Cold!
Cold!
I just rode home from the shop and it's 37 degrees. I'm sure there are plenty of die-hard riders out there that will say that 37 is no biggie but I was COLD!
My jacket gloves & helmet do a great job. I even had boot straps on my pant legs. It was my legs that were cold. I'm not about to let a frosty helmet shield keep my bike in the garage...so I need to get some better gear. I have Carhartt bibs that I will try for now but they're bulky.
Is there anything other than chaps? Has anyone tried the pull over leather pants?
Thanks in advance.
My jacket gloves & helmet do a great job. I even had boot straps on my pant legs. It was my legs that were cold. I'm not about to let a frosty helmet shield keep my bike in the garage...so I need to get some better gear. I have Carhartt bibs that I will try for now but they're bulky.
Is there anything other than chaps? Has anyone tried the pull over leather pants?
Thanks in advance.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
From: Marietta, Ohio
yeah, it was about 27 degrees this morning riding to work. I'm still sitting here in my office trying to warm up. Long underwear works pretty well under your jeans. The carharts are actually the warmest thing I've found to ride in. Yeah, you look like a goober, but a warm goober!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
Since I live in the mountains....
Ski/snowboard stuff is far superior than any motorcycle-specific stuff for winter riding. It is designed to be windproof and waterproof at very cold temperatures. SO is a good snowmobile suit. Carhartt stuff is warm (I wear my Carhartts for winter yard work), but it is not windproof or waterproof.
So if you have a good jacket already, get some decent powder pants. They'll easily go over your clothes.
More important than that stuff, though, is a good base layer. After going through all kinds for too many years, I settled on Smartwool base layers. Real thin, lightweight, and very effective.
It's 22° right now, and the bike is warming up. Not cold enough for me to wear the ski stuff yet, but I am wearing my Smartwool under my jeans.
Ski/snowboard stuff is far superior than any motorcycle-specific stuff for winter riding. It is designed to be windproof and waterproof at very cold temperatures. SO is a good snowmobile suit. Carhartt stuff is warm (I wear my Carhartts for winter yard work), but it is not windproof or waterproof.
So if you have a good jacket already, get some decent powder pants. They'll easily go over your clothes.
More important than that stuff, though, is a good base layer. After going through all kinds for too many years, I settled on Smartwool base layers. Real thin, lightweight, and very effective.
It's 22° right now, and the bike is warming up. Not cold enough for me to wear the ski stuff yet, but I am wearing my Smartwool under my jeans.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue, NE
I live in Nebraska - gets cold and windy here too. Did the cold weather thing in Norway when I was in the Marines - layers are important. I don't own chaps either (thinking about a pair this year though)...Tight long johns, sweat pants over those and loose jeans over those...keeps my legs pretty toasty and I can stop in a rest area too loose a layer of needed.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: PA
last winter 29 outside....jeans , leather jacket , heated gloves , my fingers get cold ( i hate it ) other then that i enjoy it...
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 832
Likes: 3
From: Colorado
Just curious, what's wrong with chaps? I got a pair this spring and have worn them all spring and summer commuting (I wear khakis to work, which would be horrible riding without the chaps) and find them to be comfortable and protective. Plus I picked them up off Craigslist from a former Denver Bronco for a great price!
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
I wear Carhart's all the time here on the ranch but mostly for the protection they offer...not the warmth. Visit your local farm supply store and pick up a pair of thermal/flannel lined jeans, you will get much more protection from the cold than the carhart's.
Hasn't got that cold here yet so I will just have to see what works best. I say this because I am still fairly new to riding, but I'm thinking my lined leather chaps over lined jeans just might do the trick. Long johs, sweatshirt and lined leather coat should keep the top half of you protected.
Hasn't got that cold here yet so I will just have to see what works best. I say this because I am still fairly new to riding, but I'm thinking my lined leather chaps over lined jeans just might do the trick. Long johs, sweatshirt and lined leather coat should keep the top half of you protected.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
Just curious, what's wrong with chaps? I got a pair this spring and have worn them all spring and summer commuting (I wear khakis to work, which would be horrible riding without the chaps) and find them to be comfortable and protective. Plus I picked them up off Craigslist from a former Denver Bronco for a great price!
Well........they are ultimately not waterproof. And........they don't keep your dik warm and dry.
I wore chaps in a sub-freezing sleet/slush storm like we get here in the mountains. Um.........no