Cold weather riding

[lucifer_mr2]

Just wondering what some of you guys will ride in. As Canberra gets a bit cool in the winter, and I ride to work on my bike, I still ride when it gets cold. So post up the temp's, including windchill.

Today's morning ride was -1.8C (28.8F) with a windchill bringing it down to -13.2 (8.3F).

[4strings]

8 deg. Yeesh,  I'm still working on getting proper gear so my limit is about freezing.  It sucks trying to find anything with sleeves for 6'3' @ 170lbs.  I'm also riding an E model with no windscreen or anything.  I assume a windscreen and/or fairing would help.  I'll probably get heated grips when it gets cold again and some hand guards.

[lucifer_mr2]

Mine is a GS500 (the new non faired version), no heated grips and no hand guards. That said I wear a 2 piece Ixon suit, thick DriRider gloves and Gortex Alpine Star boots. After you hit about 100km/h (about 62mph) you don't feel the cold any more, it starts to feel like it's burning.

Also the 8F is with windchill at speed, not the actual temp.

[xanthras]

I have a 94 E with a MRA windscreen. I have ridden in ~28 degrees at 70+ mph to work. My hands take a beating. I was considering some of those had sheilds or if anyone has some glove recomendations.  Wirth my normal gloves I can usually do 45 degrees with no problems. At 8 degrees I would be in my cage. Holy crap!

[applecrew]

I've got an 07 model F - the fairings do help some, but cold is cold!  In SE Pennsylvania, it can get pretty cold in the winter, but as long as the roads are clear and she is willing to start, I'm willing to ride!  I ride 35 miles each way to work, the coldest morning this past winter was 9 degrees F (about -20 F wind chill). I'm a firm believer in layering. Thermal long-johns, jeans and Goretex coverall (mostly to break the wind) on bottom, turtle-neck shirt, regular shirt, fleece, waterproof/windproof inner jacket, my regular outer jacket on top. I've got a pair of KLIM waterproof snowmobile gloves (300 g thinsulate) for my hands.

I will usually finish layering outside (you won't believe how quickly you can overheat getting all those layers on inside!).

I won't kid anyone and say that I'm 100% comfortable, but it is tolerable for me - your mileage may vary. I will occasionally stop once for a few minutes on really cold mornings to warm my hands on the motor. By far, the hands are the worst - I've not really had an issue with cold feet. I may try something like hippo-hands next winter. Other things on my list: maybe a balaclava or neck-gaiter, a BMG winter jacket/pants (their stuff looks absolutely awesome, but is pricey), and a BMW F800 with heated grips.


Best wishes & Keep warm!

[noworries]

Yup, we seemed to have had the rainy days for months here in Aus and now it's into the cold mornings!!! In Sydney it was at about 8 degrees C this morning and the jacket has had it's lining zipped in. Guess that's not really a winter temperature to our American chums??? Lowest I've ever experienced was minus 15 degrees C in Moscow once. Wasn't riding on a bike, I can tell you!!!!!

[lucifer_mr2]

*snip*Thermal long-johns, jeans and Goretex coverall (mostly to break the wind) on bottom, turtle-neck shirt, regular shirt, fleece, waterproof/windproof inner jacket, my regular outer jacket on top. I've got a pair of KLIM waterproof snowmobile gloves (300 g thinsulate) for my hands.

I will usually finish layering outside (you won't believe how quickly you can overheat getting all those layers on inside!).
*/snip*

Far out, you must look like the Michelin man. My idea of layering is boxers, t-shirt, socks, boots and my 2-piece suit. Only get cold on my neck, chin anda little around my wrists.

[mike__R]

Coldest I've ridden in is the 30's F (not sure exact temp) - we get cold here in MN in the winter so you have to have a car and my commute is so short that it's not worth it to me to layer up for a 3 mile drive, so if it's too cold i'll just cage it.

[Paulcet]

Coldest for me was 22°F (-5°C). For gloves I use Tourmaster Winter Elites, but they are only good for about 30 minutes at freezing temps. Fine for my 10 minute commute at 70mph. I'm considering handguards for next winter.    I use textile overpants with waterproof liner and leather jacket with quilted liner. Balaclava for the head/neck if it's over 40°F and a neoprene neck gaiter/facemask if it is colder.

[TonyKZ1]

My coldest ride was probably around 12*F, I use Oxford muffs (handlebar gauntlets) and their heated grips. The muffs help keep your hands dry and out of the cold air, you can even have your heated grips on a lower setting with these. I also have an old widder electric vest, waterproof/insulated boots, and a balaclava. These with insulated one piece or two suit works pretty good.
Tony

[mister]

Coldest last year was around -3C (approx 26.6F). Depending on the formula used, this has a windchill at 100kph of -15 (5F).

My bike is a naked K9 - completely stock.

On my hands: Pair of Chilhowee Lined Deerskin Leather Gauntlet gloves (Much better than my DriRider in comfort and not feeling the cold) - pic is clickable to description page


Legs: My normal workwear King Gee cargo pants.

Feet: Steelcapped boots

Jacket: DriRider with rain liner (to stop the wind cutting through) & Winter Liner - I was also wearing a pullover in readiness for when I got off the bike.

Head: Balaclava - or - bandanna folded in a triangle, tied "stage coach robber" style. This just keeps that little bit of cool wind off the face. I did try a neckwarmer and they do really keep warmth in.

Michael

[uninhibited]

It was 5 degrees C coming home yesterday morning.  Its a 17km commute at highway speeds on a naked K9.  Wearing a lined 2 peice, silk balaclava, summer gloves and underneath this my work gear which is comprised of shirt and trousers.  I have managed with the summer gloves for the last few years because temps have been moderate and the season short but judging by the low temps already this year I am seriously considering some lined ones.

[TCARZ]

Because I'm, happily, retired, I'm a firm believer in sanity.
37° on my new GS500F's 15 mile maiden voyage home, was a necessary evil. From now on 50s or it's my Miata. 

[Shaddow]

Thermal underwear, winter gloves with (on cold mornings ie those around 0C) gortex gloves underneath, my leather jacket I wear all year round and the same with my riding pants which are the motodry duo pants, just with the liner added. Sometimes I wear a jumper under the jacket and I wear when its really cold a Fogg off mask, one to keep my neck and face warmer and two to stop my helmet from fogging.
Thinking this as I have for the last two of getting bark busters to get the wind off my hands. I have a F model.