Keeping your hands warm in Winter

[galahs]

So what methods do you use to keep your hands warm when it starts to get cold on your GS.

Last year I rode to Melbourne from South Western Sydney (800km in a single day) in the middle of winter (got down to -4 at Yass) and I have to say I have never been so cold in my life. but it was my hands that were worst affected.

I wore two pairs of cotton gloves, then a latex glove, then my leather riding gloves. Riding through fog, my leather gloves got moist, which then in turn started to freeze.

I rose alot of the way sitting on my left hand but my poor right hand had to stay out in the wind chill.




This year I rode 900km in one day, north from South Western Sydney to Queensland in August (middle of our winter down under). Wasn't as cold as my Melbourne trip but due to some accidents and road works the return trip took 15 hours so I was riding through the night and the temperatures were starting to get pretty unbearable on my hands (two pairs of cotton gloves + leather riding gloves)



So what techniques, tricks or ideas would you people have on keeping your hands warm on the GS?

[Flywheel]

Why all the suffering? Save your pennies and buy a set of Oxford Hotgrips.

[bubba zanetti]

Flywheel's on the money there. IMO, heated grips are the only way to keep your hands warm, I'll have a set on before next winter. 

I think the Oxford grips are around $130.

[galahs]

How do you install them?

Do you wire them into your battery?

[scratch]

I found a lot of threads searching the word "handguards".

This is just one: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=32145.0

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=31411.msg346030#msg346030

[bubba zanetti]

AFAIK they just install like standard grips.

I think that wiring them in so that they only have power when the ignition is on would be a good idea, that way you won't leave them on & flatten your battery.

[domas]

I made DIY heated grips. Helps a bit.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I put my hands on the headers

[galahs]

I put my hands on the headers

That sounds tough to do!

even tougher when you have fairings

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I put my hands on the headers

That sounds tough to do!

even tougher when you have fairings

Oh, my bad. Yeah, I rest em on the headers while riding, or sitting at lights. I rode this last winter down to about 28 degrees, with nothing but a mesh jacket (I wore both liners and a fleece underneath), blue jeans, steel toed work boots, and summer gloves (perf leather... that was the worst part by far... but keeping the torso warm helps a lot with keeping the extremities warm)

[hmmmnz]

i have both heated grips and hand guards on my gs, great for the scottish winter
-4'C is that all?? bloody ozzy, you need to harden up lol,
i connect the grips via the park light connection in the head light, no relays, very easy 20 min job

[mp183]

V-Strom 650 handguards should work on the GS.
With the handguards on my V-Strom I can go into the low 30's for extended periods.
Mid 20's are ok for an hour or so.
Olympic Ultima gloves with a silk liner glove make all the difference.
The silk liner gloves are even good in regular leather gloves that don't have
a liner.  Keep the hands from getting sweaty.
I have a pair of removable heated grips but without the handguards I can't see them
working at all. 
With the heated grips you always have cold thumbs anyway.

[oramac]

I use the NGFL method.  I wear leather gloves, and when my hands start to get a little chilled, I alternate putting my hands on the heads (not the headers 'cause I can't reach 'em).  That has always worked for me, and I've ridden in temps just below freezing.

[SeriousGeorge]

I was ready to install heated grips, but after installing hand guards I'm not sure I need them. Blocking the wind makes a HUGE difference in how cold your hands get. If you can stand the look of them, handlebar muffs will work better than anything. Something like http://www.hippohands.com/. I went with more of an MX style handguard and it's been working great.

[tmckay]

Hi,

  Saw this thread, noticed that "Hippo Hands" haven't been mentioned on this site for a few years.   Maybe everyone knows about them and has moved on...

Not as pretty as handguards, but man do they work well when it's REALLY cold.  I have a set I got years ago.  No problem running the controls inside the sleeve.  Just have to make sure you find a set that will fit over the GS controls (one size fits all bikes doesn't always work).

http://www.hippohands.com/

T

[keys2heaven]

Just thought I would add my 2 pennies. Went to the Hippo Hands link and they have a model for th '07 GS500F. I have an '04 and I think '04 to current are just about the same, so I am going to give it a shot. Thanks for the suggestion!

Does this site have a section for reader reviews of gear/quipment? It would be nice to have a spot to do this.

[VSG]

I went with Olympia Ultima 1 Gloves  (quick review here: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/cold_weather_glove_comparison/index.html )

They're great.  Wind and water proof, have always kept my hands very warm.  Dexterity is obviously more limited than summer gloves, but it's not terrible.

[CndnMax]

one thing you should do also is keep your torso, head, and legs really warm. when your body starts getting cold it starts to restrict blood flow to your feet- hands- ears which is why your hands can freeze even when you are wearing winter gloves.

[Kerry]

Yep!  That's why ... when it gets REALLY cold ... I put my thin, lightweight windproof/waterproof Frogg Toggs over everything else I'm wearing.  Keeping that wind off works wonders.

[mp183]

I went with Olympia Ultima 1 Gloves  (quick review here: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/cold_weather_glove_comparison/index.html )

They're great.  Wind and water proof, have always kept my hands very warm.  Dexterity is obviously more limited than summer gloves, but it's not terrible.

I had two pairs and they are not waterproof but they are great in the winter.
Very warm for the bulk.
Put in a pair of silk liners and they make a great combo.

I have a pair of Oxford remoavable heated grips on my V-Strom and they are not bad.
Without the handguards they would be a waste of money.
With the gloves and the handguards I'm good to below freezing.

I only put on the heated grips when it's below freezing.
With the heated grips it's not bad unless you go below 20 degrees.
The right thumb always stays cold no matter what.