Monday, October 25, 2010

Money Can Buy Happiness.

Time to move the tags out of the White Mountains. Brrr

If happiness is a longer riding season, then money can indeed buy happiness.
For many years I have ridden in all four seasons, not always an easy, or enviable task in New England. Bit by bit, I have collected the many pieces of gear I need to accomplish this task. So if you find this list daunting, don't fret. Slow and steady wins the motorcycle gear race!

Let's start from the bottom up.

Foot Wear
Lady Like?
If you have not found a reason to upgrade to motorcycle riding boots, extending your riding season might just be the motivation you were looking for. Still wearing work boots or hiking boots? I know where you are coming from. I wore hiking boots my first 5 seasons. I finally learned my lesson while riding in pelting rain in the Alps. It really put a damper on my enjoyment. Not only are proper riding boots safer, but comfortable feet mean a comfortable ride. Good riding boots will keep your feet and ankles warm and dry. Skip the short shafted shoe/go for the boot that tucks under your pants. Who wants to look at your white socks when you are riding!
Along with good boots, you can also indulge in heated socks. I have not taken this step myself, I have not had issues with cold feet, maybe it's my riding position and warm K block? But if you suffer from chronic cold feet, it might be a solution for you. Heated socks come in battery or electric. They can be found in snowmobile supplier catalogs/web sites.

Pants
These would be perfect if they had a zip out mesh lining (the newer models may have this)
SheRidesABeemer
Want to extend your season past 60 degrees? Loose the jeans. You need riding pants, over pants or not. For the cold, I really like my Rev-It pants, they are long enough, don't ride up, and have a zip in quilted lining. The lining works so well, it has left my Gerbing electric pants idle most winters. I have many criticisms about my Rev-IT gear for the summer, but it rates 4 stars for the cold.

Jacket
Leather is a nice option in the fall
Mom & Daughter
Most riders have a jacket. If you have a skimpy form fitting number that shows off your butt, it may be time to upgrade to a fuller coat, one that will offer added protection and layering opportunities. I have tried leather in the winter, and while the wind protection is good, it gets too stiff in the cold stuff, and to worrisome in the rain. I prefer textiles for versatility. Which ever way you go, be sure you can fit an extra layer or two underneath.
And what do you need underneath? An electric jacket. "That's cheating" is a common reply I hear. Cheating what? Discomfort? The point here is to extend your riding season not prove your manliness. Get over yourself, and get comfortable. Skip the heated vest, unless you enjoy frozen arms and will never want to use heated gloves.
If you are on an underpowered bike, there are self powered battery options for you. When dressing, make the electric jacket your second layer, over a thin shirt, you want it close to your skin. And by all means buy the heat controller...else you will be like a toaster...off/on. It's enough to give you the chills.

Roadcrafter's are not very warm without a layer underneath!
No, I'm not cold, I just wanted to look good.

Speaking of chills. If you do make the move to heated clothes, let me advise you to keep the controller on the lowermost setting. You might even leave the garage with it off. Be sure to practice making adjustments so that you can do it with your bulky gloves...without looking. The reason to keep the temp low, is the more contrast there is between sections of your body the more likely you'll start to shiver. If your legs are 40 degrees, and your chest 70, it's not going to be a comfortable trip.

Neck
My favorite red neck triangle enjoyed some use in the Alps
Life if Good
Does the neck deserve its own category for gear? You bet. When it gets down into the 40's, and you're going 70 mph, you don't want ANY skin showing. A wind triangle is the most versatile item I have, I keep it with me most of the year. Put it on low, put it on high over the mouth. Even on a coolish summer evening, when I don't want the air going down my coat, because all I'm wearing is a T-shirt - wind triangle to the rescue!
Additionally, you might considers a wind resistant balaclava, or turtle fur neck warmer. The latter being an extra layer if it does not have wind resistance. Look for balaclava's that are ultra thin, with no fleece going into the helmet. If you have a proper fitting helmet, additional thickness will leave you with a very nasty headache. I know!

Head
Blue Helmet
A full faced helmet. Do I need to say more? I see the hold outs in New Hampshire...Live Free all right...neoprene face masks, knit caps, silly beany helmets. Hello? You are freezing cold & UNSAFE. Now when it comes to full faced helmets some brands/models are more vented than others, so buyer beware. If you are purchasing your first look for the vents, be sure they can all be closed. Look for a nose dam to help with fogging. And for about $20, get yourself a FogCity insert, never live with a fogged up shield again!

Hands
Mid Weight Gloves are fine for me until temps dip into the 40's.
Woodford State Park
I can't tell you how many of my friends tell me they don't worry about winter gloves because they have heated grips. Uh...so what? Heated grips help your palms, don't do a thing for the top of your fingers, the ones taking all the wind. Or maybe it's just me...my hands are my Achilles heal to cold weather riding. Last year I finally moved to a heated glove. Good move! No more aching hands that I want to rest on the K block for warmth. I was caught in cold, snow squalls last week, and I never felt uncomfortable. Cold..yes, but now my hands are not the culprit. The nose and forehead are the most vulnerable now - I wasn't carrying a balaclava in October!

With the right gear you can add some color to a gray day
Grey Day

10 comments:

D. Brent Miller said...

Great list of winter gear. I have most of what you advise except electric gear like vests and gloves. My hand guards go a very long way for cold hand protection. I just bought a new pair of over pants to supplement my winter pants for those days I want to shed some gear. --Brent

BeemerGirl said...

Excellent Article! It is so difficult to find this information in one concise space. I haven't upgraded to heated pants yet. (But then I don't think we see temps like you do.) But I have the R engine protecting my shins. Then I stuff those chemical hand warms in strategic places on my legs to keep them warm. :)

All's good with the upper, except gloves. My hands sweat and they just sweat and get cold in the heated gloves. Still working that one out.

Thanks for reviewing handy, helpful and live-saving winter gear!

-Lori

EddyQ said...

Thanks for the info on cold weather gear. I cannot relate to some of your findings since I tend to put the bike away when ice shows up. But, I think you are spot on with everything I can relate to including the effectiveness of heated grips, leather jackets, boots and more. In the past few years, I have discovered much pleasure riding with an extended season. If money was no object, I would have heated gear a year ago. But I just replaced my leather with a RC (my birthday, Christmas, valentines and fathersday gift). Although, I think I am going to buy a wind triangle this week to replace my horrid neoprene thingy. Thanks for the awsome post! - Ed

redlegsrides said...

Good writeup Gail!

And if there's a bit of money left over from buying all that good riding gear....may I suggest a sidecar rig for those snow-covered roads?

dom


Redleg's Rides

Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

GF said...

Great article on needed gear to extend the riding season. I only have a heated vest and heated grips and they are usually enough to keep me warm :-) Some of this stuff is pricey though :-(

Bluekat said...

Nice write up on your gear. I always like hearing what others are using. This year I added a heated jacket and heated grips to the growing pile of gear and goodies.

I agree on the heated vest vs jacket. I debated between the two before getting the jacket. So glad I did. My arms take a direct hit from the wind and I can really feel it when the temps drop.

Anonymous said...

I always motivated by you, your thoughts and way of thinking, again, appreciate for this nice post.

- Mark

Anonymous said...

Very enlightening and beneficial to someone whose been out of the circuit for a long time.

- Lora

Anthony - Motojournalism said...

Yeah, good cold weather gear certainly makes a big difference.
Having some electric gear is like getting into a hot-tub!

I think it's good for safety too. Before I had an electric vest, I noticed that riding cold was a lot like riding tired. Your reactions slow down and you start doing dumb things - following cars too close, missing exits etc.

I agree about the hand-guards too. Halfway through a big trip, the temperature dropped well below freezing in northern British Columbia. So I banged-up some hand-guards out of flexible plastic attached with zip ties. Ugly, but effective!

Oz said...

Just found your blog. I love the post. Great info. Riding year round is easier for me down here in North Texas. My son is 13 and has been riding with me for 6 years. Isn't it great to have your child ride with you. I am also looking forward to when he can ride side by side with me.