Today was my first really COLD morning which prompted my to wear my Firstgear coverall type thermal suit. I also had 100g thinsulate gloves and a neck gaiter on. Stayed fairly warm, but my feet got cold.
How do you guys stay warm/dry when it's cold outside?
Omg yes my ride to work this morning was quite chilly! Unfortunately I am pretty much always cold in general :icon_sad: I wear layers almost all the time, no matter where I am or what I am doing BUT that doesn't keep me from riding up until it snows!
I wear an undershirt, thermal long sleeve shirt, hoodie, and an armored Joe Rocket Corona textile jacket (does a good job at keeping the wind out and keeping the summer feeling alive) 8)
For my hands I have black leather gloves with the hard knuckles... I can fit a pair of thin cloth gloves under them if I need to. I always ride with a full face helmet and on the cold days we are talking about I have a black fleece neck warmer that does a great job :icon_mrgreen:
Cycle Gear was having a crazy sale on the Freeze-Out thermal stuff last year so I got two pairs of the long-johns and they are awesome! I wear those under regular jeans. I know they aren't nearly as protective as riding boots but I have a pair of really padded high-top Osiris skate shoes that are lined with fur to keep my feet warm :laugh:
Should be an interesting thread, I hope others post replies soon!
Neck Gaiter and an electric vest, and my other Honda has 4 wheels :whisper:
And then there are the days that it also just sits...
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/snowfit01.jpg)
After a friend found some black ice I now limit my riding to above 34 degrees. Heated grips are wonderful. Combined with Hippo Hands you can ride for several hours in sub 40 degree weather with no problem. I have a set of leather chaps and high top lined riding boots. Jacket is a Joe Rocket textile with armor and zip in lining (sweat shirt over long underwear if really cold). I have a nice pair of goretex gloves with long cuffs but wear very light gloves with the heated grips on and the hippo hands. Full face helmet and neck gator finish it off. I have a very light weight stocking cap that will fit under my helmet if I'm going to be riding all day.
In NC you can pretty much ride all year. Jan and Feb the truck gets hauled out a time or two each week.
Same here in east tn. Coldest i ever rode was 14 miles in 28f temps @60mph
i drove my car....
Gerbing's electric gloves hard-wired to the battery are the cat's meow of cold-weather riding. I skipped the controller and installed a simple on/off switch on the side of the bike. I left enough slack in the power cords so I can ride (and fuss with helmet visor) without any hang-up. If my hands, neck, and head are kept warm, the rest always seems okay. A wind-proof neck gator, with wool scarf underneath, works well. I also wear a down jacket underneath my armored jacket and leather zip-up pants over my jeans. End up looking like the Michelin Man.
I just live in Florida... Problem solved!
But when it does get chilly, bust out the leather, layer up, and balaclava
The biggest thing IMO is a windscreen. Most of the season I'll leave it off, but once it gets 50° and below (also depending on the distance of the ride), I put a National Cycle universal screen on.
My actual gear doesn't change much when I'm riding in cold weather. Some long underwear, jacket liner, and maybe some gauntlet type gloves, but that's it. Aside from the windscreen, I do have some universal aluminum / plastic hand guards to help block the wind as well.
When it gets really cold (< 32 F) I have an insulated snowmobile bib to keep my legs warm. Hands are always an issue - I also have a pair of insulated snowmobile gloves, but that still requires me to pull over and warm my hands when it's in the mid twenties and lower. Feet don't bother me till it gets below 15 (steel toed workboots, with thinsulate). I ride 35 miles each way. Absolute coldest was 6 F last year, and I ain't doing that again unless I can pony up for some heated gloves!
I'm pretty cold tolerant and layer up on my clothing. It's a chore sometimes... but hey... at least I'm riding!
Good luck!
Im from New Zealand but now live in Australia. My idea of cold is below freezing. Winter here sees days of 18c. Ive not seen it drop below double figures during the day yet. All the ozzys think im crazy riding in winter here. Little do they know that its like summer to me. :icon_lol: :icon_lol:
I have a RST(british?) adventure pro series jacket and pants for the cold/wet but tend to go with leather jacket and Draggin jeans for the most part.
Quote from: Big Rich on October 21, 2014, 05:51:10 AM
The biggest thing IMO is a windscreen. Most of the season I'll leave it off, but once it gets 50° and below (also depending on the distance of the ride), I put a National Cycle universal screen on.
My actual gear doesn't change much when I'm riding in cold weather. Some long underwear, jacket liner, and maybe some gauntlet type gloves, but that's it. Aside from the windscreen, I do have some universal aluminum / plastic hand guards to help block the wind as well.
This gentleman pretty much said it all. I don't have hand guards yet, but will likely look into some. Other than that: layers, thermals and layers of thermals.
I pretty much cut it out after the indicated drops to 40F, though.
Thermals, Rocket insulated gloves, Olympia Moto Sports Nomad Transition jacket & fleece neck+face wrap.
I've been riding down to upper 30's F. Still looking for the right pants & boots so I'm just riding in jeans & thermals, insulated socks & high-tops. A few nights I've busted out my snowboarding pants which actually work great, just a little bulky.
It's getting to that point where I need to get some heated gear or my fingers turn to ice though - eventually going for heated jacket & glove liner and heated grips next year. Gets effin cold here in Maine and hoping I can squeeze a couple extra months in with some good gear.
All in all pretty happy with the current gear down to about 40F at highway speeds with exception of the fingers! Love this Nomad jacket, definitely needs a thermal liner for the real cold days but does a pretty good job of keeping the wind out.
Good ole' Hungarian resourcefulness to the rescue!
You can buy/make your own DIY heated underwear for a few bucks. First step is buying some el cheapo heated seat covers made for cars. Then you "disassemble them", only thing you'll need is the heating wires and connectors. Then you'll need some thin underwear and some velcro straps (about 10 meters/30 feet of that). Using these, you fasten the wires onto the underwear, in a pattern you would feel comfortable (eg. the parts that are the coldest while riding would need more wires per unit of area).
Then you put these on, put on another layer of thin underwear, and there you go. Put on all your other gear, connect your brand new heated clothing to the bike (of course you would need some kind of connector on the bike, too), and enjoy!
I'm including the original Hungarian link, because of the pics (and to respect the authors):
http://onroad.hu/2008/01/05/futheto-motoros-ruha-10-ezer-forintert/
Thanks for all the replies! I think I'm on the right track. I'm just not fancy enough for electric clothing yet.
These are my gloves, my fingertips got a little chilly when it was 37, but the 40-50 range I've been warm.
http://www.amazon.com/Olympia-Throttle-Season-Gloves-Medium/dp/B003XU6GCK (http://www.amazon.com/Olympia-Throttle-Season-Gloves-Medium/dp/B003XU6GCK)
I'm getting something (most likely) this for when it gets colder. Any suggestions on similar products (cheaper?)
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/56993/i/givi-tm418-hand-mitts?SiteID=SLI|Mitts&WT.MC_ID=10010 (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/56993/i/givi-tm418-hand-mitts?SiteID=SLI%7CMitts&WT.MC_ID=10010)
This is my insulated suit. I've worn a pull over and hooded sweatshirt, and a wind breaker with a high zip collar. The wind breaker was most comfortable/ least wind down the front.
http://www.amazon.com/Firstgear-Thermo-One-Piece-Suit-Large/dp/B001A3CS0G/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1414289760&sr=1-1&keywords=first+gear+thermal+suit (http://www.amazon.com/Firstgear-Thermo-One-Piece-Suit-Large/dp/B001A3CS0G/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1414289760&sr=1-1&keywords=first+gear+thermal+suit)
Balaclava I'm getting for colder weather:
http://www.amazon.com/Schampa-Pharaoh-Balaclava-StormGear-WarmSkin/dp/B005345DZU/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1414290051&sr=1-2&keywords=schampa+pharaoh#productDetails (http://www.amazon.com/Schampa-Pharaoh-Balaclava-StormGear-WarmSkin/dp/B005345DZU/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1414290051&sr=1-2&keywords=schampa+pharaoh#productDetails)
I'm wearing a pair of surplus full leather black army boots. They're about plumb wore out, but slathered them in mink oil to keep dry and they're good at keeping wind out, so with wool socks I've been toasty.
Hit quote instead of edit.
You sure take this seriously!
Edit: for starters, this looks promising: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-DIGIT-MOTORCYCLE-HANDLE-BAR-MITTS-HAND-WARMER-MOTORBIKE-BAR-MUFFS-GLOVES-/380834337028?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Gloves&hash=item58ab7ed104
In '79 when I moved out of my parents house I had a Dodge Van with a 360 CID V8 that got Mpg not worth mentioning and a '79 Suzuki GS750. I rode the Suzuki until the ground was covered in ice...why?
Because driving the Dodge cut into my Beer Drinking Money!
Bikes are for recreation...unless you need beer money! :thumb:
Buy a phuking car for temps below 40F/4.44C :dunno_black:
Quote from: enrgizerbunny on October 20, 2014, 08:42:20 AM
How do you guys stay warm/dry when it's cold outside?
Cold is not the problem...
It's the salt and calcium chloride they spread on the roads that makes winter riding almost un-do-able.
I spray the bike's undercarriage with this crap (see photo) at the onset of the snow season. It does work but winter riding will indeed corrode your bike.
Bad, real bad.
Someone mentioned "black ice"...
Yeah. It can be a problem at night when visibility is minimal and the daytime melt-off trickles out on the road, and then re-freezes after dark when temperatures drop.
I don't really mind it though...
It helps keep my mind off the deer that I may eventually slam some night while flying down highway 18.
Heh, Cool thread! :cheers:
(http://electrojake.x10.mx/test3/SaltAway.jpg)
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 $$ to shell out on a diesel Jetta. I live in central VA so our snow season is pretty limited, although we're back in a "cold" cycle and winter is supposed to be a little rougher compared to previous years.
I've heard bad things about freezing shields when it gets super cold outside and I'm curious as to how I'm going to combat that.
Quote from: enrgizerbunny on October 27, 2014, 07:46:52 AM
My bike is my MPG commuter because my truck gets 15. So I'm riding as much as I can because I don't have the $$ 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?
Quote from: Atesz792 on October 27, 2014, 11:18:28 AM
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.
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]
Hey Energizer, Richmond native here!
Roaring via Tapatalk.
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!
Quote from: enrgizerbunny on October 27, 2014, 12:24:36 PM
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.
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.
Quote from: mimikeni on October 28, 2014, 08:44:55 AM
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?
Quote from: PantheraLeo on October 27, 2014, 04:37:52 PM
Hey Energizer, Richmond native here!
Roaring via Tapatalk.
Whoop whoop! I live in Powhatan.
Quote from: enrgizerbunny on October 29, 2014, 12:01:01 PM
Quote from: PantheraLeo on October 27, 2014, 04:37:52 PM
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.
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.
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 :D 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... :D :D :D
Old thread I know but there are some new people around who might wanna contribute to a good cold-weather thread :D
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 :icon_razz:
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on November 25, 2015, 11:38:05 AM
Old thread I know but there are some new people around who might wanna contribute to a good cold-weather thread :D
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 :icon_razz:
Do you spend more time putting on and removing gear than you do riding?
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!
It was 40 here but celsius.
Lol! Snap Jimmy! .. was just gonna say same :thumb:
Hmm... I'm not sure Stevo! I will hafta see how long it takes me to gear up next time ;)
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!
(http://i67.tinypic.com/10z9quc.jpg)
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!
Quote from: Janx101 on November 28, 2015, 07:33:00 PM
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!
I will try that next time :cheers:
Wish I could justify something like this. Truth is, when it's so cold here that you can't go on a short ride to blow off some steam, the road's probably so wet and cold that you wouldn't enjoy it anyway.
Well, back to the dreaming and reading motorcycle mag's part...
Quote from: Atesz792 on November 29, 2015, 03:59:11 AM
Wish I could justify something like this. Truth is, when it's so cold here that you can't go on a short ride to blow off some steam, the road's probably so wet and cold that you wouldn't enjoy it anyway.
Well, back to the dreaming and reading motorcycle mag's part...
Normally I don't ride even in the 40's Fahrenheit, but I did just get a Suzuki C90T 3 weeks ago and as of yesterday it has 98 miles, 157.7 Km on it and that's driving me crazy, I guess that's what I get for buying bikes in November :dunno_black:
The T is for turbo right?!? ;) ;) ;)
Quote from: Janx101 on November 29, 2015, 12:52:06 PM
The T is for turbo right?!? ;) ;) ;)
No..
Turn sometime soon! ;)
I've been looking at some heated gear recently, but the bike specific stuff is a pretty penny..... anybody use a battery powered heated vest? Seems like it might be a good option because 1) I'm cheap, and 2) it could be used away from the bike.
Yeah. .. Frank in M.A.S.H did! .. when they were stuck in the medi-bus at night in winter! .. battery powered socks too!
Rode year around here in NE Ohio in temps down to 20F for 30 years. Never considered heated gear, just bundled up in insulated jeans, longjohns, and wool socks and boots up over the calf. Couple layers of turtle neck fleeces on top under a heavy winter riding jacket. Gave up on face covering long ago and just went with a full face helmet on top, too much trouble with fogging glasses with balaclavas over face and neck. Opened shield when slowing down and stopping to prevent fogging.
Never rode on ice or snow covered streets but splashed thru a trillion gallons of salt water and got rusty bike pics to prove it. :icon_lol: Only hit black ice once and slid and recovered. Changed my windshield twice a year on the GSs using a little Spitfire summers and a big Plexi 2 shield winters with snowmobile gloves. Rode past age 82 that way and hung it up after last summer.
Heated gear eliminates the need for multiple layers, or the Michelin Man Syndrome as I call it. You just have to remember to unplug before you get off the bike :thumb:
(https://www.tirerewardcenter.com/Images/loginMichelinMan.png)
98.6 today in South Oz.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You Ozzies don't know what your missing..... a brisk ride when it is barely above freezing, no traffic on the road, people looking at you in awe as they scrape their windshields.....
A couple rides like that and you'll REALLY appreciate those days when it's 98° out.
You sure said it Rich.... ugh I miss summer already :cry:
I ride 100 miles to and from school twice a week. It's nearly winter in the DMV area so temperatures have been hovering between the high 30s - low 50s in Fahrenheit.
If you bundle up it's honestly not bad. You can feel that it's cold outside but you, yourself, are not cold. You're maintaining your body temperature.
Torso:
- Under Armour compression shirt
- Long sleeve shirt
- Generic Sweatshirt
- Teknic Vented Leather Jacket (All I have)
- Balaclava
Legs:
- Briefs & Fieldsheer Leather Pants. Do an excellent job blocking the wind and never cold. Compression pants would be better.
- Burton Snowboarding Socks
- Joe Rocket boots that cover shins and calfs
Hands:
- Fieldsheer Gauntlet Gloves
I use the tank bag to block some of the wind
Could use some compression pants and another layer for the hands. But with everything above I can ride without an issue. If your GS has a windshield that's even better.
Wind chill is what makes you colddd.
You are too right about that windchill. That gixxer fairing I added with a plexi windscreen blocks a lot of the wind for me. Also, if I forget my neck warmer, I am freezing. It's amazing how the rest of my body can be nice and warm but if my neck is cold, I'm miserable!! >:(
three sweatshirts , goose down jacket , jeans , regular gloves , Eddie Lawson full face helmet , drinking lots of coffee :thumb:
I have a down jacket too that I wear when I'm shoveling my driveway or cleaning snow off my van, etc... I absolutely love it and for some reason it never occurred to me to wear it while riding. I will have to try it!! And also, yes.... coffee ftw :D
Careful Showbiz - goose down loses its insulation properties when compressed (say, under a riding jacket). The more loft in the down, the better.
That is very true Rich! Hehe no worries of me wearing it underneath.. there's no way it would fit under my riding jacket.. it's too poofy :laugh:
Hahaha. . You said poofy!
Indeed I did! Poooooofy :icon_lol:
Up here in the frozen north it's not the temperature that's the issue, it's the tons (literally) of salt that gets dropped on the roads that keeps me off. Back in the UK I would ride in winter (well. the British attempt at winter - 32 min) in just an extra sweatshirt and good quality gloves. Here where it gets to -25C and colder I wimp out and take the car! The times I do ride, though, I just use a windproof jacket, a full face helmet (year round that one), and a pair of textile over-trousers with jeans underneath, normal boots and heavier than normal gloves. Generally I'm having too much fun riding to notice the cold.
Yeah our winter was cold. Got down to 8c here. Luckily it's back up to 40 on Friday. Aussie summer!!!
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Michelin man here as well.