Triumphrat

milsherut · 12-07-2008, 11:36 PM

I left the SF Bay Area heading east yesterday around 11:00 a.m. About 60 degrees F. I'm thinking, wow, this is December, and it's quite pleasant. But I spoke (thought) too soon: the central valley was covered in fog; it drizzled at one point; temperature now around 45 but with the breeze, the chill factor made it in the 30's. I'm cold and getting colder by the minute...and I've still got 100 miles to go. Should I turn around? (Probably, but I didn't).

I wear winter gloves but my hands still got cold.
I had a wool shirt under my Triumph leather jacket but I need at least one more layer, maybe two.
I stopped for gas and ended up spending about 1/2 hour inside the station just to (partially) warm up.

Anybody out there use
Hand warmers?
electric vests?
Other?

Then there was the time a couple of years ago when it started snowing and I had to ride 15 more miles to my destination...but that's another story.

longjohns · 12-08-2008, 01:13 AM

around 40 degrees everyday around here.

i just use:

winter gloves
leather jacket
jeans
riding boots

and of course helmet. i will ride everyday as long as there is no snow and ice.

Social Distortion · 12-08-2008, 02:03 AM

ive got my thruxton and i have a vstar 650 classic and im in Chicago.
I'll ride as cold as 17 degrees and i usually have no issues.
I use skiing gloves that help out a little, though not totally.
leather jacket and chaps, full face helmet and thats about it, my business work clothes under neith..
i think it takes time to get used to it...i remember our 1st cold spell, i though 40 was cold...now, i ride in 20 degree weather all the time, but weve gotten snow lately so my riding days are done due to the ice, not the cold
good luck

Lazyrider · 12-08-2008, 02:16 AM

I left Colorado Springs on a Honda CB750 headed for Dallas on New Year's Day, 1973. It had snowed half a foot overnight and the temp when I left at 6:30 AM was 12°F. I did the 750 mile trip nonstop (bathroom/food/gas breaks only) and arrived in Dallas the same day. It's not an experience I would ever want to repeat, especially 35 years later, but it answers the question. We never quit.

milsherut · 12-08-2008, 03:51 AM

Wow!!! "Lazyrider" is a misnomer.

guydenning · 12-08-2008, 07:21 AM

As long as it's not slippery I'll get out there. I might look like the Michelin man when I'm kitted up but I'm still grinning like a loon. It's the just the unintended sideways action I can't cope with - mind you, having started my two wheel days on a Vespa I find that if I drive in the same cautious manner I can get out of most problems. Vespas were unstable in the bloody dry!

Phil-1100 · 12-08-2008, 07:57 AM

How cold! Your avin a larf, it was 29°C here today, summers just starting yippee

redhawk34 · 12-08-2008, 10:42 AM

All winter, but I don't generally go out much under 35ºF, it's supposed to be fun. It's sometimes a good bit colder coming home.
Gerbings electric jacket liner under heavy leather and their electric gloves, balaclava, big "Snoopy" goggles.
The Gerbings are the caterpillar's spats! Comfortable at those temps, not just survivable. The arms are wired as well. The gloves are bulky, but aren't they all.
I made Lexan wind deflectors last winter;

Very effective. I'm in dead air from waist to boot top, and am comfortable with just jeans and boots.
That said, it's 20ºF at 10 AM, so I'll probably give it a miss today.
Redhawk

Greaser · 12-08-2008, 01:06 PM

Black Ice Equals No Riding.

hobbes80 · 12-08-2008, 01:22 PM

its been sub 40* degrees for a while here, whenever it gets warm enough to ride, its raining... so I haven't had any seat time in over a month... getting really ansy...

I can bundle up and still ride down to 20*F... but its just not a pleasant experience.. I wear thick socks, flannel pants under flannel lined jeans, 4 layers on top, two layers of gloves, neoprine mask with a neck warmer that gets stuffed into my jacket and my helmet to seal the cracks... just feel like a giant stay-puff man and I'm not comfortable on the bike.