Winter Riding Tips
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 670
Likes: 5
From: NJ
Was just riding the other night pretty late well lets say early morning... And just had a Hoodie sweatshirt since when I started it was 70 degrees out it was about 37 degrees out when I was going home anyway I layered with under armour Heat Gear the mock neck man that thing was really warm I usually wear thermals but my Wife got this for me and it is 100 times warmer..
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
Some people think a hat keeps you warm because heat rises and, therefore, you lose more heat through your head. Not quite, but, it's true that keeping your head, and chest, warm will make your hands warmer.
Why?
Because your brain is in charge. Blood flow is the temperature control for your body. Your brain regulates this blood flow. Nice warm blood comes from your heart, and is sent to where it is needed to warm things up. Your brain is egotistical and will take as much warm blood as it needs to feel comfy. The second priority is your heart. To your brain, everything else is just fluff.
When your brain starts to feel cold, it asks itself; "What can I do without?" - it will sacrifice, by reducing, then completely cutting off blood flow, to your hands and feet first, then your arms and legs ( you could live without all of them, but not without a brain or a heart).
SO... if you want your hands to be warm, make sure your head & chest are nice and toasty. If they aren't, the best gloves money can buy (short of electrics) won't do anything for you.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycl...uff/51690.html
They kept my hands nice and warm on a 36°F ride one night. Pretty tough to beat $14.95 too.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
Latex gloves like painters or medical staff wear work well under a nice pair of gauntlets.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Just bought these recently;
http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycl...uff/51690.html
They kept my hands nice and warm on a 36°F ride one night. Pretty tough to beat $14.95 too.
http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycl...uff/51690.html
They kept my hands nice and warm on a 36°F ride one night. Pretty tough to beat $14.95 too.
I think I will have to blame you for not posting this site before, I bought my $500 Harley Jacket and outrageously expensive boots from the dealer!!!
Last edited by vijay; Oct 14, 2008 at 12:12 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Prairie Village, KS
Commuted all winter last year in Kansas City area (except on snow/ice days). Lowest was 16 degrees. My answer to cold is Gore Tex in everything I can get it in- boots, pants (hunting bib pants), jacket, gloves. With a full face helmet and windshield, I only felt the cold in my fingers, and at least the left hand could get warm on the rear cylinder. Oh, and that is riding Interstate highways for most of the commute.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 439
Likes: 22
From: League City, Texas
Since Houston only has 2 seasons ( summer and January ) I dont have to worry to much about this kind of thing. However if you are ever caught off guard by a cold front, newspaper under your clothes works very well for blocking wind. I had an unexpected overnight excursion with "new friend" one night, quite a ways from home and woke up to find it pretty damn cold outside. Should have watched the weather I guess. Anyway, i went to walmart, got some sweat pants and sweat shirt, then placed newspaper under them and rode home. Wasnt great, but wasnt that bad either. Just thought I'd throw that out there.