Cold(er) weather reality check

[Apex]

Low 50's this morning.

I decided to go a little warmer, so I put my mesh jacket with wind liner up, and reached for the old, cheap, leather jacket I got before I even got this bike. I know the thing stinks at guarding from wind, so I put on my rain jacket over it. I have some decent winter gloves, put those on.

So there I was, leather jacket with liner, rain jacket, gloves, lid and blue jeans.

Yeah, I think I have realized that I need to invest in a good winter jacket and pants. It was a wee bit chilly this morning. I still didn't shiver, but it wasn't exactly comfortable. I think I'll go back to my sweatshirt, mesh jacket with liner, and then add my rain jacket on top of it. I think that will be better until later this week when I can start to price new gear.

[k1prototype]

Mark,

I would look at scorpions all-in line of leather jackets. Mine came with a heat liner which made it nice and warm. $199

Also Scorpion's Awe pants are good as well. They come with two liners, wind and heat liner and they are water proof. $249

[Apex]

I'll have to check them out. Thanks for the heads up.

[Snake]

Don't forget to buy something to wrap around your neck. This seems to be the are that gets left exposed.

[k1prototype]

Rick is right, get a balacava. I just bought the knox hot hood and I love it. I rode i 35 degree weather and I didn't feel a thing on my neck.

[ScraitT]

I'm right there with you. I opted out of riding the bike to work last night because we had our first cold front come through. By 11pm when I had to drive home it was starting to get into the upper 50s.
Too much for my Florida butt and mesh jacket! I want my 90 degree weather back!!
Good thing cold fronts only last about 3 days here :-) It'll be back in the upper 80s in a few days

[Apex]

Originally Posted by k1prototype

Rick is right, get a balacava. I just bought the knox hot hood and I love it. I rode i 35 degree weather and I didn't feel a thing on my neck.

I have a hood. I just need to dig it out. It is buried in my closet somewhere. lol

My big problem is the jacket. I can handle cold on my legs (years of soccer), just not in my chest. So the jacket is my main goal as of now. Time to start shopping around.

[addy126]

I hear u Mark... weekend I did Dallas to Waco and back... morning was really rather cold. Thank god it hit near 70 in the afternoon for the ride back!
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com...eOuts:thumbup:

[Greg_E]

Oh no, only 50 in the morning... It was 25 when I left for work, now it is a pleasant about 50 and bright sunshine which would be a pleasant riding time. 50 in the morning would be great around here.

[jfauerba]

It only got down to 30 here. used my wind pants (polyester athletic pants) over my jeans, ski gloves, fully lined cortech Gx-sport jacket, balacava (always use this when it's below 50). I use a cover-all bib when it's below 30 over my jeans and an extra jacket under my gx-sport. Last Jan/Feb the lowest I rode in was 16F. My 2009 ninja does not like to start and keep running under 20F. I have to keep restarting it until it finely starts to run my itself under full choke.

[ScraitT]

Originally Posted by Greg_E

Oh no, only 50 in the morning... It was 25 when I left for work, now it is a pleasant about 50 and bright sunshine which would be a pleasant riding time. 50 in the morning would be great around here.

And everyone that says 50 isn't cold are the same people that complain about 90+ degree days being too hot It's all relevant.
You guys up north are used to the cold and cold days, while we are used to 80-100 degree weather year round. Our winters are usually a 2-3 day cold front in the high 50s at night, then back into the low 80s most of the time. We get one of those cold front 2-3 times a month from December-February...and a few before and after that.
Perfect for me because I can't take anything under 80!

[Greg_E]

80 with low humidity is nice here, cool enough to use a full leather suit.

[g21-30]

Originally Posted by jfauerba

My 2009 ninja does not like to start and keep running under 20F. I have to keep restarting it until it finely starts to run my itself under full choke.

Shimming the needles most likely would fix that!

I rode yesterday, while in the 30's. Last winter I rode in the single digits, but not for long! My Gerbing jacket liner should be here sometime this week.

[Greg_E]

[cough]efi[/cough]

[Sailariel]

Kareem, Thanks for the Heads Up on Scorpion gear. I heard that it was good stuff but never heard from an actual user. I have been happy with First Classic Leathers, but not when it`s cold. Two inches of snow today.

[Racer x]

My winter gear is a pair of long bicycle pants with wind stopper sock covers. Pants and riding pants . I have two or three shirts plus a jacket with a heated vest . 2 balaclavas and a scarf . I also have heated gloves and a Fog city insert for my visor. If it is raining I cover it all with a 14 dollar rain suit from wall mart. I have not had a car since 1998 and the coldest I have ridden in in -7 . The heated stuff id from tour master and draws 7 amps on high . I rarely use it on high .

[bob706]

Originally Posted by racer x

i have not had a car since 1998

ftw!

[k1prototype]

Originally Posted by Sailariel

Kareem, Thanks for the Heads Up on Scorpion gear. I heard that it was good stuff but never heard from an actual user. I have been happy with First Classic Leathers, but not when it`s cold. Two inches of snow today.

No problem Alex. I was a little skeptical as well when I first heard about the gear but I have to say it has been terrific. The quality of the materials along with the fit and finish, functionality, and comfort level are great considering the price you pay.

It is definitely on par with bigger makes like Alpinestars and Icon but much cheaper.

[lockie]

Alex

Got your snow here today on a visit to Newfoundland. Almost got stuck in the foot of snow as I came over some mountains in the National Park. Lousy car rental had summer tires. Thank God the plow came along or I'd still be there waiting for it all to melt.

I guess it's time to put the Ninja to bed for the winter

[Grn99Kawi]

It is supposed to be low to mid 60s here tomorrow, but in the morning when I go to work it will be high 40s no doubt.. brrrrr

I have a Teknic Textile jacket that has a liner I can put in... but the real problem is my hands.. my Joe Rocket mesh gloves don't do much to block the wind.. I guess I need to invest in a less breezy set in the spring... but man.. I want to ride tomorrow..

[Greg_E]

Most of the insulated riding gloves are not very expensive, not the same protection as a racing glove, but better than nothing or ski gloves.

[Apex]

I can handle below 30 temps easily, IF I am geared for it.

Living in Houston is not like living in Chicago. I used to ride in temps around 20*, even lower. Not to mention that all the gear I had back then has been sold off, so I need to get new gear. It isn't that 50 is too cold to ride in, it is just cold when you don't have the right gear.

[karlosdajackal]

Originally Posted by Greg_E

[cough]efi[/cough]

It does work great on the Ninja 250