Seems there are still quite a few people enjoying their motorcycles in the cold weather. I figured we could use a thread to discus gear, and tips for riding through the winter.

I found this article, which seems to explain fairly well, why we need heated gear when riding in very cold temps, or long rides in the cold.http://pages.infinit.net/mcrides/cold_weather/riding_tips.htm

A couple of things that really helped me in cold weather is this cheap balaclava http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=MYT_7349A_G http://www.cyclegear.com/images/streetapparel/mboss_blclva_with_neoprn_mask_MD.jpg

Combined with a $3 fleece neck warmer, that I tuck into my jacket, and my helmet, leaves me with a very warm neck with full mobility.

Layers. Lots and lots of layers. I usually wear underarmour, a t-shirt, a fleece jacket, and my bike jacket with the liner in. It helps a lot to tuck in as many layers as you can so you can stop the wind getting up your shirt. I also sometimes use a pair of my dad's cycling arm warmers. I pull them down over my hands then put my gloves on to get a wind-proof seal over my wrist.
Also some motorcycle pants that are waterproof because then they are usually wind-proof as well.

It never really gets cold here in Kalifornia but I like to stay comfortable. I've found that an electric vest is my #1 cold weather tool. If I keep my core warm the rest of me is ok.

Make your first layer something made of Polypropylene, i.e. not COTTON. Last year I rode in the single digit temps with so many layers that I felt and looked like the Michelin "Snow" Man! :eek:

This year (1) Polypro thermal pants and shirt (2) Gerbing Heated Jacket Liner (3) Snug long sleeve cotton or polypro shirt over the jacket liner (4) Leather Power Trip jacket (5) Leather pants over Alpine knee/shin guards and Bohn armor shorts (6) Gerbing heated glove liners (7) Leather gloves w/thinsulate (8) Polypro balaclava (9) Sidi Rain boots w/wool socks (next addition wireless heated insoles!)

next addition wireless heated insoles

Might check out http://www.heatedclothingoutlet.com (Gerbing's outlet store)

I just bought a pair of heated socks from them that work wonderfully. Only fault was they showed up wet, but after drying them out and thoroughly cleaning/inspecting them my toes are warm. Next addition is heated glove liners :D

The outlet store is where I bought my jacket liner. I'm approaching the limit power wise with my alternator; thus, the reason for going for the wireless (rechargeable) insoles! Thanks

Here's a link (http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11445) to the cold weather riding thread that is linked from our sticky in General (http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13547) about riding skills. Would you like me to merge this thread with that one? There's already some good info here and I think that it would be useful.

Here's my tip to riding in cold weather:

DON'T DO IT!!!! LOL :p

After work today it was raining but I was craving some fast food and pepsi so I went out for my first rain ride tonight. It was pretty fun and my gear was almost all waterproof. I couldn't find my winter gloves so the summer gloves got super wet but I think I'll scotch guard my big gloves anyway as it'll also probably help wind-proof a bit. My water-proof riding pants were very nice and waterproof until about 50% through the trip when I could tell that the zipper was most certainly not water proof so I'll have to find something to fix that.

It's 100% chance of rain tomorrow but it should be about 50F so it won't be too cold. I think I'll go out and ride carefully just for the practice.