Riding in the Cold

[wheatonFJR]

I got heated gear during the offseason a year ago. Ten years ago when I got the FJR, I never would have considered getting heated gear. I have ridden in low thirties all day without it...stopping every couple of hours (as I would anyways no matter the temp) to warm up, etc.

However, now riding 2up, and deciding to take extended weeklong or longer 2-up trips, I could not possibly bring all the layers of gear needed for all temp variations. Heated gear is my space saver.

So when we take our trip this summer and head out in the 40s in the desert, or hit the altitude in the mountains, we just turn the control for the proper setting...not stopping as much to change gear as well.

I do have to admit, that having a heated liner plus heated glove liners makes early spring and late fall trips to Cheeseland and elsewhere that much more comfy...and therefore much more likely to happen.

EDIT: A middle of October ride with morning temps in the low 20s was a snap...it was dry, and we just watched for heavy frost on the pavement until it warmed up a bit.

 

[Burnspot]

Just completed a week long trip with two 10+ hour, 650+ mile journeys at each end in weather that hovered in the 30-40 degree range. Heated jacket liner, glove liners, VStrom hand guards, and heated grips made the trip comfortable. Prior to having heated gear, I had to bundle up like the Michelin man to keep warm. Heated gear allows you to retain your full range of motion, not shiver your a$$ off, and makes the whole ride way more enjoyable. During my commutes each week in cold weather, donning the heated liner is a cinch and keeps me toasty. About the only thing that'll stop me, as far as the weather, is ice/snow/salt.

 

[SacramentoMike]

This is an interesting topic. I'm lucky to be in a pretty moderate area, with dry roads much of the winter--no snow unless I go looking for it in the mountains. Seldom gets below freezing, except a few cold nights (like the last few, and the next few).

The main reason--no, the reason--I have a motorcycle is for fun. I love to ride it. But I don't love being uncomfortable. So I usually don't gear all up and go riding for pleasure if it's really cold, raining hard, or super hot--mid-90's and up, which we see a lot of. I'll head out in the heat to get to the mountains or coast, but the hot part of the ride is low on my fun scale. "Too cold" is better than "too hot" since you can dress for too cold, and usually, around here, the "too cold" part of the day gets better pretty soon.

I don't mean to say I only ride for pleasure. I prefer to take the bike over the car for lots of kinds of trips and errands, as long as I don't have to carry a set of barbells or something. If I still had a work commute, I'd do that on the bike every chance I could too.

As to comfort gear for the cold, I use an electric vest if necessary, heated grips, and a few quality layers (the layers are usually enough). I also use the VStrom guards and a big V-Stream shield in the winter. A scarf is good for keeping that cold air from coming down your neck, and I even sometimes put on a balaclava if it's going to be a fairly long day in the cold, but at the temps I ride in (barely freezing at the very coldest), that's plenty.

 

[redtail]

I live in wonderfully sunny SoCal! It is, however, very much a desert. The temps can change drastically from day to night ( the high desert as much as 40 degrees! )

First got a heated vest for long rides to colder climates, but found the joy of being comfortably warm! I'm usually smiling ear to ear! I also believe that in cold conditions I ride safer being warm and not being restricted by heavy layers of clothing.

I've also found it very nice to have some micro-fiber clothing in the bags, in case the heated gear quits mid-ride!

 

[Twinrivers]

The season here is short enough as it is so I ride as long as it's going to be above freezing for most of the ride. I've had a couple of scary moments on days where there is a heavy frost so I tend to avoid riding when the truck windshield covered. I've never had heated gear other than grips. As I get older I find I'm losing my tolerance of the cold and have started investigating heated gear.

 

[escapefjrtist]

I ride all year long here in the Pacific Northwet.Not as tough as you folks; heated grips, police hipo hands, warm & safe heated jacket and long john bottoms. And I still whine about the cold and wet weather but still ride.

Same sickness here...

A couple years ago, end of the road. A cold ride that day, though not one of the stupidest we've done.

--G

 

[RossKean]

Comfort is one thing, hypothermia is another. You might be tough and manage to ride in very cold weather but if you aren't dressed for it, the cold will bite you on a long ride.

The key is to keep the body core temperature up. Cold fingers and toes are uncomfortable but body core temperature can drop without you really knowing it at the time. As hypothermia sets in, reaction time and physical agility degrade to a dangerous level. I have returned from long rides in cool temperatures and realized that I was physically/mentally impaired as a result of being too cold. It has taken over an hour to warm up!

I will ride in cold temperatures but now I make sure i am properly dressed for it. Anything below mid-fourties requires (for me) a heated jacket liner if I am riding for more than a half hour or so. The liner ensures that the body core temperature does not drop to a dangerous level. I will sometimes use heated gloves but this is a comfort thing; not safety.

 

[ionbeam]

Brrrrrrrr, a fine day out with Iris and Zooom -->

 

[hppants]

Along coastal Louisiana, we can have days in the late Fall to early Spring that range from a low of 30 at dawn to a high of 70 mid-day. With our year-round high humidity, this exaggerates the effect and feel of the cold (and heat for that matter). Thank goodness for the Givi suit case top box.

Before I purchased my heated jacket liner, I could go comfortably to about 40 (maybe 37ish on a sunny day). With the liner, I've probably decreased my range at least 5 degrees. I should have done that years ago. If anyone is thinking about heated gear - for goodness sake, just do it. You won't be disappointed. I'm in the process of researching/ordering heated gloves and that should really help my range.

But like some of the others, regardless of temperature or any other conditions, if I'm not having fun, it's time to go home.

 

[brady]

I ride all year long here in the Pacific Northwet.Not as tough as you folks; heated grips, police hipo hands, warm & safe heated jacket and long john bottoms. And I still whine about the cold and wet weather but still ride.

Same sickness here...

A couple years ago, end of the road. A cold ride that day, though not one of the stupidest we've done.

--G

I get cold looking at this picture. burr..

I will say that after my experence on Wednesday I have taken a keen intrest in looking for heated gear..lol

 

[jmdaniel]

Interesting thread. I'm originally from MN, so know a thing or two about a thing or two about cold weather, but don't like it. AT ALL. Living in Texas, and not riding as much as some of you folks, cold weather riding is easy to avoid. However, my trip out to Big Bend last week made me think that I might want to look into heated gear. I had my larger Vstream shield on, Nike Ultrawarm undergarments, and textile pants/jacket, with Gore liners in the pants, and my 'nads and I are still not on speaking terms.

Is installation of a an extra outlet or two a requirement to run heated gear, or just a good idea? I currently don't use the factory one in the fairing, but not sure how to run a wire out of there while it's closed without mods.

 

[RossKean]

Factory lighter outlet will not run a high-current application like heated gear. I have a Powerlet outlet on a separate fused circuit i use for the jacket liner.

 

[Burnspot]

Back when I got my Warm n Safe stuff, a nice fused lead came with it. That comes directly off the battery, under the tank, and up between the rear of the tank and seat. With the, also included, Y cable attached, I can power my heated gear and a USB charger in my tank bag. Depending on how you set things up, powering your gear can be somewhat complicated or super easy (my case with the wireless remote). Don't forget that Warm n Safe offers trade in discounts and forum discounts (I always use the coupon code "advforum").

 

[Bounce]

10-roger the OEM harness being under-built for heated gear. For best control, get whatever heated gear you prefer and control it with a digital control from Heat Troller. Gerbing has a knock off they sell but the design has a flaw based on the original HT they ripped off. HT is "the" source for a good design that they created and built without stepping on the necks of other companies.

Wire it with it's own circuit and use a relay to fire it up off of a low voltate gap to the harness. These 2 write ups should spark some ideas.

https://www.fjr-tips.org/mods/pdb/pdb.html

https://www.fjr-tips.org/mods/shield/shield.html (for tapping a switched circuit without breaking the OEM harness)

Jastek makes some great outletts with everything you need for the FJR. They are great to work with and have a long history of supporting both this and the endurance communities. (no affiliation, just a very satified customer.)

https://www.fjr-tips.org/mods/jp/jp.html

 

[jmdaniel]

Thanks, guys.

 

[Jim in Phoenix]

I do a weekly breakfast ride out of Phoenix to Payson and sometimes Pine, AZ. Last week the temps started at 45 F +- and dropped to the mid 30s as we headed into the mountains. As we reached Payson, the temps headed to the mid 20s but the streets were clear and dry. As we headed to Pine, the temps dropped into the teens but the roads started looking suspect as far as ice is concerned. Nevertheless, no problems with traction and all 7 riders were fine. Most of the guys I ride with use heated gear on Gold Wings, but I rely on layers and good textile gear - pants and jacket. By the time we made our breakfast destination, I was ready to stop but not too uncomfortable. The FJR windshield does a good job of keeping most of the direct wind off my hands and body and that helps. I am pretty tolerant of either heat or cold and that helps me get by.

 

[20valves]

A base layer of UnderArmor "cold gear" (top and bottom) or something similar is a great way to start. The stuff is not bulky at all and when coupled with a good jacket and pants it'll keep you comfy down to the mid 40's on a bike like the FJR. For colder, I add another layer or two and a heated bib for my core and a fleece wrap for the neck area. Heated grips with the Firstgear gloves (constructed to work with heated grips) and that'll take me into the 30's but that's where I draw the line.

 

[Mount Rainier]

Mid-twenties and up works without heated gear and good laying materials. Slight discomfort at 65 mph and higher for long distances. Of course this is in dry climates/good road conditions.

Keep Going!

 

[brady]

Mount Rainier- Does Kent have any dry climates??

 

[Mount Rainier]

Mount Rainier- Does Kent have any dry climates??

Kent. WA aka 'The Sandbag Capital of the PNW'. Good point.

The good news is, most of the time, not all, but most of the time it's just wet on the west side, which allows a quick run down I-5 to the Gorge (Cascade mountain passes are either closed or winter driving conditions in winter and early spring) and access to the dry side and cooler dryer conditions, and some great adventures.

I forgot to mention in my earlier post the importance of wind protection. Meaning quality outer layer and windscreen choice etc.

Staying warm means paying attention to all body parts. "If your feet are cold, put on a hat."

Keep Going!