Cold weather riding, whats your problem and solution?

[mommaDC]

Okay! The Polar Bears are hysterical! The penguin on the spit put it over the top!

So cold weather riding ... last week I was in Columbia, SC and rode in 40º weather for a couple of hours. I wore thick socks, riding boots, long johns top & bottom, Levi's 501 jeans, medium weight leather chaps, hooded sweatshirt with the hood up under my helmet, doorag, half helmet, classic leather riding jacket, polar fleece ear wrap and gloves. I have neoprene face mask that I had in my pocket and didn't need, I was riding with the windshield. Remember that layers are the secret to riding comfortably ... you can remove and add to your comfort.

My only problem was cold fingers. Any suggestions for better gloves.

[STR8RZR]

Hello mommaDC and welcome to the forum. If electrics are a possibility for you I got the Gerbings Classic heated gloves. They are working well for me. Well worth the $200.00 investment.
I ride to work to save on fuel costs and will make this money back this winter season. After that it will all be gravy. My truck gets 14 mpg,,bike gets 35-40. If I ride my 800,,its more like 50. So to me it was well worth the investment.

[mommaDC]

Hi SRT8RZR
Thanks for the welcome.
Ouch $200! I live in Florida and it would take me a couple of winters to get that much wear. I know that the heated is nice ... I think I will have to watch this winter and see if I feel like I can justify that for me.
I have been riding to work and getting about 50 mpg on the drifter as opposed to the 20 in my SUV. I only go about 12 miles round trip if I don't go out during the work day but I have discovered that riding for me is about leaving the work at the office instead of bringing it home. Taking the SUV is always an option it just means finding another way to leave the work at the office instead of bringing it home. [by the way, it's mental work that I tend to bring home, riding makes me focus on the ride and therefore I'm not obsessing about work. I love what I do and always feel like there is more that I can do.]

mommaDC

[Oz Saki]

I picked up a Carhart Artic Jacket at Sears only $58, it was in the low 40s here in Colo a couple o days ago, went and tried it out works great. I had a swetshirt on under and I was very toasty. Now I looking for a pair of military arctic boots, to take care of the cold toes.

[bretsk2500]

it was 9F here this morning... screw that.

[Oz Saki]

Ditto!

[mommaDC]

Originally Posted by ccherwin

My riders group like heated gloves and jackets so I just ordered some First Gear heated gloves and jacket. The gloves are purported to be the thinness of summer gloves (which I like for working the clutch) but warm enough for any weather. Will let you know how those work out. For me, I can't wear any neck gear because my helmet fogs up immediately and I'm likely to drive into a wall.

If you go to an eyeglass store they have stuff to put on glasses to stop them from fogging up. It works on the ff helmets.

mommaDC

[Oz Saki]

Is that stuff free?

[mommaDC]

No but it is inexpensive and lasts a long time.

[Oz Saki]

Thanks Momma!

[IBSRP]

I bought a set of heated grips for my 900 Classic and they work great. I have also had hand deflectors before and I don't think they work.

I also just bought a set of Carrhart Extreme bib overalls which are 1000 denier Cordrura nylon with a wind barrier and thick insulation. They are a little bulky at first but they really keep you comfortable.

I rode to work the other day and it was 29 degrees when I left the house. The only place I was uncomfortable was my neck and cheeks.

It was 40 degrees this morning and I just wanted to keep going for a couple of hours.

High tomorrow is 68 and I will be riding all day.

Everyone have a great weekend !!!!!

[Averitteg]

Neck gaitors definitely help a lot for me. But when it's extra chilly out, I wear things on top of the gear I already have on. I have my riding jacket and I toss on my cold weather jacket on top and I wear my riding gloves with a nice pair of winter gloves on top of those. Suprisingly enough, the mobility in my fingers aren't as dampened as I thought they would be. So it works out for me. And I normally break out the long johns and sweats for my legs under my pants.

[Averitteg]

Originally Posted by bretsk2500

it was 9F here this morning... screw that.

Yeah...gotta draw the line somwhere...15F is one thing, but 9F??? LoL.

[bretsk2500]

Originally Posted by Averitteg

Yeah...gotta draw the line somwhere...15F is one thing, but 9F??? LoL.

my line is 35F... beyond that and riding is no longer fun for me.

[Averitteg]

For me, as long as the roads are decent and I can endure it, I'll ride. But if it's rain or a wet morning, I won't take the risk. Lucky for me, here in the desert, there isn't many wet mornings at all. =)

[w1ngzer0]

Originally Posted by Averitteg

Neck gaitors definitely help a lot for me. But when it's extra chilly out, I wear things on top of the gear I already have on. I have my riding jacket and I toss on my cold weather jacket on top and I wear my riding gloves with a nice pair of winter gloves on top of those. Suprisingly enough, the mobility in my fingers aren't as dampened as I thought they would be. So it works out for me. And I normally break out the long johns and sweats for my legs under my pants.

So.... would something like long johns and sweats be enough under some kevlar jeans?

I also noticed the plastic liner under my jacket doesn't prevent me from getting cold under 50F.

Well the place im going to, is currently 28F and its 11am.

I honestly want to ride up there because it will be my first long trip!

I was thinking barclava for my face and neck.
sweats and long johns under my kevlar jeans.
wool gloves and some sort insulted shirt. sweatshirt or something.

Think it would do?

[ervins]

My cold weather problem and solution is...Not to ride.

This past weekend I went for an early ride...It must have been freezing with the wind...I went a few miles and turned around...It was just too cold and where I was going, ice is an issue.

[Saki.Girl]

My cold weather problem my hands i so need to find a good pair of cold weather gloves the ones i have are not cutting it . i went out and rode 100 miles last weekend was like 35 out and only think cold was my hands so i am on the hunt for some good warm gloves

[Averitteg]

Originally Posted by w1ngzer0

So.... would something like long johns and sweats be enough under some kevlar jeans?

I also noticed the plastic liner under my jacket doesn't prevent me from getting cold under 50F.

Well the place im going to, is currently 28F and its 11am.

I honestly want to ride up there because it will be my first long trip!

I was thinking barclava for my face and neck.
sweats and long johns under my kevlar jeans.
wool gloves and some sort insulted shirt. sweatshirt or something.

Think it would do?

Yeah, definitely layer up. When I ride, I have a thick cotton shirt, a small sweat shirt on top of that...then my riding jacket, followed by my regular jacket. It helps alot.
And with the legs, long johns, sweats, and jeans work just fine for me...with thick socks on in my shoes.
My head and neck stay relatively warm with the neck portion of my outer jacket blocking the wind.

[okiecop]

My hands were the big problem for me. Normally, at any time of the year, there is a wind here in Oklahoma. I found handlebar chaps at scootworks.com and they are awesome. Coldest thus far this year has been 32 but tomorrow is gonna be 26. I also have heated grips. I wear a fullface in the winter most times and use a neckgator. Chaps, jacket and boots work fine too.