What's your magic temperature?
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 766
Likes: 651
From: Reno, NV
What's your magic temperature?
The past week it's been pretty chilly in the mornings. I leave for work around 6:30 am and the sun its coming up later as the year progresses to fall, then to winter.
For a while I was throwing on the leather jacket and doing fine, but a few nights ago it got real cold through that leather jacket. It was an evening ride and it was about 45 degrees. My body started tightening up (like rigamortis set in). I was having a hard time focusing on the ride.
This morning I left the house and asked myself...should I drive the bike or the truck? It was 50 degrees and the high is forecast for 56. I opted for the truck with its heater. LOL
There's a period in the year where I'm going to be lost while I wait for the snow to pile up in the Sierras. Once I put the bike away for winter I'll be waiting for snowmobile season to fire up. Do I buy warmer riding gear so I can ride until we get ice on the streets?
What's your magic temp to put that bike away? I know you Texas and Florida guys are gunna tell us how great you have it. I'm thinking seriously about retiring to AZ...maybe lake Havasue...
For a while I was throwing on the leather jacket and doing fine, but a few nights ago it got real cold through that leather jacket. It was an evening ride and it was about 45 degrees. My body started tightening up (like rigamortis set in). I was having a hard time focusing on the ride.
This morning I left the house and asked myself...should I drive the bike or the truck? It was 50 degrees and the high is forecast for 56. I opted for the truck with its heater. LOL
There's a period in the year where I'm going to be lost while I wait for the snow to pile up in the Sierras. Once I put the bike away for winter I'll be waiting for snowmobile season to fire up. Do I buy warmer riding gear so I can ride until we get ice on the streets?
What's your magic temp to put that bike away? I know you Texas and Florida guys are gunna tell us how great you have it. I'm thinking seriously about retiring to AZ...maybe lake Havasue...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
Not as much temperature as precipitation. Once we get ice, sleet, snow, and they drop the melting chemicals, I'm done. I have ridden in temperatures in the mid 30's but I don't really like it.
I can dress for temps with lows in the mid 40's, by wearing a heavy MC coat w/zip in liner made of ballistic nylon, and insulated nylon leggings. Lined buckskin gloves with my hand warmers keep my hands warm.
I'm still hoping we get a few acceptable riding days yet- if only it'd stop raining for a few days.
I can dress for temps with lows in the mid 40's, by wearing a heavy MC coat w/zip in liner made of ballistic nylon, and insulated nylon leggings. Lined buckskin gloves with my hand warmers keep my hands warm.
I'm still hoping we get a few acceptable riding days yet- if only it'd stop raining for a few days.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 653
From: Atlantic Canada, eh
As has been said, once we get frost overnight (and there are frozen leaves on the road) or ice/snow, I'll stop. There are tons of leaves down now, but the temp is staying above 0*C/32*F for now.
I did ride to work one morning where it was just barely above 0*C/32*F and it was 98% humidity and I was underdressed. With just a golf shirt and leather jacket and no leathers or winter gloves, I near froze in 35mins of riding, part of that at 60mph....
Conversely, I rode on the weekend and it was 4*C (what's that , about 40*F?) and I put a hoodie under my leather jacket and put chaps and winter gloves on and I was toasty warm for a 2 hour ride.
Heated gear won't really extend my season much, because for me, it's all about what's on the road and not so much the air temp.
Conversely, I couldn't survive in the Nevada heat. It would kill me. ;-)
I did ride to work one morning where it was just barely above 0*C/32*F and it was 98% humidity and I was underdressed. With just a golf shirt and leather jacket and no leathers or winter gloves, I near froze in 35mins of riding, part of that at 60mph....
Conversely, I rode on the weekend and it was 4*C (what's that , about 40*F?) and I put a hoodie under my leather jacket and put chaps and winter gloves on and I was toasty warm for a 2 hour ride.
Heated gear won't really extend my season much, because for me, it's all about what's on the road and not so much the air temp.
Conversely, I couldn't survive in the Nevada heat. It would kill me. ;-)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,774
Likes: 38,462
From: Post Falls, ID
I rode year round for many years in Ca, including the Central Valley where the tule fog lasts for weeks, Daytime temps never exceed 38F. I was always on early dayshift and sometimes rode to work in the 20's. I just spent time in a Starbucks warming up while listening to calls. I survived by using wind guards over the grips.
Now that that I don't have to ride for a paycheck, I am less interested in riding in the discomfort of cold. I won't ride under 40 just because I don't have to anymore.
Now that that I don't have to ride for a paycheck, I am less interested in riding in the discomfort of cold. I won't ride under 40 just because I don't have to anymore.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,284
Likes: 7,765
From: West Central FL
My preferred temps are between 60° and 80°. A little higher if the humidity is low.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 7,968
Likes: 15,710
From: Florida
I don't bat an eye at 50's and I can have fun in the 40's but I avoid the 30's and take the Jeep. Being in Central Florida there are very few days or nights where it gets too cold. Love bugs and rain make up for winter though.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,774
Likes: 38,462
From: Post Falls, ID
OP, have you seen Lake Havasu summer temps? Reno only had 20 days with temps at 100 or a bit more this year.
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 97
Likes: 36
From: North Central Massachusetts
Being from the Northeast (not to mention 1/2 Canadian), cold doesn't bother me. I can ride comfortably 45F and up with minimal extra gear. It's more a question of road conditions here. Snow, ice, salt, sand, fresh potholes - these are a few of the things that'll keep me off the road between November/December and March/April.
Ideal temp? Probably 70F.
Ideal temp? Probably 70F.