Riding in cold weather.......

[GSrookie500]

So I was riding in the freeway to get home. It took me an hour, and by the time I got home my hands were frozen and my body was stiff from the cold. Also with no fairings, the wind kicks my @$$.

Before my legs would get extremely cold, so I bought some MC pants and some over-alls, this works real well. I also use a sweater under my leather jacket, but through the longer rides, I'm still freezing though even with all this clothing.

What do you guys/gals wear? Any suggestions on clothing?

[Bluesmudge]

An insulated waterproof/windproof armored textile jacket and 100gram thinsulate waterproof/windproof armored leather gloves. Looking into some pants. Keeps me really warm although on my more recent rides with the colder weather the jacket hasn't been enough with just a tshirt underneath, I might need to add a sweater.

I use fieldsheer gear because its cheap and for the price really high quality. Already saved me in one crash. They make a lot of really warm/waterproof stuff. I have their Hydrotour jacket (replaced with aquatour) and Eskimo gloves.

[loki7714]

Good post... Bump

[Suzuki Stevo]

Once the temps dip into the 30's I switch to my Honda that has 4 doors and a heater. Motorcycling is supposed to be fun, and the cold just sucks all the fun out of it!

But if you must...Body armor (technical under base), long sleeved Tees (multiple), Turtle Fur for the head, quality gauntlet gloves, silk glove liners, long johns, thermal riding pants and jacket, layers, layers, layers!

When I see somebody riding a M/C during this time of the year, the first thing that pops into my mind is that some poor bastard is going through a divorce 

[GeeP]

Same leathers I wear in the summer.  Except...

Gerbing's heated jacket and gloves up top, women's snow pants (so they fit tight) and wool ski socks below.

I ride year-round in anything but ice.

[applecrew]

 

I must also be nuts... unless there's ice on the roads... I plan on riding most of the winter.  I've got a pair of FirstGear Explorer gloves... waterproof w/ light thinsulate lining... they're good down to 30 degrees.  Any lower than that, I depend on a stoplight halfway through my 35 mile commute to roast my fingers on the cylinders.   

I've got a Goretex parka w/ windstopper for the top, underneath that a turtleneck, sometimes a light sweatshirt, and sweater.
For my legs, it's long-johns, pants, and a goretex coverall if it's below 35.

The coldest morning I've rode so far has been about 21 degrees.  I think I'll add heated grips over the summer.

I'm not uncomfortable. and tolerate the cold well... so I'll continue to ride.  The worst aspect of the ride is when it gets dark if it's raining.  I rode through a downpour last week just after sunset, and I was not feeling too cozy on the local roads... people are most definitely NOT expecting a motorcyclist in the dark at this time of the year.  If the weather looks wet for the afternoon, I'll go in an hour earlier so I can get off the road before it gets too dark.

At least I can look forward to later sunsets... although the shortest day of the year is in a day or two, we've already had our earliest sunset for the year (look it up... it was on or around Dec 13).  Dark mornings are not a problem due to VERY light traffic volume (the latest sunrise doesn't come till Jan 4).  After that, the lengthening day will be more noticeable and I won't feel so nervous.

Hang in there!

[respite]

Here in socal is been in the high 40's and low 50's at night. Ive got a hoodie, scarf, leather jacket and gloves, jeans, and textile/mesh riding pants. I stay nice and toasty.

[Bluehaze]

It would be a good idea for you to buy heated gear. For 150 you can get heated vest and heated grips. That's All you need. You won't need any layers with heated vest. I just have t shirt and my leather jacket.

[galahs]

What I wear if I have a long cold ride ahead...


Winter Gloves (Waterproof)
Thermal Glove liners

Water proof boots
Long socks

Dragon Jeans
Thermal leggings or skins

Thermal undershirt or skins
tshirt
Fleecy turtle neck jumper
thin waterproof wind jacket
motorbike jacket + winter liner

Balaklava
Helmet



Because my GS has a fairing my legs dont get too cold otherwise some sort of wind / waterproof pants would be needed.


The only thing that I still suffer from is frozen hands.

[ohgood]

i wear a pink tutu under my gear when it's really cold. the wife doesn't mind, and it keeps me warrrrrrrm !

[AyeKay]

In vegas we don't have much of a winter but this snow and 30's has been unusual and has me freezin my ass off haha, my bike is my only source of transpo.

[Malatesta]

I've noticed below 30 degrees, nothing helps to keep my hands warm after 20 mins.

I have heavy duty winter gloves, "Hot Grips" and even dl650 Hand Guards and my fingers tips still ache and get very chilly.  The other night was 27 degrees and hitting 40-50mph I think brings the windchill factor down to 7-9 degrees.

Plus, starting the bike below 30 degrees starts to turn into a crap shoot after awhile.

Still, for my ride to work, which is about 5 miles, I'll ride in the cold. 

[Paulcet]

Here is a windchill calculator in excel: Windchill.xls

And here is a chart: