How Cold Is TOO Cold?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Southern New Hampshire
15 deg?
Man you sure have thicker blood then me! 
......... As far as I'm concerned, if I can't feel my fingers (or other body parts) after a ride it's not fun. 
If I had a bagger with upper and lower fairings or perhaps electricly heated riding gear I'd ride longer in the season but right now the side roads are all icy and main roads are slippery so regardless of the temp, fairing or riding gear anyone riding on on two wheels in New Hampshire right now is asking for trouble. (Not to mention getting covered with dirt and crap from the snow, sand and salt on the roads. Look how dirty your car is!!) It'll be a moot point come Wednesday up here in the north east when another 12 inches of show falls! (God I hate new england winters!!
)
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: livingston nj
I have ridden when it was about 30, all I wore was a thermal turtle neck shirt,a light sweatshirt and a jacket liner with my leather.
also a pair of good gloves....oh yeah, once I plugged them in I was nice and toasty !
Thank you Gerbings....
also a pair of good gloves....oh yeah, once I plugged them in I was nice and toasty !
Thank you Gerbings....
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: The beautiful NW GA mountains.
Not sure how cold too cold is but....it was 65 degrees where I live today. Took the new Fat Bob out for her maiden voyage well not counting the ride home from the dealer. Thank God for warm days in the winter. To everyone that doesn't have those days you are bolder than me to brave freezing temps. Then again it seems that an HD blocks all portions of the brain except the one that senses pleasure.
I have rode in 12 degrees this winter, coldest this year, no problems for the bike (as long as there is no ice on the roads, allow a few extra minutes for the engine to warm up, you will be fine, besides cold air makes more power
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 409
Likes: 2
From: Norwalk, Ohio
glad to hear it won't mess up the bike, but it might mess me up. All tis damn ice keeps me from even trying it. If it isn't ice, then it's salt,slushee mix. Very few dry cold days with clear roads in Ohio.
Maybe after I finish losing a bit of weight, and make an investment into heated riding gear, I'll start riding more when it gets cold.
Other than that, even with three or four laers on, I still freeze, and there is no joy in freezing to death for me.
Makes the springtime that much more enjoyable i guess.
Maybe after I finish losing a bit of weight, and make an investment into heated riding gear, I'll start riding more when it gets cold.
Other than that, even with three or four laers on, I still freeze, and there is no joy in freezing to death for me.
Makes the springtime that much more enjoyable i guess.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Southern New Hampshire
glad to hear it won't mess up the bike, but it might mess me up. All tis damn ice keeps me from even trying it. If it isn't ice, then it's salt,slushee mix. Very few dry cold days with clear roads in Ohio.
Maybe after I finish losing a bit of weight, and make an investment into heated riding gear, I'll start riding more when it gets cold.
Other than that, even with three or four laers on, I still freeze, and there is no joy in freezing to death for me.
Makes the springtime that much more enjoyable i guess.
Maybe after I finish losing a bit of weight, and make an investment into heated riding gear, I'll start riding more when it gets cold.
Other than that, even with three or four laers on, I still freeze, and there is no joy in freezing to death for me.
Makes the springtime that much more enjoyable i guess.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma City, OK
The coldest I’ve ridden in was about 28 degrees taking my Nightster up to the dealer to trade. It was miserable. I only had my forehead exposed and it HURT! Luckily I didn’t have far to go. I rode the Street Bob home from service the other day in 30 something degree weather and it wasn’t pleasant. My fingers were frozen despite the lined gloves. I was alright other than my fingers. I suppose heated gloves would make 30 something bearable, but not truly enjoyable.
I can handle 40 something degrees in the mornings on a ride into work if it’s going to be an especially nice day later. Usually, to just go ride it needs to be at least 50 something for me or else it’s just not very enjoyable. The warmer the better.
I always trip out on seeing the motorcycle cops out on patrol in less than 32 degree weather. I’ve seen them a few times this year now that I notice such things having a bike again myself. I can’t imagine a whole shift out there on a bike in freezing weather. Brutal! It’s got to interfere with performing your duties too.
I can handle 40 something degrees in the mornings on a ride into work if it’s going to be an especially nice day later. Usually, to just go ride it needs to be at least 50 something for me or else it’s just not very enjoyable. The warmer the better.
I always trip out on seeing the motorcycle cops out on patrol in less than 32 degree weather. I’ve seen them a few times this year now that I notice such things having a bike again myself. I can’t imagine a whole shift out there on a bike in freezing weather. Brutal! It’s got to interfere with performing your duties too.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
Went out today (8 deg F) Road finally dry after the snow melted. I was colder than a titches wit. My question is how about the bike? The bike seemed fine, but is there anything to worry about in cold cold weather? What is the coldest you can ride the bike in? The reason for the ride? The snow melted and I wanted to check out the new 6" rise handlebars vs. the 8" rise, not that I NEEDED a reason though.