pain in the butt (e.g. a waxy coat on the engine, that doesn't just wash off) is actually a really useful thing.
There are other ways to protect a bike from the ravages of road salt. The best of these I reckon is "Scottoiler 365" a water based corrosion inhibiter.
http://www.scottoiler.com/uk/Lubes-Cleaners-Protectors/FS-365-Corrosion-Protector-1-Litre-spray/flypage.tpl.htmlI used to douse my wee suzuki rv125 in it over the winter, and come spring it cleaned up just fine.
Here's to many a commute or run in the country on a sunny but cold (winter's) day.