Cold weather gear
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: PA
I use UnderArmor ColdGear for long underwear, Alpaca socks, layers under leather, and put heat pacs in my pockets and gloves. I have different combinations that I use and have been comfortable in the lower 30's for up to five hours. I do need some heated gear and hope that Santa will begin to bring that this year. Cold does not stop me, its the stupid salt that they smear on the road.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
Pants - I wear UA long underwear, then put double layered thermal underwear on top of that, then loose jeans so I can still move.
*I'm considering asking for some leather chaps from Santa
Top - UA shirt, double layered thermal shirt, sweatshirt and my insulated heavy leather jacket.
Feet - Thin polyester socks with Carhartt arctic wool socks on top, then my Justin slip-ons.
Hands - I have tried everything without going to a heated glove, and I have a pair of gloves I found at a farm store that work best without being bulky...don't remember the brand but they work well for what they are.
Face - usually a polyester ski mask under my half-helmet, but I bought a Bell full face helmet this summer, so I'll be using that when it gets colder....below 50.
When it gets below 50 and stays there I'll put my windshield back on my Dyna also.
The above works for how I ride in the winter, which is usually 2 hour rides or less above 40 degrees. If it gets down into the 30s or less, I'll usually just take the truck as I would have to buy some more expensive or heated gear to be comfortable & I'll just wait for a better day. If I had a touring bike with a fairing & better protection, I would probably ride a lot more in the winter, but I still put several miles on during the winter months.
*I'm considering asking for some leather chaps from Santa
Top - UA shirt, double layered thermal shirt, sweatshirt and my insulated heavy leather jacket.
Feet - Thin polyester socks with Carhartt arctic wool socks on top, then my Justin slip-ons.
Hands - I have tried everything without going to a heated glove, and I have a pair of gloves I found at a farm store that work best without being bulky...don't remember the brand but they work well for what they are.
Face - usually a polyester ski mask under my half-helmet, but I bought a Bell full face helmet this summer, so I'll be using that when it gets colder....below 50.
When it gets below 50 and stays there I'll put my windshield back on my Dyna also.
The above works for how I ride in the winter, which is usually 2 hour rides or less above 40 degrees. If it gets down into the 30s or less, I'll usually just take the truck as I would have to buy some more expensive or heated gear to be comfortable & I'll just wait for a better day. If I had a touring bike with a fairing & better protection, I would probably ride a lot more in the winter, but I still put several miles on during the winter months.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
I ride until the snow flies, and then some. I commute to work on the bike. Some of those winter mornings when the temps are in the 20's or teens's it can be a real bitch. The two things that go first are The face and the hands. I have a modular helmet that I wear on those days with a neck tube. For my hands I usually wear an insulated pair of leather gauntlet style riding glove. But on those cold days I wear my ski gloves. Doesn't matter what kind of gloves you have your hands will freeze if you're holding on tight or holding in the clutch lever stopped in traffic. So neutral is your friend. Use the stops to let go of the grips and shake some blood down to your hands.
I usually throw on a pair of insulated over pants, and throw on an extra sweater. My leather jacket has a heavy liner that I only use in cold weather.
I usually throw on a pair of insulated over pants, and throw on an extra sweater. My leather jacket has a heavy liner that I only use in cold weather.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colorado
I use Desert Dawgs on my engine guard to keep the wind off my feet. Long underwear. Jeans and chaps. Heavy socks with toe warmers. Long sleeve shirt. Fleece. Leather jacket and vest. Glove liners with hand warmers on the back. Winter gauntlet gloves. Neck turtle and a FF helmet. Good for riding (for me) to 6 Deg F.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
I Commute Year Round
I commute year round on my bike. The only thing that keeps me off is active rain, snow or ice. I'll ride thru the winter down to the upper 20's. All I wear is a long sleeve t, my Gerbings heated liner and a lined wind breaker on top. I also have the Gerbings 3G gloves and use my Harley neck gator as a face shield under my 3/4 helmet. I use the Harley brand dual controller mounted on a Captain Itch controller holder attached to my tank panel. My bike is pre wired so all I have to do is plug the controller in and attach it to my jacket. The controller is easily accessable allowing for setting changes on the fly. (you'll want this feature)
If you are serious about wanting to ride thru the cold, heated gear is the way to go. It's a little bit pricey but once you have it you'll wonder why your didn't do it before!
If you are serious about wanting to ride thru the cold, heated gear is the way to go. It's a little bit pricey but once you have it you'll wonder why your didn't do it before!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
textile motorcycle over pants with wind/water liner installed
waterproof insulated motorcycle gloves
water proof motorcycle boots - water proofing blocks the wind
full face helmet with anti fog treatment
below 50-45F you will want a heated jacket liner and heated gloves
I ride comfortably down to 32F with the addition of a heated liner and heated gloves but you don't need them above 50-45F.
Last edited by fat_tony; Sep 20, 2012 at 09:15 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 844
Likes: 91
From: San Diego
Believe it or not, we get 30 degree temps in SoCal in the winter months. I leave for work about 0430 and there are many mornings I will look at the thermometer on the way out the door and it is 32 degrees. I have a 42 mile commute at this temp. I started out doing this on a stock softail. 22 miles into the ride I used to be sticking one hand at a time between the jugs to get some feeling back. Then I discovered heated gloves. AHHH, what an improvement over sticking a hand between the jugs. Later on I had a trip to Washington state and made a point of stopping by the Gerbings world head quarters. While there I got to try on the heated jacket liners and find the size that fit right. Easy decision to buy one right there. Now I don't even think of the cold. My buddies won't ride with me in the winter time anymore as they freeze, and I can lay down the miles. I bought the remote heat controls and mounted them in the center console of the UC.
Last edited by Rick's Ultra; Sep 20, 2012 at 10:03 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
Heated jacket liners are awesome but they are only as good as what you wear over top of them. You need a motorcycle jacket that is totally windproof and has some decent insulation in it. Other wise you will have hot spots form the heating elements and be cold and drafty elsewhere. Heated liners have no insulation of their own to speak of - they make heat but don't retain it without insulation over top. I would suggest looking first at a decent high quality 4 season touring jacket and then if you still want more heat later adding a heated jacket liner. I have both but use my jacket 95% of the time but the heated liner only on rides below ~45F.
With heated gear skip the vest and go for a heated jacket liner. There is not much difference in cost but a heated jacket liner heats the arms and the heated collar heats the neck which is invaluable in really cold weather. Also with a headed jacket liner they are wired so you can plug heated gloves into the cuffs. I would recommend Gerbings or Warm and Safe. Tourmaster is cheaper but not as good quality.
A huge amount of heat loss comes from the head too. A full face helmet is almost mandatory in cold weather, so are insulated motorcycle over pants. Chaps might look stylish but they can't compare to motorcycle over pants in warmth or crash protection.
When you get chilled the body slows blood flow to the extremities to keep the vital organs warm, which gives you cold feet and hands. With a well warmed core the rest of you will stay warmer with less insulation.
With heated gear skip the vest and go for a heated jacket liner. There is not much difference in cost but a heated jacket liner heats the arms and the heated collar heats the neck which is invaluable in really cold weather. Also with a headed jacket liner they are wired so you can plug heated gloves into the cuffs. I would recommend Gerbings or Warm and Safe. Tourmaster is cheaper but not as good quality.
A huge amount of heat loss comes from the head too. A full face helmet is almost mandatory in cold weather, so are insulated motorcycle over pants. Chaps might look stylish but they can't compare to motorcycle over pants in warmth or crash protection.
When you get chilled the body slows blood flow to the extremities to keep the vital organs warm, which gives you cold feet and hands. With a well warmed core the rest of you will stay warmer with less insulation.
Last edited by fat_tony; Sep 21, 2012 at 04:14 AM.