When is it to cold?
In my younger days, I rode as long as it wasn't cold AND raining. Later on, when my '85 Flhtc was my only means of transportation, I rode regardless.
In Germany, in the late '70s I discovered that cold temps combined with high relative humidity made for the most miserable ride.
That said, the coldest I have ever been on a bike, after growing up in PA, and riding in Germany for 3 years, was in Florida, in the fall of '87. I was going to school at ERAU in Daytona, and visiting my family in Stuart on weekends.
In Germany, in the late '70s I discovered that cold temps combined with high relative humidity made for the most miserable ride.
That said, the coldest I have ever been on a bike, after growing up in PA, and riding in Germany for 3 years, was in Florida, in the fall of '87. I was going to school at ERAU in Daytona, and visiting my family in Stuart on weekends.
I see you're in FL. I didn't even know about cold humidity till I spent the winter in Tallahassee bicycle race training in the early '80's. I was born and raised up here in AK where it's a "dry" cold. I'm used to hearing folks come up here kinda thinking "snow and igloos." Well, when I went to FL I thought the door of the plane would open and there'd be beaches and bikinis for as far as the eye could see!
I'd never been in cold humidity before and it actually snowed while I was there. Now I actually say that I've been colder in Fl than I EVER have in AK and that includes my going to school up in Fairbanks where it gets an honest 50f! 
Warmest regards from the far and frozen north, Mark H.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 40
From: New York
+1 40 plus 60 (MPH) = misery without too many clothes or heated stuff. I'll put my bike away and go sailing. But even then I have a limit- 20 degrees and 20 knots
Last edited by Blackfly; Nov 7, 2011 at 12:33 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,614
Likes: 6,440
From: Honah Lee
Ride all winter. Max distance is 10 miles. So I just layer. Do not ride below freezing and try to be vary careful on cool evening when I come home at 12AM since at 40-50 it can be slick from dew.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,356
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, NV
Below 32* degrees my hands get pretty cold without electric gloves.
I've been looking at Gerbings electric gear for a few winters now. Maybe this will be my year.
I've been looking at Gerbings electric gear for a few winters now. Maybe this will be my year.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 179
Likes: 7
From: Whitehall PA
Rode in this morning it was 29. This afternoon it is 65.
Basically, I'm where others are. Temps don't bother me much, except for my hands, but it's the road conditions. This time of year, it's not bad yet, but, once it starts dipping into the 20's regularly in the evenings, it's just too cold at 6am to deal with it. I do hate it though when I bring the car to work, and by noon it's 60 something, like today, hence, I rode in.
I really, really do want a pair of heated gloves at some point, as they are my only body part that can't deal with the cold. I just haven't yet justified the $150-$200 for gloves.
Basically, I'm where others are. Temps don't bother me much, except for my hands, but it's the road conditions. This time of year, it's not bad yet, but, once it starts dipping into the 20's regularly in the evenings, it's just too cold at 6am to deal with it. I do hate it though when I bring the car to work, and by noon it's 60 something, like today, hence, I rode in.
I really, really do want a pair of heated gloves at some point, as they are my only body part that can't deal with the cold. I just haven't yet justified the $150-$200 for gloves.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 421
From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)
Saturday morning took my bike to dealer for "Dreaded Front End Road Glide Wobble" and brake recall. It was 29 when I left the house. The trip was less than 20 miles, but it was not any fun. My fingers physically hurt when I got there. The rest of me faired OK, but my watch cap was slowly losing the battle for my ears...
I ride because it is fun and I enjoy it. Saturday morning was not fun and I did not enjoy it.
Saturday afternoon it got up into low 50's and rode about 100 miles...
I ride because it is fun and I enjoy it. Saturday morning was not fun and I did not enjoy it.
Saturday afternoon it got up into low 50's and rode about 100 miles...
Last edited by PFWiz; Nov 7, 2011 at 08:23 PM.