Winter is a-coming

[Stegerman]

First fall commute today when I needed the winter gear. It was 39*. Time to buy those heated glove liners.

[rivercreep]

A good cheap solution for toasty fingers are Oxford hot hands grip wraps. Minimal current draw but, also no thermostat control. (if you don't wear gloves with them, you'll scorch your fingers)

[Animo]

Originally Posted by Stegerman

First fall commute today when I needed the winter gear. It was 39*. Time to buy those heated glove liners.

Ouch, that is cold!

[Stegerman]

Originally Posted by rivercreep

A good cheap solution for toasty fingers are Oxford hot hands grip wraps. Minimal current draw but, also no thermostat control. (if you don't wear gloves with them, you'll scorch your fingers)

I have heated grips.. when it gets in the 20's and teens grips aren't enough.

[woolsocks]

Yeah, it's been in the low to mid 40s the last couple of weeks the mornings, but mid 60s and 70s during the day. The last few days it's been in the mid 40s in the mornings and 50s during the day. Winter is coming! Last week it did drop to 32 degrees. My commute to work is 80% highway at 70mph. Needless to say it was cold! The wind just sucks all the heat away, it's insane. I personally think cold hands are the worst. My core is warm, but my hands and knees are freezing! My plan was to ride into the cold as long as no snow is on the ground, but I don't have the money to invest in proper gear right now...

[rivercreep]

Originally Posted by Stegerman

I have heated grips.. when it gets in the 20's and teens grips aren't enough.

Depends on your gear.
I'm also an all-year/weather rider and it gets into the negatives here in Pa. when wind chill is factored in.
I use a set of Olympia Gloves that have a thin option at the palm where your hands contact the heated grips (transfers plenty of heat that way) and a 1 piece snowmobile suit (gives up road rash protection for warmth) that I layer up with polar fleece underneath.
Between the above, a small shield to keep wind-blast off my chest and handgaurds for protecting my digits from the same...I'm good for about an hour @70mph in the teens.(and my heated grips are the extent of my electrical supplementation)


http://shop.olympiagloves.com/4298-G...ander-4298.htm (best gloves I've ever owned but, I long for a joined 2 finger/thumb version)

I might not look as stylish as the Aerostitch crowd (or be as protected) but, I'll gladly look like the stay-puft marshmellow man and trade style/protection for warmth any day. (I.M.H.O. nothing is as dangerous as losing feeling in your extremities anyway)

Biggest secret to keeping your tootsies and fingers warm, is keeping your core temp up and limiting the cold surfaces that they are exposed to.
I also wrap my grip levers in silicone stretchNseal tape to insulate my fingers from the cold alloy levers when I have to cover the brakes/clutch. (which I do sparingly when it's freezing outside)

[TXRKC]

Heated gloves are the way to go. I finally bought a pair of Gerbings heated gloves last year after wanting a pair for quite a while. Yes, they're a little pricey, but after using them a few times, I knew it was money well spent.

[hooliken]

Originally Posted by TXRKC

Heated gloves are the way to go. I finally bought a pair of Gerbings heated gloves last year after wanting a pair for quite a while. Yes, they're a little pricey, but after using them a few times, I knew it was money well spent.

Heated gloves and heated jacket liner are the way to go for riding in cold temps. Especially if your windshield is not the size of a compact car ala a Goldwing.

[rivercreep]

Take some advice from a rider who suffered from his electrical riding gear failing many years ago; carry some real gloves and layers (just in case) if you travel far from home.
I'll never go back to relying on heated gear again. Great when it works = SUCKS when it fails.

[Yossarian™]

Yep, 38F this morning on my commute. I figured I'd just turn on the heated grips as I only have ten miles to go.

Some days I just need a friendly reminder that taking the extra five minutes to put on heated gear is WORTH IT.

[Bronco638]

I must either really be immune to cold or have very good gear (which I don't, not based on price anyway). I ride in temps as low as 20º F without heated gear. Granted, my ride is only eight miles but I don't ever feel as if I'm under dressed.

[Adiventure]

Originally Posted by Bronco638

I must either really be immune to cold or have very good gear (which I don't, not based on price anyway). I ride in temps as low as 20º F without heated gear. Granted, my ride is only eight miles but I don't ever feel as if I'm under dressed.

I rode all last winter (my first) without heated gear and survived. Probably in a low of around 15. That being said it's bloody awful particularly in any prolonged exposure. This year I've added heated grips and we'll see if I need anything else.

[TXRKC]

Originally Posted by Bronco638

I must either really be immune to cold or have very good gear (which I don't, not based on price anyway). I ride in temps as low as 20º F without heated gear. Granted, my ride is only eight miles but I don't ever feel as if I'm under dressed.

8 miles is hardly enough to get too cold. I ride 40 miles each way to and from work. I'd done it for several years without heated gear. I survived and didn't complain. However, after having it, I cant recommend it enough. 70 mph in the 20 and 30 degree weather feels a lot better when your hands are warm.

[Dave in Wi]

Yes it is. I rode to work today and it was 37F when I left. Heated grips seem like a great idea to me.

[windmill]

Nothing makes more difference than a large windscreen. On my Ural I have their Siberian windscreen and the large military leg guards. I wear layers under a Firstgear insulated rain suit, Dakine ski gloves, Redwing work boots, Swiss Army gators, and a Modular helmet. I stay warm and dry down to the teens.
Like others have stated, heated gear is too unreliable and inconvenient for daily use.