riding in the cold

[03FJR]

Well it is only in the low 50s in NY today but I am itching for a ride, looks like I may have to take the cold and just go, I dont have any heated clothing or anything but I guess as long as there is no snow its warm enough, anyone else ride in the cold?

 

[Ignacio]

42 degrees this morning when I rode to work. I put the liner in my jacket and wore my heavy riding pants for first time this season. Still used my regular gloves as I have the V-Strom handguards. I'm good down to 25 degrees or so if I switch gloves and add a fleece.

 

[C&C]

Commute to work, only 8 miles, so pretty much ride as long as its not raining or no snow or ice is on the road. A couple of low forties mornings this week so not too bad yet. It does get a little testy on those low thirties days but at 8 miles I'm to my destination before I can't take it anymore.

 

[JimLor]

Just did my first communte at 39 degrees. HT overpants w/Liner; New Oxtar Matrix boots; FG Mesh Tex II jacket/w liner; neck gaiter; FG thinsulate/gortex gloves; suit pants/dress shirt (and tie!). Well, the good news is I never felt like I was going to fall asleep! Actually not bad - feet were warm, hands were "ok," legs were warm; torso was "cool." All in all, not bad for a 50 minute commute. Odd thing though, I could have sworn that I saw the words "heated clothing" flashing on the inside of my windscreen! But to be honest, I think EITHER a heated vest/arms, Or, a 3 x season jacket would be fine for my early morning commute.

 

[luvtoride]

I cold ride regularly in the winter months. As a matter of fact I'm more likely to ride in the winter as opposed to summer... but the winters in VA are fairly mild most of the time. The temps do get down below freezing but there are plenty of days when it's up in the mid 30's to 40's & even 50's where it's warm enough for me to ride.

I'll ride down into the mid 30's. After that it gets a little cold for me, a person with no electrics.

I layer accordingly, too.... using something fairly thin that retains warmth & wicks persperation as the layer closest to my skin (Under Armor). Also, something around the neck like one of those fleece neck warmers is important. Some swear by balaklavas. I've never worn one, yet... but covering the neck in some fashion is very important. My legs are covered by fleece lined jeans (not flannel lined... the fleece is MUCH warmer) & a pair of cheap ski pants (that are lined) from A&N for the legs. I haven't been able to invest in a nice pair of overpants, yet but the ski pants definitely work. This may sound bulky... but not bad if you oversize your outer layer a bit. Overall, be sure that you are wearing windproof gear as your outer layer & make completely sure that everything is sealed up tight & no cold air is peaking in. For the feet... two pairs of socks. The same principal applies... the inner pair of socks are fairly thin & something that wicks persperation. The 2nd socks are thicker. I hear that wool works really well.. but have none, yet. On really cold days I put a pair of those air activated toe warmers on the bottom of my feet. Those work very well.

I've had success so far. I've finally proven to my riding bud that warmth in the mid 30's without electrics is obtainable. Experiment a little. Remember, a layer that retains heat & wicks persperation as your first layer is SUPER important.

Good luck & have fun.

Heidi

 

[HOV]

Heated grips are a must!

 

[slapnpop]

Heated gloves or liners will usually do more good than heated grips, but the heated grips are there all the time.

I have no heated gear, and I've ridden to work when it was 17 degrees one morning. As long as there's no snow, ice, or water, or lots of debris from salt and such, I ride. Get one of the "baklava" or equivilent masks to cover your neck, and make sure you've got good fog-control on your visor. The rest is like being warm during any other winter activity, block the wind an insulate yourself.

But I only have a 3 mile commute. The cold doesn't have enough time to get through all the fat. =]

 

[sks700]

I work 3rd shift. It was about 25 degrees on my way home tuesday morning. I'll ride until the roads are covered with snow/ice. For the past few years, I have even managed a few rides in dec/jan/feb. I won't ride to work in the middle of the winter though. There are ice patches hiding everywhere and they are impossible to see in the dark. Minnesota winters can be long.

Lee

 

[ionbeam]

I rode 30 miles to work this morning at 30 degrees, never cold anyplace, at any time.

The hardware: over size windscreen; heated grips and when below 25 degrees the really fugly Laminar Lip. The software: Gaerne boots, mesh pants with liner zipped in, touring coat with liner zipped in and light gloves. Heavy gloves insulate your hands from the heated grips. My summer mesh coat with the liner zipped in is good to just a bit below 40. I rode to work regularly last fall, even when the temps were in the teens. The only thing that I added was the Laminar Lip which kept ALL the moving air off me. I also use the 'Lip for long distance riding when temps are below 35.

I ride until ice, snow, salt and/or sand.

Alan

Oh ya, you south west desert dwellers that live below the 34th latitude -- BITE ME :bleh:

 

[Jerome]

I've been away for a while and greeted with the cold weather back in Boston area. I'm too timid with the wet leaves and big throttle to ride the FJR. I had been riding the Magna quite a bit before my TDY.

This morning on my way to a meeting I was passed by an FJR. First blue one I've seen other than mine on the road. The guy looked like he was try to heat himself with air friction- moving right along on route 128 outside of Boston. Had alot of gear on. Blue/black textile type suit. Barely caught the license plate: "FJR!" I think. Anybody from here I wonder?

Glad to be back in the states- looking forward to next year and getting more riding in.

Jerome

 

[HOV]

Heated gloves or liners will usually do more good than heated grips, but the heated grips are there all the time.
I have no heated gear, and I've ridden to work when it was 17 degrees one morning. As long as there's no snow, ice, or water, or lots of debris from salt and such, I ride. Get one of the "baklava" or equivilent masks to cover your neck, and make sure you've got good fog-control on your visor. The rest is like being warm during any other winter activity, block the wind an insulate yourself.

But I only have a 3 mile commute. The cold doesn't have enough time to get through all the fat. =]

One benefit of heated grips is that they can be used in warmer temps so that the rider can use lighter gloves, which are generally more comfortable and responsive than heavy winter ones.

Another reason to have heated grips is that sometimes you may be caught in sudden cold or rain, and it's nice to just flip em on instead of packing another pair of gloves

 

[ionbeam]

Jerome, you may have seen FJReady. Drop him a line and ask! You need to work on your 'speed reading'! :haha:

Alan

Nearly a Neighbor -- Sandown, NH

 

[FJReady]

When I saw the topic heading, I opened it to post about my ride in today- it was chilly. But I see Jerome has beat me to it.

It does sound like my ride this morning. Wearing the thick jacket and the pants. Glad to have heated grips today, all right.

Getting ready for the return trip shortly. Appears to be a little sunnier, perhaps warmer. Whatever- I'm pretty set up for the cool weather now.

Jerome, your forth digit is a typo or just misread. Should say '1'.

Hi Alan.

Russ

 

[lawinter]

Heated jacket overpants and gloves are going to see me thru a Colorado front range winter.

If the roads are clear I'm riding.

of course 70deg days in January are not all that

uncommon.

Seventy-three today

rode all morning

 

[MyOwnRocket]

I have tried to expalin to my brother "Mr Harley" that yes, if you are properly equiped riding to around Thanksgiving is not a big deal, his response, "no way, the bike must be put away for the winter come Nov 1st, no exceptions". My take; as long as road conditions are OK real bikers throw on some clothing layers and lay down some miles. Some of my favorite twisties are entirerly different roads after the leaves fall, gives you a whole new perspective.

05 FJR ABS

MORocket in Western Mass

 

[designeraccd]

Gerbing, Gerbing, Gerbing...stay comfy for 2-3 hours in 20s..........DFO

 

[yamasarus]

NC winters are pretty mild, getting down below 25 only occasionally. I ride as much as I can. Gerbing jacket liner(once used, you'll never be without one), Alpinestars winter waterproof gloves, and insulated coveralls for the legs(Rocky Spartan). The bike also has heated grips, but in the 30s they aren't used much.

As someone else stated, the grips are great when you find yourself with a light glove in brisk temperatures.

I replace the standard jacket liner with the Gerbing.

 

[galactus]

hand guards make a big difference. i'm still wearing my mesh gloves and it was down to 39 recently for my morning commute.

and i recently got a widder vest. oh, man, is that nice.

 

[ibsunburnt]

I like to ride all year here in Arizona. The problem is during the monsoon season the wind and sand will kill you. Luck was with me the last few years (10) and only got rained on twice (honest) and both times this year.