Snow/winter riding information

[MitchG]

Originally Posted by Don Coyote

does a heated shield do much to keep the air around your face any warmer?

The answer is no, it will not contribute any measurable warmth inside the helmet. That being said, to keep your face warm you must minimize air flow inside the helmet as much as possible(read good sealing in the neck area). Unfortunately, now that you've stopped the air flow and your face is warm, your shield will start to fog. This is why you need a heated shield.

Just noticed you are using a breath mask. These things are a must, and work unbelievebly well. Thought I needed some new ones so I went to nofogusa.com and low and behold, they have a heated version now: www.nofogusa.com/Optional%20Heat.htm Cool!

[jules083]

Originally Posted by Dysco

Exactly the length of the entire stud should give you the perfect seating depth.

Lube the chain frequently, then spray it off with warm water and re-lube when it's above freezing.

Thanks.

All typos and misspellings blamed on my phone.

[Moparmanpete]

I bought a set of Tusk handle bar muffs (like hippo hands) but haven't used them because I think they would drag the front brake with the wind pushing against (I can hear the brake light switch activate) them since I have yet to get brush gaurds.

Do they and is there a fix before I get the gaurds?


Pete

[jules083]

Originally Posted by Moparmanpete

I bought a set of Tusk handle bar muffs (like hippo hands) but haven't used them because I think they would drag the front brake with the wind pushing against (I can hear the brake light switch activate) them since I have yet to get brush gaurds.

Do they and is there a fix before I get the gaurds?


Pete

Sounds like you would need some sort of support then. If they are that close I would think it would be difficult to grab the front brake also, considering that you'll probably have heavy gloves on.

Maybe build a barkbuster type support? It wouldn't have to be real heavy, just enough to hold the mitt away from the bars a bit. I'm picturing a piece of flat stock or tube that bolts to the master cylinder area and extends out in front of the lever.

All typos and misspellings blamed on my phone.

[Don Coyote]

If you're going with some cheapo muffs, you just have to kludge up something that will stick out further than the levers.

If you pay extra to go with someone who makes them for motorcycles like Hippo Hands, they should be able to give you an easy and reliable solution...

[PackMule]

Originally Posted by Moparmanpete

I bought a set of Tusk handle bar muffs (like hippo hands) but haven't used them because I think they would drag the front brake with the wind pushing against (I can hear the brake light switch activate) them since I have yet to get brush gaurds.

Do they and is there a fix before I get the gaurds?


Pete

You can try adjusting your lever downward to some degree, that way the wind pressure will not be applying force in the identical direction as the lever actuation. Of course, make sure it still does the job you need it to do in that position... (the lawyers made me say that).

[Don Coyote]

Seems to me you'd still have to fight wind pressure just to get your fingers between the muffs and the levers, likely to bring some butt puckering moments if not worse...

[PackMule]

Originally Posted by Don Coyote

Seems to me you'd still have to fight wind pressure just to get your fingers between the muffs and the levers, likely to bring some butt puckering moments if not worse...

How fast are you going?

I'm sure every configuration varies, but I've never had any problem with the skidoo muff mitts on my 800gs. They rest against the brake lever at speed, but don't actuate the switch due to the angle. Hands get to the levers no problem.

Go out at night for a quick spin, you'll be able to see whether the brake lamp is lit while you're riding.

[Moparmanpete]

I tried them for about 50miles yesterday of an 80mile ride varying speeds, hands were warm but they definetly were pushing the levers and didn't want to stay in one place. I might try them again when I get some brush guards.

[Don Coyote]

Originally Posted by MitchG

The answer is no, it will not contribute any measurable warmth inside the helmet. That being said, to keep your face warm you must minimize air flow inside the helmet as much as possible(read good sealing in the neck area). Unfortunately, now that you've stopped the air flow and your face is warm, your shield will start to fog. This is why you need a heated shield.

Just noticed you are using a breath mask. These things are a must, and work unbelievebly well. Thought I needed some new ones so I went to nofogusa.com and low and behold, they have a heated version now: www.nofogusa.com/Optional%20Heat.htm Cool!

Well, the HJC IS-Max with pinlock, breath mask, and chin curtain all in place actually do take care of all of this. Problem is the chin curtain folds up on the breath mask, which is how i've been using it. I thought there were other vents letting in air, but after your comment tried unfolding the curtain to fully cover the bottom and it seemed to stop the airflow entirely. Unfortuantely it takes a while to futz with the curtain every time the chin bar is lowered and it frequently pops out requiring the entire helmet to be removed for replacement.

With everything in place though, the only thing that fogs is the internal sun-shield occasionally...

[Don Coyote]

Originally Posted by PackMule

How fast are you going?

Just thinking of Pete going fast enough to actuate the levers...

[Moparmanpete]

At 55mph it was turning on the brake light, at 80mph the brake drag was noticable. The wind keep pushing the muffs down and I had to keep readjusting the left one which was a PITA and the reason for taking them off. Was nice to wear summer gloves though. but in the end my winter gloves did just fine.

[PackMule]

Originally Posted by Moparmanpete

At 55mph it was turning on the brake light, at 80mph the brake drag was noticable. The wind keep pushing the muffs down and I had to keep readjusting the left one which was a PITA and the reason for taking them off. Was nice to wear summer gloves though. but in the end my winter gloves did just fine.

Sounds like comprehensive testing.

[Moparmanpete]

I liked them enough to keep them and I would like to try them again with some hot hands in them, for the really really cold stuff

[Keithert]

I went for my first ride in the snow tonight on my XT225. I had my feet scraping the ground like outriggers in case I started to slide. I was on a road with 2-4 inches of snow. I did put my feet on the pegs some but was worried about getting them down if I started to slide. I was only going about 10 mph in first gear. I'll have to read the thread but am also looking for current tips.