Riding warmth
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 194
When I got where I was going the overpants came off in less than a minute, if I had on a layer of sweat pants it probably would have been an additional 30 seconds.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,975
Likes: 5,213
From: Michigan
I agree with an earlier post about the difference in "not being cold" and
being warm"!
I can't believe that I rode for three (or so) years before I gave in and bought a leather motorcycle jacket!
Even worse, I didn't "discover" heated gear until a few years back when I bought my first pair of heated gloves.
I hope I'm not repeating myself, but I now have TWO pairs of heated gloves, a heated jacket liner AND I have heated grips and a heated seat on my bike.
I also have a fur lines leather neck "dickey" and my leather pants.
I ride a '13 CVO Ultra which of course has upper and lower fairings, handlebar mounted hand wind deflectors, chrome fork wind deflectors and the fork air baffle.
In cold weather I wear a FF Modular helmet and a light, lined balaclava and of course my leather jacket.
Even with all of this, wind and cold can still occasionally be experienced!
I have left home for a ride with temps in the mid-40s and that's about my limit IF the weather is dry.
Just thought about a guy who used to ride with one of my friends.
He refused to wear chaps because he thought they made the wearer look "gay"!
(Not that there's anything wrong with that).
I wore the "open butt" covers for years 'till I discovered the leather overpants!
being warm"!
I can't believe that I rode for three (or so) years before I gave in and bought a leather motorcycle jacket!
Even worse, I didn't "discover" heated gear until a few years back when I bought my first pair of heated gloves.
I hope I'm not repeating myself, but I now have TWO pairs of heated gloves, a heated jacket liner AND I have heated grips and a heated seat on my bike.
I also have a fur lines leather neck "dickey" and my leather pants.
I ride a '13 CVO Ultra which of course has upper and lower fairings, handlebar mounted hand wind deflectors, chrome fork wind deflectors and the fork air baffle.
In cold weather I wear a FF Modular helmet and a light, lined balaclava and of course my leather jacket.
Even with all of this, wind and cold can still occasionally be experienced!
I have left home for a ride with temps in the mid-40s and that's about my limit IF the weather is dry.
Just thought about a guy who used to ride with one of my friends.
He refused to wear chaps because he thought they made the wearer look "gay"!
(Not that there's anything wrong with that).I wore the "open butt" covers for years 'till I discovered the leather overpants!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7,964
Likes: 6,860
From: NC
I own a leather jacket just for around town stuff. Any time the temps remain below 60, I have Aerostitch Darien jacket and pants. When touring, I no longer need a rain suit. There are many textiles available that will out perform any leather except for race conditions. The price is about the same as comparable leathers, but are lighter, warmer.
I spent many years with leather riding gear. Conditioning an treating every few months and they still soaked up rain after about an hour. Then they were heavy and wet for a day or two.
I spent many years with leather riding gear. Conditioning an treating every few months and they still soaked up rain after about an hour. Then they were heavy and wet for a day or two.
Last edited by Goose_NC; Dec 2, 2016 at 06:49 AM.
I wear fleece lined jeans that I picked up at Cabelas on sale for about $30 a couple of years ago. Love them. Pair them with leather legs gator style chaps and I am comfortable easily into the 20's.
Trick is to not wear layers under them and make sure they fit loosely. This is so they will trap the warmth from your body, just like home insulation and goose down in jackets (loft), to keep you warm. For the leather legs, I bought a 1" extension for when I wear them over the fleece lined jeans. That way they will also fit normal jeans without the extension.
I also wear a Columbia omni-heat jacket liner from my Columbia parka. Between the above and the Columbia liner, I stay toasty warm.
Trick is to not wear layers under them and make sure they fit loosely. This is so they will trap the warmth from your body, just like home insulation and goose down in jackets (loft), to keep you warm. For the leather legs, I bought a 1" extension for when I wear them over the fleece lined jeans. That way they will also fit normal jeans without the extension.
I also wear a Columbia omni-heat jacket liner from my Columbia parka. Between the above and the Columbia liner, I stay toasty warm.
I'll try without them . I agree with Gliden I just don't
enjoy the real cold rides anymore . A lot of my research
is looking for things I need with me on my future travels .
I'm retiring in a few days & I just don't know where or
what time of year I might be riding .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 87,502
From: Western South Dakota
I have to agree to a certain extent. Making a return trip to Florida from NC on my sportbike about 7 years ago when I was 23 and temps dropped (unexpectedly) overnight into the teens. Had to return that day because of work and school. 3 pairs of jeans, my leather jacket, some walmart thermal glove liners and several coffee stops got me into ATL where it started to warm up some.
That rule isn't exact as I know 70 year olds that ride in the 40s-50s...but it's a good rule of thumb
That rule isn't exact as I know 70 year olds that ride in the 40s-50s...but it's a good rule of thumb
I ride for the enjoyment of it.
I just can't get into it if it's in low 50's for very long unless I am jonesin' real bad.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 35
From: Southern Maryland
i do the same. i got a pair from fox leather. i use them 60 and below. they are good down to about 35 for an hour or so. below that or longer than that, i have a set of electric chap liners. i have an electric jacket liner too.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
Man you all must be cold natured or sumpin', I wear a leather coat, I will wear leather pants but not overpants. I am sixty years young do not have heated seat, heated gloves nor will I wear a full face helmet to keep the cold off and see no reason for a snow mobile suit to ride in.
Been thru CO in late May, crossed Wolf Creek Pass snow flying, used to ride all year but now a days arthritis flares and sets me back when it gets under 30. Still wear 1/2 helmet, earplugs, I will add a face shield at times, have unlined leather gauntlet gloves, good pair of thinsulate lined workboots, wear wool socks and regular long sleeve shirt with a t-shirt when it gets below 40.
My Normal body temp is 97.6, seems I am part reptile as I just slow some in the cold and still wear heavy clothes summer heat.
Been thru CO in late May, crossed Wolf Creek Pass snow flying, used to ride all year but now a days arthritis flares and sets me back when it gets under 30. Still wear 1/2 helmet, earplugs, I will add a face shield at times, have unlined leather gauntlet gloves, good pair of thinsulate lined workboots, wear wool socks and regular long sleeve shirt with a t-shirt when it gets below 40.
My Normal body temp is 97.6, seems I am part reptile as I just slow some in the cold and still wear heavy clothes summer heat.
