Cold weather riding?

[pago cruiser]

Anybody ride in 30-35F weather with electrics (vest and gloves) and a windscreen?
It looks like my purchase is going to happen this weekend, involving a 1000 mile trip from Dallas heading west to Tucson. 

On my Legacy Valk with a cut down IS fairing/windscreen, the gear works great down to about the mid 20's. But from looking at pics, the new Valk's Slipstreamer windscreen looks to be a bit smaller 

Temps are looking like lows from 30-35 with highs in the 60's. The good news is that no rain appears to be around.   

TIA

[idcrewdawg]

I rode this morning, it was 25*F. I use hot gear electric jacket liner and glove liners. I wasn't at all cold. For my legs I have waterproof pants that would work well on a snowmobile. For my feet I have one pair of tegular tube socks under a pair of thick cold weather socks inside my waterproof boots. Tomorrow is scheduled to be 18*F, and I'm looking forward to the ride.

[Jess from VA]

Not counting electrics, my best cold weather gear is insulated/waterproof/windproof textile pants and jacket (even warmer when zipped together in back).  I like Tourmaster and Cortech.  I layer high tech underwear underneath (no cotton).  I've also discovered that good bike specific boots (velcro closed on the side), even with no insulation other than good lining are warmer than my 400 thinsualte lacer hunting boots.  The reason is they are completely windproof, unlike any boots with laces, and most bike specific boots are much taller than the 8" of lacers.  And two pair of sox.

This little number under any helmet really helps keep you warm, and protects your neck.  And is thin enough not to affect helmet fit.  https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/mens-coldgear-infrared-balaclava/pid1244401-001

[dans2014]

Don't ride before 10 am and you will be warmer. Take your time and enjoy!

[bscrive]

I don't ride if the temp is below freezing, or even if it is a little above.  Way too risky for ice.

I have Gerbings heated gear that plugs into the bike.  Nice and warm.

[Kidd]

I do not ride if it's below 70  and that's only a few days  in winter . Riding season is 355 days a year around here

[ledany]

People say it's ugly - not to mention the top case - but that's what they say looking at my bike in their cars or in public transportation 



The pic is upside down, can't help it. 

[pago cruiser]

Now that's something you don't see everyday.
From the hardline "Form Follows Function" school - I like it!
Look like it could also come in handy with a good stiff tailwind...
"Yes, I get 75 MPG on this bike...".

[RDKLL]

I do not ride if it's below 70  and that's only a few days  in winter . Riding season is 355 days a year around here

In Mesa it is 365 days and the KTM will tell me of icy roads ahead.

[pago cruiser]

Thanks for all the replies!
Flew to Dallas Friday am (23F when I left the house...), and test rode the bike at noon.
Installed electrics and gps, and was on the road by 1500.
Butt cold the next day in Abilene, but made it into Tucson by dark.
Was a pretty good trip on a fun bike - and it would have been almost impossible without the electrics. 
Gloves were on high almost the whole way, while the vest was on about 2/3-3/4; the Slipstreamer windshield the PO had installed worked better than I thought it would.

No ice on the road, but at the pass near Guadalupe National Park east of El Paso (US 62) there was still snow on the north facing slopes..  right down to the road bed.  Amazing!  Yea, the freeway would have been quicker, but side roads are a lot funner!

A really fun bike to ride on a long and fast trip.

But... would someone please explain why Honda has suddenly reversed the turn and the horn button?  And how come I have not read even one comment about it?  After 1000 miles it seems I cannot alter the muscle memory from 50 years of riding... WTH Honda???  Guess I should be happy that they did not put the right hand turn signal by the starter button like my XR1200 Harley...

And whats with the raised sidestand being in the way of the heel of my boot???

I'm gonna go get some cheese with this whine... 

[Kidd]

Yup , you're a whiner , just wait til you realize  how far forward the handle bars are and how bad the seat is and  the lack of after market stuff and  , I forget what else I was complaining about , oh yeah , the motor whine , yeah ,motors make whine , too , not only you 

[Bill Havins]

It was great to have you swing by for breakfast on your way home Saturday!  Judy and I enjoyed getting to visit with you.

Whiner?  No!  When you left the house here it was COLD.  I'm sure you began to turn down the thermostat/peel off layers about the time you hit the New Mexico border.  Saturday afternoon was beautiful.

Based on our morning conversation I am sure you'll have your 1800 Valk sorted in no time!

Thanks for stopping by.

Bill

[98valk]

A great base layer is the key to staying warm

https://besthiking.net/comparison-of-base-layer-materials/

http://outersports.blogspot.com/2006/10/polypropylene-vs-polyester.html

I use these
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-men039s-heavyweight-fleece-base-layer-bottoms?a=2135586

and sock liner, I use
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Mens-Midcalf-Polypropylene-Liner-Socks-Two-Pack/732844.uts?slotId=0

with a good wool blend sock. I've been using these with good results
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Mens-Medium-Weight-Wool-Boot-Socks-ndash-Four-Pack/1396821.uts?slotId=9

the feet have more sweat glands then any other part of the body. keep them dry and stay warm.

[bscrive]

That's not cold riding.

I remember seeing a video of some guys riding in Newfoundland in January back in the 80's.  They did a 500km ride over several days on snow covered roads.  Crazy buggers.

It gets to be about -30C, or colder over there in January.

[_Sheffjs_]

I rode this morning, it was 25*F. I use hot gear electric jacket liner and glove liners. I wasn't at all cold. For my legs I have waterproof pants that would work well on a snowmobile. For my feet I have one pair of tegular tube socks under a pair of thick cold weather socks inside my waterproof boots. Tomorrow is scheduled to be 18*F, and I'm looking forward to the ride.

I did not realize it got that cold there,  but it’s a dry cold?    Don’t have much opportunity to use the heavy gear but we have it all if needed.  

Still marvel at the huge difference in everyone’s take on the 1800 Valks ergonomics. All I needed was a Corbin, both h bars - Corbin were perfect on back to back 450 mile days the most we did two up on one trip.  

[Robert]

A really fun bike to ride on a long and fast trip.

But... would someone please explain why Honda has suddenly reversed the turn and the horn button?  And how come I have not read even one comment about it?  After 1000 miles it seems I cannot alter the muscle memory from 50 years of riding... WTH Honda???  Guess I should be happy that they did not put the right hand turn signal by the starter button like my XR1200 Harley...

Alas the bike is so good and that is such a small thing, but I totally agree with you. I still have a hard time hitting the correct button sometimes. It kind of worries me when I get into a situation that I may need the horn and hit the turn instead. I wonder what their thinking was also, maybe we could make a mod to put it back to normal.

[pago cruiser]

Yep - turn/horn switch location change, I might.  All my other bikes (except the HD) are the same 

Hey Bill!  Thanks for your and Judy's hospitality!  Her muffins-to-go were great, as was the coffee! It did warm up a bit, but I still had all systems on when I pulled into the driveway. 

Your Valk fairing is even awesumer in person than in pics!    It would have been a better ride with the hankie sized windscreen replaced with your artwork.

[barney fife]

Which Slipstreamer windshield is that?  Looking for something in between the two Honda screens and that one looks pretty good.

[pago cruiser]

I believe it's a Slipstreamer B Wing 18".
There is another thread I started where a poster ID'd it as such.
Can't confirm, as there are no markings on the Screen, and the PO did not know as it was on the bike when he bought it.

[barney fife]

Thanks.  I found it on their website.