Cold weather and motorcycle riding

[Joe Bob]

Was doing a safety check. Brake light wasn't working...after all the crap with my Mercedes, just a bulb....whew.....

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Darn, coulda got a tank signature.....oh well. How old is he?

He's 61 and working as a surgery nurse at St. Luke's in Twin Falls....

[sammyg2]

It was 53 degrees this morning with a threat of light mist.
I cracked the window on my pick-up but quickly rolled it back up.
brrr!

[Mike Andrew]

1968: Sole mode of motorized transport a 1966 Honda 305 Scrambler and winter. Often had to push to start since it wouldn't kick start below about 15F. Not especially fond memories. Knees so cold that they had to warm up before I could straighten them fully and lumps for fingers.
When I bought my Z1 900 in 1991 I resolved never to ride below 40 and only then if it would be 60 or better when I left work. That eventually became never below 60F. Guess I became wussified in my old age.

[jdub29]

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Mike Andrew

1968: Sole mode of motorized transport a 1966 Honda 305 Scrambler and winter. Often had to push to start since it wouldn't kick start below about 15F. Not especially fond memories. Knees so cold that they had to warm up before I could straighten them fully and lumps for fingers.
When I bought my Z1 900 in 1991 I resolved never to ride below 40 and only then if it would be 60 or better when I left work. That eventually became never below 60F. Guess I became wussified in my old age.

I wouldn't call it wussified because riding in those temps is just plain unsafe, on top of extremely uncomfortable. We're Americans, FFS, not sherpas in Nepal. We're supposed to have comfortable lives.

[911boost]

I’m taking mine out tomorrow her in Colorado.

[Tidybuoy]

I've been riding every day for 2 weeks. It's been in the high 30's/Low 40's in the morning. Pretty cold and after 25miles of freeway, my lips are numb. This morning was the first time I wore thermals and I was completely comfortable. I don't know how I would bear it without the heated grips; I'm spoiled.

6:30 am is freezing cold, 6:30 pm is comfortable. Gotta figure out how to keep my face shield from fogging up.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I've been riding every day for 2 weeks. It's been in the high 30's/Low 40's in the morning. Pretty cold and after 25miles of freeway, my lips are numb. This morning was the first time I wore thermals and I was completely comfortable. I don't know how I would bear it without the heated grips; I'm spoiled.

6:30 am is freezing cold, 6:30 pm is comfortable. Gotta figure out how to keep my face shield from fogging up.

does your helmet have provision for a pinlock visor insert. No fogging of my face shield with one of those...my eyeglasses are still a problem.

[vash]

i rode today.

blistering cold. my fingers..i really need to get better winter gloves.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by vash

i rode today.

blistering cold. my fingers..i really need to get better winter gloves.

^heated grips are a game changer. those and an electric vest or jacket inner layer under your protective outerwear and you can be pretty comfy, even at below freezing temps. Almost 30 years of riding and I only recently "discovered" the heated gear and kick myself for not getting hooked up sooner.

Oxford is a brand of aftermarket heated grips that I mounted on my KTM. They work really well. No reason not to have heated grips even if the bike didn't come with them from the factory.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

does your helmet have provision for a pinlock visor insert. No fogging of my face shield with one of those...my eyeglasses are still a problem.

I'm not sure what that is. My helmets are both Arai brand. The have the shields that fip up. I am constantly opening the shield when I'm at a stop light as they will fog up. I keep the vents open and that helps but then it lets the cold in.

I will probably buy a new helmet this year - any suggestions? Both of my Arai helmets have lots of wind noise. It would be nice to find one that's a little quieter.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I'm not sure what that is. My helmets are both Arai brand. The have the shields that fip up. I am constantly opening the shield when I'm at a stop light as they will fog up. I keep the vents open and that helps but then it lets the cold in.

I will probably buy a new helmet this year - any suggestions? Both of my Arai helmets have lots of wind noise. It would be nice to find one that's a little quieter.

https://pinlock.com/what-is-a-pinlock-visor/

You may be able to buy a pinlock ready visor for the Arai. I've been an Arai wearer for years, but recently bought a Shoei Neotec because I wanted a modular helmet (Arai doesn't make them). I really like the Neotec. Weight is reasonable and its noticeably quieter than the Arai Signet I was wearing before.

The Neotec came with a Pinlock ready visor and a Pinlock visor insert.

[911boost]

I left at noon and it was nice out, but damn was it windy. I had to go to Frederick and there were a few stretches there on I25 that weren't what I would call fun.

It was starting to get a little bit cool by the time I got home around 5pm, but it felt good to get the bike out today.