Some seriously cold riding.

[John Bates]

Sunday, with the sun out, no wind and temp. 35 F. (1.7 C.) I was inspired to ride.  This was my first cold weather ride with the NC plexistar 2 windshield.

I suited up with my normal cold weather outfit and took off.  The ice and snow on my driveway was a bit tricky but the roads were clear and dry.

This is my first report on the windshield.  I must say it did a good job of shielding my upper body, arms and hands from the wind.  I like that.  My head was slightly above the limit of protection and felt the wind. My normal riding position is fairly upright to lessen the pressure on my wrists.  It was easy to crouch down to get completely out of the air stream.  My legs are another story.  They got pretty cold.  My knees felt it the most.  I think a better over pant is in order and maybe a tank bra would help.

Without the windshield my min. riding temp. was around 40 F. (4.4 C.).    With the windshield, at least 35 F. and probably lower with a good pair of winter riding pants.

Thanks to Kerry for the windshild photos.  They made installation a "breeze".

[Cal Price]

Trust me to only just find this thread. Hey John, I knew you were thinking of getting a big screen, so welcome to the club. I think they are brilliant.

A guy I met over here had a theory that your arms hurt more with a big screen as you leaned more weight onto them. Without a screen windage tends to push your body back and take the weight is how the theory goes.

I can't say I have noticed this but as you have just got one, you are well placed to notice it if it happens. For my money the advantages would outweigh this anyway.

[Kerry]

Having recently removed the windshield from my '99 (so I could install it on Ed_in_Az's '00 for the ride home from AZ) I certainly notice the lack of it every time I ride - especially in the cold.  The "wind blast" on my chest is unexpected and unwelcome.  I keep thinking "how can so many people stand to do this?"

I would rather ride without a windshield than not ride at all, but I'd much rather ride WITH a windshield than WITHOUT one!  If for no other reason, it lets me periodically duck my head to eliminate the noise in my helmet 1) so I can listen to the engine and 2) so I can think without distractions for a moment.

[John Bates]

A guy I met over here had a theory that your arms hurt more with a big screen as you leaned more weight onto them. Without a screen windage tends to push your body back and take the weight is how the theory goes.

I haven't ridden enough to experience it but I think I will come to agree with that theory.  

The "balloon" effect, at high speeds without a windshield, does  take weight off my wrists.
I sit upright for that reason.  I actually get the feeling I'm being lifted and pushed off the back of the bike.

The big screen will probably eliminate this and place more weight on my arms. :x

I agree with Kerry, it is nice to be able to get my head out of the wind stream and hear sounds not normally heard.

[Kerry]

The big screen will probably [...] place more weight on my arms. :x

It's true.

You will probably miss the wind blast for a while.  If your shield is at the same angle as mine you will actually be pushed forward a bit.  If your jacket is a loose fit this will be obvious as it bunches up in front at high speeds ... from the reversed air current.  

PS - If you eventually decide that the shield makes riding unenjoyable, I'd be happy to take it off your hands for close to your cost.  But I hope you won't make such a decision anytime soon ... not until you've had time to get used to it.

[acelbb]

I guess I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to the colder temps.  Anything below 40 and I become a popsicle pretty quickly, but I have to admit, that the urge to ride is almost overwhelming whenever the sun is shining.  Yesterday was beautiful for this time of year here in Virginia. with sunny weather and temps around 54 degrees.  I rode for about an hour and just soaked up the rays!  Today should grace us with more of the same, so out on the road is where I'll be...

[dsmirnov83]

Well, I have said it befor and I'll say it again. skirted windshield!
I ride to school (15 miles, but 40min...Welcome to NJ) when the roads are not snow covered.
What's on:
Skirted windshield
One piece winter suit (like a ski suit)
Balaclava
Glove liners

I did cheat a couple of times and toke the car when the temps were in the negatives (F).
Cheers,
-Denis S.

[Von Vester]

it was so cold out that the temp guage on the ninja500 only read when it was idling.

vtlion, I thought you were riding an SV650S these days. Did you get a different bike or are you a multi-bike owner now?

[gsJack]

I ride year around here in NE OH as long as the streets are not slippery with ice or snow.  I've gone out in 15-20F weather uptown to the coffee shop and have ridden out in the country to my daughters house with temps in the mid 30's many times.  About 35 miles each way.  Close to 50F and I'll be out there all day.  No electrics, but I have plenty of warm clothes.  

Was out for 40-50 mile ride each of the last 4 days straight with temps from lower 30's to upper 40's and got out 4 straight days end of Dec and first of Jan.  Had much snow between then and now but got a day in here and there.
If your riding much farther than that in much colder weather, I'll be looking down to see if your still doing it in your 8th decade.   :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

[skrap1r0n]

My personal best was a 35 mile highway trip down HWY 59 from Cleavland Tx, to and from work just off N Beltway 8 in Houston when it was 4 below freezing.

I wore long underwear, work pants, sweats, a pair of plastic rainpants and my regular rainpants. On top I had the same thing only with a leather Jacket on instead of plastic raincoat. Bacalava abd several scarves around my lower face.

I called my wife right before I left and told her to wait 20 min and run a hot bath. I got home, sat in the bath long enough to have to add how water again and got all pruney. When I got out my knees were still cold to the touch.

Having a bike as your only transport can be hell sometimes.