Riding in cold weather

[deertracker57]

Hi everyone.I recently joined MJ,and I haven't properly introduced myself.My name is Wayne,I live near Auburn,Alabama.I love riding my 06 c50 in almost any kind of weather.I will soon be riding about 50 plus miles to work at 5:30 in the morning with temps in the mid to low 30's. Any advice on staying warm will be heeded. Thanks.Deertracker57

[jwromick]

Dress in layers. A gator neck comes in handy, as do heated gloves. Ride safe.

[SNAFU]

to M-J Wayne!

[jdw82]

[Clint]

Welcome, Wayne. Cutting wind is critical in the short term. If it gets through your outer shell it strips heat at a tremendous rate. Of course, if your outer layer isn't windproof, it probably doesn't offer good crash protection, either.

Layered insulation is key for the long term. You might look into inexpensive grip warmers and/or hand guards.

[ORBrit]

Your typical armored textile wind/waterproof riding jacket and pants will work well with linings in.
Get proper riding boots to stop your toes freezing and the draft coming in through your pant legs.
Even winter gloves won't stop your hands getting cold on a 50 mile ride in low 30 degree weather. Definitely consider heated grips or gloves.

Do you wear a full face helmet? You may want to get a helmet skirt if you do, in addition to neck warmer.

[robertc729]

[deertracker57]

Thanks you for the welcomes and the info .Yes I do have a full face helmet and a liner to go in it and ballistic 5.0 riding pants.My biggest problem is my fingers I will definetly check in to some heated gloves.I chickend out today and drove my gas eating truck.It was 32 when I left.

[MikeHump]

If you're only worried about your hands, I've found that cheap cotton gloves underneath riding gloves work quite well. I have some Coretech gloves that are breathable for warmer weather. I went to Target and got a pair of cotton gloves for $0.75. I put the cotton gloves underneath my riding gloves, and it seems to keep my hands warm pretty well. However, I live in California, so the coldest I've ridden in was about 35 degrees, you might get some colder weather where you are.

[tricker]

Since you seem to have all the other basics covered, for cold weather riding I would suggest some insulated gloves. But since your commute is twice of what I ride in the morning when i can I'd go with what clint suggested. I rode 120 miles in 35 degree weather and my hands got cold, but nothing that wasn't tolerable. They aren't incredibly thick work gloves but a little thicker than insulated driving gloves.

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

You might look into inexpensive grip warmers and/or hand guards.

[deertracker57]

Thanks mikehump,sounds like a good idea.Normally I ride when it's colder than it is now,but not 50 miles one way It was more like 13 miles one way. My body temp didn't have time to drop by the time I got to work.

[pinky44]

Hi and welcome. I personaly can recomend heated grips they work wonders, Get good gloves as well, dont go for ones that are too well padded as they can restrict the movement of your fingers and you can get a loss of feeling for the clutch and throttle can cause a dumped clutch, See the sky fast when you least expect it.

[SKTR]

I agree that windproof is the big part of solution and the neck gators that tuck up under the full face puts the frosting on the comfort cake. Only caution I want to add is black ice in the 30° area. Rider from my club went on a 1/2 block belly flop last Thurs at 5 am. No lite and 29° on a ramp. Good luck, ride safely and with comfort.

[CaptCrashIdaho]

Here's my two bits....

http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...ying-warm.html

Welcome aboard!

[Uncle B]

A TEXAS

HOWDY " " NEIGHBOR


Oh what a great trip!!!





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