My car is currently uninsured, and since the (fairly attractive) girl I've been carpooling with is now back in school, and there was no ice *on* the roads today (though lots of snow off the roads) I rode this morning. 40 miles.
I was a little chilly when I got here... another 10 miles I think I would have needed to stop to thaw my toes, actually. I was a little surprised, as I hadn't ever been quite that cold in this gear (leather jacket, windproof jacket over that, windproof pants over jeans over thermals, thick leather steel-toe shoes, winter snowmobile gloves).
Just checked the temperature.... it's been an hour and a half since I got here, and the sun has come out since then.
It is now up to 18 degrees (F) at my destination, and up to 8 degrees where I started.
hmm.....
youch
Brrrrrrr!
It's 40 here and that's too dang cold. Thank goodness it'll be back up in the upper 60's this weekend.
Been there man...
Rode from Columbus to Atlanta last Feb for a party on the GS, 98 miles. Started off at sun down, about 50 degrees. By the time I got to ATL it was thirty something. Drank coffee and stood in front of the heater for an hour. Left to repeat the trip about 10 PM. It was in the teens by the time I got home and I was chilled to the core. Went straight to bed and shivered on an electric blanket for a good long time.
The only thing that made the ride tolerable (possible) was the throttle lock that let me alternate putting my hands on the cylinders to keep them warm.
With the right gear and a faired bike it wouldn't have been too bad. But I had neither at the time. If I had to ride distances in the winter I would invest in a snowmobile suit. But luckily my commute is 3 miles, which anything can be tolerated.
I'm going to stop complaining about my 45 degree rides...18degrees!!!! I'm chilled thinking about riding in that!!!!
Lane
Brrrrrr 18f :o
I rode in today thinking it wasn't that bad - 30/33 f. I won't ride colder than that. I fear (vanilla) ice on my nice new(ish) bike.
JamesG that's a great one about hands across your cylinders!
For the conditions described by the OP, I would recquire an electric vest, heavy wool socks, insulated gloves and neck & chin protection.
One time I was out riding in the freezing cold feeling very comfortable and very thankful for my electric vest, knowing I would be enduring a lot of pain without its heat coarsing around my body. I had to stop for gas and reached to unhitch the cord from the vest and discovered I'd forgotton to plug it in to begin with. Then, I began to shiver. Mind over matter, the placebo effect, or somethin'.
Thats freaking cold!!! I have done 29 degrees, but not 18! I find once I layer up I can barely move! :P But here it seems like my neighborhood is always icey lately. Or its beautiful out and I'm sick. Its just not right!!!
I want spring!!!!!
The best part is that I still get to ride home tonight....
it's up to 24 degrees here, and 18 where I'm headed, but it's supposed to drop again by the time I leave.
I have heated grips at home, but I haven't figured out where to mount the switch yet, so I haven't put them on. :-(
But for those of you aghast that I survived the trip, remember that only the last 15 miles of it, salt lake county, (out of 40) were 18 degrees... before that I was on the other side of the the "point of the mountain", in utah county, where when I got to work and checked online it was reported as being 8.
I wondered why I was suddenly feeling cold air through my thick shoes... ;-) that'll do it.
All in all, I need to figure out how to mount those grip heaters.
I have yet to say it's too cold but then again it's only hit like 15f. I have a t-shirt, lightweight vest, Joe rocket balistic jacket and a joerocket liner, heavy gloves(don't know the brand), jeans, long socks, tennis shoes, and this neck/shin guard that squezes my head in my helmet but keeps the wind off my chin. Only things that get cold are the knees, fingers, toes. Sometimes I'll ride with the viser up. Not to bad but I drive when It rains.
PLEASE HELP ME GET THROUGH THE WINTER CHILL!!
I finally completed my cold weather/rain gear, or so I thought. My only issue is my hands. The weather around DFW the last two weeks have been insane. Last week the weather hovered around 32 degrees F. No problem, my gloves held up ok. Yesterday morning, it was closer to 22 degrees F. I figured it couldn't get any worse. Boy was I wrong. This morning it was 18 degrees! My hands were cold and numb at the end of my 25 minute commute to work. This is what I currently use:
1) liner --> thin leather gloves with 40g 3M Thinsulate lining
2) shell --> Black Diamond Verglas Plus gloves (rated to 20 degrees F) - water/wind resistant gloves with removable 200g fleece liner
Apparently, this setup is not enough. For those of you who are fighting similar cold weather let me know what you are using to keep your hands toasty.
Also, any comments on these options would be helpful:
1) specialized glove liner (transfer/retain heat)
2) mittens
3) heated gloves
4) heated grips
5) grip heaters
6) handlebar mitts
7) hand shield
Kids, the first symptoms of hypothermia are flawed judgement and slowed reaction times (which occur before unstoppable shivering), and sneaks up on you before you're aware of it. Niether of these are desirable conditions while mounted on a motorcycle in any condition. Is that ride really worth it?
Amen to what the last post said... Be very careful when riding in cold weather. Has I realized how cold it was going to be this morning, I would have dressed differently, somewhat. (not riding wasn't an option)
That said, growing up in Utah, doing winter campouts all the time, I've learned to recognize signs in myself of onset of hypothermia. it's not always easy, though. be careful.
that said as well, Flash:
Your first problem is that you are concentrating on keeping your hands warm through use of hand warming impliments. the first rule to keeping your hands warm is to keep your head and chest warm. Think about it... you have strong insulated gloves on... where does all the heat escape to? Your head and chest. your body draws it inwards.
So, to keep warm, wear wind-proof gear, particularly (in my experience) your pants and chin areas. your ankles and feet are also particularly susceptible to wind sucking away heat. Usually when you are biking in the winter, you're smart enough to at least wear a wind-proof jacket, but even just that extra wind around your neck may be drawing out far more heat than you realize. This will also cause your feet to get cold.
You can use heated grips, etc, but the best idea is to find ways to warm the rest of you. Concentrate on any place that cold air is flowing through, that's where you're losing the most.
Fix those problems, and your hands won't be as bad.
Then after your hands are bearable, install grip warmers to make them comfortable. ;-)
just my $.02
Oh, and so you know, this is what I wear:
Sketchers steel-toe boot/shoes
thick socks
thermal underwear (pants only, usually)
work slacks (hey, I bike to work)
FroggToggs wind and rain-proof pants (over the top, zip-up cuffs)
shirt
sweatshirt (when it's really cold only)
leather jacket (with liner when it's really cold)
FroggToggs wind and rain-proof pull-over jacket with hood pulled up
scarf over my mouth and resting on my back, under jacket hood
full-face helmet, visor down as much as possible (oviously)
$25 discount ATV winter gloves
That usually keeps me warm. It just occurred to me that probably the main reason I was so cold this morning (colder than usual in low temperatures) is that I forgot my liner for my leather jacket. Layers is the first thing to keep in mind when dealing with cold weather.
Also, I know most of you guys won't like this idea (I don't use it myself) but a pair of nylon stockings under your pants (no, doesn't have to be full length) will do wonders for the temperature of your legs.
Alright, that was an essay. cheers. (chills?)
Some would say we suffer from flawed judgment to be riding motorcycles to begin with. :lol:
This morning was 17f. I drove the car but forgot to turn on the heater till it was 2 miles to school. Everyone says I'm crazy when ever I ride to school. It's really funny to see their expressions. :mrgreen:
Flash, you mentioned a "hand shield" as a possible option to help keep your hands warm. Do you have ANY kind of a shield on the bike?
Richard and I both have the National Cycle Plexistar II shield, which does a fair job of shielding the hands. I did a couple of long (300 - 400 mile) day rides during the winter before I got the shield, and I can testify that it makes a BIG difference on the hands. Not just in the cold, either - also in the wet.
Just some extra info to go along with the other good stuff said by others.
Today was 22 degrees and I rode 12 miles... I need neoprene socks, and the bandit mask which I have, and need to find some snow mobile gloves. But hey beats driving to work, and parking which costs $5. Joe Rocket jacket wihtout liner and pants worked fine.
Cool.
Srinath.
Richard...ditch the steel toed boots/shoes for riding.....the steel conducts the cold right onto your toes....
Yow that's a cold ride....I've ridden in the twenties before (when I've had no choice...) . If it's cold enough for ice on the road I wont ride....
I realize steel-toe shoes probably don't help much for insulation, but they do for protection... my dad got his foot destroyed in a motorcycle accident 13 years ago because he wasn't wearing good shoes. I decided I'd rather err on the side of caution... and it actually is still warmer than any other shoes I've tried.
Thanks for the suggestion, though. That one I think is just personal decision.
Kerry:
where can I get some of those hand shields and how much?
Sorry alerbaugh, I didn't mean to imply that I had separate hand shields. I have a large-ish windshield which is wide enough that it covers the hands. You can see pictures of it on my website (http://www.bbburma.net/Plexistar2.htm).
Here's a "catalog shot":
(http://www.mawonline.com/photos/natcyc_plexistar2.gif)
I got mine from Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse (http://www.mawonline.com/national.htm), but there are probably several other sources, too.
EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net
Well I doubt the stel toes would do much to save the rest of a foot ...but that's just my opinion....Heavy shoes/boots are much more likely to come off your feet in a violent spill ( centrifugal forces and all...).
Anyone here actually use motorcycle specific boots ??
Stay warm out there man.
Kerry,
I have a National F-15 Touring Windshield. It does not cover the hands like yours, but it does flair out slightly at the sides to cut some of the wind away from my hands.
Here is a pick:
http://shop.nationalcycle.com/perl/cycle/large_photo?mv_session_id=3NGaXS8r&mv_arg=N2522&search_model=su%2d022
I only mentioned hand shields because I knew they were an option. I searched the web and it seems alot of people like the heated grips / grip heaters option. Do these come with quick connect battery terminal connections (i.e. Battery Tender) or do you have to have a cigarette lighter? If its the latter I guess I will have to check your homepage on how to install one.
By the way, does anyone offer gloves or liners that you can microwave in the oven to stay toasty for hours? Just a thought.
Most heat loss is from the head.
I am so happy I bought my neoprene(sp?)ski mask. It was $13 at a local MC shop. :thumb:
There are ANSI rated plastic/composite/whatever non-steel toe boxes for boots that will protect your feet just as well in a crash. Although the steel toed boots do conduct heat, as long as you are wearing a layer or 2 of socks, it won't be so bad. I'll swear by my steel toed boots. I might lose a little feel in the shifter, but I kept all my toes because of them! I wish boot manufacturers would give me steel toe protection in a motorcycle boot my size :( damn those little europeans! hehe
I recently got a pair of glove liners and a baclava made of the same thin material from EMS (saw it and bought it, I know it is overpriced!) Only wore the glove liners so far, but it did make a difference! What else... Along with a scarf or neck tube, put a turtleneck on, so you won't have air leakage between layers to your skin. For leg protection, my JR Ballistic pants are waterproof (and therefore windproof) and work pretty well. Just need to find some way to keep air from sneaking up your ankle!
Right now it's so cold, my friend with his faired sportbike and a heated vest won't dare go out. Maybe the weather will improve for a ride on sunday :)
I'm just reading a couple of assorted things on the web, and there's people putting on the winter gear when the temp gets below 50 degrees? I suppose if you're doing highway riding for an hour or more, you might think about it, but that's a little much. Below 60 I'd always wear my leather jacket instead of the mesh with liner, and just layer more clothing beneath as it gets chillier. 45 and below I'd consider wearing my textile pants instead of mesh. With a couple of small items and layering, most cold weather discomforts can be solved. I am thinking of the electic vest and some way to seal the vents in my jacket :) that'll be sweet!
Well, to add to the insanity of my previous ride to work, I rode this evening from Salt Lake to Logain. According to the trip meter, about 150 miles. About half of that visibility was about 500 feet, which certainly made things interesting, and the further I went, I did actually now that I was looking for it start to notice the heat getting pulled out of the toes of my shoes.
Never really noticed before
18 degrees for this trip, btw. I remembered the lining of my jacket this time, though.
I was a little chilly at the end, but mostly just my feet. my toes were freezing, but my hands still had plenty of feeling. Probably because they were shielded from the wind (educated guess?)
Anyway, thought I'd mention the observations from the latest trip. Oh, and if anyone gets a Fog City shield cover (FogCity Pro-shield), make sure you A. give it the full 24 hours to dry after applying, B. carefully don't press the middle, just the edges when applying, and C. when washing later, don't push in the middle.
The seal has gotten broken on mine, and it doesn't help nearly as much anymore. the first while I had it it was amazing, but after the first time I cleaned it, I pressed too hard and I think I broke the seal around the edge of the fogcity shield. it fogs up again now. =[ not as bad as before, but still... might have to see if I can find a way to remove it, get a new one. drat... another $20.
chills
Quote from: seshadri_srinathJoe Rocket jacket wihtout liner and pants worked fine.
Srinath, please save the world some pain and suffering next time, and wear some pants!
Quote from: KerryI have a large-ish windshield which is wide enough that it covers the hands. You can see pictures of it on my website.
For anyone else contemplating a Kerry-like windshield ;) , there's a Slipstreamer for sale on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2452173972&category=35613...looks like it may go for $25+s/h. or so. I think it may be even a tad bigger than the Plex2, which might be really good for ColdCold riding.
Check out their catalog pick (looks like it's mounted on a Bandit) at
http://www.slipstreamer.com/Product/Touring/touring.htmlI'm not bidding on it; I'm looking for the Slipstreamer Turbo.
I tried heated grips -- they kept my palms warm but my fingers and the outside of my hands still froze. Heated gloves (with a heated vest) keep my top half warm and toasty. Still, my toes get really cold and my legs chill, despite wearing thermals and jeans and leather, and thick socks in my steel-toed boots. I can ride like that, but I need a hot shower when I get home.
I just came back from a little ride to the town beaches (20 miles total). The temperature outside is around 22 F with a 15 mph wind. Wind protection was my Givi A755 fairing. Clothing... Turtleneck, sweatshirt, jeans, heavy socks, leather jacket, textile riding pants, steel toed boots, glove liners under my riding gloves, and a bacalava (sp?) made of same material as glove liners.
It is too cold for:
a) man
b) beast
c) motorcycles
d) all of the above :o
The shoreline is encased in ice, there's little ice floes floating out on the bay, and I could have sworn I saw a penguin waddling around on the sand :mrgreen:
Actually, my cold spots were the tips of my fingers cause they were sticking out in the wind, the zippers where my arm vents are, my eyebrows, and the sides of my thighs where my riding pants zip (supposedly waterproof sealed). Okay, so I'm not frostbitten but that was way too cold to be comfortable after about 8 miles in! The cold made riding the motorcycle dangerous until it was properly warmed up... until then, I had a lot of trouble revving above 4k rpm. Oh well, I did need to get some riding in this week ;) it's going to get really cold again!