Tips for cold-weather riding
Dec 8, 2012 8:13:34 GMT -6
Post by Doc on Dec 8, 2012 8:13:34 GMT -6
I don't know how many folks on this forum ride throughout the winter, but I thought it might be helpful if we shared tips about what to wear and/or how to prepare your ride for those chilly days.
For my bike, I will usually add a taller windshield and some handlebar-mounted oversized handguards. I learned a few years ago that if you can keep the cold wind off your hands, you won't have to worry about your hands freezing and falling off.
Some folks prefer to dress up and play the part when riding, but I prefer to ride, even if I end up having to look like that one kid from South Park who always croaks every episode. That vintage lid might look cool, but a well-fitting full-face helmet will do a much better job of keeping the frost off your skull.
Here's what works for me, clothing-wise. I've tested this gear in single-digit standing temps and have even done a 600-mile one-day trip in low-20 degree weather. It definitely works!
1) Throw on a t-shirt and tuck it into your undershorts.
2) Pull on a set of Under Armor Coldgear. It's skin-tight, and does an unbelievable job of keeping you warm. If the temperatures don't go any lower than 45-50 degrees, I usually stop at this level and then put on my outer clothing (jeans, socks, boots, shirt). Socks should be put on after the Under Armor is squeezed into.
3) If the temps are between 35 and 45 degrees, I also put on a set of Carhartt full length thermals. Rocky brand works fine too.
4) Temperature between 25 and 35 degrees? Put on a pair of low-activity thermal pants. They feel like they're made of fleece, but they work great at keeping all the heat in.
5) Put on your jeans and a good, heavy shirt. I have a few pairs of jeans that are one size larger than normal, which makes it easier to wear all the under clothing stuff in the winter. Pull on a set of boots (thermal/waterproof ones are best).
6) I have a blaze orange hunter jacket that I wear when it's really cold out. Aside from making it impossible for cagers to miss you on the roadway due to the eye-searing intensity of the color, the jacket is also windproof and waterproof. It comes with a zip-off hood too. These are available from Walmart for about 40 bucks. Seriously, you won't feel ANY cold coming through that jacket with your other gear on.
7) A thermal close-fitting balaclava (available from Dennis Kirk) does wonders for keeping the cold and the wind off my neck and face. Pull a full-face helmet over it and the only thing that will feel the cold will be your eyes. Make sure you tuck the neck portion into (and under) your jacket collar.
8) A pair of thermal glove liners (from J.C. Whitney) works great to help keep the hands warm. On days with temps above 40 degrees, I can usually just put on a pair of thick leather gauntlets over the liners. If it's colder than that, I grab a pair of Gore-tex hunting gloves. Yeah, they only come in camo, but they're windproof, waterproof and thermal. Best of all, they don't make your hands so thick with padded protection that you can't use 'em!
If the temps dip into the teens or lower, I will then put on a thermal full-body coverall. I think I got it from Orscheln's). If that is worn, then the jacket goes over the top of the coverall's. I've ridden 80 mph on the highway with this stuff and it's kept me warm all day.
You may also want to get one of those "Quiet Rider" full-face helmet chin masks to prevent cold air from rushing into your helmet at high speeds. Another add-on you could use are some of those warming packs sold at hunting stores. There are small ones you can stick into a glove and larger ones you can stick on the back of a shirt between the shoulder blades (I usually put it on the first t-shirt, then cover it with the other layers).
Believe it or not, all that stuff can be worn without adding too much bulk to you. And it will allow you to continue to ride throughout the winter, long after those Harley riders have hung up their dainty vests and fingerless gloves!
Does anyone else have any tips or advice for winter riding? Please share it!
For my bike, I will usually add a taller windshield and some handlebar-mounted oversized handguards. I learned a few years ago that if you can keep the cold wind off your hands, you won't have to worry about your hands freezing and falling off.
Some folks prefer to dress up and play the part when riding, but I prefer to ride, even if I end up having to look like that one kid from South Park who always croaks every episode. That vintage lid might look cool, but a well-fitting full-face helmet will do a much better job of keeping the frost off your skull.
Here's what works for me, clothing-wise. I've tested this gear in single-digit standing temps and have even done a 600-mile one-day trip in low-20 degree weather. It definitely works!
1) Throw on a t-shirt and tuck it into your undershorts.
2) Pull on a set of Under Armor Coldgear. It's skin-tight, and does an unbelievable job of keeping you warm. If the temperatures don't go any lower than 45-50 degrees, I usually stop at this level and then put on my outer clothing (jeans, socks, boots, shirt). Socks should be put on after the Under Armor is squeezed into.
3) If the temps are between 35 and 45 degrees, I also put on a set of Carhartt full length thermals. Rocky brand works fine too.
4) Temperature between 25 and 35 degrees? Put on a pair of low-activity thermal pants. They feel like they're made of fleece, but they work great at keeping all the heat in.
5) Put on your jeans and a good, heavy shirt. I have a few pairs of jeans that are one size larger than normal, which makes it easier to wear all the under clothing stuff in the winter. Pull on a set of boots (thermal/waterproof ones are best).
6) I have a blaze orange hunter jacket that I wear when it's really cold out. Aside from making it impossible for cagers to miss you on the roadway due to the eye-searing intensity of the color, the jacket is also windproof and waterproof. It comes with a zip-off hood too. These are available from Walmart for about 40 bucks. Seriously, you won't feel ANY cold coming through that jacket with your other gear on.
7) A thermal close-fitting balaclava (available from Dennis Kirk) does wonders for keeping the cold and the wind off my neck and face. Pull a full-face helmet over it and the only thing that will feel the cold will be your eyes. Make sure you tuck the neck portion into (and under) your jacket collar.
8) A pair of thermal glove liners (from J.C. Whitney) works great to help keep the hands warm. On days with temps above 40 degrees, I can usually just put on a pair of thick leather gauntlets over the liners. If it's colder than that, I grab a pair of Gore-tex hunting gloves. Yeah, they only come in camo, but they're windproof, waterproof and thermal. Best of all, they don't make your hands so thick with padded protection that you can't use 'em!
If the temps dip into the teens or lower, I will then put on a thermal full-body coverall. I think I got it from Orscheln's). If that is worn, then the jacket goes over the top of the coverall's. I've ridden 80 mph on the highway with this stuff and it's kept me warm all day.
You may also want to get one of those "Quiet Rider" full-face helmet chin masks to prevent cold air from rushing into your helmet at high speeds. Another add-on you could use are some of those warming packs sold at hunting stores. There are small ones you can stick into a glove and larger ones you can stick on the back of a shirt between the shoulder blades (I usually put it on the first t-shirt, then cover it with the other layers).
Believe it or not, all that stuff can be worn without adding too much bulk to you. And it will allow you to continue to ride throughout the winter, long after those Harley riders have hung up their dainty vests and fingerless gloves!
Does anyone else have any tips or advice for winter riding? Please share it!
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