Y'know, that season where all the Harley "Bad Boys" and "Rockety Joe Boy Racers" suddenly disappear at about 50º F.
Some thoughts;
I've always ridden through the winter, had no other transport for years. It frequently wasn't fun, uncomfortable in the low 40s, survival in the 30s. There's only so many layers you can wear, and I looked like that advert for Michelin tires. I finally got a rush of brains to the head, and got:
Electric clothes- They're the dog's bollocks, and I'm amazed how few riders use them. Let's say I have 10 grand in the bike, I have 4% of that in the electrics. DOH! I'm warmfuzzy comfortable at 80 MPH and 30º!
I have Gerbing; and can't say enough about them, ten years and going strong.
http://www.gerbing.com/Powersports/motorcycle.php
I have the jacket liner and gloves. I find that if the chest area is warm, everything else stays warm. I never wear chaps anymore, and only use the electric gloves below 40º. Even my feet stay warm!
Wind Wings- I made these a couple years back, and they work! They're 3/16" bronze Lexan, 5"x 12", with brackets fabbed from flat stainless stock. Maybe 20 bucks.
I'm in pretty still air from waist to boot top.
Ice- This is the killer. I don't go out when the roads are icy, but even when they're otherwise dry, you can encounter icy patches where the road is shaded. I came around a blind bend once, to find that the village idiot had pumped out his swimming pool, into the street. 1/2" of sheet ice. I got stopped in time. Then there's the moron who blows his wet leaves into the street to freeze, but don't get me started.
I guess if you live in Frostbite Falls, and get three days over 30º all winter, it makes sense to mothball the bike, but here in Joisey, we get 40º days all winter.
Downright tropical!
Redhawk
And another point...women don't get nekkid in cold weather. You won't see mini-skirts, short shorts, or the best bikinis!
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