| Author | Message | ||
     Swang678 |
I plan on riding as far into the winter here in North Carolina as I can. I need something warm enough to get me through. I guess it goes without saying that I would like something that looks good and is cheap as possible. I snowboard and have thought about using my snow jackets but it seems that i need something primarily designed for wind not wet. I am open to any suggestions. | ||
| Arbalest |
Swang, I ride all winter in Maine (I have a 2wd sidecar rig). My gear consists of a First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket and First Gear overpants. I don't use the liner that came with the jacket. I wear an LL Bean Polarfleece jacket for a liner. I usually wear a tee shirt and flannel or chamoise shirt. I bought a neck thing that attaches to my helmet to keep the cold wind away from my neck and chin. The only other concession to the cold is a pair of electric gloves. I put 2k miles on my bike last winter. | ||
| M1combat |
Hand guards actually work decently enough. Be sure to get a cover for your neck (preferably one of the neoprene ones that comes up and covers your nose too), they work great and help to reduce fogging quite a bit. | ||
| Xring |
Newenough.com has the Joe Rocket Meteor 4.0 (last year's model) for $99. And they are contributing to the Katrina relief effort. I bought a Meteor a few months ago and love it. I think it will be plenty warm for the winter with the liner zipped in and some kind of neck protection. I'm planning on riding as much as possible this winter, also. Good luck, Bill | ||
| Impulse_101 |
I bought the First Gear Kilaminjaro as well. Awesome jacket and totally waterproof. I also have a Widder Lectric Heat system and between the two of them I can make toast while I ride  JT | ||
| Tramp |
Swang- actually, good ski/snowboard/mountaineering wear IS designed to be windproof. As popular as "cold weather motorcycling gear" might be with non-skiing/boarding motorcyclists, it just isn't designed with idiots like me in mind (everyday winter motorcyclist-commuter), and it pales in contrast to ski/snowboard clothing. I've always done well with wearing my snowboarding jackets on bikes in the winter. The North Face "Mountain Parka" was designed for sub-zero, high-wind conditions, it rocks for winter motorcycling. I ran a snow sports school for a few winters and commuted in sub-zero in my 'boarding gear, and stayed nice and warm. wear an old set of thrashed 'boarding pants on your scoot in the winter...don't want to skank up your good ones with road grime and the occasional oil spot. I wear my older North Face Mountain Pants when i ride in the really cold stuff, although I STILL prefer a simple Carhartt "Arctic Jacket" for winter riding. Cheap ($80-) washable, and warm as toast in sub-zero weather. I wear My HA Leathers vest on the outside, and that furthers the wind-resistance. The most important garb for winter riding, in my experience, is a good, thich polarfleece collar protruding betwixt helmet and jacket, and good, snug cuffs on said jacket. If the weather's really unbearably cold, stop by a pizzeria and ask for a (new) pizza box, and slip it underneath your jacket, across your chest. makes a world of difference, esp. after you've shown your appreciation by chowing a slice or two (Message edited by tramp on September 08, 2005) | ||
| Swang678 |
Awesome Tramp! I think I might give some thought to both approaches, but I am still open for all suggestions. | ||
| Tramp |
Hey swang- My bestest friend from childhood-present lives in Gastonia (he's an ex-squid, though...) you should get together with him for some winter riding. buells AND 'boards. he rides his M2 year-round, as well. | ||
| Jlnance |
Hey Swang - I do the layers thing. I only have one jacket. It's a summer weight mesh type. I also have a lined shirt. I think its for duck hunters. I picked it up at K mart for about $10. The lining makes it windproof. When it gets cold I'll wear both of them. The most helpful thing I've found is a backlava. Its pretty much a ski mask that goes under your helmet. It keeps the wind off your neck, which makes a tremendous difference. Here is a picture: http://tricia.dyndns.org/~jlnance/terror.jpg I'm in Raleigh BTW. Drop me a line if your ever passing through. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Geesh who needs winter gear for North Carolina!!!! Isn't winter there like summer here in Newfoundland!!!! I use Joe Rocket Gear that keeps me warm down to 32. | ||
| Xb12burner |
I have a pair of snowboarding pants that I wear for the coldest weather, completely wind and water proof, and I have to agree with Xring the Meteor from Newenough is probably one of the best deals out there. | ||
| Chainsaw |
Geesh who needs winter gear for North Carolina!!!! I was thinking the same thing!  Hey Swang, I ride year round here in Colorado, down in the teens and 20's. Hands down, the best piece of Cold Weather gear I have is an electric vest. I should have bought one sooner. My "Winter" jacket is a lined Joe Rocket Comet, nothing fancy. If you have a buddy with a vest, give it a try. A good electric vest will be about 1/3 the cost of a new jacket. | ||
| Fullpower |
use electricity. on the bike it is free energy. | ||
| Oldog |
I agree with the Tramp on the skii and boarding stuff, when I lived in Hotlanta I rode Every day the skii stuff then, (decades ago ) is no where near as good as now and it worked well and was cheap( compared to leather ) one last thought most of the newer cycling stuff has protective features, armor and so forth skii stuff may not. In cold weather the tires don't work as well and for some reason the cagers seem to get dense too so you might want to look at both sides and consider the bike stuff, to our friends from colder climes, when I bundle up here in wilmington you would probably wear a T shirt LOL, bad winter days here (mebe 10 a year down to 28f at night)2 or 3 at a time my buell is basicaly an all year vehicle.. | ||
| Xbjelly9s |
I also live in NC(10yrs now) and ride my bike everyday through winter unless it snows. I'm originally from WI and know what cold weather is. I was always taught layers were the way to go so I wear a lightweight summer jacket with the liner in it then smaller shirts underneath. A good neck and face cover that is windproof is definitly needed. | ||
| M2nc |
Hey Newfie, there are days in the winter when we get below freezing. It also has snowed for the the last three winters (one day, one inch). I grew up in Cincinnati and though it still a tropical paradise in comparison, I do know what -25°F feels like and I would not want to ride in it. But here in eastern NC, I think one night last winter it actually got into the teens. Usually a winter day around here its in the 40+°F during the day and high 20°F at night. Easy riding weather. I have the First Gear Kilimanjaro Jacket and over pants. If it gets down into the 20s°F I wear a fleece pull over, long sleeve t-shirt, jeans and long johns. I have a set of winter down gloves and I use a winter bandanna or gator for the face. | ||
| 1313 |
Geesh who needs winter gear for North Carolina!!!! I grew up, er...spent my formative years, in Wisconsin and having moved to NC just over 3 years ago can say that riding gear is definitely needed in the winter (and that I truly enjoy RIDING YEAR ROUND!). What Carlos (M2nc) is saying is pretty much the same for me, except it might be a little more milder for me as I'm closer to the coast. In the winter I usually use my Buell Adventurer gear (almost as old as my Buell) sometimes with a sweater or flannel shirt on underneath, chaps and my 'rain' gloves. Last winter I remember pushing my S2 to the end of my driveway (driveway was covered in ice but the roads were clear) so that I could ride it to work one morning. 1313 | ||
| Fly |
I've been spoiled by electric and ridden through much nasty cold stuff in complete comfort. If you can afford it, I think it is the way to go. Actually, a vest or jacket is not that expensive, and you can add other things like pants, socks, gloves if you want. An added benefit is that it greatly reduces "bulk" because you don't need anything else under your outer clothing and you don't feel like the stay-puff man. I use Gerbings gear and have been quite happy with it for many years. | ||
| Buelltroll |
I can't freakin wait for winter,I'm here from North Dakota n before that was in Alaska. I'm thinking northern Cali winter will be shorts weather but I still have my old Mðssi snowmobile jacket just incase. | ||
| Rek |
Yeah, a good ski jacket is tops for winter riding. I have a Patagonia gortex foul-weather shell I wear over the top of my leather jacket and a pair of Early Winter gortex bibs w/ built in gaiters that fit nicely under my chaps. If the roads are dry I can ride in any temp's, although it does get nippy down around zero. Rob | ||
| Tramp |
"I'm thinking northern Cali winter will be shorts weather ..." not a chance. the bay area can be constant soaking rain all winter long. i remember commuting in it and arriving soaked to work every AM. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
It does get cold in NC. I lived in the Eifel Mountains for 12+ years and I know a little something-something about that cold stuff. Herr Trampster, Gastonia, LIB, MR Ducks. 12 miles south of me and I'm going there today to get some brake pads for a couple of Buells. G2 | ||
| Steve_mackay |
The firstgear kilimanjaro jacket will keep you warm down to single digit temps. I have the Buell version of this jacket. No electric gear needed, well besides heated grips. The only thing on me that gets cold riding in the single digit temps here in WI is my finger tips(I didn't have the heated grips last year). And the top of my head. It's not a CHEAP jacket, but it is extremely warm, and well made with decent protection, that can be upgraded to core-comp CE approved type armor. I also just picked up a pair of silk glove liners, so I can use my AVG sport carbon gloves. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Steve, the 9sx / Uly style "brushguards" make a remarkable difference, even without electrics. I have that same jacket, the liner is amazing. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Kinda hard to mount them "brushguards" on an S3 reep But, I did ride a 9SX in 30 degree weather. The guards made a big difference. When I pickup the 12SCG for the wife, we may pick up a set of them. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Shoulda checked the profile.... | ||
| Paulson |
Frank Thomas AQUA gear (top and bottom) with liners in for winter. Also a neckie and cold weather gloves. Handguards for winter would be a good bet. | ||
| Ceejay |
I like my leather jacket with a hooded sweatshirt, thermals under the jeans, work boots. sometimes wear the snowboard gloves but they feel like I'm holding onto a tree limb with tube socks, those hand guards sound nice. I live in central ohio | ||
| U4euh |
It is not so much the temp here in NC, the humidity makes it feel like a "wet" kinda cold, and that goes right to the bone. That being said, like 1313 I also use the Buell adventure jacket and matching pants. I have ridin in 30 degree weather, if I stand still too long, I'll be lowering the zippers. Very comfortable on the bike, and you can get them on ebay for great prices. Neck coverage is the biggest thing. | ||
| Metalstorm |
"I'm thinking northern Cali winter will be shorts weather ..." I believe it was Mark Twain who said "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco"  | ||
| Tramp |
indeed it was. i quote that often. incidentally- i've often figured snowmobile suits have got to be absolutely perfect for winter motorcycling. anyone here use them? | ||
| Jlnance |
"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" He wasn't kidding either. I remember one may evening when I was in San Francisco with some friends. We decided to go see the Golden Gate, and got there right as the sun was going down. It was absolutly frigid, with a stiff breeze comming in off the water. | ||
| Bent1 |
Tramp, I was just gonna suggest snowmobile gear. If you think about it, it's just like motorcycling, and my gear keeps me comfortable all the way to -25F with different layering as necessary. For pants I buy $25 (on sale) skiing snowpants with suspenders. They are good for one full season riding 2-4000 miles. After that the cheap water resistant coating is wearing out. But measured against a good pair of Gore tex pants they are economical, even when replaced every year (not always necessary). And if you rip 'em on something sharp, you don't care! As far as coats, some snowcross coats even come with armor I believe. Friends have Reima coats that I think are nice...they're even orange, good for visibility. Not the cheapest, but you can find closeouts. Dennis Kirk and Shadetree are two distributors I can think of off the top of my head. As far as personal experience, my sled suit is more that warm enough on the bike, I only miss the hand warmers. Good ski gloves work well though.. | ||
| Buelltroll |
This picture(and about 30 more) were taken in 35degree May weather in North Dakota,I think I'll be able to hang with breezy/rainy 60 degree winters.  The jacket is a Mðssi snowmobile racing jacket. (Message edited by buelltroll on September 10, 2005) | ||
| U4euh |
Tramp, I believe that Rubberdown uses a snowmobile suit. Could be wrong, but I have seen it, and it looks incredibly warm. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
I've got a Joe Rocket Comet jacket, Alter Ego pants, and Olympia Trailblazer gloves on the way; I'll let you know how I like 'em. Winter in Wisconsin can be brutal, and I am going to have my co-workers in disbelief when they see me riding to work. | ||
| Jackbequick |
I lived 15 years in the SF Bay Area (Sonoma) and now have 5 years in Maine (Bangor area). The secret those locations have in common for managing temperature changes "LAYERS". In Sonoma we had a 30 degree day to night differential, Maine can be similar at times. In neither of those places do you want to go anywhere without being to add or remove a layer or two of clothing. Here in ME, the thickness of the individual layers will change more with the seasons whereas, in CA, I could get away with thinner layers. And the head, hands, and feet need a lot more attention here. This will be my first winter year with a motorcycle in Maine, I'm reading the posts of the experienced riders with a lot of interest. Thanks for the inputs. Jack | ||
| Blake |
Please post topics like this to the applicable topic in the Knowledge Vault. We'll be moving this one there soon. Thanks for helping to get BadWeB organized. 172689 |
