Cold weather riding, whats your problem and solution?

[RichLockyer]

My mom moved to California.
My dad and I were both born in California.

Problem solved

[skewterdewd]

I'm Elmer Fudd. I sport Wool Socks, Wool shirt or fleece vest under my ride jacket. leather gloves w/ wool liners, polypro t-neck and longies.
No cotton for me. The air here is wet and heavy, and cotton feels like a sponge full of cold water on my back. There is nothing I hate more than being cold and wet.

[AuroraGuy]

My biggest issue so far is the following:

#1 complaint - COLD fingers. What can I do (w/o going to electrics?)
#2 complaint - cold neck...but I found a fleece zip up that zips up to your chin. that helps 90% of the cold
#3 complaint - eyes water. I have a HJC full face helmet with a SEALED visor and even the nose snozzle thingy ($9)...it prevents fog but my eyes still tear and it can get really dangerous
#4 complaint - cold legs from the ankle to my knee. Not sure how to prevent that w/o chaps - but for now, just some slightly thick jeans. Maybe some lined jeans to try next.

Here in WI, I dont plan on riding all winter, but would like to drive as long as its at least over 32F....so far, the best I can tolerate is about 48F in the morning drive.

So any advice WILL be appreciated.

-JD

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by AuroraGuy

#1 complaint - COLD fingers. What can I do (w/o going to electrics?)

Metallic glove liners. They look like a "Michael Jackson Special", so your buddies WILL tease you, but they work.
Beyond that, 3M Thinsulate is one of the best insulating materials you can get short of "Airgel"... it is much thinner than wool, and wicks moisture away from the skin.
I wear a Thinsulate jumpsuit under my drysuit when scuba diving... an hour in 45 degree water and I'm still warm and toasty except for my fingers and face (the only areas exposed to the water).

Here's the glove liners that I use... $5.
Olympia #C8 Silver Glove Liner - Chaparral Motorsports

#3 complaint - eyes water. I have a HJC full face helmet with a SEALED visor and even the nose snozzle thingy ($9)...it prevents fog but my eyes still tear and it can get really dangerous

Chin curtain? The air is blowing up from your chin.
A windshield cured that for me.

#4 complaint - cold legs from the ankle to my knee. Not sure how to prevent that w/o chaps - but for now, just some slightly thick jeans. Maybe some lined jeans to try next.

Chaps are the primary solution to this. If you have crash bars on the bike, you can get chaps for THEM which will keep the air from hitting your legs directly and help a lot, but at 60mph in 40 degree weather, Levis are NOT warm. Thermal underware will help a lot, but only for so long.

[AuroraGuy]

Chin curtain....any decent source for that?
I did stop at the dealer today and the apparel dept was empty so I looked around and didnt find anything like that...I had that idea too..

-JD

[AuroraGuy]

I ordered some polar-ice gloves.
I installed a chin curtain - best answer to date for most of my issues.

I bought one of those balaklava head things, but its a pain to use..and when
I put my helmet on, either it balls up on my head or covers my eyes (Not a good thing for riding eh? )

Today was 37F out. My head/face did fine. Fingers still froze as I was only using what I had while I wait for the new gloves. I dont expect the non-electrics to work 100%, but if they last long enough for my commute thats fine. At each light, I put my hands on the fins of the 500 to warm them up.

But, I got to work today and found they just about eliminated the cycle parking area....

Next week is going to be in the 60s...so I reminded them we should have ample parking until the 1st snow fall.
Idiots.

-JD

[Mercury]

actually - its funny i started this thread - and i think i found the perfect solution... getting bike repaired after being rear-ended and getting fenders custom painted

till next winter - i guess i wont need warm clothes - the truck has heat

kenny

[blackangel13]

has anyone tried Under-armour or whatever it is? does that work any at all?

[Frenchy]

My only problem is my hands. I have Goretex gauntlet gloves that work well, but when it gets into the 30's, my fingers get cold after an hour or so. Which it's been here the past week or so in the morning. My last bike had heated grips, but they don't make nice ones for the Nomad. Besides, I really like my Iso Grips. I've seen handel bar warmers, but i'm not sure how well they would work.

I wear an open face helmet(with windshield of course), a hoodie, jeans, chaps, and boots. I've ridden down to 25F that way. No problem.

[Mercury]

I started this thread and then ignored it for a while since my bike was damaged, but now its back and I plan on using it!

I have to read through the comments everybody had - thanks again all

kenny

[Mercury]

ok gang - just wanted to update - i am going to get the gerbing jacket liner, pants liner, and heated gloves

I dont know what gloves to get yet though from gerbing, whats the real difference?

Also to those who wear all the electric stuff: Do you feel like a space man getting off your bike and removing the clothes or is it pretty easy to unplug yourself?

also what is a nose snozzle?

Thanks, Kenny

[Mercury]

ok gerbing it is... where do you all get your gerbing stuff?

and do their sizes make sense....?

Kenny

[AuroraGuy]

nose snozzle? - I think I mentioned that.
The actual part is called a 'breath box' from HJC. It mounts inside the helmet and channels your breath out of the helmet and out the side vents.

I didnt know the actual part at the time.
Now, I have a new issue...even with the breath box and the visor cracked open a tad...in 50F weather, suddenly my glasses are now fogging up until I move forward...so sitting at the light is a pure joy of FOG.

-JD

[RichLockyer]

Mine do the same when I'm wearing a bandana, and I'm wearing a half helmet.
I installed a windshield....
I no longer need the bandana, and allowed me to ride with regular sunglasses/clear safety glasses without the foam surround so there is no temperature difference from back to front on the lens.

[elr658]

Mitsubishi.

[fireplug]

The neck gaitor is a great thing to have. I need to buy a leather coat though. Right now I am riding with a Joe Rocket Corona jacket. It is not the mesh one but I can still feel a decent amount of air going through the sleeves since the jacket only has a vest style liner.

Should probably pick up a new set of gloves too. My wife is going to hang me for buying all this stuff

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by fireplug

Should probably pick up a new set of gloves too. My wife is going to hang me for buying all this stuff

I never thought a leather jacket would be warm, after freezing my butt off in HS, but it's really warm on the bike. Strange.

Whenever I have the "war" with the Mrs over riding gear, I, 1) Show her a picture of our newborn I have to make it home to, 2) Open HER closet door, showing her the 200pr of shoes and 100 pocket books. Case closed. I think I'm buying some of those battery operated gloves soon, if they are not too bulky.

[Mr_Martini]

I am always wearing my "First Gear" overpants when riding on the freeway,which is every day I ride to work or joy rides. When it gets colder, I add the liner and with that and my jeans, I've never had a problem with cold legs. My biggest problem are my fingers. They'll get so cold they hurt. I have a pair of winter gloves now that work but I don't like how massive they are. I purchased glove liners from a ski shop but that didn't help much. I'll have to try those Michael Jackon gloves though. Either that or I'll have to go electric as well.

I do have to give +1 on the neck gaitor. I wear a black cotton one, which can be pulled up over my chin and it tapers down in the front to stay in my jacket. It keeps the wind off my neck in the winter and has also helped me on those 100+ degree days.

During the summer this year, it reached well over 103 F where I work. I would take the cotton neck gaitor, soak it in water, put it in a plastic bag and have it in the fridge at work an hour before heading out. I'd slip that wet thing over my head and then take off. The wind blowing through the wet gaitor was like air conditioning and I never broke a sweat! I learned this trick from friends who ride through Death Valley all the time.

(Sorry for bringing up hot weather on a cold weather post. )

[Mercury]

welp i know what i want from garbing, nobody said anything bad about the stuff other then it gets TOO hot

I am looking at getting the pants liner, jacket liner and gloves. If that dont keep me warm i dont know what will.

With those three items AND the dual temp controller im looking at over half a grand... but i think it will be worth it

kenny

[STR8RZR]

I use Tourmaster Transition Jacket. It was 31 degrees this morning on 20 mile my ride to work. The jacket comes with a liner. Tourmaster overpants w/liner as well. I never felt any cold at all on body. My problem is gloves, Joe Rocket "Rush". Not very warm for under 40 degrees. Looked at the liners and was in process of ordering, but they want 12 bucs to ship 5$ glove liners. Not gunna do it.


Check this out for neck and face cover,,,

2008 Biker Essentials Motorcycle Lifestyle Merchandise Catalog

Hope this helps on neck and face thing,

Tim