Some Cold Weather Riding Advice Needed
#1
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Some Cold Weather Riding Advice Needed
I may be going on a 300 mile roadtrip with my bike just after Xmas. Being that I'm in NE Ga, I don't expect snow, but the coldness prob being in the 40's- maybe late 30's.
I understand heated grips are great (thanks thirdgenxli), but I don't have those. I've been told layering up is the way to go. I made my own neck sock out of fleece, but I think maybe a baklava is better?
What else... Oh yeah, leather is fine and dandy for wind proofing, but what if you don't own leather pants and have to go with jeans and long johns?
Suggestions??
I don't wanna freeze my *** off or put my health at risk... I would like this to be an enjoyable ride.
I understand heated grips are great (thanks thirdgenxli), but I don't have those. I've been told layering up is the way to go. I made my own neck sock out of fleece, but I think maybe a baklava is better?
What else... Oh yeah, leather is fine and dandy for wind proofing, but what if you don't own leather pants and have to go with jeans and long johns?
Suggestions??
I don't wanna freeze my *** off or put my health at risk... I would like this to be an enjoyable ride.
#2
RE: Some Cold Weather Riding Advice Needed
Andie, cant you just stay in bed instead?? ..lol
Do you have to do this trip or is it purely for pleasure, I just cant see any pleasure in freezing my bits off this time of year on such a long trip ... I remember commuting to work (only 15 miles) and being like ice when I got there ... heated grips are a must, I always found that the worst, cold hands and then the pain in my fingers as they warmed up again ...also that whole body chill feeling, right down to the bone ..takes all day to warm up ..sorry I will stop now ..lol
Jules
PS, dont go!!
Do you have to do this trip or is it purely for pleasure, I just cant see any pleasure in freezing my bits off this time of year on such a long trip ... I remember commuting to work (only 15 miles) and being like ice when I got there ... heated grips are a must, I always found that the worst, cold hands and then the pain in my fingers as they warmed up again ...also that whole body chill feeling, right down to the bone ..takes all day to warm up ..sorry I will stop now ..lol
Jules
PS, dont go!!
#3
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RE: Some Cold Weather Riding Advice Needed
for pleasure Jules... I can't NOT ride... I'm used to riding in South Florida all yr around. Unless it's freezing, I want to be to be out there if I can.
If you were THAT cold, you weren't insulated enough.. That much I read on the web somewhere. LOL
If you were THAT cold, you weren't insulated enough.. That much I read on the web somewhere. LOL
#4
RE: Some Cold Weather Riding Advice Needed
overpants would be a must for me, currently I use snowboarding pants, wind resistant and they have a thermal layer, problem is they will melt instantly if they hit the ground at speed, I would wear sweats and jeans under that for a 300 mile trip. Long sleeve shirt, sweat shirt and a leather or texile armor jacket. Baklava are awesome, I use one anytime I'm riding upnder 50degrees, but I get alot of wind whipping up under my helmet. I bought a set of thick joe rocket leather gloves, their thin on the palm for ease of control, I wear a underglove when it drops being 30 though
#5
RE: Some Cold Weather Riding Advice Needed
I've ridden in the cold, don't like it much though. Many layers are a must... but it's where the joints in your clothes are that are the worst... wrists, neck, face, ankles and such... to me it's not worth freezing all day over. Besides, now is the time where the bike is in pieces because I can't ride, and it's time to mod, mod, mod!! And taking some time off makes me appreciate when I do ride more, and gives my mom a break from worrying I'm going to die all the time, lol.
Jules, is freezing your "bits" off the same as freezing your ti... ... ummmmm ... never mind, lol. I think I get it...
And Andie, were did your pic avatar go?
Jules, is freezing your "bits" off the same as freezing your ti... ... ummmmm ... never mind, lol. I think I get it...
And Andie, were did your pic avatar go?
#8
RE: Some Cold Weather Riding Advice Needed
I'm up here in CT and when I left for work this morning it was 14 degrees without the wind chill factored in. It snowed yesterday and everything is frozen over but they do a pretty good job of keeping the roads clear. I was gonna take the XT225 but it was so cold it wouldn't start, I killed the battery trying. Sooooo fired up the CBR. When its this cold all my bikes run like ****. For surviving the cold, I wear long-johns under my uniform and a fleece under my Navy issue utility jacket. I have heated Hand-grips, they are a life saver. I ride in a few miles so bundleing up isn't a factor as I can survive the short trp pretty easily, but out riding the XT in the snow on the trails, I got a Wall Blizzard suit. Its just a pair of coveralls made for construction workers for cold weather. Ugly as hell but it works, wind and water resistant, and I wear a big pair of ski-gloves, but the XT has heated grips also, and bark-busters, that helps too. For your situation if its a one time thing, I couldn't justify buying $$$$ gear for the one or two times you might take a trip in the cold, see if you can borrow some gear? I have loaned out gear to guys who don't ride much and didn't have poper gear. I also have a feildsheer pants and jacket thats waterproof and lined thats really decent and affordable. Heated grips are only 30.00 and take about an hour to install, once you have them you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. Or, go to a sporting goods store and get some hand warmers. I like the kind that you expose to the air for about 30min to activate them then slip them in my gloves, works well for those long days of trail riding when its brutally cold and I'm gonna be on the bike for a long time out in the trails. For a 300mi trip though at freeway speeds, I wouldn't think anything would work except for gear that was made specifically for that purpose.
#9
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RE: Some Cold Weather Riding Advice Needed
Oh good call, thanks.. I saw the drop in hand warmers..
Anyone I could borrow gear from wouldn't fit me. My hands are like a kids. LOL
but to wear over my leather icon gloves, I would consider it. I've heard fleece is the way to go underneath regular gear.
And TK- taking the car is a moot point. The whole point is to ride the twisties up here. 150 miles one way and 150 back- same day. It'll be the coldest (obviously) in the morning and coming back.. I see 3 hours each way- including warm up/break stops.
Anyone I could borrow gear from wouldn't fit me. My hands are like a kids. LOL
but to wear over my leather icon gloves, I would consider it. I've heard fleece is the way to go underneath regular gear.
And TK- taking the car is a moot point. The whole point is to ride the twisties up here. 150 miles one way and 150 back- same day. It'll be the coldest (obviously) in the morning and coming back.. I see 3 hours each way- including warm up/break stops.
#10