Riding in the cold

[giordy]

I got my new Monster back in September; as the temperature dropped I added layer after layer of clothing and started avoiding the interstates, but in the last few days with temperatures in the low forties I seem to have hit the lower limit.

I'm curious as to the cold endurance of everybody else here.

Giordy

[He Man]

i ride own to the 20s and a few times ive doen 10-15s. but this si commuting for ~45-90mins only.

ps. i am NOT geared for the 10-15s. that shit was brutal and i will never do it again. doing the 20s,i cant last more than ~90mins. its mostl y knees and hands

[giordy]

i ride own to the 20s and a few times ive doen 10-15s. but this si commuting for ~45-100 mins only.

Wow! I guess I need better gear...

[scduc]

5 years ago it was any thing over 40. Now I can only stand 45+. At the Chicago show, I will be looking for cold weather gear that will make it do-able at 40 again. Riding when you are cold and it is dark out is just not something I am willing to do. espescially with the deer jumpng.

[Jarvicious]

I was out ni 15 degree stuff earlier this year without a problem, but most of my riding is around town with 50/50 interstate/local road riding.  The ONLY thing that keeps me from going farther is my hands.  I've tried a few different pairs of gloves to no avail, they just go numb.  I've been looking into handguards as well as heated grips just in case I want to torture myself and use the Duc for 1 hour+ highway excursions.

[DesmoDiva]

I stop doing long/highway rides when it dips down to btw 40-45. 

I rode at 30 a couple weeks ago, but it was just in town for a few miles.  Everything was warm enough execpt my hands. 

With hand guards and proper gloves, I'm sure I could ride comfortably till about 20. 

[somegirl]

Heated gear FTW!

[Howie]

I was out in below freezing today and last wednesday.  Electric gear is your friend.

[Bill in OKC]

BMW sells some great phase-change cold weather gear.  It works for me down to ~40.

[Schmitty]

I don't have any "cold weather" gear...just my summer gear with a sweatshirt underneath. 

For rides in 35-50° weather I'll make sure not to take my bike anywhere I'll have to go over 40mph.  My ride to work is only 5 miles, and I can almost swear my fingers are frozen after a 10 minute drive at 25-40 mph in 35° weather. 

[DucHead]

I just got Tour Master "Synergy" heated gloves and jacket liner.  I've ridden for about an hour at 75mph in the high 20s °F/low 30s °F without getting too cold.   That said, I see the heated pant liners in my future. 

[Henecton]

It was 20 degrees yesterday morning and my Multistrada almost didn't start, it had been in the teens the night before and the bike really struggled to come to life. Once I got it running it was fine and I did a 100 miles on backroads but at highway speeds  and was ok for the most part. It was so cold I had ice forming in the helmet visor, no kidding. My gear is unheated but I wear a pair of snowmobile gloves, insulated textile jacket with polar fleece jacket under it and the usual thermal underwear. The pants are ballistic nylon and I wear  thermal underwear under them and wear wool hunting socks. I would be lying if I said I was warm and toasty but I tolerated it. Part of riding in the cold is like any other outdoor activity in the cold weather, it is your state of mind. I have hunted since I was a kid sometimes in bitter weather and the number one thing is you want to be out there so you make do.

[DoubleEagle]

Heated gear FTW!

P., it never gets cold ,cold in San Fran !    Dolph

[DoubleEagle]

I just got Tour Master "Synergy" heated gloves and jacket liner.  I've ridden for about an hour at 75mph in the high 20s °F/low 30s °F without getting too cold.   That said, I see the heated pant liners in my future. 

You will want to check the extra wattage your Duc has .  I can't ride my S4Rs w, Gerbings Pant liner, Jacket liner and Gloves on at the same time.

I can get away with Pant liner and Jacket liner but not Gloves also.

I can go w, Gloves and any one of the other liners but not both.

Now my BMW K1200S wii put out enough extra watts to support all 3 on at the same time.    Dolph   

[somegirl]

P., it never gets cold ,cold in San Fran !    Dolph

In the mountains it often gets in the 30's in wintertime.  I've seen ice on the ground.

Plus I have ridden elsewhere.