It's 37 degrees, how are you guys keeping warm?

[Atesz792]

My bike is my MPG commuter because my truck gets 15. So I'm riding as much as I can because I don't have the $$ to shell out on a diesel Jetta. I live in central VA so our snow season is pretty limited, although we're back in a "cold" cycle and winter is supposed to be a little rougher compared to previous years.

I've heard bad things about freezing shields when it gets super cold outside and I'm curious as to how I'm going to combat that.

This one is what I don't understand. Riding a bike in the cold for fuel efficiency reasons. I mean, okay, do it as long as you enjoy it (which is why I maintain a bike in the first place), but I honestly (and please don't get me wrong) cannot fathom why people on that side of the pond drive cars with fuel efficiencies like 15 MPG. My parents' Renault Scenic 1,5 dCi puts 200 Newtonmetres on the road (I'm not sure how much ft-pound or pd-ft or whatever unit you use for torque that is) and believe it or not, it gets the exact same fuel efficiency as my GS5 (peek at my signature). And it's not even a new car now. Though I admit it's no sports car either.
I really mean no offense here, would someone please enlighten me?

[enrgizerbunny]

This one is what I don't understand. Riding a bike in the cold for fuel efficiency reasons. I mean, okay, do it as long as you enjoy it (which is why I maintain a bike in the first place), but I honestly (and please don't get me wrong) cannot fathom why people on that side of the pond drive cars with fuel efficiencies like 15 MPG. My parents' Renault Scenic 1,5 dCi puts 200 Newtonmetres on the road (I'm not sure how much ft-pound or pd-ft or whatever unit you use for torque that is) and believe it or not, it gets the exact same fuel efficiency as my GS5 (peek at my signature). And it's not even a new car now. Though I admit it's no sports car either.
I really mean no offense here, would someone please enlighten me?

My truck could get closer to 20 mpg, but I'm too cheap/lazy to fix the EGR issue that is going on with it. It's an F-150 with a 300 I-6 with 411,xxx miles. I haven't been driving enough to justify another vehicle, until I changed schools and took on an 80 mile commute. I came across my GS500 on craigs list for $900. At that price it is worth it for me to buy/ride the bike. If I could have found an 80's diesel VW jetta for $1500 I would have bought it in a heartbeat instead of a bike. I love motorcycles though so it's a win-win for me.

tl;dr: There's just something women like about a pick-up man.

Boots:
Anyone have recommendations for a pair of boots that would be relatively comfortable off the bike (not as stiff as MX boots, but not necessarily good for all day walking) that have good longevity? I really don't want to be replacing boots 6 months later because they didn't hold up. Something other the ankle, but not over the calf.

[twocool]

TCX makes several boots that are almost shoe or sneaker like, but offer good protection and are warm and waterproof..

Cookie

Boots:
Anyone have recommendations for a pair of boots that would be relatively comfortable off the bike (not as stiff as MX boots, but not necessarily good for all day walking) that have good longevity? I really don't want to be replacing boots 6 months later because they didn't hold up. Something other the ankle, but not over the calf.
[/quote]

[PantheraLeo]

Hey Energizer, Richmond native here!

Roaring via Tapatalk.

[Nighthawk016]

im in northern IN, I rode my bike to work today, 15 miles in 45 degree weather, textile gloves, full helmet, balcava, textile jacket with liner, regular pants, long socks, and shoes. My hands got a bit cold but other than that it was a totally fine ride!

[Atesz792]

My truck could get closer to 20 mpg, but I'm too cheap/lazy to fix the EGR issue that is going on with it. It's an F-150 with a 300 I-6 with 411,xxx miles. I haven't been driving enough to justify another vehicle, until I changed schools and took on an 80 mile commute. I came across my GS500 on craigs list for $900. At that price it is worth it for me to buy/ride the bike. If I could have found an 80's diesel VW jetta for $1500 I would have bought it in a heartbeat instead of a bike. I love motorcycles though so it's a win-win for me.

tl;dr: There's just something women like about a pick-up man.

Boots:
Anyone have recommendations for a pair of boots that would be relatively comfortable off the bike (not as stiff as MX boots, but not necessarily good for all day walking) that have good longevity? I really don't want to be replacing boots 6 months later because they didn't hold up. Something other the ankle, but not over the calf.

Thanks for explaining.
Boots:
I have a pair of Outsports riding boots, and have for about a year now. Like 'em in hot & cold weather alike. Though they don't look as good as new now, I don't know when I will have to replace them. So they would be what you're looking for, but I'm not sure they're available in the US. Paid about a $100 worth of Forints for them (though they were on sale at the time).

Edit reason: removed unnecessary quote.

[mimikeni]

I ride year-round as long as the roads are not covered with ice and snow.  I wear a full face helmet, balaclava, lined textile jacket, fleece sweatshirt underneath, freeze-out pants under jeans and/or textile pants, boots and HEATED gloves.  My hands were the only part of me that got cold until the heated gloves arrived. They are heavenly.

[Atesz792]

I ride year-round as long as the roads are not covered with ice and snow.  I wear a full face helmet, balaclava, lined textile jacket, fleece sweatshirt underneath, freeze-out pants under jeans and/or textile pants, boots and HEATED gloves.  My hands were the only part of me that got cold until the heated gloves arrived. They are heavenly.

Do you happen to have a link?

[enrgizerbunny]

Hey Energizer, Richmond native here!

Roaring via Tapatalk.

Whoop whoop! I live in Powhatan.

[PantheraLeo]

Hey Energizer, Richmond native here!

Roaring via Tapatalk.

Whoop whoop! I live in Powhatan.

Well put yourself on the map.  On the map it looks like I am all alone here in Richmond.  What kind of GS are you riding?

Roaring via Tapatalk.

[SAFE-T]

I have a set of Oxford muffs that work good ~ that water and windproof layer on top of the gloves makes a difference. With a set of soft heated grips I imagine it would be great.  It does take some getting used to not being able to see your hands on the controls but it beats trying to wear extra-insulated gloves that never seem to be waterproof or that your hands sweat in.

This year I also bought an Aerostich Warm Bib, so hopefully I will be even more comfortable the next time I get caught out in cold temps on a trip.

[DevilDesire]

It's even colder where I live and I'm riding with some warm motorcycle pants(don't know brand), alpine stars summer jacket, big ass gloves, old army boots and a Shoei XR-1000 I'm a bit of a no-brainer when it comes to cold riding but I've only got problems with my knees, at least so far, that's why I wear warmer pants. No problems with the rest of the gear tho... I only feel the cold when I get out of my house, once I make it to the bike it's a whole different story...

[ShowBizWolf]

Old thread I know but there are some new people around who might wanna contribute to a good cold-weather thread 

I took the bike to work this morning and beat my low-temperature record from last year... it was 22 F but my ride to work is so short that it was totally worth gearing up for. It's just not worth it to warm up the van to drive 6 minutes 

[Suzuki Stevo]

Old thread I know but there are some new people around who might wanna contribute to a good cold-weather thread 

I took the bike to work this morning and beat my low-temperature record from last year... it was 22 F but my ride to work is so short that it was totally worth gearing up for. It's just not worth it to warm up the van to drive 6 minutes 

Do you spend more time putting on and removing gear than you do riding?

[Atesz792]

6 minutes? I ride my bicycle everywhere within the city. Considering the time spent gearing up or traffic in a car, it's the quickest & cheapest means of transport!

[fakejimmymorgan]

It was 40 here but celsius.

[Janx101]

Lol! Snap Jimmy! .. was just gonna say same

[ShowBizWolf]

Hmm... I'm not sure Stevo! I will hafta see how long it takes me to gear up next time 

[Suzuki Stevo]

I just added the wiring harness for my Tourmaster heated vest & pant liner to my new bike, then went out in 39° weather for over an hour....it was way too warm, even on low!

[Janx101]

You'll need to open the jacket zips a bit to properly thermostat your temps there Stevo! ...

Even in the Arctic the scientists and such (with their super snug cold weather gear) open up some venting allowance on the closures to regulate the temp!