Cold Weather Clothing?

[Vince Lupo]

Didn't quite know where to post this subject, so we'll try here and see what happens....

I don't really do a whole lot of cold weather riding, but I'm wondering if anyone out there does, and what they use in terms of gloves/mitts to keep warm. I've been looking at Gerbing's line of gloves, but many of them are of the type that plug into your bike's battery, which I'd rather not do (particularly given the marginal charging system on my 1966 Honda CB77). They do offer a lithium-ion battery powered option, but with a $200 glove, plus a $100 optional battery kit, that's getting a bit expensive for me. They do sell a pair of mitts (under their 'Core Heat' line), but they 'aren't recommended for use on motorcycles' because they are only 7v power, rather than the 12v ones that are specifically targeted at motorcycle riders. Not that I'm necessarily looking for 12 hours of toasty-warm heat, but at least something to take the chill off for 3-4 hours of riding.

So what are you cold weather riders using to keep warm? I think my budget would be somewhere around $100, given the amount of riding I do in colder weather.

Thanks!

 

[my-79-750-k]

I'd go with some good old fashioned thinsulate lined gloves. Make sure to get them a size bigger than normal though, that insulation takes up space when you close your hand around a grip.

 

[Mr.E]

While not being a great choice for a crash, I use a pair of dakine gt broncos from my snowboarding days. Gore tex lined, fit good with fair dexterity, and were only about 50 bucks. And they stop the wind dead too. You may want to try a ski/board shop, cause I know at least snowboard gloves are made for people who use their hands as a very active part of motion in the sport, sothey are usually quite durable.

 

[Basement rat]

Pending temperatures your looking at, try snowmobile gear.

 

[rrjlind]

Do u have a walmart by u? They sell fleece lined jeans for $19. I wear those, thick socks, boots, couple shirts, leather jacket, full helmet, and gloves from j&p cycles $25 they're made for rain I think, but they are plenty warm for 40 degree days, oh and I wear some thing around my neck, I dunno what its called, I'll get back to ya

 

[Tim]

HEATED GRIPS!

I installed these on my BMW R75. Simple enough to install, they don't draw a ton of juice, and the damn things are almost too warm!

$40 and you can't go wrong.

http://pollyheaters.com/ph400.htm

 

[Vince Lupo]

Thanks for all the replies -- I'll have a look at all these options. Someone else suggested these for hands -- not the most attractive things in the world, but they look interesting: http://www.hippohands.com

Right now it's just my hands that I have to figure out -- I have a pair of Aquacell winter gloves that I bought from CycleWorld in Toronto about 25 years ago, and they're good for about 40 minutes of riding before my fingers start to feel the chill. I'm trying to avoid wiring anything to the bike -- seriously, these old Honda charging systems make just enough juice to keep the bike going, and I'd be really nervous about pushing that envelope.

The rest of my cold weather gear consists of Belstaff Trialmaster jacket and pants, two additional layers on my legs, a wool vest, thick wool sweater, and two more layers under that. I also have a balaclava for my face/neck that I wear under my Arai helmet, and very thick wool seaboot socks for my feet. All that seems to keep me pretty happy for a couple of hours in 38-40 degree weather -- I'm not really crazy about riding in anything below that.

I'll let you know what I find that works best for me -- there seem to be many options!

 

[CCRider]

Right now it's just my hands that I have to figure out

I wear mittens when it gets cold. It's amazing what a difference it makes having all your fingers together to share the heat. Of course they are a little awkward on the controls.

CC

 

[Basement rat]

Have you thought about wind/ mud guards for your bars like moto x bikes?