Get yourself heated grips or heated gloves. Also a heated vest to keep your core warm. The cold air getting to your skin can cool you down no matter how many layers you have on. In really cold weather I will put on my rain jacket over my leathers. That provides a wind proof barrier between me and the cold.

 

I find jeans just don't cut it cold weather and chaps as you've probably figured out by now are mostly just decorative.

- insulated motorcycle pants
- helmet balaclava under FF helmet ($10 at most cycle shops - keeps neck and chin warm)
- 3/4 length motorcycle jacket
- heavy insulated motorcycle gloves or heated gloves
- heated liner is really nice

The main rule in cold weather riding is stop the wind. Insulation does not work unless you first stop the wind.

 

Heated gear will solve your problem. But, if you don't have a grand to drop on all that -

Nice thin Balaclava. Less bulky than a scarf and allows you to zip all the way up.

Down vest. Light. Easy to pack small when not in use. Warm. Cheap.

Tourmaster Caliber, or similar, riding pants. Keeps wind and rain out, warmth in.

Polyprop socks then wrap your feet in plastic wrap. Stick on some toe warmers.

Gauntlet gloves or overgloves. Keeps cold air from going up your sleeves.

The windscreen will help the upper body heat loss tremendously.

 

I am leaving Central Pa on March 7th to ride down. Really hopin for the best but do have a full set of Gerbing. Wouldnt plan on not trailering if I didnt have them. Did a 100 miles today in the low 30s today and the heat sure did feel good from them. Remember, its a long way til ya hit warmer weather. Good luck.

 

If your hands were good you're more than half way there. Thw windscreen will do most of the rest. Add a layer over your upper body. If you have engine guards and don't have lowers try some soft lowers, if no guards add another (thin) layer beneath leathers and pants along with some good wool socks and heavy leather boots (like Red Wings).

I start out in the upper 30s often, leather, layers, and lowers are the key. My biggest problem is always my hands.

 

It's not rocket science. Dress warm, the colder it is the warmer you dress. Think snowmobile suit, that would be optimum.

Some days when I leave in the morning it's as cold as -10C (15F). Believe me, you feel that when you get up to highway speed. Obviously you can't have any exposed skin. So you need a FF helmet and neck covered as others have said.

Good ski gloves. Thermal under clothes, outer clothes must be able to cut the wind. Don't wear jeans for example, the wind blows right through the cotton. You'll freeze your azz off.

 

Heated gear and an Under Armour Cold Gear Hood will make a big difference.

 

Love my fleece lined jeans in the winter and on the bike. Bass Pro has good pricing. You can also buy heat warmers for your shoes. They last about 6 to 8 hours and really help. I have a Gerbers jacket liner and gloves. Do not use the gloves but really like the liner. I use a $20 pair of gloves from Olympia that is waterproof and windproof. They keep my hands warm but they will make your hands sweat.

 

Take plenty of breaks to revive your body. Heated gear is a must in those conditions

 

What Dickey said!


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