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Hangetsu
| | Posted on Saturday, January 09, 2010 - 08:57 pm: | 
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I've had great experiences with Olympia gear (AST Jacket / Ranger pants). With the right layering underneath (I don't have an electric liner.., yet), I have ridden expensive miles in temps ranging from the low teens to the upper 80's in good comfort. Much above 80 I start to wish for my mesh gear, even with all the vents open.
Cold weather (0 - 30)
Upper Body
Base layer - any synthetic, light weight base layer (REI,Patagonia, North Face, etc.)
Mid Layers - REI Powerstretch fleece / Olympia insulated, waterproof liner / Golight soft shell jacket
Outer Layer - Olympia AST outer Jacket.
Lower Body
Base layer - any light-weight synthetic base layer underwear (same brands as above).
Mid Layers - REI powerstretch fleece tights / Ranger insulated, waterproof liner.
Outer layer - Olympia Ranger waterproof outer pants.
I know this seems like a lot of layers, but it allows for a lot of adjustment with changing temperatures and due to the technology of the mid-layer fabrics, I experience very little restriction of movement. They are also very light and compact to pack.
On the upper body I found that I lose body heat even with a heavy fleece and the AST liner, but using a "soft-shell" jacket BETWEEN the Olympia liner and the outer AST jacket, NO head escapes and NO wind gets through. There is also very little added restriction in movement.
High tech mountaineering clothing is expensive, but it out performs anything I've seen in the motorcycling specific clothing lines, except perhaps heated gear. Old fashioned cotton and wool clothing flat out sucks. |
Buellhusker
| | Posted on Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 12:24 am: |
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Get some ATV handlebar mits they are like Hippo Hands only they cost less than $30.00 and you can get them at about any ATV shop. The set I got are waterproof also and you can keep your hande dry and warm while riding in a frog strangler. And yes they will fit over the brush guards on a Uly. |
Dfishman
| | Posted on Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 08:19 am: |
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Dr Greg.We seem to have the same plan for winter riding except my beard has been there since '84.I stop trimming it in Sept and let it grow wild till March.First Gear Kilimajara jacket & H2 overpants are the best investment in bike gear I have ever made. |
Xb12xmike
| | Posted on Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 04:56 pm: |
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Here is what I wear,.. although the thermals/layering change depending on the temps. For base I have Shivers, Synthetic thin thermals, tradtional thermals and thick wool/cotton blend thermals to choose from.
Lower:
-light weight synthetic base layer thermals
-REV'IT! Tour Winter Socks
-loose jeans
-Waterproof, ThermoliteŽ insulated liner pant (from my Olympia Airglide II pants)
Upper:
-light weight synthetic base layer spandex type shirt
-long sleeve tee shirt and/or thicker wool blend shirt
-Tourmaster heated vest
-Waterproof, insulated liner from my olympia commando jacket
-Tourmaster Response or Solution waterproof boots
-balaclava
-FieldSheer 1pc Cyclone Suit (no liner)
-Heated grips w/ grip mitts
Tonight will be 24° and I am Gonna wear the above and trek over to Phila to the Art museum. (Hopefully) Take a couple pics...maybe run up the steps and do the Rocky Balboa thing. (something every out-of-towner should do if they visit the "City of Brotherly Love", Philadelphia) |
Xb12xmike
| | Posted on Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 10:03 pm: |
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cell phone died before I could get a decent pic.
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Johnboy777
| | Posted on Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 10:09 pm: |
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More importantly than 'how cold the temp.', is the 'how long in the saddle' part of the equation.
. |
Xb12xmike
| | Posted on Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 11:38 pm: |
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I rode a total of about 65 miles, took a longer route home. I added some 20 highway miles @ 80mph. I was only out for a couple hours total. I used a thin balaclava (w/FF)so my face was coldest, and my left wrist got chilly (my bad). I easily could have stayed out longer. But this was nothing compared to some of you guys. I do plan to go to D.C. to take some pics of my bike just for fun. |
Nevrenuf
| | Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 07:02 am: |
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besides the hippo hands, is there a brand name to go by when getting some. and is it easy to get the hands with gloves on, in and out of the mitts. i cand handle the cold anywhere except on the hands. especially the fingers. |
Mnrider
| | Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 09:33 am: |
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The Moose Brothers gauntlets fit,any ATV shop can get then for you. |
Towpro
| | Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 09:53 am: |
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back in the original post, I thought I needed to replace my pants because a zipper opened, then I broke it trying to force it.
Thanks for everyone on the tip to get a price on fix/replacement zippers.
an email to Joe Rocket resulted in a replacement zipper slide for free (actually then sent 2).
A trip to the local dry cleaner/tailor, and he put the new zipper slide on for $8.00.
Now if we could get a stiff rain storm to wash the salt/cinders off the road and I will be set!
It was interesting to read the link about making your own heated riding gear. I have 1000' of thin motor winding wire that is isolated by shellac. Anybody see a reason this would not work for heated cloths? Why does the wire need plastic isolation?
I really heated gloves for when I am snow plowing with the ATV (Polaris 500-HO ATP) |
Froggy
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 06:17 pm: |
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I picked up some knock off brand hippo hands today at my local bike/atv/snowmobile shop. $40, only one ride with them so I can't comment yet. |
Jim_williams
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 09:19 pm: |
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Bottom up
-wicking socks, Aerostich Combat touring lites
-jeans, motoport liner, motoport stretch pants
-whatever shirt I have on at the time, warm n safe liner, Aerostich Darien with liner
-BMW windproof balaclava worn just on neck or over head.
-warm n safe heated gloves, heated grips
I can ride as cold as it gets, and, I'm a wimp. The biggest key is electrics and sealing off anywhere wind gets in. Today it was high 20's/low 30's. I was on the bike for 3 hrs. Gloves were on 1/3. Liner was on 1/2 power. Grips cycled on/off. |
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