Riding - Bit cold for ya? [Archive]

DMNTD

28th June 2006, 11:09

Yesterday morning I woke up to see a 10mm+ layer of solid frost on the SV...and they call this the winterless Norf!! :nono:
Took the bike 4-5mins to warm up...took me 20mins!! Hate to admit it but I actually thought of the benefits of heated hand grips :shutup:

Keystone19

28th June 2006, 11:10

Those heated grips are the best modification I have ever made to my bike - actually they're the only modification I've ever made but they are damn good!

Thank you for asking Zed...:D

sAsLEX

28th June 2006, 11:16

umm dont wear cordura so dunno how to answer the silly poll

Jantar

28th June 2006, 11:18

I dont ride when its really cold. Anything below -6 and the bike stays in the shed. I also use the cage if there's any sigh of black ice, or snow lying on the driveway.

A bit of frost though is pleasant riding, just put on an extra layer, like I did yesterday. Its still -8 here at the moment, that's why I'm on the computer and not riding.

skelstar

28th June 2006, 11:19

Im a wuss and made my own heated grips. Theyre super hot (almost too hot sometimes) but I get to work safe as I can feel my fingers, and thats all I care about.

imdying

28th June 2006, 11:21

Just how cold we talking? Been sub zero on my way to work the last few days :)

Keystone19

28th June 2006, 11:25

umm dont wear cordura so dunno how to answer the silly poll

A man of your exquisite intelligence, should be able to figure out an appropriate answer I would have thought...

oldrider

28th June 2006, 11:31

Perception is reality, who's reality are we measuring, North or South?
I hate being cold, full stop! :sunny: Cheers John.

snuffles

28th June 2006, 11:32

always buy gear 10 sizes to big, so I can fit a whole lotta shite underneath when its cold, also have super heated handlebars............no I am not a girl.......

Big Dave

28th June 2006, 11:38

Perception is reality, who's reality are we measuring, North or South?
I hate being cold, full stop! :sunny: Cheers John.

So why do you live where you do?
Gold coast is nice.

The_Dover

28th June 2006, 11:39

Put it this way, it's been better than the previous month on the push bike.

That lycra has very poor insulating qualities.

ZeroIndex

28th June 2006, 11:41

Uses for cold weather:
1) Ice on footpaths is fun.. You can slide on it with your feet.. while the bike carries on going..
2) Pie breaks.. mmmmm Mince & Cheese
--
DX Mail, I just wear a jacket (fairly waterproof) with a high vis vest safety-pinned on it, long pants with pvc-ish waterproof over them, and my Quasi gloves.. wear those all the time between 7am and 4pm.. only thing that changes is, before 12pm, I normally have my crappy Oxford glove inners (which don't even work properly)
--
My cordura gear seems to be very warm, but the arms get itchy/scratchy.. will try washing the liners..
--
Leathers are cold.. will probably wear something thermal underneath them..

MikeyG

28th June 2006, 11:46

Just wear the normal cordura riding gear. My only concession for the cold/wet lately is an anti-fog insert for my visor. Only been for one commute with it so far but can have my visor fully down without fogging. It's a light sensitive one too so clear at night and dark during the day.

Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)

28th June 2006, 11:55

The jacket inner is back in the Spidi jacket, 2 merino wool skivvies, and if still cold - leather jacket - yes it does all fit under the jacket. But I would love heated handle grips!!!
Actually I would love just to get out on the bike for a good blast!

SimJen

28th June 2006, 12:03

Live in Waikato, wear my leathers (race type with ventilation) just a jersey over a tshirt and dress pants underneath. Never get that cold on my daily commute. 25km mainly country riding.

ZeroIndex

28th June 2006, 12:04

My personal thought is, as soon as i get a new bike, first thing that's going on is heated grips.. although, by the time i get a new bike, it will be summer.. and i won't care much for heated grips, but hey.. I've got time to think about this.. DAMMIT I WANT A BETTER JOB THAN DX MAIL..

WRT

28th June 2006, 12:06

but the arms get itchy/scratchy..

What, they try to kill each other with dynamite and oversized hammers?

I'm wearing cordura with the winter lining in, but it wreaks havoc with cotton shirts. Its just completely pointless ironing them now. Not that I've asked the missus to stop, she enjoys doing it so much I'd hate to ruin her buzz.

Ixion

28th June 2006, 12:08

It's not too bad yet. Just a jersey under the jacket.

But I must say that there seems to be something strange happening with the air these days. For some reason the cold seems to be (literaly) makiing my eyes water. How strange.Unless I can blame my newish helmet (its first winter). Maybe I need to go back to open face and goggles, at least they kept your eyes draught free.

I actually had to stop the other day and wipe my eyes. Not painful, just watering like mad.

I blame modern helmet design. Or the French tests. Or the Welch. They're always a good fall back for blaming.

Oh, and WHY are there no signs advising motorcyclists of the cold. Unsigned hazards. It's a scandal. Somebody should be blamed for it. How are we supposed to ride safely if there aren't enough signs?

EDIT: That's a thought. If it gets much colder I must put the linings in the jacket and leggings. If I can find them.

XTC

28th June 2006, 12:15

Still riding to and from work on my Motorsickle. Leave home at 5:45am on day shifts for my 45 minute commute. I wear some cheap thermals from te warewhare and a wooly jumper under my clover jacket and revit pants. Also have heated grips and a warm rider neck tube thingy. Wouldn't say that i'm cosy warm but it aint that bad and I just love riding whether it's cold or wet or warm. Beats being in the car and heaps cheaper to run.

BarBender

28th June 2006, 12:22

SARGE

28th June 2006, 12:29

It's been a tad chilly the last few mornings so for those of you who ride I thought a little poll to see how tough you all are was in order...

i had to chip ice off my seat yesterday AM on the way in.. still rode in wearing my Cordura and jeans ..

hell.. this weather is springtime in Cleveland..

SimJen

28th June 2006, 12:29

Was thinking about heated grips..........nah too girly for me :)

Str8 Jacket

28th June 2006, 12:31

I start work at 7am so its rather chilly when I leave for work. I tend to put a few layers on along with my neck-sock and woollen gloves under my winter gloves. I dont have proper riding boots yet so I wear my Doc's with 2 or 3 pairs of socks. I have to get to work about 15 minutes earlier so that I can strip of all my gear.... A nice warm cuppa tea usually warms me up once im at work though.

Biohazard

28th June 2006, 12:37

Voted on the wrong thing...actually im a soft southern bastad :nya:

ZeroIndex

28th June 2006, 12:44

I actually had to stop the other day and wipe my eyes. Not painful, just watering like mad.
my eyes don't bother me.. i just tend to get a "dog's nose" in the mornings delivering mail

*Dog's nose: a healthy dog has a wet nose..
- a cold biker that doesn't have a hankie gets a wet nose :D

John Banks

28th June 2006, 12:46

I just wear the normal cordura with the lining in and some thicker gloves. Not cold enough in Aucks to warrant anything special.

dveus

28th June 2006, 12:47

Riding for me is something I do purely for the enjoyment of it. If its cold I enjoy it less so I don't ride. Besides my morning commute is only about 1.5km's hardly worth starting the bike up for.

SPman

28th June 2006, 12:51

Heated hand grips all round over here - when we can afford it - was -2.5 the other morning when I left home - 100k rides to work aren't that much fun when you cant feel your hands! Makes avoiding the early morning suicidal roos a bit more thrilling, as well..................

Swoop

28th June 2006, 13:31

The top stays the same, the trousers get the lining put in though (a bit nippy with shorts underneath).

Maha

28th June 2006, 13:38

Shorts and T under the lace, sorry i mean leather, but i have found that the solar panel i have put on my lid that is connected to a single electric blanket does wonders for my upper body.......:yes:

sunhuntin

28th June 2006, 14:18

if im goin to work...thermal long sleeve, work tshirt and jersey then leather jacket with denim vest over the top. thermal longjohns, work trousers and shoes for bottoms [means for cold knees] and then thinsulate gloves.

if i aint going to work, same thermal shirt, necksock, hoodie, knitted jersey then jacket and vest. same thermal longs and jeans with cowboy boots [plus 2 pair of socks no matter where im going] if its long distance, i may wear leather pants, but they dont seem to do much to keep me warm.

damn near freeze on the bike these days, but cant really fit anymore layers! would like some heated handgrips, or maybe just better gloves, and something to keep my legs warm....the thermals are useless.

ZeroIndex

28th June 2006, 19:00

diggydog

28th June 2006, 19:35

once you get motivated and get use to it, it's not too bad, my cordura jacket keeps me pretty warm and has extra layers to protect from cold.

Lazy7

28th June 2006, 19:43

riding home from work at 2 in the morning = freeeezing

i normally wear t-shirts, a woolen shirt and a pola-fleece jumper under my leath er jacket - and a pair of jeans and a pair of dickies.

i really need some winter gear.

ZeroIndex

28th June 2006, 19:45

once you get motivated and get use to it, it's not too bad, my cordura jacket keeps me pretty warm and has extra layers to protect from cold.
in 20 minutes, i'm gonna put on some thermals.. other extra warm gear, and my leathers, and take my Kinetic out to one of those big parking lots near the cock and bull, and practice cornering.. wish me luck :) I've been meaning to practice cornering for a long time, and am feeling crazy enough to do it tonight.. I think the lights there should still be on (i hope)

Ps. to any police reading this thread, this is not some lame-ass illegal street race.. this is simply practicing cornering in a 'fairly closed / safe environment', which will in turn help me be a better rider on the roads.. no need to send a patrol car along.. unless they are good at getting nice footage (which can be saved on my computer :D)

inlinefour

28th June 2006, 19:50

It's been a tad chilly the last few mornings so for those of you who ride I thought a little poll to see how tough you all are was in order...

Good poll. I went riding up to Te Kuiti and back on the CBR. Was wearing the normal gear on the way up and got rather cold. I put on my one piece wet weather gear on and I was warm as toast.

sunhuntin

28th June 2006, 19:55

perhaps you should look at the Oxford "ChillOut" range of thermal clothing.. might save you 2 hours on getting dressed..

where would i find these? :scooter:

Oakie

28th June 2006, 20:02

I put the liner in my jacket for winter and when it gets cold enough I use a scarf, lined Dryrider pants and turn on the heated handgrips. Toasty warm.

NhuanH

28th June 2006, 20:03

Dainese rocks.

ZeroIndex

28th June 2006, 20:03

where would i find these? :scooter:
any bike shop should be able to get these in.. just ask them at the counter for the oxford catalog and say "i want this, and this, and this.." :yes: well.. i'm off for my ride.. 2 sets of thermals, a t-shirt, and my quasi leathers (i plan to use the knee scrapers tonight :D.. my junky glove inners, my quasi gloves, and my bike boots, my balaclava, and of course, my helmet..

T.W.R

28th June 2006, 20:12

Nothing much extra during the winter just a set of polyprops & a Milair tramping top under the normal gear & if it's really cold a pair of Milair tramping pants over the poly L/Js.

If it's cold & wet as above with a wetweather suit over top

justsomeguy

28th June 2006, 20:16

I chose two layers - if that's what you call the detachble lining in cordura gear and thermals. They really work when doing all day rides.

Back Fire

28th June 2006, 20:31

I wear exactly what I wear in summer... saying that though, im not saying I'm 'hard' .... because in mid summer I wear cordura with liners in it and a jumper and trousers underneath....

diggydog

28th June 2006, 20:40

in 20 minutes, i'm gonna put on some thermals.. other extra warm gear, and my leathers, and take my Kinetic out to one of those big parking lots near the cock and bull, and practice cornering.. wish me luck :) I've been meaning to practice cornering for a long time, and am feeling crazy enough to do it tonight.. I think the lights there should still be on (i hope)

Ps. to any police reading this thread, this is not some lame-ass illegal street race.. this is simply practicing cornering in a 'fairly closed / safe environment', which will in turn help me be a better rider on the roads.. no need to send a patrol car along.. unless they are good at getting nice footage (which can be saved on my computer :D)
well done ,go for it, hope you have enough light, maybe thats what i should be doing ( catcha) some time.:scooter:

ZeroIndex

28th June 2006, 21:06

well done ,go for it, hope you have enough light, maybe thats what i should be doing ( catcha) some time.:scooter:
well.. just got back from my cornering practice..

2 things didn't happen, one good, one not so good..
1). I didn't crash (good)
2). I've come to the conclusion, that no matter how far I lean off the bike, commuter bikes don't allow for knee scraping..

If anyone with a 'commuter'-style bike can get their knee down, please tell me how!!

I think I'll have better luck on the CT110.. plus if i drop that.. well.. IT'S A CT110 :D

The_Dover

28th June 2006, 21:11

I wear exactly what I wear in summer... saying that though, im not saying I'm 'hard' .... because in mid summer I wear cordura with liners in it and a jumper and trousers underneath....

That almost certainly says you're a poof then.

RT527

28th June 2006, 21:13

It was fricken cold.

rode through some fog.. at the other side of it, the fog on my visor had turned into ice! and I had to scrap it off with the glove!

Snap!!!!
Same thing happened to me.

ZeroIndex

28th June 2006, 21:15

well.. i'm off for my ride.. 2 sets of thermals, a t-shirt, and my quasi leathers (i plan to use the knee scrapers tonight :D.. my junky glove inners, my quasi gloves, and my bike boots, my balaclava, and of course, my helmet..
argh.. can't believe I bothered with all of that extra gear.. made it a lot more difficult to move around in.. and when i wasn't moving, i was too hot, and as soon as i was moving, it was like 'normal' temperature when i just have my work jacket on..

oldrider

28th June 2006, 23:39

So why do you live where you do?
Gold coast is nice.
I am married to mrsO/rider and shes still hot enough to keep me here :yes: or I would over there! :nya: John.

Gremlin

29th June 2006, 01:47

because in mid summer I wear cordura with liners in it and a jumper and trousers underneath....
AND its not a joke.... even better, he stands at the stops in full gear, while we get jackets off as fast as possible... :weird:

On the days I do my labouring job on construction sites, it has been bloody cold in shorts, gumboots and cordura jacket, gloves etc. Couple of mornings me poor legs have been red with cold. Worst part is not being able to talk properly for a good 15 minutes, until my lower face gets some feeling to it. Might get a neck/lower face guard or something. At least my pipe is warm for a few minutes, just enough to get my hands back.

Normal uni commute or something, I have no issues at all. Jeans and jacket, maybe its liner, depending on weather. Just like summer, bar the different thickness of gloves.

InDeSkyz

29th June 2006, 02:08

Put the winter lining in my jacket, no jumper.
Still using summer gloves, means I can feel (well as far as I can for someone loosing feeling in their arm - meh).
Just brought some cheapo rain pants from the warehouse for my legs. Jeans were ok, but once it started raining hard (and maybe hail), I shivered like a cold car.

Although I can't ride the bike too much at the moment, work is at night and I haven't been bothered to update my licence. Fark getting fines :p

Biohazard

29th June 2006, 09:56

Dainese rocks.

Is that like Blackpool Rock then ??:nya:

kevie

29th June 2006, 10:17

umm dont wear cordura so dunno how to answer the silly poll

Me neither ... got good old fashioned real leather, not the warmest but I just throw on a couple extra layers when needed.

I start work 2pm so all good as far as warmth is... BUT .... downside of a good start time is a 1am finish and a 45km ride home ... can be chilly, in reallllllly cold winter I wear thin thermal gloves, my bike gloves over them and a pair of antarctic overmittens over them ....yeh im a woos LOL but a warm one!... keep thinking about them handlebar warmers ... never quite got there and bought them tho.
Thinking of getting a real job tho ... you know ... one of them 8-5 ones with evenings and weekends off..... I hear they also give you a social life too :p

Wolf

29th June 2006, 11:25

I wear what I normally wear in summer - lined cordura jacket and leggings, work clothes underneath, heavy gloves, motorbike boots. In winter I sometimes throw on some polyprop leggings and t-shirt under my clothes, and possibly a sweatshirt for extra warmth. If it really gets cold I wear a balaclava as well.

The last few mornings I've ridden to work in various frosts with the visor open - only doing 50km/h maximum. The visor's getting a trifle hard to see through so I normally keep it up so I can see.

By and large the lined Cordura is adequate to keep me nice and warm, it's my gloves that fail me - even though they're Thinsulate lined. My fingers generally freeze - more so than my face.

The current frosty weather is one of the reasons I wanted to get a new bike before the winter was over - so I could be fully kitted up in my warm riding gear and get to work in 5-10 minutes rather than trudging half an hour in the freezing cold wearing less warm clothing (so I can actually walk).

The thing I really want to do is get new jacket and pants with removable liners before summer so I can make my gear cooler when I want to. Riding around in summer with my heavy lined jacket is not so bad but waiting at traffic lights can literally be a killer.

crashe

29th June 2006, 11:42

Cordura jacket and pants - both with their liners in them.
Jeans or trackpants under the cordura pants.
T-shirt/skivvy and jumper under jacket.
Warm gloves (thanks Placidfemme)
Rugby socks and my HD boots.
Bandana around face/neck to help to catch a runny nose and stop the yukky bugs going into my mouth :whistle:

Ixion - yep I too am getting watery eyes as well this winter.

Wolf

29th June 2006, 13:15

Ixion - yep I too am getting watery eyes as well this winter.
My eyes don't water unless I'm exceeding 50km/h or it's colder than it has been of late. I've had no problems riding to work even with the visor up lately.

When I was commuting from Hamilton to Te Awamutu in -4 degree frosts at 100km/h my eyes were watering - and the tears froze on my face.

Dunno how much of the watering was just cold air in the eyes or actual crying because of the intense pain in my fingers.

SPman

29th June 2006, 13:18

Dainese rocks.
So...........do you heat them up before placing them strategically about your person.............................?

jrandom

29th June 2006, 18:50

'kin oath you lot are soft what with your 'motor' cycles and your 'leathers' and your 'boots'.

Bunch of lard-arse pussies.

Keystone19

29th June 2006, 22:26

'kin oath you lot are soft what with your 'motor' cycles and your 'leathers' and your 'boots'.

Bunch of lard-arse pussies.

Who you callin' lard-arse boy...?

Bet that lycra keeps you nice and warm these days...:blip:

jrandom

29th June 2006, 22:30

Bet that lycra keeps you nice and warm these days...:blip:

It'd work a treat if I put more layers on, but I'd rather go cold; it's a crime to hide the beauty and perfection of the masculine form.

Wolf

29th June 2006, 22:33

it's a crime to hide the beauty and perfection of the masculine form.
Yep, you're right, it is. But go ahead and cover up, not a court in the world would convict ya. :nya: :devil2:

iluvbikz

29th June 2006, 23:08

i start wrk at 0645, i wear jeans and a t shirt and my leather jaket and wool gloves, thats knitted not sheepskin, and sneakers... if its rainin or snowin i put a dryzabone on too, i have to admit i have decided to buy sum good gloves but outherwise the cold aint nuthin, i ride 30 k to wrk an back, 28 at open road speeds, it does get purty coolish at times, dont own a car my bike is good enuff 4 me :)

Holy Roller

30th June 2006, 06:21

Had to scrape the ice off my seat, jump start the old girl and that was under the carport. Yesterday was the first time I put the heated grips on for an early morning trip to Whakatane. It's not been this cool for a while.

Insanity_rules

30th June 2006, 06:50

Wolf

30th June 2006, 10:23

Ahhh I just throw the liners in the corduras and keep going. OK call me weird but I actually enjoy the bite of a cold morning or evening. Its a feeling I associate with riding. Anyone else want to fess up to a cold fetish?
Cold bite in my face I can live with to a degree, fingers so cold I can't operate the controls and feet so frozen I can't even flex my ankles for braking and gear changes (like I was down on Desert Road one sleety 2am) or chest area so cold that my body shuts down blood to the arms and legs to protect core functions and it starts being a bit of a chore.

I normally find even at 100km/h a couple of thin socks under my Sidis and a sleeveless vest under the jacket to keep heart and lungs at a comfortable level (and stave off my body's emergency mode) I'm fine, even if I can't feel my nose and the water from my eyes is physically freezing on my face.

I made up a pair of lined mittens (no protection at all in a crash) with extra layers over the back of hand and fingers and I find them warmer than my Thinsulate-lined gloves (probably because my fingers are cozzied together and keep each other warm like my "little piggies" inside my socks, rather than being separated and crammed into little cold tubes subjected to the icy wind.)

Will try silk under-gloves once I get them. Sounds wimpy, I know, but I have this thing about being able to actually use the controls when on the bike...