Cold weather riding
Cold weather riding
Going to Daytona from Omaha in March for bike week. I have been riding in 45-48 temps to train myself for the cold. Today I ventured out in 37. All I can say is OMFG. I wore Thermal pants, Thermal Shirt, long sleeve shirt, Jeans, socks,boots (Doc Marten) Chaps, Leather coat, FXRG Gloves, Fullface helmet, Neck Scarf. Hands were fine. Legs were cold, upper body was cold, feet were freezing. Any ideas on how to keep the cold parts warm? I am hoping when I leave on the 13th of march it will be much warmer than 37.
I got a windscreen but it is not on yet.
I got a windscreen but it is not on yet.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 755
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
Three thoughts:
- I wear the Joe Rocket Ballistic pant all the time. No way you get cold in these. Armor in them too.
- I prefer getting the wind off of me via a windscreen.
- I wear a neck gaiter. Best $10 piece of gear.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 844
Likes: 91
From: San Diego
electric jacket liner and electric gloves, best investment I've made. 0430, 42 degrees, 42 miles @ 75 MPH, no problem. Get to work and am nice and warm. Prior to Electric gear, same conditions, and 22 miles down the road I was questioning why I ride in the winter. Recommendations, Gerbings, Harley, or Firstgear.
Enjoy!
Rick
Enjoy!
Rick
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 30,914
Likes: 16
From: Springfield, Ohio
your gear doesn't sound like a bad setup. I wear columbia titanium base layers, jeans, thinsulate leather jacket, some hunting socks, my insulated gloves, neck gaiter and full face helmet and I'm good to 20.
Cold is something that overtime your body adapts too. Just keep riding, and someday 48 will feel toasty
Cold is something that overtime your body adapts too. Just keep riding, and someday 48 will feel toasty
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Hey 221.
If you put on much more, you may not be able to ride the bike properly/safely. I live in SW Ohio and we ride on New Year's Day with the local HD HOG group. One of my bikes is a Fatboy, like you. The coldest day we have ridden on was 17 degrees (windchill factor was in the "OMG" range).
I was the only one in the group without a fairing but I had a windscreen and when you get your windscreen, it will help quit a bit. My hands suffered the most even with leather gloves and liners.
I can't justify the cost vs benefit, but if you can afford heated clothing, great. If you can only afford "some" but not all, go for the heated gloves (those fingers have to work to keep you safest). I suspect pants should be next because your torso will eventually be behind the windscreen.
Now if you are like me and can't/won't buy the heated garb, I still have some advice (the advice is free and worth about as much lol). First, instead of thermals use fleece undies instead. They are only slightly thicker and far superior. Also, they don't have the bulk of quilted undergarments and fit better under your leathers.
Also wear a full head/face fleece balaclava. You lose most of your heat from your noggin. However, be careful not to overheat and sweat.
Keep your legs close to the tank helps. There is a vest know as Jack's Flaps Windshifting Vest (link: http://www.motorbyte.com/mmm/pages/2003/61/gear61.htm ). I have a full leather jacket with chest pockets with flaps. I use the vest's idea and open my flaps when riding and it re-directs the wind away from your body. Also, keep your speed down whenever you can.
That's all I have and I hope you find a pearl of two in there somewhere. Ride ON!
If you put on much more, you may not be able to ride the bike properly/safely. I live in SW Ohio and we ride on New Year's Day with the local HD HOG group. One of my bikes is a Fatboy, like you. The coldest day we have ridden on was 17 degrees (windchill factor was in the "OMG" range).
I was the only one in the group without a fairing but I had a windscreen and when you get your windscreen, it will help quit a bit. My hands suffered the most even with leather gloves and liners.
I can't justify the cost vs benefit, but if you can afford heated clothing, great. If you can only afford "some" but not all, go for the heated gloves (those fingers have to work to keep you safest). I suspect pants should be next because your torso will eventually be behind the windscreen.
Now if you are like me and can't/won't buy the heated garb, I still have some advice (the advice is free and worth about as much lol). First, instead of thermals use fleece undies instead. They are only slightly thicker and far superior. Also, they don't have the bulk of quilted undergarments and fit better under your leathers.
Also wear a full head/face fleece balaclava. You lose most of your heat from your noggin. However, be careful not to overheat and sweat.
Keep your legs close to the tank helps. There is a vest know as Jack's Flaps Windshifting Vest (link: http://www.motorbyte.com/mmm/pages/2003/61/gear61.htm ). I have a full leather jacket with chest pockets with flaps. I use the vest's idea and open my flaps when riding and it re-directs the wind away from your body. Also, keep your speed down whenever you can.
That's all I have and I hope you find a pearl of two in there somewhere. Ride ON!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,111
From: Florida
How about hauling your bike? Why be uncomfortable to prove something? Riding locally is one thing; a couple thousand miles in freezing temps & possible rain,sleet, or snow does NOT make for a good time when you get there & know you hafta ride back.
IMHO if it ain't fun, I ain't gonna do it. And riding in the cold ain't fun!
IMHO if it ain't fun, I ain't gonna do it. And riding in the cold ain't fun!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 11
From: Kentucky
Going to Daytona from Omaha in March for bike week. I have been riding in 45-48 temps to train myself for the cold. Today I ventured out in 37. All I can say is OMFG. I wore Thermal pants, Thermal Shirt, long sleeve shirt, Jeans, socks,boots (Doc Marten) Chaps, Leather coat, FXRG Gloves, Fullface helmet, Neck Scarf. Hands were fine. Legs were cold, upper body was cold, feet were freezing. Any ideas on how to keep the cold parts warm? I am hoping when I leave on the 13th of march it will be much warmer than 37.
I got a windscreen but it is not on yet.
I got a windscreen but it is not on yet.
Windshield will help a lot. I rode about 11 hours straight dressed just like you, last March and did fine. It feels better after the first couple of hours, when you get more used to the cold. The first couple of hourse - high 30's and raining - I thought it would be a rough trip, but it turned out a lot easier than I thought.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
Dressing right is the key as is keeping cold air off you. Heated gear gloves, jacket liners, shoe inserts, and pants, has been a well kept secret, but lots are finding out it's a way to let you keep riding when everybody is put away for the winter. A windshield is a must, don't care if you don't like them, they work. Lowers, either the hard or soft removable type will help keep wind off your legs. Insulated boots with heated insoles are gold. If you happen to have a pair insulated bib's,they do a great job of keeping wind and cold off your legs and help keep your torso from loosing heat. This has been my experience from riding with our Polar Bear club for years. There's no reason to be cold once you know some tricks.,
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Joe Kucinski
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 33
Two words. Heated gear!
I've never understood how some guys will spend thousands on chrome but won't drop $300 on heated gear. It's the best money you'll ever spend and you don't have to ride dressed like the Michelin Man.
I rode 400 miles last Friday with temps ranging from 32 to the low 40's. I wore jeans, leather overpants, boots with ski socks, Underarmour shirt, W&S heated liner, Vanson leather jacket, FF, and W&S heated gloves.
I didn't even have to turn the heat up all the way!
Another plus for heated gear is that your reaction times slow down when you are cold, so you can also look at it as safety gear too!
I've never understood how some guys will spend thousands on chrome but won't drop $300 on heated gear. It's the best money you'll ever spend and you don't have to ride dressed like the Michelin Man.
I rode 400 miles last Friday with temps ranging from 32 to the low 40's. I wore jeans, leather overpants, boots with ski socks, Underarmour shirt, W&S heated liner, Vanson leather jacket, FF, and W&S heated gloves.
I didn't even have to turn the heat up all the way!
Another plus for heated gear is that your reaction times slow down when you are cold, so you can also look at it as safety gear too!