Getting cooler, what are ya ordering this year...

merickk · Oct 1, 2008

I got a Fieldsheer Highland II suit and Aqua Sport gloves. so far the suit has been good without the liner in the mornings down to 47 degrees. still wearing tshirts underneath.

Yossarian™ · Oct 1, 2008

trig said:

What new gear are you guys ordering this winter and for what kind of weather?
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Replacement armor for my 15-year-old Roadcrafter.

RobTheRigger · Oct 1, 2008

My mistake, NEW gear would be the Road Crafter, gloves and over gloves, boots and helmet (Hornet DS). Hey, I haven't ridden in 9 or 10 years, and I'm not a 20 year-old who hops on a bike in jeans and a t-shirt with a half helmet (anymore).

redveloce · Oct 1, 2008

biggziff said:

I still don't know why no one makes a heated shield for the bike shields. I guess the DOT approval causes an issue with the multiple layer design sled riders use.
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<link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cjamesk%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cjamesk%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cjamesk%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><style>  </style> Scorpion makes electric visors for several of their helmets. I was going to get one last year but found the breath shield to be sufficient.

Im not buying anything this year, but maybe some others can benefit from my experiences.
I commuted solely by motorcycle for a year (August 07-August 08). Here is my setup.

Shell
For the outer layer, I was going to go with a Aerostich Roadcrafter suit, but decided against them after reading all of the reports concerning water intrusion. I eventually went with the Olympia phantom 1-piece and havent been disappointed with the performance. However if I had to do it again I would probably opt for a 2-piece for added flexibility.

Heat
Ive found that there is no substitute for an electric liner when it gets cold. I started out with a Gerbings electric vest but had problems keeping it snug enough to transfer heat efficiently. I had planned on picking up a full Gerbings liner at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in December, but I had problems finding the correct sleeve length and ended up buying a Tourmaster Synergy electric liner instead. The elastic on the Synergy makes the fit much better and heat is transferred well. The only thing I didnt like about it was the separate heat controller on a short thick stiff cable that has to be ran outside the clothing somewhere. I ended up destroying the original controller in part because of the short lead it was on, so I cut the pigtail and wired it as a jumper so I could use the inline controller that I bought separately (originally intended for the Synergy chaps). This setup worked great for the rest of the winter.

Base Layer
I never really found much need for a base layer unless it was below 30 degrees. When it dropped below that I wore a wool base layer, but probably would have been fine with my regular work clothes.

Boots
I used Oxtar TCS Evo boots all winter. I would have liked to have had a nice set of waterproof touring boots, but only found the Oxtars lacking when it was really pouring rain.

Gloves
I found that Olympia Cold Throttle High Viz gloves worked well after spraying some additional weatherproofing on them. The only small problem I found is the leather wrist strap, which stretches and doesnt stay straight when wet.

Bike

I opted for Dual Star heated grips on the bike so I could use whatever gloves were most comfortable and am satisfied with how they have performed.

Other modifications were made for safety: reflective stickers on panniers and helmet, Stopper LED license plate mounted brake light and Hyper-Lite flashing brake light pods from Aerostich (can you tell I was afraid of being rear ended?), and a superbright LED taillight bulb because the filament on the stock bulb kept vibrating out.

HaChayalBoded · Oct 1, 2008

Twin650GS said:

My only real concern is neck up. My helmet fits just right as it is, a balaclava makes it a tad too tight. I have a fleece & neoprene nose/mouth/ear warmer thing that fits, but I don't know how warm it will keep me on the bike. On a climbing trip, I had mild frostbite to both ears, so they are very sensitive to cold now.

-Rob
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try a buff or a turtle fur neck cover or maybe the aerobitch wind triangle. The turtle furs are available at campmor and other outdoor stores for like $10 for two. I keep one in my tankbag along with a couple of bandanas. Or what you can do is find a bandana that has fleece on one side and a wind\waterproof barrier on the other, which is more or less how some models of the buff are made. Just google fleece bandana and you should find a bunch of results, plus they are pretty cheap.

elgreen · Oct 1, 2008

Just got in my Olympia Ranger pants, have an Olympia AST jacket on the way. The next thing on my list is a new heated jacket liner, thinking about the Warm'n'Safe, to replace my old Widder electric vest that has, err, ah, "shrunk". (Okay, a few too many pizza slices over the past couple of years!). Jacket liner because my new Wee has enough juice to power one, and my arms always get a bit chilled with a vest. Together with my already-existing Olympia Gore-Tex winter gloves and heated grips, that should do me well down to around 20F.

Regarding neck and face protection, I can't wear a balaclava because I wear glasses (can't get my glasses back on when wearing a balaclava). I have a "turtle fur" neck gaiter, but I'm not satisfied with anything currently on the market. None of it really provides protection against rain running down the neck. I'm thinking of taking an old rain jacket (retired because the hood started delaminating) and sewing up a waterproof "neck gaiter" sealed with velcro (it is a coated "breathable" polyurethane jacket rather than a multi-layer Gore-Tex, so some silicone to seal the seams will do the trick). I'm also not satisfied with the performance of my Arai helmet in the rain, and will see about a "visor gaiter" utilizing the same fabric (but fastened with duct tape) to keep rain from running down the inside of my helmet when I crack open the visor to prevent fogging at stop signs and such. I've tried anti-fogging coatings, but at night after they've been collecting water vapor all day they make the world look like an oil slick, very iridescent. Sorry, no sale :-(.

RobTheRigger · Oct 1, 2008

HaChayalBoded said:

try a buff or a turtle fur neck cover or maybe the aerobitch wind triangle. The turtle furs are available at campmor and other outdoor stores for like $10 for two. I keep one in my tankbag along with a couple of bandanas. Or what you can do is find a bandana that has fleece on one side and a wind\waterproof barrier on the other, which is more or less how some models of the buff are made. Just google fleece bandana and you should find a bunch of results, plus they are pretty cheap.
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I've got a fleece neckgaiter, so "neck up" wasn't an accurate statement. I should have said "jawbone up". I sew, so I may buy some Windstopper fleece and make a windproof one. My ears getting too cold kind of worries me. Once you have a cold injury, you are very susceptible to re-injury. Frostbite of the ears HURTS and I really don't relish the possibility of losing my ears!

-Rob

abhorred · Oct 2, 2008

For you folks who have a challenge getting something to warm your upper face and ears...you can keep a lot of the cold air out for the helmet by installing the Respro Foggy helmet shield.

It covers your face from the nose/cheeks down and exhausts breath out the bottom of the helmet - but a secondary effect is it prevents outside air from getting past you nose also - and keeps your glasses and visor clear.

Then the only challenge is keeping your chin and neck covered which can be done with a 'stich wind triangle or Buff or neck gaiter. I have all 3 depending on temp and weather.

By far the best for me is the water and wind proof Rukka neck gaiter - just barely goes into the helmet - just enough to seal - and with the respro leaves only my mouth exposed - but not in the wind.

BTW - I ride a GS 80 mile round trip commute into Boston all year (except for snow on the roads)

elgreen · Oct 2, 2008

abhorred said:

For you folks who have a challenge getting something to warm your upper face and ears...you can keep a lot of the cold air out for the helmet by installing the Respro Foggy helmet shield.
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Tried it. I have very deep eyeball sockets and a big nose. It won't conform correctly to my face and my glasses end up getting fogged up by warm air that bounces off the Respro and through the crack between the mask and my face.

In other words: Try it on before you buy it, else ya might get an unpleasant surprise. :huh

HaChayalBoded · Oct 3, 2008

abhorred said:

Then the only challenge is keeping your chin and neck covered which can be done with a 'stich wind triangle or Buff or neck gaiter. I have all 3 depending on temp and weather.
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Which do you prefer and for what temps?

Roostre · Oct 3, 2008

I have little problem staying warm...but my visor fogs badly on cold mornings.

Bring on the snow!!

RobTheRigger · Oct 6, 2008

Awesome! Let me know when I can get one of those for my Hornet, YFF!

-Rob

Roostre · Oct 6, 2008

Don't know if they make them for Hornets. I got lucky as HJC sells my helmet as a snowmobile helmet.

j2x · Oct 6, 2008

i ain't ordering shit, have you seen the economy? Both my wife and I consider ourselves lucky to even be working after the recent layoffs, even though our employers have enacted wage-freezes. fucking hell.

Will DaBeast · Oct 6, 2008

I'm helping the economy. In the past month I've bought: Rev-it Cayenne Pro, Gerbings jacket liner and gloves and First Gear HT Overpant. Some other stuff to. If the economy eats it it won't be my fault.

JimVonBaden · Oct 6, 2008

Rick Blanc said:

I'm helping the economy. In the past month I've bought: Rev-it Cayenne Pro, Gerbings jacket liner and gloves and First Gear HT Overpant. Some other stuff to. If the economy eats it it won't be my fault.
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WTG Rick!

I am helping the service economy by entertaining my new GF night after night!

Jim

PS Um, that sounds bad! My GF is a good girl who likes to go out once in a while!

Will DaBeast · Oct 7, 2008

JimVonBaden said:

WTG Rick!

I am helping the service economy by entertaining my new GF night after night!

Jim

PS Um, that sounds bad! My GF is a good girl who likes to go out once in a while!
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A boy's gotta do what a boy's gotta do.

biggziff · Oct 7, 2008

Bought an Olympia AST yesterday (15% off from my selling dealer!!!) Rode in today in 30 degree F temps, fog, etc. I had a golf shirt on under it. Riding an 08 800S and was toasty with no cold spots. Seems like a very nice jacket for the money. Hi-Viz green too!

TonyKZ1 · Oct 7, 2008

I'm going to buy a controller, either the electronic (widder or heat-toller) or the bi-metal widder model for my widder vest and see if that helps any. Currently using a electronic controller on my heated grips, and the on/off switched vest just isn't working out warm enough. I can't use them both at the same time and stay warm, I'm kinda low on electrical power I guess.
Tony

redveloce · Oct 7, 2008

TonyKZ1 said:

I'm going to buy a controller, either the electronic (widder or heat-toller) or the bi-metal widder model for my widder vest and see if that helps any. Currently using a electronic controller on my heated grips, and the on/off switched vest just isn't working out warm enough. I can't use them both at the same time and stay warm, I'm kinda low on electrical power I guess.
Tony
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What is the output of your alternator? My KTM puts out somewhere around 200w and powers my heated grips and jacket liner just fine, but I have noticed the liner is MUCH hotter when I have tried it on other bikes with more output. There is also a noticeable difference when I keep the battery topped off with the battery tender every night. Making sure the liner/vest is snug and only has one layer under it seems to make the most difference on the same bike.

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