Observations of cold weather riding gear

[old2soon]

Let me state right up front that these are my results. Yours could be way worse or way better using the same or different gear. And as i stated-an observation-NOT carved in marble.   My ride today took place in 38 Degrees F and 70% Humidity and completely overcast. All the snow HAS NOT melted yet. From the inside out-waffle weave long underwear. Then some regular old fashioned blue jeans. A short sleeve cotton T shirt. A common everyday sweat shirt. Then my leather jacket with the insulated liner. Over all that a Walls Zero Zone insulated 1 piece overalls. I used some Franklin adjustable knee supports to close off the gap at the bottom of the overalls so i could use the road pegs. These knee supports are self velcroed. The hook part sticks ANYWHERE on the blue outer covering. I found a pair of Tillman all leather welding gloves with a VERY generous gauntlet. Larger gauntlet needed to go over the overalls AND the leather jacket underneath. The welding gloves are NOT lined but still very warm today. The overalls have slash pockets at the waist with small velcro patches holding the slash closed. I'm going to use duct tape to close the slash completely and if that works i'll go see my sewing lady and have her stitch them closed. I needed a neck scarf between the collar and my full face helmet. The scarf works very nicely. I used a Bell ace of diamonds full face helmet. I know the helmet is keeping me warm cause at 75 M P H i have to raise it up to the first notch every couple of miles to vent it. And as soon as i slow way down or stop the visior has to come all the way up. I'm going out again tommorrow and it's supposed to be a tad colder.  I got the long johns and the knee supports at wally world. The knee supports were right at $9.00 a piece. I found the gloves at a nationwide welding supply house and they just missed $22.00. I got the Walls overalls on line delivered to my house for just under $55.00. And they are 2 X L tall and VERY red.   You need the supplier of the gloves and/or the overalls P M me and i'll get back to you. I'm going to change up a few things 2moro and i'll post again. 107 miles today and i had a large time. This is just an F Y I but i'll be 68 next month and i'm still looking for ways to extend my riding season.   Aint no reason you can't extend your riding season also.   RIDE SAFE.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Three words....Gerbing Heated Gear.


It will be some of the best money you ever spend and you don't have to wear everything you own and be puffed out like the Michelin Man to stay warm.

[old2soon]

Three words....Gerbing Heated Gear.


It will be some of the best money you ever spend and you don't have to wear everything you own and be puffed out like the Michelin Man to stay warm.

   And trust me i looked at them-wistfully VERY wistfully.  They aint in my limited budget near anytime soon. And i'm still playin around with whats gonna work best WITHOUT going heated anytime soon.  Though i love her dearly my big money siphon be that 17 year old high school senior daughter of mine!!  And Joe-thanks fer the reminder.  RIDE SAFE.

[saddlesore]

I wish I could say I was out riding today.  Still a lot of ice and snow out there.

I found that no matter what you decide to wear take the time to put it on the proper way. Seal any openings like the neck, waist, wrists and ankles.  It's amazing how much a little leak can bug you when it's below freezing.

[Michvalk]

I can't believe no one looks at snowmobile suits. Fairly lightweight, comes with all the closures, and is made to ride in (loose in the proper places) That's what I use, and they work great. Not all that pricey either. I have a heated jacket liner to use under my leather, and I could use it under my suit, but, not necessary.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Three words....Gerbing Heated Gear.


It will be some of the best money you ever spend and you don't have to wear everything you own and be puffed out like the Michelin Man to stay warm.

   And trust me i looked at them-wistfully VERY wistfully.  They aint in my limited budget near anytime soon. And i'm still playin around with whats gonna work best WITHOUT going heated anytime soon.  Though i love her dearly my big money siphon be that 17 year old high school senior daughter of mine!!  And Joe-thanks fer the reminder.  RIDE SAFE.

I understand about the $$$ but it is a one time buy . Dixie Cycle here in my hometown is a Gerbing dealer I know the lady that runs the place and she allows lay-a-way .

[Bugslayer]

Tomorrow will be my first ride since before Christmas (and my hernia surgery). It'll also be my first ride with my First Gear heated jacket liner. It felt nice and warm sitting on my bike in the garage...... It should feel even better out on the road. 

[Gryphon Rider]

Suit:

Ankles:

Gloves:


Pockets:


Helmet:


And, to complete the outfit, a scarf:


If you had earned cool points with your daughter by riding a cool motorcycle, you've just lost them!  :'(

[scoot]

Have'ta agree with Smokin' Joe. The electric is the only way to go. I have a Tour Master jacket liner, and it was one of the best "bang for the buck" items I have bought for riding comfort. It is especially nice in that time of year one the temps can change drastically in an hour or 2. It's chilly when you take off, but warms up as you ride, just reach down and turn the temp down. Or those evening rides when the sun is up when you leave the house, but has gone down before you head for home.

[saddlesore]

The Under Armor Hood really helped extend my riding season.  Nice neck coverage and you can wear it over your nose, your mouth or under your chin.

http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/ua-coldgear-hood/pid1223223

[MarkT]

I ride down to 10° with WarmNSafe electric gloves, same brand elect jacket liner, and any of my armored jackets - Belstaff, Joe Rocket, or Cortech.  Add a balaclava, just regular insulated riding boots, and any helmet - even the Bell half-helmet is plenty warm if you also use a balaclava.  Much faster to set up than all the stuff you have to put on if you don't have electrics.  Except maybe a snowmobile suit, they work great and donning it is quick, though you still need electric or welding gloves and face/neck protection.  However, they don't get the nod for stylish.  Though at my age, that doesn't much matter.  It really doesn't get colder than 10° in the daytime around here much.  30's - 50's is more normal here on the front range even in January.  My legs don't get cold with Baker wings on both bikes.

[fudgie]

No cold riding for me. Once it snows salt is on the road. Roads are dry now but there is a nice dusty cloud on the road.

[hubcapsc]

Three words....Gerbing Heated Gear.


It will be some of the best money you ever spend and you don't have to wear everything you own and be puffed out like the Michelin Man to stay warm.

   And trust me i looked at them-wistfully VERY wistfully.  They aint in my limited budget near anytime soon. And i'm still playin around with whats gonna work best WITHOUT going heated anytime soon.  Though i love her dearly my big money siphon be that 17 year old high school senior daughter of mine!!  And Joe-thanks fer the reminder.  RIDE SAFE.

I understand about the $$$ but it is a one time buy . Dixie Cycle here in my hometown is a Gerbing dealer I know the lady that runs the place and she allows lay-a-way .

I ordered a gerbing jacket liner in my size (probably pretty common size) at the beginning of December. They
sent me email, said they were on backorder, and my liner would probably come in January sometime... still
don't have it...

I have a electric vest though, just hate all the dangly wires...

-Mike

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Three words....Gerbing Heated Gear.


It will be some of the best money you ever spend and you don't have to wear everything you own and be puffed out like the Michelin Man to stay warm.

   And trust me i looked at them-wistfully VERY wistfully.  They aint in my limited budget near anytime soon. And i'm still playin around with whats gonna work best WITHOUT going heated anytime soon.  Though i love her dearly my big money siphon be that 17 year old high school senior daughter of mine!!  And Joe-thanks fer the reminder.  RIDE SAFE.

I understand about the $$$ but it is a one time buy . Dixie Cycle here in my hometown is a Gerbing dealer I know the lady that runs the place and she allows lay-a-way .

I ordered a gerbing jacket liner in my size (probably pretty common size) at the beginning of December. They
sent me email, said they were on backorder, and my liner would probably come in January sometime... still
don't have it...

I have a electric vest though, just hate all the dangly wires...

-Mike

Take a road trip and come to Tennessee ( we can do a ride taking you back home ) . Dixie Cycle is about 2 miles from my house you can try everything on hook it up to make sure it works etc....Dixie Cycle has the same prices as the internet on Gerbing Heated Gear.

[YoungPUP]

I use Starter's version of Underarmour, available at wally world and half the price, and then BDU pants and a sweatshirt. Use an older Nomex firefighting hood(on of the good older yellow ones with 2 layers) and then my HJC full face.

[Hook#3287]

Three words....Gerbing Heated Gear.

YUP!   

[cookiedough]

No cold riding for me. Once it snows salt is on the road. Roads are dry now but there is a nice dusty cloud on the road.

Same here in WI and most of the midwest as well.  No way would I take Dec. thru mid to late March any cycle on the roads.  The chrome,etc.  would be all pitted and shot after a few times out is all.   I have taken my one ATV out in the snow/salty roads and after a few times the metal was rusting pretty bad.  I can ride now that I got my heavy duty 3 in 1 cycle touring jacket down to about 37-38 degrees but below that,  not worth it and winter is here so have to put it up unfortunately.   

[JC]

Haven't used any of the heated gear, yet, but I wear a Firstgear riding suit when it gets too cool for just a leather jacket, and am very pleased with it. Zippers are flap covered and velcro sealed, elastic closures at the ankles, well made and warm but not cheap at $190.

http://www.firstgear-usa.com/thermo.html

I can ride in temps down to 25° without discomfort as long as I'm using a full-face helmet and good gauntlet gloves. There's enough room to wear a jacket under it if necessary, but the suit itself is normally enough for most days above freezing. I rode about an hour yesterday in 42° weather with just the suit and open face helmet and had a ball. 

[deadwood]

I made my own heated jacket liner and heated pants for less than $100.

Lots of instructions on-line about how to do it.

Three words....Gerbing Heated Gear.


It will be some of the best money you ever spend and you don't have to wear everything you own and be puffed out like the Michelin Man to stay warm.

   And trust me i looked at them-wistfully VERY wistfully.  They aint in my limited budget near anytime soon. And i'm still playin around with whats gonna work best WITHOUT going heated anytime soon.  Though i love her dearly my big money siphon be that 17 year old high school senior daughter of mine!!  And Joe-thanks fer the reminder.  RIDE SAFE.

[Valkorado]

Tomorrow will be my first ride since before Christmas (and my hernia surgery). It'll also be my first ride with my First Gear heated jacket liner. It felt nice and warm sitting on my bike in the garage...... It should feel even better out on the road. 

I can relate, I had a double inguinal hernia surgery (laparoscopic) a few years ago.  It was not a great success, as my left side is blown out again.  I have discovered that I just get colder, faster since the surgery and heated gear really helps me get my core temp back up to where I can focus on and enjoy the ride.  I also wear a truss to keep my guts from falling out.

I respect the Valk's weight, and have found that a thin brick placed under the side stand sure helps with pulling the fat lady upright.  I hope to get a real kickstand assist one of these days.

 

[six2go #152]

WOW! All of that just to ride a motorcycle? I have no desire to ride if it's cold enough that I would need all of that. The Valk has been put away since early October and the V-Strom since Thanksgiving. That's why I also own a car. 

[wd40]

My first heated jacket liner was made with approx. 6 1/2 feet of electric blanket cord.  Same stuff Widder used when they were in business.  More than 6.5 ft. and it won't get warm enough, less than approx. 6 ft and it'll light you on fire!!  A used electric blanket at a thrift store won't cost more than a few bucks, and has enough cord for a full suit.  Just keep the individual runs within the lengths above.  Put a switch in your power cord in a handy location so you can easily cycle it on/off to control heat, if you don't use a HeaTroller or similar temp. regulator.  Don't wear much more than a T shirt under the heated clothing and it'll keep you comfy with less bulk.

[Willow]

Layers are the key for me.

I've found low cost thermals work well for the lower body in conjunction, if it's cold enough, with leather chaps.

A fleece pullover beneath a good textile jacket such as the Joe Rocket Comet will keep you warm in the middle.

I wear Tourmaster polyester and leather gloves for cold weather, but I'm sure there are other manufacturers that will work as well.

A zub ( zubwear.com ) is essential for me.  I own a neck gator but haven't worn it for a very long time.  The zub keeps my neck warm fine all by itself.

I own a pair of electric gloves, but I just can't get warmed up to being wired and hooked up.

If you're cold at 38 degrees you probably need a little more exposure.  A lot of our perception of what's cold and what isn't has to do with acclimation.

As for not riding in the cold, there's always an excuse not to ride if one doesn't want to.  There's always a reason to ride if one wants to badly enough.      

[BF]

I'm in Florida, so riding in temps down to the lower 40's or upper 30's is cold for me......although I routinely ride in temps to the lower 40's.  Like Willow, I layer up. 

I pretty much agree with Daniel about how he feels regarding the fancy stuff.  From a recent blog of his.....

"I’ve tried the expensive, multi-layered, branded/logo clothing approach, and even the electrically heated gear, but I’ve always ended up discarding it, bit by bit, in favor of simple; a rugged leather jacket, jeans, worn riding boots, the lightest gloves I could get away with, and a standard black tee-shirt. The fancy stuff is too complex, too expensive, takes too much space, and somehow, for me, detracts from the riding experience. I’m not out here to pimp a brand or promote a logo…I’m out here to ride.
 
That’s not to say I don’t occasionally regret it. I’d give a lot for heated gear right about now. Tonight’s “pure” riding experience was dealing out nothing but a whole lot of misery. It says something about me that I am out here anyway. I try not to think too hard on exactly what."

[hubcapsc]

I pretty much agree with Daniel about how he feels regarding the fancy stuff.  From a recent blog of his.....

"I’ve tried the expensive, multi-layered, branded/logo clothing approach, and even the electrically heated gear, but I’ve always ended up discarding it, bit by bit, in favor of simple; a rugged leather jacket, jeans, worn riding boots, the lightest gloves I could get away with, and a standard black tee-shirt. The fancy stuff is too complex, too expensive, takes too much space, and somehow, for me, detracts from the riding experience. I’m not out here to pimp a brand or promote a logo…I’m out here to ride.

I don't know how fancy my branded jacket is, but I really wished I had rain pants and rain
gloves by the end of this day. My feet were squishy inside my "waterproof" Danner boots, using
the hiway pegs on a rainy day is like getting high pressure water injections...
It wasn't that cold, but I was cold and numb by the time I got home... this is the day
Thumper's cool waving picture was taken...



I about froze on the first day to GOTF two years ago, I held my toes on the bottom of my
valve covers for 100 miles.

Heated gloves and jacket liner and insoles are the Bomb on cold days, and riding the Valkyrie
still seems like riding the Valkyrie to me 

-Mike

[Farther]

Well I'll pimp a brand!  

In hot weather I wear a microfiber Buff on my head  and for extended long range riding I wear one on my extremly sunburned face.  
http://www.buffusa.com/sports/collections/original-buff-reg/styles/cashmere-black

In cold weather I wear a wool Buff on the head and a second one on the face.
http://www.buffusa.com/sports/collections/wool-buff-reg/styles/neo-grey

[Oklahoma_Valk]

I've ridden this winter at 38 degrees. I must say....having the right gear makes all of the difference.

Boots, Insulated Chaps, Blue Jeans, +1 on the walmart starter thermals.
Any shirt, lined leather jacket, Hot Leathers neoprene facemask, scarf (knitted by my bride)
Harley Davidson auto darken goggles, and a half helmet.

Oh... and my most recent edition to the cold weather arsenal....a definite MUST:




A good pair of gloves can be determined by whether or not you're still able to throw up the deuces.

[Hoser]

I go with the thermals, warm packs in gloves and inside pockets when it gets really cold, wool socks are enough with my insulated boots.  Hoser