Cold Weather Riding Gear
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 145
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Cold Weather Riding Gear
I live in South East Virginia and I am considing riding through the winter. I am trying to figure out the best setup for gear to ride in.
I know about a good set of gloves.
I am thinking a leather jacket also.
Nothing on my bike is heated and I do not feel that is needed in this area. I understand that on a bike the wind chill lowers the temp. Any input would be great.
I know about a good set of gloves.
I am thinking a leather jacket also.
Nothing on my bike is heated and I do not feel that is needed in this area. I understand that on a bike the wind chill lowers the temp. Any input would be great.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Bothell, WA
RE: Cold Weather Riding Gear
Schampa balaclava is a must. Keeps the wind and cold off the face. Schampa "warm skin" skinny's keep the rest of your body warm (or a good pair of long johns). Good pair of jeans (I use flannel or fleece lined). Fleece or wool shirt. Leather jacket and chaps. A really good pair of gloves, I use the HD gortex gloves $100.00, or heated gloves. I also use glove liners for the really cold mornings. Good pair of socks with a good pair of boots.
I have several weights of gloves and socks and have pretty much narrowed down what temperature I can tollerate before moving to a heavier weight. I usually take two pairs of gloves and two pairs of socks with me that are a weight up/down of the temperature I'm riding in, that way I can go heavier or lighter to maintain comfort.
I have several weights of gloves and socks and have pretty much narrowed down what temperature I can tollerate before moving to a heavier weight. I usually take two pairs of gloves and two pairs of socks with me that are a weight up/down of the temperature I'm riding in, that way I can go heavier or lighter to maintain comfort.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 409
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RE: Cold Weather Riding Gear
Hello Needaz:
Wind-chill has a very pronounced affect on the rider. Gauntlets are better than short riding gloves. They will prevent cold air being driven up the jacket sleeve. A leather jacket and chaps are a requirement IMHO. Leather is a great wind barrier and will help save your skin if you end up sliding across the pavement. Insulated leather boots can be
Found in dozens of styles. As far as a helmet goes it just depends on your state laws and your preference to wear one or not. I have a full coverage modular helmet that works well for me in colder weather. If you can buy locally that’s good because it will allow you try the stuff on. If you order on line make sure that the seller has a return policy. Leather seems to vary widely in its sizing, one company’s large maybe another company’s medium. But I can usually find the best prices on line. Do a Google search and it will return more hits on motorcycle leather than you will care to read through.
Good luck with it.
Zyklon
Wind-chill has a very pronounced affect on the rider. Gauntlets are better than short riding gloves. They will prevent cold air being driven up the jacket sleeve. A leather jacket and chaps are a requirement IMHO. Leather is a great wind barrier and will help save your skin if you end up sliding across the pavement. Insulated leather boots can be
Found in dozens of styles. As far as a helmet goes it just depends on your state laws and your preference to wear one or not. I have a full coverage modular helmet that works well for me in colder weather. If you can buy locally that’s good because it will allow you try the stuff on. If you order on line make sure that the seller has a return policy. Leather seems to vary widely in its sizing, one company’s large maybe another company’s medium. But I can usually find the best prices on line. Do a Google search and it will return more hits on motorcycle leather than you will care to read through.
Good luck with it.
Zyklon
RE: Cold Weather Riding Gear
I can't be of much help in regards to staying warm because we hardly get below 40 degrees in CA.
But I can recommend using a custom leather shop for your leathers. At least "Just Leather" (in San Jose) is great! Not too pricey and they custom tailor for your size and taste. The leather quality is usually much higher grade as well. They do jackets, chaps, wallets, saddle bags, even helmet covers, etc.
But I can recommend using a custom leather shop for your leathers. At least "Just Leather" (in San Jose) is great! Not too pricey and they custom tailor for your size and taste. The leather quality is usually much higher grade as well. They do jackets, chaps, wallets, saddle bags, even helmet covers, etc.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 5
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RE: Cold Weather Riding Gear
I ride all year round up here in northern NY State (when the roads are clean). I usually just wear my leathers with longjohns underneath my clothes. I have some good heavy insulated gloves with gauntlets, and wear my hunting face mask, too. If it's REALLY cold (below 20 deg.), I'll wear my snowmobile suit. I've ridding hundreds of miles like this and was plenty warm. Having a windshield also helps a lot. Also, you should be wearing leathers all the time anyway. Cowhide is a lot tougher than human hide! If you've never had road rash, imagine taking a belt sander with 60 grit paper on it and pressing it against your skin. THAT'S what it feels like when you are sliding along the road without leathers (jeans are just about worthless, too). NOT FUN! I wear leathers whether it's 10 deg. or 100 deg. Eventually you will lay the bike down (98% of riders do), so it's good to be prepared.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Cold Weather Riding Gear
I wouldn't buy leather again. It's getting hard to find a good leather jacket/pants that's truly functional for all weather riding. Most of them seem to be designed to look good while posing.
Take a close look at the available synthetic fabrics for good gear. It will be lighter, waterproof, and the vents and zip out liners make it adjustable for various temps. With the available armor, it will protect you better than most leathers in case of a fall.
Take a close look at the available synthetic fabrics for good gear. It will be lighter, waterproof, and the vents and zip out liners make it adjustable for various temps. With the available armor, it will protect you better than most leathers in case of a fall.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 5
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RE: Cold Weather Riding Gear
I don't agree. Leather offers the best protection, unless you want to buy one of those $1000 ricerocket rider suits with all that armor. That armor is worthless unless it's covering most of your body, which it usually doesn't. It's just not necessary to use that high tech crap when leathers have been working perfectly for bikers for over 100 years (and for cowboys for longer than that). I paid less than $200 for my jacket and chaps. They are both made in the USA, are of very good quality, and are very thick. No fancy crap on them at all.... just proper fit and function, like they should be. Ya just have to shop around and hit some swap meets and you can find great leathers for low prices. Just stay away from the stealership and you'll find a good deal. The stealerships just sell that imported crap with the H-D logo on it which is just there to double the price.
I've had those types of leathers last me over 10 years, and one jacket lasted over 20 years and three wrecks. The key is to keep them conditioned and waterproofed (I use Sno-Seal waterproofing... works great!) I clean, condition, and waterproof them annually, and reapply the Sno-Seal as needed. The ones I have now are starting to look old and worn out, but still work the way they're supposed to.
I ride in all kinds of weather and am always comfortable.
Basically, for under a couple hundred bucks, you can have a good set of leathers that will protect your hide from the elements and the road, and will last you a long time. Besides, who wants to look like some teenager on a riceburning superbike? Not me.... too goofy looking unless you are on the race track.
I've had those types of leathers last me over 10 years, and one jacket lasted over 20 years and three wrecks. The key is to keep them conditioned and waterproofed (I use Sno-Seal waterproofing... works great!) I clean, condition, and waterproof them annually, and reapply the Sno-Seal as needed. The ones I have now are starting to look old and worn out, but still work the way they're supposed to.
I ride in all kinds of weather and am always comfortable.Basically, for under a couple hundred bucks, you can have a good set of leathers that will protect your hide from the elements and the road, and will last you a long time. Besides, who wants to look like some teenager on a riceburning superbike? Not me.... too goofy looking unless you are on the race track.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
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From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: Cold Weather Riding Gear
I have good leather jacket with zipout lining, and leather chaps. I have a pair of heavy leather gauntlet gloves as well as a pair of cordura gloves that are waterproof. I always keep a sweat shirt and a long sleeved t-shirt in my saddle bag so I can layer, and If it's really cold I have a pair of long johns from the local military surplus, as well as a good pair of wool socks, and a pair of space age metal socks.
If you are going to do a lot of cold weather riding a heated vest or jacket liner would be a welcome addition to any wardrobe.
Regards,
Bill
If you are going to do a lot of cold weather riding a heated vest or jacket liner would be a welcome addition to any wardrobe.
Regards,
Bill