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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | I was really wanting to ride Earl year-round so I bought a full face helmet, head wrap, and insulated overalls to help extend the dry New Mexico riding season.
However, riding home the other night after work with my palms and butt sweating, my finger tips, neck, and toes freezing, and cold condensate running inside my helmet, I decided 18 degrees is just too darn cold for me! I was so numb I had to have the wife help me get my helmet off! Sooo....
I decided on a 40/20 rule. One point during any ride has to be 40 degrees or warmer, and the coldest part of the ride can't be less than 20 degrees.
My last bike (no windshield) had a standard 50degree rule, so this is a BIG improvement. |
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Visionary
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New Bohemia, Va | So far I have not found my lowest tempature, I have rode in at least 16 degrees if I recall. There is a breakpoint in how I dress, and how far I am riding, however, I wear the same half helmet year 'round. I do have to cover up the neck and I will wear a double layer across my face with the outer layer being a large bandana. So far, so good, but even on the vision, ear tips or the back of the neck is subject to frost bite so I make sure I am covered. I'll wear long johns top and bottom at below 30 for long distance and will even add a sweat shirt under the jacket. I warm up quickly so usually I'm putting on the outer layers standing by the bike. And if I get cold, stopping and just walking around a moment will get me warmed back up and at the verge of sweating. Never have wore a full face in the past twenty years, either a 3/4 or half. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Double post
Edited by RedRider 2011-01-12 11:46 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| I find silk long johns and scarf make a big difference. Silk won't make you sweat. I got the long johns at Sportmensguide.com and found a great price online for the scarf. I build up from there.
I was stationed at Canon AFB, NM back in '71 to '73 and they get the same type weather we do here. Where you at? |
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Visionary
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Jasper, MO | Heated riding gear and a full face helmet. Gerbings or Warm-N-Safe. I've ridden in single digit temps comfortably with Warm-N-Safe jacket and pants liners and Gerbings gloves and insoles. Outer clothing that won't let the wind penetrate, combined with heated gear, and you can be quiet comfortable. Use dual zone heat controllers.
Ronnie |
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Tourer
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New Mexico | RedRider - 2011-01-12 10:45 AM
I find silk long johns and scarf make a big difference. Silk won't make you sweat. I got the long johns at Sportmensguide.com and found a great price online for the scarf. I build up from there.
I was stationed at Canon AFB, NM back in '71 to '73 and they get the same type weather we do here. Where you at?
I'm in Albuquerque, and do have a set of silk long johns. I just didn't want to wear them all day at work. I guess for the joy rides that would open that temp window a bit. I think heated gloves (see below) are going to be a must for next season.
rdbudd - 2011-01-12 2:34 PM
Heated riding gear and a full face helmet. Gerbings or Warm-N-Safe. I've ridden in single digit temps comfortably with Warm-N-Safe jacket and pants liners and Gerbings gloves and insoles. Outer clothing that won't let the wind penetrate, combined with heated gear, and you can be quiet comfortable. Use dual zone heat controllers.
Ronnie
Thanks for the options. In Seattle (for 25 years) I was always so worried about the wet roads that I didn't invest in the really cold weather gear. Now that I am in the Southwest I might have to start adding Gerbings to my Christmas lists.
After two days of not riding I rode in to work today, and Man, I missed it! Hard to explain how much I enjoy riding, but I guess if you're on this board I don't have to explain it :-)
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Tourer
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Green Bay, WI United States | Try 4-? months of looking at the two pouting bikes in the garage :-( If it was not for the salt on the road I would figure out how to ride in any non-snowing weather above 10 degrees, (hell the snow sleds do it even colder). Never had heated gear but a couple of sweat shirts, sweat pants (next size jeans) and wind breaker type pull over and wind breaker pants go far to stop the wind, repels the cold air and holds your body heat to allow very cold weather riding. I always use a full face helmet and as was suggested cover your neck and down into your jacket (turtle neck type dickie is a good start rolled up into you helmet, no smart comments). Wool socks fit real good in my old cowboy boots, my steel toed cowboy work boots suck after the steel gets cold, a stop for two cups of coffee and they are still freezing. Hand warmers in my boots at the toes and I am good to go. Last but not least is chaps, mine not only cover my legs but also cover all but the very front of my boots - keeping the cold air off the rest. Heated seat and grips don't hurt along with the attitude to-
Ride hard, ride fast, but above all-ride safe, no matter the temp.....
Wildman/8-ball |
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My new 40/20 Rule
