First winter - gear advice needed

[mattian]

Won't those glove covers that say they stop wind and rain be enough?

Possibly. I have never used them so, I couldnt comment about them. I assume that those in conjunction with your gloves might be enough.

[DrunkenMistake]

A tea spoon of harden up.

Nah just kidding,
I usually ride with a Rev'it textile jacket motorad boots and jeans, and Spada summer gloves, but when it rains or if its super cold I biff on some water proof pants its usually enough to cut the wind and keep ya warm, my legs dont feel the cold, only when they get wet I feel it.
My jacket can be very cold some mornings, I have the thermal lining but its to much of an effort to zip it into my jacket at 6am every cold morning then ride home at 4pm when its hot with the lining in, so I found its easiest to take the liner out and wear a hoody under my jacket, it leaves the jacket in about the same size, so no tight spots etc, and keeps ya warm, if you get a cold head you put your hood under your helmet and your good, just make sure you can turn your head and that the hood when not worn doesnt effect you from looking up, left and right.

As for your gloves, either invest in some under gloves, or some thin wool gloves, I have some old fingerless gloves which I wear under my leather summer gloves, its a little tight but I do about 10km to get to work, so its bearable but if it a try, just make sure it doesnt fatigue your hands otherwise you could invest in winter gloves or oxford hot grips at $100,

My old helmet didnt have a chin liner that sits under the bottom of the helmet so the wind used to whip up under my helmet into my face, and due to the fact that I live beside the harbour here in dunedin, it can be fucking cold, So I have a windproof balaclava, worked like a charm, I use it now sometimes, it just tucks under your jacket keeping your neck etc toasty as well.
I hope this helps you out man.

[blatz]

A tea spoon of harden up.

Nah just kidding,
I usually ride with a Rev'it textile jacket motorad boots and jeans, and Spada summer gloves, but when it rains or if its super cold I biff on some water proof pants its usually enough to cut the wind and keep ya warm, my legs dont feel the cold, only when they get wet I feel it.
My jacket can be very cold some mornings, I have the thermal lining but its to much of an effort to zip it into my jacket at 6am every cold morning then ride home at 4pm when its hot with the lining in, so I found its easiest to take the liner out and wear a hoody under my jacket, it leaves the jacket in about the same size, so no tight spots etc, and keeps ya warm, if you get a cold head you put your hood under your helmet and your good, just make sure you can turn your head and that the hood when not worn doesnt effect you from looking up, left and right.

As for your gloves, either invest in some under gloves, or some thin wool gloves, I have some old fingerless gloves which I wear under my leather summer gloves, its a little tight but I do about 10km to get to work, so its bearable but if it a try, just make sure it doesnt fatigue your hands otherwise you could invest in winter gloves or oxford hot grips at $100,

My old helmet didnt have a chin liner that sits under the bottom of the helmet so the wind used to whip up under my helmet into my face, and due to the fact that I live beside the harbour here in dunedin, it can be fucking cold, So I have a windproof balaclava, worked like a charm, I use it now sometimes, it just tucks under your jacket keeping your neck etc toasty as well.
I hope this helps you out man.

Thanks man. Definitely seems like the rain proof over pants/jacket are the go plus something for the neck. Will have a play with a few options for gloves but don't think I'll go with heated grips.
Was just reading a thread about the Qmoto leathers, looking forward to my trip down to Hamilton in the near future.

[Quasievil]

Thanks man. Definitely seems like the rain proof over pants/jacket are the go plus something for the neck. Will have a play with a few options for gloves but don't think I'll go with heated grips.
Was just reading a thread about the Qmoto leathers, looking forward to my trip down to Hamilton in the near future.

Dont buy any gloves dude tho, I think I have a pair or two you can have for free with your leathers !

[blatz]

Dont buy any gloves dude tho, I think I have a pair or two you can have for free with your leathers !

Oooh that's kind of you. They're not handroids are they?

[Quasievil]

Oooh that's kind of you. They're not handroids are they?

No but they will serve the purpose ok for you

[blatz]

No but they will serve the purpose ok for you

Haha I had to try

Just zipped my liner in to my textile jacket after 6 months of riding without it. Surprising how much movement it restricts on the ride to work. Might have to go with a standard jumper underneath to reduce the bulkiness.

[R-Soul]

I got an XXL flouro waterproof roadworkers jacket for $40 from the extras shop (behind the Mitre 10 Mega in Albany). It is huge, fits over my leathers, is REALLY visible in wet weather, and is completelty waterproof. Works like a charm.

If you have any fairings, you probably dont need too much pants wise.


Also, for winter, make sure you get the visor liner that sticks on the inside of your visor - it acts like a double glazing, and is the best to prevent fogging (which is a big problem when its really cold).

[blatz]

Will have to have a look at that, thanks R-Soul. I'm in the market for a waterproof fluorescent bag cover first though as all my riding in the dark will be with a pack on. Saw a nice one on torpedo7 but they have sold out. Been to a few stores like pack and pedal but none have what I'm after.
Think I might just chop up the old fluoro vest I have and stitch/velcro them to the pack for now

[FJRider]

TV one said the temp in Auckland was 8 degrees today ... good god ... you poor buggers must be freezing ...

[DrunkenMistake]

Oh no! not 8 degrees!

Was 2.0 in my room today... :L its now a lil under 1 haha.
Thats summer temperature

[Berries]

Was wondering how cold it got on the north shore. Put the liner back in my jacket this week. Might have to dig out the winter gloves and Jamie Whitham neck warmer soon.

[Ratti]

Kathmandu have a good line of wind proof/water resistant gear that fits nicely under riding gear. Horribly expensive tho so check out a good second hand store like Savemart to buy them way cheaper.
Dont dismiss hotgrips, after your first wet winter I predict you will love them.

[blatz]

Dont dismiss hotgrips, after your first wet winter I predict you will love them.

Haha that's what people have been telling me. I'll see how long I can resist

[awa355]

Haha that's what people have been telling me. I'll see how long I can resist

I'm going to get a set of heated grips this winter. Have three pr of heavy winter gloves and none are comfortable. They are too thick between and around the fingers, and too thick across the inner palm. Makes it hard to wrap around the handgrips and to unflex the fingers when reaching for the levers.

I find using a pair of lighter gloves gives me a lot more feedback and I feel I have far more control of the bars.

If buying gloves DEFINITLY try them on first. Most of my 'bombs' have been bought thru Trade me without trying them first. But I'm learning