Equipment for Cooler weather riding

[NF11624]

I can't believe I need to address this while its still August, but the weather around here has been unseasonably cool and its gotten me wondering about cold weather gear.

My first concern is helmet/face-shield fog.  I noticed this morning that whenever I'm stopped/going under 30 mph that my shield would completely fog over.  What kind of helmet/face-shield/equipment do you use to counter this?  I figure that this is only going to get worse as the temp drops (it was 55 degrees F this morning here), so I want to take measures against this ASAP.

Additionally what kind of gloves do you wear in the winter?  My cheap gel gloves are falling apart and I figured I would get something that is applicable in spring, summer, and fall (& winter too I guess) that are a bit better in construction.

Thanks,
Tom

[LOUiE]

My first concern is helmet/face-shield fog.

does your helmet have a breath deflector?  I've ridden in Oct w/ no fog.

looks something like this if you've never seen one....




maybe a better question is what kind of helmet do you have?  I've tried a few and settled with one that has tons of vents.

[NF11624]

Mine has one but I don't think it does a very good job.  I currently have an HJC CS-12, which I don't think are produced any more.  It's a lower end helmet with only a few vents and I was considering upgrading but I wanted to hear some ideas about what to get regarding cold weather before I do.  The other helmet threads are decent but don't address this.  I was thinking of getting an HJC AC-12 as they're on special at New Enough, if thats any indication of what I'm looking for.  I guess HJC also has a breath-box or something which does even more deflecting, maybe I should look into that.

[Juan1]

The most inexpensive way to deal with helmet fog would probably be to buy one of the anti-fog compounds that you put on your face shield.  http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet-visor-anti-fog/salclear/

[gsJack]

I've been riding year round here in NE Ohio for 24 years now.  Don't go out if streets are slippery with ice or snow but otherwise I'll ride down to about 20F splashing thru the salt water.

First thing is a nice big fairing/shield for the bike.  I use a small Spitfire in the summer and put on a National Cycle Plexi 2 in the winter which helps shield hands from wind.

Never found a good solution for helmet shield fog since my asthmatic breathing causes much fog.  I just open the shield partially or fully to combat the fogging.  I'm currently using my HJC CL-max flip face shield for most riding summer and winter but have a Shoei RF1000 full face for serious summer riding but use the flip face only for winter.

I have four pairs of gloves I use rangeing from thin vented open back summer gloves to very heavy awkward snowmobile type gloves for coldest weather. 

[Grommett2k]

I use the Fog City Shield and it is great. http://www.modernworld.com/mw2008/index.php

[LOUiE]

i was thinking more about the helmets while I'm sitting here at work and I remembered a friend of mine who bought a bike early this season.  He's a big guy and his face literally squishes AGAINST the visor.  So when he breathes it has no where to go but right onto the visor. 

Moral of the story... make sure your helmet fits

sorry, this may not apply to your situation... but it is a rather funny mental image.    (and a free bump)

[NF11624]

i was thinking more about the helmets while I'm sitting here at work and I remembered a friend of mine who bought a bike early this season.  He's a big guy and his face literally squishes AGAINST the visor.  So when he breathes it has no where to go but right onto the visor. 

Moral of the story... make sure your helmet fits

sorry, this may not apply to your situation... but it is a rather funny mental image.    (and a free bump)

Hah, that isn't quite my situation, but my chin does touch the front area when I'm fully tucked.  I don't think its a major issue (please correct me if I'm wrong) and my helmet otherwise fits.

I'll look into some wind deflectors for my hands as well, I think there are a few out there that might fit (F model so not sure).

Thanks for all the responses.

[DoD#i]

+100 on the FCFS - most effective antifog device I've ever used, and no goop to smear on over and over. Mine must be 15 years old or more and still works fine, but I did just retire the helmet it's in, finally. My new CL-15 claims to have built-in antifog, but if it doesn't work effectively, I'll buy another FCFS (I suppose I could maximize cheapness and try to move it over, but I won't).

As for gloves, you can either get insulated motorcycle gloves, or heavy leather ski gloves, or wear normal-weight motorcycle gloves (for protection) under oversized ski gloves (for warm) - but some wind protection (a fairing or hippo-hands) makes a huge difference. I've never gone the heated grips route, though I have ridden in full-on winter (sucks when it starts snowing as you've already passed the half-way point to work - avoid this, if possible - I was fine right up until the parking lot, which had not been maintained as well as the road...)

You can also find electrically heated gloves.

[pronator]

If you're going to upgrade to a different helmet, I'd recommend the Scorpion EXO-700 if it fits your head well. Great price for all the features and quality. Each helmet also come with the EverClear no-fog visor which has always worked for me. In fact, my problem is that my glasses fog up! 

As for hands or gloves, I know several long time members here also use silk liners in their gloves: lightweight but pretty effective. I'm looking into heated grips myself, but that's because my hands are always cold!

Good luck with your search...stay warm and safe out there! 

[LOUiE]

+1 for heated grips...

I installed some Kimpex ones... extended my season an extra month.

http://goshopping.thestar.com/shop/product--catId_1002100__locale_en__productId_1849925.html

[TonyKZ1]

Another +1  on the heated grips. I use the Oxford Heaterz. They work pretty good as I ride all year long. I also wear a FieldSheer Highland II suit that keeps me warm, I've still got a FirstGear Thermo-suit that also works good at keeping you warm.
Tony

[birdman]

I got a Shark helmet that came with a no-fog visor.  I did not really think about it until I changed to a tinted replacement that was not fog free.
The anti-fog visor really does work well, look for this feature on any replacement visor or helmet you look to buy.

Remember too about exposed skin, IE neck area and ankles.  I noticed those on a ride up at high elevations where it was 40 F.

[LOUiE]

Additionally what kind of gloves do you wear in the winter?  My cheap gel gloves are falling apart and I figured I would get something that is applicable in spring, summer, and fall (& winter too I guess) that are a bit better in construction.

I dont think these types of gloves would exist in my climate, but maybe in yours.  The temp change is pretty drastic from season to season.  I'd recommend 2 pairs of gloves if this is the same case for you.  A winter/spring set and a summer/fall set.

My summer ones are just a pair of leather Icon Merc's and right now my winter ones are a pair of Burton snowboard gloves   I'm looking into some new winter ones with some more protection.

[tripleb]

just move to FL and you'll never have that problem.  although, it will get hella hot and muggy = not fun to ride...

Look at the high end helmets that come with fog-resistant shields.  They're worth the extra cost if you ask me.  My helmet cost 1/2 the price of my bike and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Grommett2k]

I just started using the Foggy shield in my other helmet. I like it as much as I like my Fog City shileld, plus it is helping on cold mornings to keep my face warm. http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=44557

[5thAve]

+1 on heated grips. That was the first real mod I made on my bike.  Also, I've always had 'summer' gloves and 'cold weather' gloves.  Owning 2 pair is also handy when one pair gets soaked in the rain.  Full rain suit doubles as windbreaker and adds warmth on cold days.   Also (scuba divers know this)   saliva is the  a   CHEAP and EFFECTIVE  anti-fog solution.  Why pay $$ for something you own already?

[ohgood]

RainX on the outside of the shield and RainX-ANTIFOG on the inside of the shield. Test a small area to be sure it won't damage your shield's UV coating/tint.

I've been using it for a while now, and you can literally HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA right on the shield and it will not fog. Going HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA on the -outside- will of course get some fog, it was only a test.

Get a helmet with a vent for the face shield built in and leave it open also. Helps keep your eyes from watering and your sinuses clearer, imho.

[Roadstergal]

I've never found heated grips effective when it gets really cold, only for driving off a gentle chill.  They char the front of your hands and leave the back freezing.

I've found handguards to be far more effective than heated grips - they keep the wind from stripping the warmth from your hands.  DL650 handguards will fit a GS500 with only minor trimming.

I can turn my warm-weather gloves into cool (not cold)-weather gloves by slipping nitrile glove on underneath.  For truly cold weather (freezing and below), I have a set of Cortech Cold Front Carbons - awesome gloves, but I don't think they make them anymore.

When in doubt, layer...

[Domindart]

Im looking into buying a helmet too, but Im not sure if its worth going extra 150 bucks and getting a shoei over the HJC.  They said the rear vents will prevent the fogging up.  They are lighter, better fitting, more comfortable.  Is this true?  mainly about the fogging..