Just a little info about cold temps and wind chill factors. Thought it might be useful for people who plan to ride through the chilly months! Bundle up folks! :) (I apologize to the rest of the world that it is in fahrenheit lol) Here is the conversion formula : T(°C) = (T(°F) - 32) / 1.8
(http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv87/DOGxSPIT/New%20Bitmap%20Image_6.png)
Could've used this earlier this year. Riding to placement in sub 30oF and arriving teeth chattering, hands so cold I couldn't operate my iPhone and tears stuck to my face. The women were powerless to resist my badboy biker image :bs:
O0
Speaking of this, I rode to work today... right now it's 23F which is fine, I've ridden in the 20's before but the snow started to fall shortly after I clocked in... it wasn't supposed to start for another 8 or so hours...
Gonna be an interesting 2.5 mile ride home later :cookoo:
Sounds like a nice afternoon walk! :D
Won't ride in the rain, but will take on PA's snow....haha.
How did you make out Showbiz?
Now that the sub-freezing temps are a regular occurrence, my bike is essentially garaged for the winter. If we get a weekend day with temps in the 50's (F), I'll try to get out, but otherwise I'll call it a season until March. I don't have winter gear, or the funds available to purchase any. Now I'm using this time to do some maintenance that I've been putting off - valve clearances, oil change, and the LED turn signal diode mod. I'll probably get started on all of that stuff after the holidays.
Quote from: rscottlow on December 09, 2016, 08:04:18 AM
I don't have winter gear, or the funds available to purchase any.
One simple and cheap way to get by is to go to a local military surplus/camp store and buy a snowmobile suit.
Like a one piece jumpsuit thats all insulated.
And size it so you can get in while wearing your riding gear. Usually the legs are on zippered gussets or something for easy on/off with boots.
While you're there get some "trigger finger mittens" and wool socks.
The whole shopping spree might run you $100+ but it's a fraction the cost of real cold-weather riding gear and gets the job done well enough for the rider who just wants to take the bike out now and then for a spin in sub freezing.
There's an Army surplus store right down the road from work. I'll have to swing by and check out prices on my lunch break sometime.
I've been wearing a snowmobile suit when riding, for years when it is cold!
Cookie
Quote from: Watcher on December 09, 2016, 10:16:48 AM
Quote from: rscottlow on December 09, 2016, 08:04:18 AM
I don't have winter gear, or the funds available to purchase any.
One simple and cheap way to get by is to go to a local military surplus/camp store and buy a snowmobile suit.
Like a one piece jumpsuit thats all insulated.
And size it so you can get in while wearing your riding gear. Usually the legs are on zippered gussets or something for easy on/off with boots.
While you're there get some "trigger finger mittens" and wool socks.
The whole shopping spree might run you $100+ but it's a fraction the cost of real cold-weather riding gear and gets the job done well enough for the rider who just wants to take the bike out now and then for a spin in sub freezing.
A snowmobile suit is a brilliant idea !!
@Rich... lol yeah I don't really enjoy the rain cuz I have yet to get any rain gear... surprised you remembered that about me :icon_razz: it's on the list to get haha! Made out OK, learned that I do need to figure out something better for my glove layers. It was about 19F when I left work at midnight to go home... and even though I was going slow, avoiding snow drifts and being super nervous about being attacked by black ice, I lost a lot of feeling in my fingers by the time I was turning onto my street. I don't really want to go the heated grip route, would rather get some heated gloves or hippo hands... time to do some online shopping :D
I still have those Moose Racing hand covers from my GS450 (they looked like Mickey Mouse ears....). They just attached with velcro, so it was easy to install / remove them, and they blocked a LOT of cold air.
Glad to hear you didn't find too much snow after work!
I might need to look at some big obnoxious hand guards for the winter. I struggle in big gloves, I wear summer gloves all year because anything thicker and I'm just clumsy with the controls. I catch the horn when I switch off the turn signal in bare hands, let alone winter gloves. :icon_lol:
I only ride in textile gear, being a student I can't really manage any kind of leathers. I'm a massive guy too so don't really want to be packing myself into leather... :nono:
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Thanks Rich!!! Boy am I glad too. If it would have kept falling and piling up I would have prolly surrendered and gotten a ride home with a friend... then came back later with the van and took the bike home that way. Don't wanna puss out but I also don't want to cause an accident for someone else on the road... or break myself and be off work for idk how long :nono:
Nice to know the hand covers work well!! I'm not sure if I want to go with something like that or really treat myself to these that I found recently:
https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/joe-rocket-rocket-burner-heated-gloves
I'm thinking that the hand covers wouldn't have done much to help my situation last evening because the wind wasn't an issue at all. Ugh I wish my freeze-out glove liners worked better under my leather gloves but they cut off circulation and that is the opposite of help. All the rest of the freeze-out stuff I continue to love (I know I've mentioned it in the past on the forum) but the gloves I only wear when I'm shoveling snow lol!
Sounds like the hand guards would be awesome for ya 63!!
The xj6 I learned on had heated grips and I found that back of the hand/fingers get the worst of it. The hand protectors deflect the wind reducing the cold issue :thumb:
in theory
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I've read an argument for each (heated grips w/ covers, and separate heated gloves).
People that have wired in heated gloves prefer them because they heat basically every surface of your hands. Heated grips & covers are nice since they are always there once installed. Those Joe Rocket gloves would be really nice for me since they have their own batteries and aren't wired into the bike.
So many good options these days!
Quote from: the_63 on December 09, 2016, 03:16:15 PM
I only ride in textile gear, being a student I can't really manage any kind of leathers. I'm a massive guy too so don't really want to be packing myself into leather... :nono:
Leather has a handful of downsides, cost being a big one, but leather is also heavy and requires some maintenance to stay "healthy".
But its also so comfy, is generally more durable than textile, and has a sweet look!
I'd go leather for the track (do textile racing suits even exist) but I'll stick with textile for street.
Think of this, though, Columbia jackets aren't leather and they work great! The textile can be an awesome wind barrier, but it lacks in insulation. That's why you need a fleecy liner.
I actually use a Columbia liner under my First-Gear textile. The Columbia shell lasted a few seasons and got stained and disgusting, so I tossed it, but the liner was good to go so I just started using my moto jacket as a winter jacket, lol.
Quote from: Big Rich on December 09, 2016, 07:02:36 PM
Those Joe Rocket gloves would be really nice for me since they have their own batteries and aren't wired into the bike.
That's exactly why I am considering them! How much simpler can ya get? Sure they say "up to 4 hours of heat" or whatever but there's no way I'd personally need them for anywhere near that long. Plus I could wear them when shoveling my driveway and front steps.
Quote from: Watcher on December 09, 2016, 07:08:48 PM
Leather has a handful of downsides, cost being a big one, but leather is also heavy and requires some maintenance to stay "healthy".
But its also so comfy, is generally more durable than textile, and has a sweet look!
I'd go leather for the track (do textile racing suits even exist) but I'll stick with textile for street.
Think of this, though, Columbia jackets aren't leather and they work great! The textile can be an awesome wind barrier, but it lacks in insulation. That's why you need a fleecy liner.
I actually use a Columbia liner under my First-Gear textile. The Columbia shell lasted a few seasons and got stained and disgusting, so I tossed it, but the liner was good to go so I just started using my moto jacket as a winter jacket, lol.
See that's my first mistake, bought an entry level jacket without a lining. It is waterproof and proven itself to be very good, but no water in means no water out and after 8-9 months of consistent wear, including summer means it is a little gamey now.
O0
Quote from: Watcher on December 09, 2016, 10:16:48 AM
Quote from: rscottlow on December 09, 2016, 08:04:18 AM
I don't have winter gear, or the funds available to purchase any.
One simple and cheap way to get by is to go to a local military surplus/camp store and buy a snowmobile suit.
Like a one piece jumpsuit thats all insulated.
And size it so you can get in while wearing your riding gear. Usually the legs are on zippered gussets or something for easy on/off with boots.
While you're there get some "trigger finger mittens" and wool socks.
The whole shopping spree might run you $100+ but it's a fraction the cost of real cold-weather riding gear and gets the job done well enough for the rider who just wants to take the bike out now and then for a spin in sub freezing.
i ended up cheaper when id ride either the gs or the sporty in 30f 6mi each way to work. id use plastic trash bags as wind blocks between the leathers and my clothing. as well as decent winter gloves.
Aaron
Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on December 10, 2016, 12:05:40 AM
i ended up cheaper when id ride either the gs or the sporty in 30f 6mi each way to work. id use plastic trash bags as wind blocks between the leathers and my clothing. as well as decent winter gloves.
Aaron
Newspaper also works wonders in wind deflection used in a few layers ;)
Handlebar muffs & summer gloves worked for me too, only have to figure out a way to keep it from applying my front brake over 100 km/h (because of wind pressure).
Wow I had no idea newspaper and bags could be useful like that! Awesome 8)
After looking around online more I am leaning towards these:
https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/joe-rocket-rocket-burner-leather-heated-gloves
Might get 'em and say they are a Christmas present from my 3 cats lolololol ;)
Cheaper at Revzilla:
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/joe-rocket-rocket-burner-heated-gloves
Speaking of Revzilla, check the reviews. I was surprised that they didn't get better reviews.
For years, I dismissed and put off purchasing heated gear due to cost and didn't think it would work.
Gerbing Hybrid T5. Works on both batteries & wired to bike.
Soo glad I took the plunge.
For years, I dismissed and put off purchasing heated gear due to cost and didn't think it would work.
Gerbing Hybrid T5. Works on both batteries & wired to bike.
Soo glad I took the plunge. They Keep my hands comfortable on my half hour commute.
Quote from: Big Rich on December 13, 2016, 03:00:04 PM
Cheaper at Revzilla:
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/joe-rocket-rocket-burner-heated-gloves
Speaking of Revzilla, check the reviews. I was surprised that they didn't get better reviews.
ZLA and CG are both one in the same. If you go into a local CG just quote ZLA pricing and you'll probably get it. I don't see why a company wouldn't price match with itself.
I actually get a decent discount through CG on behalf of the MSF so I hardly ever go through ZLA anymore, unless they have something I can't order through CG, which happens more often than you'd think.
They aren't the same gloves... I linked to the leather ones because the $143 ones didn't get good reviews once I dove into it further after posting the link on page one. I'm glad that one person explained how the thumb isn't heated in a comment!!
I've never purchased anything from revzilla yet... already have an account with cycle gear :D
ZLA sets the standard for good online customer service. They're a great company to order from.
Fast, friendly, and affordable.
Even if you don't order from them their website is an amazing resource. The video and customer reviews really make selecting a product easy.
Cool beans :cheers:
never had the problem with speed. or wind deflection. i had worked 2 jobs at the time. a pizza place as well as 3rd shift INconvenience store. bonus was i could park the bike on the sidewalk. or inside adjoining vacant storefront. didnt HAVE to ride to 2nd job, i could have driven. chose to ride. my next bike will be a gs. ( my 7th one lol.) once i get used to the prosthetic leg. ill redo the "yamahonkawazuki" which was a 97 gsE with a headlight and front lever from a honda, a shifter from a kawi and a random yami taillight. gotta love a ujm (universal jap motorcycle Eh?) tempted to go one step further. and go john deere green on the tank/plastics, and yellow on the wheels. fugly yes indeed. but will be funny to outrun someone on a john deere. anyhoo i digress. i always had4 or 5 35 gallon trash bags from work. always had them in backpack. along with toolkit and rain gear. 1 trashbag on each leg, 2 on torso and 1 on backside. ankles got VERY cold but ride was 6 mi. so it was tolerable. never had an issue. cept when left leg occasionally went numb. never had an incident though. only incident was when the bank angle switch went out on my sportster. got it home by using a paperclip ;) (being an mmi grad, got paid to service my bike lol.) ANYHOO, 5 LAWN/LEAF bags work great. theyre nearly indestructible. funny thing was the odd looks id get from passers by. wind chill was in the negatives at times. OH i forgot, a balaclava works wonders too.with any type helmet. even the odd times id wear my tortoiseshell. keeping head warmer helps a great deal.
Aaron
Quote from: Big Rich on December 09, 2016, 03:14:58 PM
I still have those Moose Racing hand covers from my GS450 (they looked like Mickey Mouse ears....). They just attached with velcro, so it was easy to install / remove them, and they blocked a LOT of cold air.
Glad to hear you didn't find too much snow after work!
I also picked up a pair of the moose foam guards and have not used.
I didn't think of this before, but I am concerned are they at risk of putting pressure on the front brake lever?
Might need some rigid bar on the end of the handlebar to connect to the other end opposite the Velcro.
Rode year around for years with a big Plexi 2 shield on my old Hondas but starting with the two GS500s I put a small Spitfire shield on summers and changed between the two twice a year. Never considered the GS's electric output adequate for electric gear.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/summer-winterGS_zps6cfc207d.jpg)
HPP, I have in the past searched around on the internet for heated jackets. It was hard to find any that had heating elements in the sleeves.... I think I came across one... *maybe* two but that's all. I wouldn't pay that amount of money without having heat in the arms. Does your heated gear have this feature?
I would just google it but I don't have much time atm... and also it seems that some websites' descriptions of heated gear is minimal at best.
...oh and gsJack, that's awesome! When I bought my GS it had a Spitfire or Hellfire (I can't remember which one) shield but the PO wanted it for her new bike. Evidently she's a fan of the shield too!
Quote from: gsJack on December 14, 2016, 10:31:54 AM
Rode year around for years with a big Plexi 2 shield on my old Hondas but starting with the two GS500s I put a small Spitfire shield on summers and changed between the two twice a year. Never considered the GS's electric output adequate for electric gear.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/summer-winterGS_zps6cfc207d.jpg)
Do you have the brand or link to the Plexi 2 Shield.
Hmm...maybe should have spent money on shield vs heated gear, but the idea being heated gear could be used for other purposes as well.
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on December 14, 2016, 10:37:14 AM
HPP, I have in the past searched around on the internet for heated jackets. It was hard to find any that had heating elements in the sleeves.... I think I came across one... *maybe* two but that's all. I wouldn't pay that amount of money without having heat in the arms. Does your heated gear have this feature?
Yeah, I purchase at closeout prices.
Gloves: Gerbing Hybrid T5
- Works on both batteries & wired to bike.
- Heats all fingers and the palms (most battery gloves don't have this)
Jacket: Gerbing puffer.
- Also heats the neck (most battery jackets don't have this)
I believe the only jackets with heated sleeves are not battery operated and have to be wired to the bike because the arms require large heating elements. The idea is that, you heat your core, and the warm blood will circulate to the other parts, that's the most important.
Your commute is not long. You'd be surprised what a rain jacket can do to block the wind and keep you warm.
Thanks for the reply and the info!! Heck yeah my commute is short... but the idea I had was if I got heated gear I could actually go for long rides instead of just short commutes :icon_mrgreen:
I was stuck on the heated sleeves idea because even with my proper base layers and riding jacket, neck warmer etc etc my arms are what start to get chilly... not my core. But I totally hear what you're saying about the circulation. Can't argue with why most manufacturers do what they do!
Yeah, my leather jacket is not good for cold weather and the insulated insert only covers the core.
I bought a Fieldsheer textile jacket on closeout for less than $100. It is really good at blocking the wind and thinking about your arms issue, it has removable full length insulation/wind blocker down the arm as well. Probably why I don't have issues with arms.
I was shocked the Fieldsheer and rain jacket are good for me down to 40.
Yes textile works well!! The Joe Rocket Corona jacket I have has zip-out insulation but it's only a vest :darnit: I currently don't own a leather riding jacket... had a really really spiffy Icon one but it didn't fit me right and I sold it to Big Rich.
My normal layering for a cold day is tanktop, long sleeve thermal, t-shirt or long sleeve t-shirt, fleece lined zip hoodie, freeze-out jacket and then my riding jacket. Sounds like a lot but I really can still move around well! LOL
Quote from: HPP8140 on December 14, 2016, 11:29:44 AM
Quote from: gsJack on December 14, 2016, 10:31:54 AM
Rode year around for years with a big Plexi 2 shield on my old Hondas but starting with the two GS500s I put a small Spitfire shield on summers and changed between the two twice a year. Never considered the GS's electric output adequate for electric gear.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/summer-winterGS_zps6cfc207d.jpg)
Do you have the brand or link to the Plexi 2 Shield.
Hmm...maybe should have spent money on shield vs heated gear, but the idea being heated gear could be used for other purposes as well.
Plexi 2 shield is made by National Cycle, link:
http://www.nationalcycle.com/index.php/catalog/category/view/id/3507
Wow, they're about twice as much now as I paid. Check price at some place like Dennis Kirk, probably where I bought it.
Heated Seats, 432 Watt 8 Speaker Harman Kardon System, cup holders, I do ride my 2 Yamaha's in the winter :dunno_black:
Subie Stevo
(http://i67.tinypic.com/jz7lmb.jpg)
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on December 14, 2016, 02:46:48 PM
Yes textile works well!! The Joe Rocket Corona jacket I have has zip-out insulation but it's only a vest :darnit: I currently don't own a leather riding jacket... had a really really spiffy Icon one but it didn't fit me right and I sold it to Big Rich.
My normal layering for a cold day is tanktop, long sleeve thermal, t-shirt or long sleeve t-shirt, fleece lined zip hoodie, freeze-out jacket and then my riding jacket. Sounds like a lot but I really can still move around well! LOL
Cycle Gear freeze-out? I bought the base layer long johns to wear under dress pants as a stealth solution (not another item to remove when get to work and put on when leaving). It's just okay....the wind proof material only lines some of the front so the air still leaks through....would be much better if it was used throughout....guess it would make it more expensive. Think I need some overpants below 40....but want to avoid looking goofy :icon_confused: walking in to work and the hassle of putting on.
I live in DC metro area where motorcycles can use HOV lanes for free, so it makes my commute a breeze.
Yes yes the Cycle Gear freeze-out stuff !! A few years ago for Christmas I picked out what I wanted and my mom bought it all for me. Got 2 pairs of the women's long johns, the jacket with the zip-off sleeves and she took the liberty of also buying me the boot liners and the glove liners. It all works really really well for me except the glove liners. They work better as snow shoveling gloves ;)
I'm not sure if the men's long johns are the same but the women's ones that I have have the wind proof material all over except for a small area on the front of my calves (which gets mostly covered by the boot liners) and of course the back side (which doesn't make any difference to me tbh). At my job, even though it's indoors I am normally pretty chilly so I am able to leave them on under my jeans for my whole shift. They come in especially handy when I have to go into the walk-in freezers that are -20F !!
WOW I had no idea about the HOV lanes! That is super cool !!! I have a good friend that lives in that area and she never told me that... it'll be fun to chat with her about when I see her next 8)
In AZ I can use the HOV lane, too. Too bad all the HOV lanes are up near Phoenix and I'm 2 hours south in Tucson, so I can't take advantage of it.