| Author |
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Bluzm2
| | Posted on Saturday, November 10, 2007 - 11:08 pm: | 
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I regularly ride well below 30 degrees, It was 26 or 27 twice this week on the way to work.
I call it quits when the salt and sand comes out in force. Snow is also a deal breaker. I've had to ride in it in the past, NO fun with street tires...
Coldest has been about 16 degrees with out heated gear (heated gear is looking more and more attractive all the time).
Biggest problem is cold tires and fogging face shield.
Brad |
Steve_mackay
| | Posted on Saturday, November 10, 2007 - 11:58 pm: |
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Bluz, I've got a scorpion helmet and use their "snow kit" for winter months. It includes a dual paned visor, and a larger breath box. I've yet to have the visor shield fog up even in single digit temps. |
Molly_hatchet
| | Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 12:10 am: |
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sand + a hard surface = wheeeee ....then a moment of clarity, before u find out whats really gonna happen  . |
M2nc
| | Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 01:57 am: |
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Around here we ride year round. One morning riding to work in 28°F weather, I went down. Though the sky was clear, there was a heavy frost that morning. I know now that its best not to ride in those conditions. I was turning from one road onto another when the front tire just lost grip. A car came along and slid in the same intersection later taking out the stop sign. I believe frost settled on the sand in the intersection forming ICE, which just gave me know chance.
Now when the mornings are in the low thirties I cage it. No point pushing it. Around here we get one or two cold snaps a year where the morning temps run down into the twenties and then it warms up to low-forties. You wait those days out and by the end of the week you can ride again. |
Nevrenuf
| | Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 08:52 am: |
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although living in florida doesn't put you in a position of riding in freezing weather to often, went out for a ride with the wife up here in chattanooga yesterday evening on the ultra. thermometer was only reading 55 but it felt much corder. i did leave my brother's place in huntsville AL one morning to go back to FL when it was cold enough to turn my snot into ice cycles on my beard.
so when wearing heated gear do you have to upgrade your charging system on the bike to acommodate the extra power usage. |
Ulynut
| | Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 09:14 am: |
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I rode 350 miles yesterday. Started in the morning and it was in the 30's. warmed up to about 45 during the afternoon. Then hung out at a buddys house and rode home late, temps about low 30's, no heated gear yet. Don't know if I need it. Got a fieldsheer riding suit this fall and it worked great. Might go for heated grips soon. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 09:50 am: |
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Maximum, Barker, and I headed out at 27* this morning.
Barker says he's hardcore. He doesn't even have heated gear or grips.
Yep, they grow 'em dumb in Nashville. |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 10:59 am: |
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I'm sorry but THIS |-------------------| cold is too cold! |
Lost_in_ohio
| | Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 12:18 pm: |
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Black Ice is a worry on the morning commute. It can form on bridges at 38 degrees. With that said....I don't commute if the temp is below that. To dangerous IMHO. Now an afternoon ride at 30 isn't unheard of.
(Message edited by Lost_in_Ohio on November 11, 2007) |
M2nc
| | Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 01:02 pm: |
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I do not have heated gear, but can layer up to ride in upper twenties and thirties.
Fleece pull overs
Liners in jackets and over-pants
Thermals under jeans
Winter gloves
Gortex bandana
The fingers did fine, but the hand guards do help. I think the only think I would like are heated gloves. The fingers will be the first thing that gets cold, but put them between the frame and by legs warm them up. All the complaining about heat under the seat becomes a much loved feature in cold weather. |
Swampy
| | Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 12:23 am: |
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I had four BMWs bass me on the Mass turnpike this morning, the temp was 32 degrees. |
Gentleman_jon
| | Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 06:42 am: |
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Turned up for the usual Sunday morning ride at 7:30 am.
It was 32º on Eastern Long Island, and only one guy showed up.
(I was in my cage).
We rescheduled for 1:00 PM, and four bikes showed.
It was mid forties, and the sun was out, so it was fine. Everyone was warmly dressed,.
The light on our tree lined back roads was much better than in the early am when one can find oneself heading blind into a shadowed corner with the sun shining in one's face.
This was the first "cold" Sunday of the year here, and it reminded everyone to soften up the damping on their suspension, and steering dampers until it gets back over 50º.
We took it easy as cold tires on cold roads have less grip, and two of the guys said they had briefly lost traction at least once.
Bottom line:
Winter riding can be fun, but remember to soften up the damping, check tire pressures, dress warmly, watch out for sand and debris in the road, and take it a bit slower. |
Jlnance
| | Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 06:56 am: |
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Winter riding can be fun, but remember to soften up the damping, check tire pressures, dress warmly, watch out for sand and debris in the road, and take it a bit slower.
I learned really quickly that if I left the house and was the slightest bit cold to go back and put more clothes on. Being cold on a bike sucks. |
Blackbelt
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 07:34 am: |
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Well it was 30 degreese this morning and I rode my 45 miles into work. No heated gear, just lots and lots of layers... |
Xl1200r
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 10:58 am: |
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I've ridden confirmed in the low 30's. I believe I've gotten into the upper 20's, but there was no thermometer on the bike, so I don't know for certain.
No heated gear, just warm gloves, a sweatshirt under my leather jacket and flannel pajamas under my jeans.
Riding in the winter here is tough - they use a salt/sand mixture, and they are notorious for using WAY too much of it. I lose traction in my car on dry roads because of all the crap they throw down - coudln't imagine the peril that would wait on a bike.
That said, this is the first year I will not be packing the bike of for hibernation.
My rule of thumb is this - I got a buddy who is a hardcore golfer. If it's warm enough for him to golf, it's warm enough for me to ride.
He's still golfing. |
Mikexlr650
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 08:48 pm: |
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saintly posted a pic of a thermometer in this thread. for those who don't know the story he bought a bike from daves in wisconsin last february and rode it home.......to new york!
check please.
he had to breathe through a tube, which needed to be de-iced by exhaust heat every hour(i work outside every day regardless of the weather but i would not have even tried that ride). same guy rides a hard tail chop from ny to wisconsin for a barbecue...nonstop |
Iamike
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 09:32 pm: |
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23 deg-F, this morning. A tad cold for my 1/2hr. ride but only my pinkies were numb.
Heated grips and vest might be nice but usually when it is cold there is also ice. I try to avoid riding when it is slippery, except on the dirt bike. |
Hdbobwithabuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 11:09 pm: |
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I "SWORE" I wasn't riding all winter this year, but this brand new 12X has heated grips... and it rarely gets below 20 F here in NC... The Uly also has all these built in power sockets for things like a heated vest, etc. Gas prices are on the rise... I drive/ride 75 miles a day to work each day...
OK, I wont be riding the 12R every day this winter. Yeah, that sounds more reasonable. |
Thumper74
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 02:44 pm: |
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I ride unless there's snow on the roads. Last Saturday night, I started in Columbus, OH to my family in Elyria, OH, which is 130 miles away. It was in the mid 30s when I left around 8:30PM, when I was on 301North, I passed a bank in a small town that showed 22 degrees out. I had on one pair of thermal underoos, jeans, rainpants(break the wind), and one pair of heavy wool socks. Upper body had a t-shirt, my Joe Rocket Ballistic jacket, and an orange hoodie over that which reads "Psych Ward". On my hands I had some Fieldsheer gloves. Neck had a windproof balaclava and my head was a full face helmet. I was okay untill around halfway, my fingers started to get a little numb, so I stopped to refuel (the bike and myself) and warm-up. I was good untill I got to where I was going. The way home was marked with high 30s and a thunderstorm... Another layer for my socks and undies and my rainjacket made for an uneventful, dry, warm trip home.
I ordered some Gerbing heated gloves yesterday... |
Etennuly
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 06:58 pm: |
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B.A.W. is back in place. I rode last night 48F, wet roads, humid, foggy. I didn't even put heated jacket on, just T-shirt, work shirt, and riding jacket. Single layer leather gloves, mesh over pants with jeans.
B.A.W. rocks in cold crappy weather! Below fifty degrees I would normally have the electrics burning to keep me from getting chilled.
It is three inches lower than last year and still appears to be very large(down from frikken huge!). |
Ceejay
| | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 11:54 am: |
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It was snowing on my way to work this morning. Got lots of looks. Full beard helps. When it gets into the twenties I've been wearing my snowboard mittens. they work surprisingly well... |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 12:14 pm: |
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Here also. The snowflakes in the light of the HID were quite pretty. Love those heated grips! |
Ceejay
| | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 12:40 pm: |
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man I gotta get some of those! |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 02:40 pm: |
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Polly grip heaters. I think they were under $30 to my door from Andy. Some of the best farkle money I have ever spent, and a very easy install. |
Rekrab
| | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 05:56 pm: |
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Still able in Hudson Wi. Heated grips / electric vest / sweatshirt / leather. No snow yet, but time is short! |
Andrejs2112
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 07:42 am: |
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Last morning commute for me this am! Riding to work as usual and then the rear starts to swim. As I let out a long drawn, high pitched "WHEW", I then eased it to the shoulder for some nice dirt action. I mosied it the rest of the way to work without a problem. It was 37 F, so I thought it would be ok. Black ice is no fun. That's all.
Ride safe,
AR |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 08:43 am: |
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Coldest ride I've ever done was the Crotona Midnight Run several years back. This is a timed run done upstate New York in February with the key time at midnight. The bike I was using has a temperature readout, and it was showing 9 degrees at one point. |
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 06:09 pm: |
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To add on to this thread...
What kind of base layer is popular on here?
The Under Armour Cold Gear and similar is made for more excersizing, and I'm told is not very effective when relaxed.
Sound Rider has a product by Andiamo that they rave about (but of course they would, it's their product) http://www.soundrider.com/archive/products/SRbasel ayers.htm
That appears to be pretty nice, and is average priced (Long Sleeve Shirt - $35, Pants - $45)
I'd like to get rid of most of my bulk and just wear the winter base layer, heated vest, and lined water/wind-proof textile riding suit.
First gear also makes a similar looking product, for a little bit more money. Unless someone has experience with something else, I'll probably end up with this, since it's a reputable brand.
(Message edited by Mikef5000 on November 20, 2007) |
Ceejay
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 09:12 pm: |
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I wear thermals from walmart or some place like that, five brothers make some nice stuff then a hooded sweatshirt and warm boxers. leather jacket and carhartt double knee jeans. The only thing that gets cold is my head(I need a new helmet or duct tape as the vents are broke open, the breath deflector I lost at that trackday, and the under the chin thing is gone too) and my hands(see above) what I've noticed is that you want to keep your wind protection as far away from your skin as you can, thus a thick layer of something is better than a thin layer... |
Jackbequick
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 10:55 pm: |
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When it gets into the 30's (no snow or ice yet) I'm only good for about 30-45 minutes with my best gloves, electric grips, and the Aerostich electric jacket liner. It just takes all the joy out of it.
But what really get my attention at those temps is the effects on reaction time, the general loss of feel on the controls, diminished manual dexterity, and just a general feeling that I'm much more vulnerable antics of the cagers. It just takes all the fun out it.
If you want to read a good short story about a guy that should have stayed home on a cold day, try Jack London's To Build A Fire.
Jack |
Ceejay
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 11:05 pm: |
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I agree Jack
What I've seemed to notice is the fact that everyone's driving gets worse, I'm sure mine's included. Whenever it gets below 30 around here people quit looking both ways, are in an even bigger hurry, and just seemed pissed off. I notice it more as I'm on the bike a little further into the season than usual this year but man does the weather make crab asses out of people. Compound that with poor roads, poor visibility(frost on the windsheild, snowing, raining, etc) and my scoot may not be coming out too much longer. |
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