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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | I ride all winter and when temps get to freezing or below will use Under Armour cold gear leggings. Along with a heated jacket and an Under Armour coat I stay pretty warm for my 30 mile commute. Since I work in an office I usually strip the cold gear for the day which is a bit of a pain that I would like to eliminate.
A few years ago I saw a tourer and the guy had some type of blanket laying across his lap and covering his legs. This was on 95 so the wind was not an issue and it seemed like the set up would capture the engine heat around his legs as well. Someone in the office tells me that cops on MCs had used them years ago.
I've looked at chaps and snowboard pants as an option, but found something marketed as gauchos (see pics) for motorcycles today. Yea I can hear all the comments already - ugly, not needed on the Vision, I'd expect that on a BMW, safety concerns, etc and that's fine. Just thought I'd start the discussion and see where it goes.
Edited by lennyb 2011-11-11 5:07 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | Heavy duty snowmobile suit? Or CARHART thermo bibs |
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | Quit wearing skirts. |
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | bigfoot - 2011-11-11 4:57 PM
Quit wearing skirts.
It's not a skirt, I swear, it's not!
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | I've been wearing these for 10 years now. http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/guide-gear-100-gram-thinsula... Fair protection if you go down too. Better than regular jeans any way. Don't ask how I know. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Heated gear that just slips off. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | I like the First Gear HT pants. 
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Hope that not many are going with the kilt idea. Some good suggestions and I'll probably pick up a pair of the heated pants for the longer rides.
For the length of my regular commute and desire to limit the time and effort required to go from the bike to the desk I found another option to consider. It offers insulation, wind break, and seconds to change out of, and it's not a skirt. This could end up on my Christmas list.
http://www.kneenecks.com/products.htm
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | Looks like a good idea, I might get a pair if you purchase/recommend. Only concern I have is I know I would melt the nylon on my pipes. Might want to invest in something like this:
http://www.froggtoggsraingear.com/SmokinToadHeatPatch.shtm
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Been-there-done-that with the nylon rain gear, usually when I'm getting gas. Good suggestion. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Rollin' - 2011-11-12 9:06 AM
I like the First Gear HT pants. ?
Steve,
Hope your upcoming ride on the Vision isn't going to include conditions quite as bad as that. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | I use these.
http://roadknightonline.com/chaps.htm |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | lennyb - 2011-11-12 9:20 AM
Hope that not many are going with the kilt idea. Some good suggestions and I'll probably pick up a pair of the heated pants for the longer rides.
For the length of my regular commute and desire to limit the time and effort required to go from the bike to the desk I found another option to consider. It offers insulation, wind break, and seconds to change out of, and it's not a skirt. This could end up on my Christmas list.
http://www.kneenecks.com/products.htm
I have been using Knee-Necks (ankle to knee covering) for many years in two different applications:
1. Motocross bike - Motocross boots have no insulation value. When the temp is in the teens Knee-Necks help keep my feet warm by keeping my ankles warm. I wrap them around my ankles over the top of my boots. Works great.
2. Mountain bike - I use Knee-Necks while riding the mountain bike in the snow. The purpose here is not warmth, but to keep my shoes from filling up with snow. Cycling pants must fit snug at the ankle to keep them out of the chain. This allows snow and water that flips off the front tire to land in my shoe. The Knee-Necks fit tight, but also overlap the top of my shoes. This is the only way I found to keep my feet dry while cycling in the snow.
Since I have First Gear pants for road riding I have never used Knee-Necks while on the Vision. They definately help keep lower legs and feet warm while riding off-road. I'm sure they would do the same on the road. They are very easy to take on and off. They wash easily. Be sure to stick the velco together or the rough side is like sandpaper on everthing else in the washer. The velcro is very strong and does not come apart easily (a plus for off-road riding). The construction quality is about average in my opinion, but certainly not bad.
Overall, Knee-Necks have been well worth the $25 I paid.
.
Edited by victoryvisiontour 2011-11-12 10:14 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 82
Fargo, ND | Hey Man! Don't look now but there is a black bear sitting on your motorcycle! Walk away slowly... DO NOT RUN! I hear they can smell fear! Eventually he will get hungry and leave. Then you can get back on your Scooter. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | lennyb - 2011-11-12 9:06 AM Rollin' - 2011-11-12 9:06 AM I like the First Gear HT pants. Steve, Hope your upcoming ride on the Vision isn't going to include conditions quite as bad as that.Thanks Lenny! That was a ride in Colorado on June 20th. I wasn't expecting snow! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 161
Oregon. | I have never seen Gauchos before. That is one interesting idea. I wouldn't use them myself, however I do appreciate the thought behind it. I use a gerbing electric electric vest with Olympia pants and jacket. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 199
Salt Lake City | Ski pants work great; they slide on and off easily and are very warm. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Love the Black Bear warning!
Ordered the wrap chaps. Review to follow.. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 232
| cjnoho - 2011-11-11 8:23 PM
I've been wearing these for 10 years now. http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/guide-gear-100-gram-thinsula... Fair protection if you go down too. Better than regular jeans any way. Don't ask how I know. Been wearing those for many yrs now myself.. |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | I've used those handlebar mits before and they are great. I didn't have grip heaters then, but I can only imagine how nice they would be with the heaters. Looks kinda funky, but very functional. Just doesn't get cold enough in south Texas for something like that |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | cjnoho - 2011-11-11 9:23 PM
I've been wearing these for 10 years now. http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/guide-gear-100-gram-thinsula... Fair protection if you go down too. Better than regular jeans any way. Don't ask how I know.
Ordered a pair for my dad for Christmas after reading this post. Thanks for the tip. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| I use leather over pants that have zippers the full length of both legs. Easy on, easy off and my crotch doesn't get cold like chaps. I wear silk long john pants and shirt and scarf if I am going to be outside most of the time. Silk is nice cause it doesn't make you sweat when you are inside. Cheap at Sportsmen Guide.com
That is kind of weird looking but if it works for you. I see straps along the sides, does that mean you strap it to yourself for better wind protection? I would be concerned if that is so if you went down you couldn't slide away from the bike.
Too bad they couldn't come up with some nice looking lowers for your bike. I would assume the jugs would make some nice heat around your calves. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 161
Albuquerque NM | I have worn my ski pants "powder pants" for years when its good and cold outside, they're great because they have zippers on the outer seams so on and off in seconds, and they fit over jeans comfortably. I personally have a short commute 8 miles and Albuquerque usually isn't that cold so I haven't worried about fancy heated gear, now on the vision I'm not sure that I need it.
Edited by gr8punkin 2011-11-14 2:05 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 444
Bay of Gigs, WA | Try these:
http://www.amazon.com/Snuggie-SNO61106-Fleece-Blanket/dp/images/B00... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 965
New York State | Leather chaps with the heated seat on the Vision it is very warm |
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| er ya go
http://www.dinodirect.com/thermal-knee-leg-warmers-thick-leggings.h...
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Well it hasn't been cold enough to really give them a good workout, but from the one trip at 33 degrees using the leg wraps (http://www.kneenecks.com/products.htm) I give a preliminary review in case someone had them on the Christmas list.
Pros: light weight, won't use much storage space, large enough to wrap nearly 2x around my legs, very quick on/off, do the job as advertised, quick delivery, no zippers to break, no need to pull over boots
Cons: need to use provided belt straps to keep them in place when walking, quickly realize where coverage ends (sides of upper thighs and crotch), price, thin insulation (not sure how well they will protect in 20s and teens)
They will work for me, but I would have to recommend looking at snow boarding pants for better coverage and perhaps a better value. Heated pants are probably the best option for a longer ride.
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