firenspeed

OK, it's officially getting cold in MN. It's been below freezing at night a few times and since I leave before 4am for a one-hour freeway ride, it ain't much warmer.

I've searched some of the other threads on here concerning this topic, but I'd like to bring it up again. How do you cope with the cold (REAL cold)?

This morning was a bit warmer (38 degrees) but about 45 minutes into the ride my hands were getting cold. The rest of my body stays pretty warm. Right now I'm just concerned about my hands. I can tolerate it, but I intend to ride until it simply isn't possible (or bearable), and I'm pretty adaptable.

What brands/models are recommended? I have a pair of winter gloves that are OK. They don't hold the grip as well as I'd like. After an hour of 75mph, I have to remember to check my legs and hands to make sure everything still works before I stop or try to turn. It would be pretty embarassing to tough it out all the way there only to fall over in the parking lot.

KiwiBird

I have Daytona brand heated grips and they're ok at around freezing temperature but not much below that. I did a winter endurance ride round NZ a couple of years back and encountered minus 4 degrees C for a few hours in the south island. During this period, I was running the grips on the boost setting and it still wasn't enough. Trouble is, with the hands out in the slipstream , there's too much cooling on the backs of the fingers and the fingertips.

I hate bulky gloves too and whilst heated grips are a step forward, I'm coming to the conclusion that heated gloves (possibly even mitt-type) are the only way to get sustained comfort in really cold conditions on a 'bird. fortunately, the area of the country I live in now is sub-tropical so it's not normally an issue.

Cheers,

Geoff

Banshee

I have a Widder 'lectric vest and gloves. I get cold very easily and my hads freeze up even in "Winter" gloves once the temp gets around 10C.

I've found in the past that heated grips, while very good still let the backs of my hands get very cold, this is where the heated gloves are good as the element is more on the back of your hand. It complements the heated grips very well if you get both!

Catenaccio

I dress in layers and it's OK until the temps are in the 20s. I'd love to try out heated grips and an electric jacket liner. (Yes I live in Nevada but it was 19 F this morning when I went to work.) Electric gloves sound even better than grips.

RigsVille

For winter commuting I wear Hein Gericke Pathan 5 Finger Gloves, they are not too thick that you cannot feel the controls, Hein Gericke also make a 2 finger 'claw' version but I couldn't get along with them.

I also use Oxford Hotgrips, they are easy to fit and very, VERY warm!

I find that using a combination of these I've never had cold hands, in fact I find that I have to keep the hotgrips on low as they can get too warm.

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-- Rig
www.RigsVille.org.uk

CanadianBird

Won't temp in the 30's bring out black ice? No, no cold weather riding for me. If it's 10C and sunny I'll ride, no problem but as I've said, I'm only 9 kms from work so I cage it.

firenspeed

Black ice -- If you're going fast enough, you skate right across it.

Actually, you really have to watch it. Yes, the dew/fog/whatever can freeze to the ground so the road shines. It's pretty scary even in my truck. I've been cruising at 60mph and suddenly had the vague sense I was going sideways. I steered into it slightly, hit dry pavement again and the truck snapped back to straight. Yikes.

ace5107

Hi firenspeed. As my avatar says, I'm from n.b. canada. The only days I've missed going to work on the bird are days it's raining hard. I've had about 5 days of -5 or -6 when I leave home for work, and it's 50 miles for me on #1 highway. So far, I'm only wearing icon super duty gloves. The rest of me is plenty warm with my honda 2 piece rain suit on and a thin balaclava, but it is hellish cold on the hands. I'm hoping to find something other than heated gloves, will post in a few days if I do. I intend to ride until the snow stops me. I did find out this morning that you shouldn't drop to 4th gear and pour it on to pass a car when the temp is 3 or 4 below. Almost needed parts...and underwear. Gene

firenspeed

Ace, I made a similar mistake leaving work. I have to cross four lanes of traffic making a left out of the driveway. There was a small opening in traffic. It wasn't THAT cold (high 30's), but I juiced it in first gear and leaned a bit. That chilly rear tiring went sliding right across the road. I thought it might happen and made what I thought was a pretty graceful turn, but ya never really know how it's gonna go.

I admire your fortitude in riding. I think I'd like to try to invent something that can be piped into the cooling system. There's tons of free liquid heat there. I imagine a quick release coupling system like the fire departments use. The newest "Jaws of Life" type systems (I forget the actual manufacturer name) has something that's called core technology. Essentially, instead of having two hydraulic lines (one in, one out) there is one line that has an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. In case you're an engineer, don't steal my idea and get rich . . . or if you do, cut me a slice of the pie.

lefty80883

I use heated grips, gloves and a vest (widder) along with a noj helmet enclosure. This along with my 'stich works okay on my 105 mile commute down to the high teens. Try not to ride if it's gonna be wet and right around freezing, but have been caught out in freezing rain and snow. Luck and a lot of ass puckering have gotten me through it so far.YMMV.

birdmanxxx

your hands get cold because they're out front in the wind stream if you can block the wind from your hands you get warmer hands try mounting some hand guards from a off road or dual purpose bike they will block the wind might not look to pretty but you will have warmer hands. I just read a road test on 2 enduro bikes one the bmw had heated grips the other bike only the hand guards the bike with the hand guards keep the riders hands warmer

drrod

Stop in and your local ski shop or outdoor store and pick up a few packets of the hand warmers. Place them on the tops of your hands. Cheap and effective for a few hours at a time.
Rod

DeathWish01

too bad they didn't just make one for your thumbs... thats the only part of me that REALLY gets cold... but you cant do too much more.. ive riden in 20*F weather and its not bad... for the first 20 miles, oh also need to get a gator neck to keep my chin warm, thats another part that gets cold

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Uglystick

Im happy just being in a warmer climate.. bugger getting cold in the first place...

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sudsy

yep Iv'e heard if you do get caught out, you should look for a 1.25L plastic soft drink bottle, cut it into two lengthways and tape the neck end to your bars to create a wind break. Might not look the best but it is good to get you out of trouble. Of course this will never replace good planning and you may be best off with heated grips and a semi permament wind break guard in place that can be removed when not needed.

SuperPhil

Cutting the wind is the key to staying warm.

This probably doesn't help, but the way I stay warm in cold weather riding is by switching to a bike with a big windshield and fairing. (1982 Suzuki GS1100GK that I got for $500). I can comfortably ride when its in the 30's with a regular leather jacket, normal gloves, and plain 'ol Levi's with the big Soooozoooki. The fairing and windshield cut the wind almost completely out...and for some strange reason the fairing on those bikes seems to channel the engine heat up toward the rider. This is horrible in the Summer, but it rocks during the Winter.

I've tried Winter riding on the Honda, and my hands would get cold, my legs would get REALLY cold (as I was just wearing normal pants)...it was not pleasant.

As far as heated gear, I do have a JETT heated vest. It was awesome when it was working, but it only lasted maybe a year....I did use it a lot, though. Something is wrong with it now, though...might need a new battery.

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1982 Suzuki GS1100GK
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firenspeed

I've done some more experimenting as I have thus far been unable to buy good heated gear.

I did try the little (and big) heat pads that hunters and so on wear. Well, that didn't really work. I put them on the back of my hand, but either there wasn't enough air to keep them going (and the glove was tight) or the cooling blast of the wind pretty well out-matched the cold. Of course, once I got to work, they'd be warm and it would take the next eight hours to get my fingers warm again.

I also did some layer if silk or simple knit gloves under my regular riding gloves. Worked a little. Too bulky or tight to ride comfortably.

My legs stay pretty warm. I wear leather pants over my street clothes during the commute. They cut the wind pretty well.

I was having problems keeping my torso warm. I would wear my work shirt (t-shirt), long sleeve T or two, fleece and my Hein Gericke leather. Still not enough. Well, not I just layer a long sleeve T and a windbreaker between my work shirt and leather. WAY less bulk and it really holds the heat/blocks the wind. I couldn't believe what a difference it made. I thought the leather was good enough, but that made a huge difference.

That said, I'll probably end up getting a jacket liner paired with gloves so the one can plug into the other.

smurf211

Watch the load you are putting on your stator and Reg/rectifier. The Blackbird is not known for accommodating additional electrical accessories. Might want to think about a voltmeter to keep an eye on things. I would think anything waterproof would provide wind and thermal protection. Rain gloves with silk liners? Wind proof jacket, liner or outer layer. Just thinking. ... I imagine our Canadian friends might be able to help a little. ...

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shewie

The best advice I can offer is: don't ride your bike in the frigging winter, buy a damned snowmobile...

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deadman

I use ski gloves, same ones I ski in, Not good if you come off, but they do keep my fingers warm, But it is the exposure to the wind that freezes your finger tips, I dont have heated grips, I am looking at hand shields to stop the wind on my fingers.
Brian.

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Mods, 6mm Shim, 12 inch risers, Double bubble Windsceen, Homemade Ventura type packrack, Expandable to 82 litre, Rjays rack bag, Lowered rear end frame by 3 inches. Suspension is still stock, home made Cans, awesome.

Banshee

I love my Widder gloves & vest, but they are out of the business now. I've been using them for ~10 years now. Maybe have to try Gerbing next as the gloves in particular are starting to wear through, just from being worn so much.

deadman

Stuff the snow mobile, Shewie, Go skiing instead, its as good as riding the Bird and no fun police to spoil the fun.

Cheers,
Brian.

__________________
If ya not boppin, Ya in ya coffin. Rock and roll will soothe your soul.
Mods, 6mm Shim, 12 inch risers, Double bubble Windsceen, Homemade Ventura type packrack, Expandable to 82 litre, Rjays rack bag, Lowered rear end frame by 3 inches. Suspension is still stock, home made Cans, awesome.