"Cold" weather riding
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 127
From: Aussie lost in Switzerland
Layering up is your only real option if you can't go for heated gear.
I ride thoughout winter here, often in below freezing temps and I discovered my ski pants and chaps over my jeans are just perfect for my lower body. Upper body I have tshirt, heavy weight hoodie, leather jacket and my cut. Sometimes a light rain jacket.
Hands and feet will be the first to get cold, and layering isn't really an option. So investing in HIGH quality boots and gloves, or heated if you can afford it, is worthwhile.
I ride thoughout winter here, often in below freezing temps and I discovered my ski pants and chaps over my jeans are just perfect for my lower body. Upper body I have tshirt, heavy weight hoodie, leather jacket and my cut. Sometimes a light rain jacket.
Hands and feet will be the first to get cold, and layering isn't really an option. So investing in HIGH quality boots and gloves, or heated if you can afford it, is worthwhile.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Whiting, NJ
I wear Goretex military issue jacket and overpants over whatever layers. While not insulated, they are wind proof so heat loss is minimized.
I found that Sliders kevlar winter gloves are better than my ski gloves. Bought from Competition Accessories. Even webbikeworld.com found them to be the warmest non-electric gloves. Paid $39 but they sell now for $45.
http://www.compacc.com/p/Sliders-Col...Armored-Gloves
I ride through NJ winters so I don't "put away" the bike.
I found that Sliders kevlar winter gloves are better than my ski gloves. Bought from Competition Accessories. Even webbikeworld.com found them to be the warmest non-electric gloves. Paid $39 but they sell now for $45.
http://www.compacc.com/p/Sliders-Col...Armored-Gloves
I ride through NJ winters so I don't "put away" the bike.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 3
Agree with majorbrian... I have all manner of stuff for riding in the cold... my soft lowers being #1, I won't leave home without 'em. I hate bulky gloves, they feel unsafe. I have tried hand deflectors with no luck, which is why we developed the Desert Digits: http://www.leadermotorcycle.com/dese...in-deflectors/.
Also have tips for riding in the cold: http://www.leadermotorcycle.com/cold...-riding-guide/
Also have tips for riding in the cold: http://www.leadermotorcycle.com/cold...-riding-guide/
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,737
Likes: 17,577
From: Driftless Area
Never fails...It's been single-digits with below zero wind chill here for the better part of a week, snow, more salt on the road than pavement, and some dink has to come on here and ask how to keep warm in California, or Texas, or Arizona.
Set yourself on fire. OK?
Set yourself on fire. OK?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 31
From: So-Cal, USA
I use the FXRG pants and jacket from HD. Yes it cost a fortune but it keeps me warm. Although when I bought it bout 6 years ago it was about $500 total for both pieces. It has been around 20F here in Italy and I am still out there riding. For gloves I have some winter gloves the Army issued and they work great
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 12
From: NoVA
Jeez, I rode over Tioga Pass in May of '78. They had just plowed it out a couple of days before. The freakin' snow was piled 15-20 feet up on the shoulder. None of the overlooks had been cleared out yet. That caused a real problem finding a place to pull on the long johns. Electric grips and vests were not invented yet.
I never had snow like that in PA.
Backplay; Ya ever hear of the Donner party? Donner Pass? When winter sets in they eat people in CA.
I never had snow like that in PA.
Backplay; Ya ever hear of the Donner party? Donner Pass? When winter sets in they eat people in CA.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Essex, United Kingdom
Hi, I've been looking into this a fair bit recently. I've had a fair amount of success with lots of thin layers as it is the air between the layers that keep you insulated (and helps to cut down on bulk). I recently spent Ł30 in a sports discount outlet on thermal top/bottom base layer, thermal sports top and a micro fleece which all fit under my leathers.
Also, wind will whisk away body heat like nothing else, one way to help combat this is an all-in-one rain suit, the non breathable material is good protection against the wind (and makes you feel like an astronaut).
Heated gloves have made a huge difference, somebody told me that if you keep your extremities warm then your body can focus on keeping your core warm.
I was going to look into insulated kidney belts and hand warmer packs too at some point but for the moment I've been comfortable riding using the above.
Also, wind will whisk away body heat like nothing else, one way to help combat this is an all-in-one rain suit, the non breathable material is good protection against the wind (and makes you feel like an astronaut).
Heated gloves have made a huge difference, somebody told me that if you keep your extremities warm then your body can focus on keeping your core warm.
I was going to look into insulated kidney belts and hand warmer packs too at some point but for the moment I've been comfortable riding using the above.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 33
Heated jacket liner and heated gloves. Best money you will ever spend on the bike. You don't have to dress like the Michelin Man and you can have it in your saddlebags all the time. Doesn't matter where you live because you may be riding in other parts of the country. I've used mine in August in a cold rain in the Rockies.