Cold Weather Riding

[Proteus]

I plan on riding until it gets snowy and icy here. I rode my Elite last year until the end of December, but now that I can go much faster I get colder.

Jacket - I'm good with my armored jacket layered with a ski jacket.

Head - With the balaclava from @ninjamunky85 and my helmet I'm good to go.

Gloves - Thinking about ordering these, my hands were pretty cold this morning in my current gloves at 36F: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BHMVNOM/...I1UPZU6VAZC3HG

Feet - fine with heavy socks and boots.

Legs have been OK with pants and overpants, but maybe a bit chilly. Which leaves me with one pain point - there's a small part of my leg that gets exposed between my boots and overpants. I was thinking that adding something like thermal long johns over my socks and work pants to wear below my overpants might work. Any thoughts?

[verboten1]

I wear underarmor with my mesh pants down to 40, and up to 80. with a wind blocking layer, I'm sure I'm good down to below freezing.

It's been the best insulating layer I have ever bought.


I wear snowmobile gloves. when it's REALLY cold.

I put a fleece under my leather and I'm usually warm enough.

this was 17 degrees!!!

[Proteus]

Would the underarmor fit over other pants? I really need to be able to take it off when I get to work without having to get totally undressed.

[verboten1]

no, the insulating layer needs to be against your skin to do anything.

my buddy rides with insulated carhart pants when it's really cold.

[Roark]

You could wear your current gloves and layer them with bigger snow gloves/water proof gloves. That'll give you protection and weather resistance.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Roark

You could wear your current gloves and layer them with bigger snow gloves/water proof gloves. That'll give you protection and weather resistance.

The bulk of multiple layers of gloves gets to be a problem with operating the controls.

I have a set of Cortech winter gloves that about the limit as far as bulk goes. They get you some time, but depending on speed a winter riding glove will only keep your fingers warm so long.

For extended riding, having hand guards, heated gloves/grips, or Hippo Hands is a better solution.

I agree that just heavy winter/snowmobile gloves aren't a good idea because they lack abrasion protection.

[Proteus]

I was thinking of getting those Scorpion winter gloves and sticking some hothands packets in them if its really cold. My inlaws for some reason gave us about 1000 of those things last year.

[verboten1]

Silk glove liners help tremendously also

[NevadaWolf]

I have a set of generic Hippo Hands and love them. I rode once with mid weight gloves into a frigid night and pulled my hand out to do something. The instant the cold air hit my hand my fingers froze. The pocket of protected air really made a difference.

If you have the power to add heated grips to warm the air up inside, your hands would thank you from not having to wear massive polar gloves.

Since there is a gap between your pant and boot, what about buying some rain covers for your boots? The set I have has a thick sole for easy walking and extends up to about mid calf, completely sealing everything below. That might help with blocking the wind chill.

[Proteus]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

I have a set of generic Hippo Hands and love them. I rode once with mid weight gloves into a frigid night and pulled my hand out to do something. The instant the cold air hit my hand my fingers froze. The pocket of protected air really made a difference.

If you have the power to add heated grips to warm the air up inside, your hands would thank you from not having to wear massive polar gloves.

Since there is a gap between your pant and boot, what about buying some rain covers for your boots? The set I have has a thick sole for easy walking and extends up to about mid calf, completely sealing everything below. That might help with blocking the wind chill.

Those hippo hands look nuts! I've never seen them before. Do you have any pics of your bike with them on?

I still might need another layer for my legs though - my overpants have a few spots that are vented for summer.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Added "flippers" to hopefully keep my hands warm.

If your overpants are vented, what about looking into a pair that is more geared towards winter? I like my TourMaster Flex overpants.

[Proteus]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

If your overpants are vented, what about looking into a pair that is more geared towards winter? I like my TourMaster Flex overpants.

Very limited funds in my motorcycle budget.