Chill factor - Wear the right gear folks

[Gremlin]

I still maintain wind chill the biggest problem riding in winter. I had the option and "forgot" to put the wind proof liner in my jacket. Senior moment. Oil skins. Used to ride with one of them too back in the day

Nup, pretty sure it's the rain. Makes the road slippery, turns dirt to mud (horrible when your adventure bike is on the heavy side ) and just generally makes you wet, especially those occasional drops that find their way under your helmet past your jacket and down your spine.

Cold? Chuck on another thermal layer or waterproof layer on the outside, turn on heated grips/vest and watch out for frosty roads. Coldest I've ridden in was ambient -4, plus wind chill it was approaching -20... But torrential rain, flash flooding and thunderstorms are more tricky

[Smifffy]

OK, question time...

Have used polyprop for a number of years - put it on next-to-the-skin and feel warm immediately.

Bought some merino - was told it's better than polyprop - and did the same.... Brrrr! felt cold and couldn't get warm. So merino has been consigned to the storage trunk and polyprop is used.

OK, what did I do wrong? Expected merino to warmer than polyprop...

Look forward to the usual selection of really helpful and well-considered answers and suggestions...

It's the wind chill, as others have said. I find that an icebreaker (merino) t shirt, a thin merino jersey, and then a light polar fleece (windproof) shirt or jersey under my jacket keeps me toasty on the windswept, icy Central Plateau.

It's not that bulky, and the layers can come off when you step into that warm dry pub/cafe/loveshack for the afternoon.

[Mom]

Nup, pretty sure it's the rain. Makes the road slippery, turns dirt to mud (horrible when your adventure bike is on the heavy side ) and just generally makes you wet, especially those occasional drops that find their way under your helmet past your jacket and down your spine.

Cold? Chuck on another thermal layer or waterproof layer on the outside, turn on heated grips/vest and watch out for frosty roads. Coldest I've ridden in was ambient -4, plus wind chill it was approaching -20... But torrential rain, flash flooding and thunderstorms are more tricky

You ate dirt on the weekend eh?

[Mom]

OK, question time...

Have used polyprop for a number of years - put it on next-to-the-skin and feel warm immediately.

Bought some merino - was told it's better than polyprop - and did the same.... Brrrr! felt cold and couldn't get warm. So merino has been consigned to the storage trunk and polyprop is used.

OK, what did I do wrong? Expected merino to warmer than polyprop...

Look forward to the usual selection of really helpful and well-considered answers and suggestions...

I have always worn merino under gear, summer and winter. Natural fibre, breathes. Nothing sticks to you on the hottest summer day, cold is not a problem in winter.

I am trying bamboo atm. Interestingly enough, I found some energy to think about how warm my legs were while freezing on the bike. Meh, jury is out. I was simply too cold to care. Never used polyprop. Just love my natural fibre.

[Moi]

It's the wind chill, as others have said. I find that an icebreaker (merino) t shirt, a thin merino jersey, and then a light polar fleece (windproof) shirt or jersey under my jacket keeps me toasty on the windswept, icy Central Plateau.

It's not that bulky, and the layers can come off when you step into that warm dry pub/cafe/loveshack for the afternoon.

Thanks for that and sorry, I was not clear about the polyprop vs merino.

Used as first layer, then either short or long sleeved t-shirt and, if needed, light polar fleece and then textile jacket, which is nice and toasty if I use polyprop as first layer. Use merino and not so toasty warm... Perhaps you've supplied the answer though, use merino as second layer.

Know about dry pub or cafe... but these "loveshacks" do need further investigation...

[varminter]

Heated jacket liner and hot grips. Does it all.

[Maha]

Heated jacket liner and hot grips. Does it all.

Several bikes here at the weekend had heated grips and general consensus was that they only heated the palm of your hands, which makes sense. Ultimately, if you want warm hands, heated grips/Hand Guard combo would work best.

[Motu]

Warm hands, cold fingers. Handlebar muffs sort that. Staying warm can look uncool at times.

[Gremlin]

You ate dirt on the weekend eh?

Yup, pretty much literally and got a real dirty bike to clean

Handguards are good for keeping the back of your hands from getting cold, or as said, you can get those muff things which go right over the entire grip and you slide your hands into them.

[Big Dog]

Thanks for that and sorry, I was not clear about the polyprop vs merino.

Used as first layer, then either short or long sleeved t-shirt and, if needed, light polar fleece and then textile jacket, which is nice and toasty if I use polyprop as first layer. Use merino and not so toasty warm... Perhaps you've supplied the answer though, use merino as second layer.

Know about dry pub or cafe... but these "loveshacks" do need further investigation...

Horses for courses.
Polypropylene makes me smell like cheese and feels cold.
Merino doesn't make me sweat and keeps me warm.

My wife is warm is both but finds poly less comfy and bulkier.

Others swear the polypro is the way to go.

Oilskin rocks if you ( or your desk neighbours ) can live with the odour.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Tricia1000]

Hi Gremlin and Mom-long time no hear.....
Gremlin,
Looks like you had fun on the weekend.
About the heated grips, have had several students that use them, but I have heard several times, that when you use the levers, you lose some/alot of the heat, and have to build that heat back up again.
Lots of m/c couriers in UK, Ireland use the Muffs, but unless you wear gloves inside them, if you and the bike part company, they are staying with the bike.
My preference has always been:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271322214043...84.m1436.l2649

I have a new pair for this winter, if I can get back on my bike. The other two pairs have lasted 15 years between them. They wire to the battery. No off switch, cos they can get too hot, come in mens and women fitting. NZ$130 plus postage, and worth every single cent. You can get cheaper ones, but you get what you pay for, I suppose.

Tricia1000
RoADA (Dip)
Consultant to NZTA
0212693246

Yup, pretty much literally and got a real dirty bike to clean

Handguards are good for keeping the back of your hands from getting cold, or as said, you can get those muff things which go right over the entire grip and you slide your hands into them.

[mulletman]

Ultimately, if you want warm hands, heated grips OR Gloves/Hand Guard combo would work best.

Totally agree with this set up.

[Graelin]

My Line 7 was great! For over forty three years I have tried to overcome a wet patch getting in and keeping warm in atrocious conditions. Yes it does get wet and cold in Australia too.
Heated grips are essential and or the BMW Pro Winter Gloves. I bought a heated jacket last year and trialling it recently it works far better with a wind proof layer over it. My jacket flows a lot of air without the Gortex liner.

In very bad weather two weeks ago I tried out the BMW one piece rain suit. Totally dry and all the other riders were shivering. I can't plug In my heated jacket though with this but maybe I won't need it.

Ice Breaker is my favourite woollen layers the quality feels much better than other brands that I have tried.
I have always liked NZ gear since my Line 7. If it works in NZ I can rely on it here.

[Big Dog]

Hi Gremlin and Mom-long time no hear.....
Gremlin,
Looks like you had fun on the weekend.
About the heated grips, have had several students that use them, but I have heard several times, that when you use the levers, you lose some/alot of the heat, and have to build that heat back up again.
Lots of m/c couriers in UK, Ireland use the Muffs, but unless you wear gloves inside them, if you and the bike part company, they are staying with the bike.
My preference has always been:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271322214043...84.m1436.l2649

I have a new pair for this winter, if I can get back on my bike. The other two pairs have lasted 15 years between them. They wire to the battery. No off switch, cos they can get too hot, come in mens and women fitting. NZ$130 plus postage, and worth every single cent. You can get cheaper ones, but you get what you pay for, I suppose.

Tricia1000
RoADA (Dip)
Consultant to NZTA
0212693246

Totally agree with this set up.

Several bikes here at the weekend had heated grips and general consensus was that they only heated the palm of your hands, which makes sense. Ultimately, if you want warm hands, heated grips/Hand Guard combo would work best.

I can attest the grips cool very quickly in the wind when operating the levers. Handguards cut that a lot, and thinner gloves mean you need less heat for the benifit.

The ideal would be standard palms and bottom side of the fingers, winter top half of the glove, heated grips and handguards.
I use summer gloves for anything above 4 degrees. I like the extra dexterity.

[Maha]

I can attest the grips cool very quickly in the wind when operating the levers. Handguards cut that a lot, and thinner gloves mean you need less heat for the benifit.

The ideal would be standard palms and bottom side of the fingers, winter top half of the glove, heated grips and handguards.
I use summer gloves for anything above 4 degrees. I like the extra dexterity.

'The ideal would be standard palms and bottom side of the fingers, winter top half of the glove'

Cricket gloves?
Na seriously, a good idea.