Winter ride to work gear? Suggestions... - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

mxrcr4 · 10-12-2005, 10:48 AM

Hello guys,

Almost time for Fall chill to hit and I want to ride all year this year since gas is killing me in my Yukon. I am in central Alabama, not too bad winters, but it is CHILLY in the mornings coming in and evenings going home.

Here are my needs: I ride about 12-15 miles one way to work. I am an attorney so I have to wear fairly nice clothes and shoes. I need something that is easy to get on and off quickly. I guess if I had to I could wear something in and change into nice clothes at work, but seems like a pain for maybe 30 miles a day.

I need suggestions for gloves, head mask/sock, jacket (I have a leather jacket I ride in now, not too bad), pants or chaps or something along those lines, maybe a one piece suite to cover both?, and something for my feet as dress shoes and socks don't cut it!

Thank you in advance!

Brian

stp1971 · 10-12-2005, 11:15 AM

Well Brian here lies the problem. With me being at about the same climate as you I do understand your delima. One piece suits will wrinkle your clothes. A good riding jacket may help from wrinkling your clothes as bad,, but as with ANY jacket you are going to wear the sleeves and possibly the body of the shirt may get wrinkles.

My personal advice is have clothes there to change into if wrinkles will be a problem. Lucky for me currently I do not have to wear slacks or khackis,, but in the near future I may be in the same boat as you.

I currently wear jeans and a shirt and polo shirts or button up shirts that do not wrinkle that bad so all I have to wear is a jacket and my chaps or my one piece riding suit.

Once I move to the new location then I may have to start bringing clothes in as well.

oldgeezer · 10-12-2005, 12:01 PM

I ride to work every day. When the weather gets cold, I just slip on my chaps over my dress slacks, wear my leather jacket, gloves and helmet. Granted, I don't have to wear a necktie or dress jacket, but you could stick those in a saddlebag or barrel bag and they would stay wrinkle free. I wear Dr. Marten boots which are OK for work.

bud van houten · 10-12-2005, 12:15 PM

brian, you're an attorney and you're worrying about the price of gas. last time i used an attorney, for what he charged, don't think he would worry about gas prices.
seriously though, i just bought a bibbed ski pant set at wal-mart, and a pair of ski gloves to match. just rode about 200 miles in 40 degree weather and was very comfortable. cost for all was under $30.00...or about 10-15 minutes work for an attorney...just pulling your chain. later, bud

Smurf · 10-12-2005, 12:17 PM

Defense attorney or Prosecuter?

wayout1 · 10-12-2005, 12:35 PM

what is this winter you speak of? we call it riding season.

I have a 3 in one jacket with removeable inner and outer shells, full face and gloves. I just toss the dress shoes in my bag or even leave them in the office if i know im riding a couple days in a row.

mxrcr4 · 10-12-2005, 01:35 PM

Ha! This is my first year out and it is tough to get started! It is starting to pick up though, we will see. Neither on the defense or prosecuter! I have done some criminal defense but do not care for it, I primarily do family/divorce law and personal injury.

As far as the gear goes, my legs and feet get the coldest. I guess the slacks and dress shoes won't cut it!

I wonder if Walmarts down here will have those ski items?

IntruderCruiser · 10-13-2005, 12:43 AM

Joe Rocket Ballistic jacket

First Gear riding pants -- they unzip all the way up the leg so you can wear your street clothes -- also, they are insulated

you can get both from www.newenough.com at good prices

tlwisner · 10-13-2005, 09:41 AM

I take my dress pants to work with me, and I leave a pair of dress shoes under my desk. I get to work, change from my boots and Steel Jeans and I'm ready to check this board, oops, I mean work.

Pinhy · 10-13-2005, 11:23 AM

i ride in my work clothes...usually docker type pants and soft soled rockports...its 5 miles in slow regular type traffic.

as it cools off, i will wear the leather jacket and gloves

RampageRider · 10-13-2005, 12:18 PM

It gets cold in the south? I have to ask what do you consider cold.....

For me I consider cold around 10-20 degrees...thats when you look like a eskimo on a bike.......

stp1971 · 10-13-2005, 12:21 PM

Believe it or not we actually do get temps in Georgia down into the single digits and I have even seen it minus 12 degrees before as a kid. But cold to me is when it is in the 30's. When the temp hits 30 degrees I probably will not be riding the "LC" anywhere.

Pinhy · 10-13-2005, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RampageRider

It gets cold in the south? I have to ask what do you consider cold.....

For me I consider cold around 10-20 degrees...thats when you look like a eskimo on a bike.......

haha...yeah well my idea of cold is a little skewed....we get below 60 and i am crying! but i rode last jan/feb in 55 to work and stuff. just leather jacket and some thin gloves. i dont enjoy riding if it is any colder.

like i have said before: this is my hobby. i bought a bike to enjoy the fresh air, warm sun and nice weather. it is not my main source of transportation. i see no reason to go 60mph in 40 degree weather and freezing my butt off.

.

QuacktheDuck · 10-17-2005, 11:01 PM

thought id bring this back from the near dead...

I just got my agv aeromesh pants (thank you ups!). I got a size larger to wear over my slacks, khakis or jeans going to work and they are ventilated but comfortably warm...good balance id say. Also has ce armor and is 600 cordura, and also extra padding in the seat and hips. Check it out on denniskirk.com. I got it for 114 bucks and free shipping. Might work since I don't think it'd get any colder over there than it does here in socal in winter (upper 40s low 50s at coldest in morning/night).

agv aeromesh

RampageRider · 10-17-2005, 11:43 PM

I had a nice ride tonight, it was a comfy 55 degrees, my favorite temp to ride because I don't feel like I'm cooking in my jacket.

QuacktheDuck · 10-18-2005, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RampageRider

I had a nice ride tonight, it was a comfy 55 degrees, my favorite temp to ride because I don't feel like I'm cooking in my jacket.

Yep, gotta agree with that. It's far easier to keep warm in the cold than to keep cool in the heat...give me the chilly stuff anytime, just have to add another layer or a thermal underneath.

mxrcr4 · 10-18-2005, 09:10 AM

Thanks to all who posted suggestions. I went with the Joe Rocket jacket, First Gear over pants, Joe Rocket lined gloves, and a head sock from Newenough. Can't wait for it to arrive and try it out, morning rides have been in the 50's this week!

ZukiChaos · 10-18-2005, 11:42 AM

I live in Central PA. It's been around 50 degrees in the AM. I like my Fieldsheer Monza 2 jacket. It has a warm insulated layer, and vents if it gets too hot. It has nice velcro straps to ensure the cold breeze doesn't get in on waist, sleeves & neck. I also wear insulated Olympia Wind-Tex leather gloves or even my summer mesh Icon Tarmacs 2.0 are ok if travelling less than 15 minutes on highway). I wear doc marten boots & jeans. My legs get cold, but as long as my core is warm & I am driving less than 30 minutes I seem to be ok. I'll be sure to buy overpants to cut the wind if the temps start freezing my A$$. Full-face helmet is a definite in cooler riding - I like my Vega Summit. Hope that helps. BTW, I am a Vice President at a production/communications company so there are days I just can't ride my bike to work cuz I have to dress up like a "grown-up".

Scott58 · 10-18-2005, 11:51 AM

I have a flightsuit from the military I wear under my leather jacket. It's good to about 20 degrees. Might wanna check military surplus. Last year i wore 2 pair of gloves, but I'm thinking about getting a heated pair for this year.

Scourge · 10-19-2005, 01:17 AM

I just bought the Thermogear rain suit by FirstGear. I haven't given it a true field test yet, but I can say w/ some level of confidence that it will keep you warm. I tried it on today, or is that yesterday now, at the shop and walked around sitting on a few bikes to get the feel of the suit. I was sweating before I could strip that sucker off. It's about $150 depending on where you get it. Long zippered legs for easy (sort of) in and out w/ shoes/boots on, and it's pretty well insulated against the cold. Oh yeah and it's Rain gear, so you should stay pretty dry. If you go looking, just remember to wear a suit in so you can check the fit and wrinkle factor, plop down on a few bikes for a bit too.

10-12-2005, 10:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
mxrcr4 Newbie Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: M50 Black Location: Alabama Posts: 23	Winter ride to work gear? Suggestions... Hello guys, Almost time for Fall chill to hit and I want to ride all year this year since gas is killing me in my Yukon. I am in central Alabama, not too bad winters, but it is CHILLY in the mornings coming in and evenings going home. Here are my needs: I ride about 12-15 miles one way to work. I am an attorney so I have to wear fairly nice clothes and shoes. I need something that is easy to get on and off quickly. I guess if I had to I could wear something in and change into nice clothes at work, but seems like a pain for maybe 30 miles a day. I need suggestions for gloves, head mask/sock, jacket (I have a leather jacket I ride in now, not too bad), pants or chaps or something along those lines, maybe a one piece suite to cover both?, and something for my feet as dress shoes and socks don't cut it! Thank you in advance! Brian

10-12-2005, 11:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,833	Well Brian here lies the problem. With me being at about the same climate as you I do understand your delima. One piece suits will wrinkle your clothes. A good riding jacket may help from wrinkling your clothes as bad,, but as with ANY jacket you are going to wear the sleeves and possibly the body of the shirt may get wrinkles. My personal advice is have clothes there to change into if wrinkles will be a problem. Lucky for me currently I do not have to wear slacks or khackis,, but in the near future I may be in the same boat as you. I currently wear jeans and a shirt and polo shirts or button up shirts that do not wrinkle that bad so all I have to wear is a jacket and my chaps or my one piece riding suit. Once I move to the new location then I may have to start bringing clothes in as well. __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

10-12-2005, 12:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
oldgeezer Handlebar Consultant Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 646	I ride to work every day. When the weather gets cold, I just slip on my chaps over my dress slacks, wear my leather jacket, gloves and helmet. Granted, I don't have to wear a necktie or dress jacket, but you could stick those in a saddlebag or barrel bag and they would stay wrinkle free. I wear Dr. Marten boots which are OK for work. __________________ Oh, he's very popular Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wastoids, dweebies, d!ckheads--they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude.

10-12-2005, 12:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Smurf Quiche' King Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2005 Red Flamed M-50 Location: McDonough Georgia Posts: 4,367	Defense attorney or Prosecuter? __________________ "I would rather be lucky than good!"

10-12-2005, 12:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
wayout1 Puddle Runner Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 05 M50 (blue) Location: Tempe AZ - suburb of Hell! Posts: 391	what is this winter you speak of? we call it riding season. I have a 3 in one jacket with removeable inner and outer shells, full face and gloves. I just toss the dress shoes in my bag or even leave them in the office if i know im riding a couple days in a row. __________________ Got myself a one way ticket. Going the wrong way. ~~AC/DC "Ride On"

10-12-2005, 12:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
bud van houten Ditch Magnet Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2000 intruder lc 1500 Location: kansas city, mo. Posts: 175	brian, you're an attorney and you're worrying about the price of gas. last time i used an attorney, for what he charged, don't think he would worry about gas prices. seriously though, i just bought a bibbed ski pant set at wal-mart, and a pair of ski gloves to match. just rode about 200 miles in 40 degree weather and was very comfortable. cost for all was under $30.00...or about 10-15 minutes work for an attorney...just pulling your chain. later, bud

10-12-2005, 01:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
mxrcr4 Newbie Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: M50 Black Location: Alabama Posts: 23	Ha! This is my first year out and it is tough to get started! It is starting to pick up though, we will see. Neither on the defense or prosecuter! I have done some criminal defense but do not care for it, I primarily do family/divorce law and personal injury. As far as the gear goes, my legs and feet get the coldest. I guess the slacks and dress shoes won't cut it! I wonder if Walmarts down here will have those ski items?

10-13-2005, 12:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
IntruderCruiser TurtleWax Taster Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2003 Intruder 1500 Posts: 585	Joe Rocket Ballistic jacket First Gear riding pants -- they unzip all the way up the leg so you can wear your street clothes -- also, they are insulated you can get both from www.newenough.com at good prices

10-13-2005, 09:41 AM	#9 (permalink)
tlwisner Throttle Jockey Joined: Apr 2004 Bike: '05 Boulevard C50 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 3,208	I take my dress pants to work with me, and I leave a pair of dress shoes under my desk. I get to work, change from my boots and Steel Jeans and I'm ready to check this board, oops, I mean work. __________________ Tim Wisner AMA, SCRC Happiness is something we create

10-13-2005, 11:23 AM	#10 (permalink)
Pinhy Doesn't think you're funny Joined: Dec 2004 Bike: 05 Boulevard M50 Black Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 5,210	i ride in my work clothes...usually docker type pants and soft soled rockports...its 5 miles in slow regular type traffic. as it cools off, i will wear the leather jacket and gloves

10-13-2005, 12:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
RampageRider Fourth gear and illegal Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 05 Red M50 Location: Iowa, riding in the Rain! Posts: 782	It gets cold in the south? I have to ask what do you consider cold..... For me I consider cold around 10-20 degrees...thats when you look like a eskimo on a bike....... __________________ . "Grow up, what a waste of a good time, if Peter Pan can do it so can we............... " 05 Red M50 (mine) 97 Yellow Honda Rebel (her's)

10-13-2005, 12:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,833	Believe it or not we actually do get temps in Georgia down into the single digits and I have even seen it minus 12 degrees before as a kid. But cold to me is when it is in the 30's. When the temp hits 30 degrees I probably will not be riding the "LC" anywhere. __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

10-17-2005, 11:01 PM	#14 (permalink)
QuacktheDuck Sprocket Pilot Joined: May 2005 Bike: 2004 FZ6 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 858	thought id bring this back from the near dead... I just got my agv aeromesh pants (thank you ups!). I got a size larger to wear over my slacks, khakis or jeans going to work and they are ventilated but comfortably warm...good balance id say. Also has ce armor and is 600 cordura, and also extra padding in the seat and hips. Check it out on denniskirk.com. I got it for 114 bucks and free shipping. Might work since I don't think it'd get any colder over there than it does here in socal in winter (upper 40s low 50s at coldest in morning/night). agv aeromesh

10-17-2005, 11:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
RampageRider Fourth gear and illegal Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 05 Red M50 Location: Iowa, riding in the Rain! Posts: 782	I had a nice ride tonight, it was a comfy 55 degrees, my favorite temp to ride because I don't feel like I'm cooking in my jacket. __________________ . "Grow up, what a waste of a good time, if Peter Pan can do it so can we............... " 05 Red M50 (mine) 97 Yellow Honda Rebel (her's)

10-18-2005, 09:10 AM	#17 (permalink)
mxrcr4 Newbie Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: M50 Black Location: Alabama Posts: 23	Thanks to all who posted suggestions. I went with the Joe Rocket jacket, First Gear over pants, Joe Rocket lined gloves, and a head sock from Newenough. Can't wait for it to arrive and try it out, morning rides have been in the 50's this week!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

10-18-2005, 11:42 AM	#18 (permalink)
ZukiChaos Kickstand Operator Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: '05 BlacknBlue C50 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 284	Here's what I do... I live in Central PA. It's been around 50 degrees in the AM. I like my Fieldsheer Monza 2 jacket. It has a warm insulated layer, and vents if it gets too hot. It has nice velcro straps to ensure the cold breeze doesn't get in on waist, sleeves & neck. I also wear insulated Olympia Wind-Tex leather gloves or even my summer mesh Icon Tarmacs 2.0 are ok if travelling less than 15 minutes on highway). I wear doc marten boots & jeans. My legs get cold, but as long as my core is warm & I am driving less than 30 minutes I seem to be ok. I'll be sure to buy overpants to cut the wind if the temps start freezing my A$$. Full-face helmet is a definite in cooler riding - I like my Vega Summit. Hope that helps. BTW, I am a Vice President at a production/communications company so there are days I just can't ride my bike to work cuz I have to dress up like a "grown-up".

10-18-2005, 11:51 AM	#19 (permalink)
Scott58 Puddle Runner Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 05 Honda Rebel and 05 Suzuki S50 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 394	I have a flightsuit from the military I wear under my leather jacket. It's good to about 20 degrees. Might wanna check military surplus. Last year i wore 2 pair of gloves, but I'm thinking about getting a heated pair for this year.

10-19-2005, 01:17 AM	#20 (permalink)
Scourge U.B's LoveChild Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: 2002 V-Star 650 Location: Winston Salem, NC Posts: 1,253	I just bought the Thermogear rain suit by FirstGear. I haven't given it a true field test yet, but I can say w/ some level of confidence that it will keep you warm. I tried it on today, or is that yesterday now, at the shop and walked around sitting on a few bikes to get the feel of the suit. I was sweating before I could strip that sucker off. It's about $150 depending on where you get it. Long zippered legs for easy (sort of) in and out w/ shoes/boots on, and it's pretty well insulated against the cold. Oh yeah and it's Rain gear, so you should stay pretty dry. If you go looking, just remember to wear a suit in so you can check the fit and wrinkle factor, plop down on a few bikes for a bit too. __________________ I hate rude behavior in a man, won't tolerate it..

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