Personal cold WX riding record

[jonr]

Well, I made a colossal mistake in my transportation planning on Friday and ended having to take the bike to make my afternoon appointment. Having been busy lately, I've not had a chance to swap out my cafe fairing, so there was little I could do to keep from eating some cold air for lunch.

By the time I left the house, it was about 32 degrees out and I was stunned to hear the GS fire up after only to hits on the starter. She likes cold weather too!

So I don everything I have to keep me warm. Calf-high boots, First Gear overpants, Gericke tour jacket, spandex balaclava, a scarf to fill in the gap over the neck, my neoprene face mask, helmet, and gauntlet gloves. I felt like the little kid in the snowsuit in the "Christmas Story!"

I have to ride about 10 miles that takes about 20-25 minutes. I brace myself for the cold blast, only to find out that I was indeed very well wrapped up. I never got a chill because nothing snuck in. I got to my destination with only cold fingers since no pair of non-electric gloves can ever keep my digits warm. All the while I was thinking about all the topics on the GSR about fitting heated grips on my bike!

Ok, so I made it in the 30's. But then I had to come home around 5:00. The sun was near down and after I got home, the temp was reported at 27 degrees. Still I only had the same problem of cold fingers while everything else stayed warm. My wife told me I was crazy and I knew all was well.

Winterization? Who needs it?

Jon

 

[HiSPL]

I've done it at 19 degrees. But my commute is only 3.5 miles! :lol:

 

[Guest]

Good job! Keep it up.

My personal limit last winter was about 25F and keeping my hands warm is a big problem for me too. I started wearing my downhill ski mitts on the really cold days. They're a little clumsy but are a lot warmer than my motorcycle gloves.

My commute takes about 30 - 40 minutes depending on traffic. Was about 30 this morning by the time I left and the sun was out. Didn't feel bad at all. I was bundled up like the Michelin Man's girlfriend though. My coworkers all think I'm nuts.

Debby

 

[Guest]

Debby, They're probably correct about the sanity thing, but don't let that slow you down. I'm still riding on nice days, like today I plan to ride in when it is in the mid 60's but expect it to be a bit cooler at around 1 am when I get off. Ray

 

[bradleymaynar]

Jon, Jon, Jon,..... You haven't "winterized" your bike, yet? :wink:

Brad tt

 

[KGB]

Sunday morning it was 38F when I left.
Didn't get much more into the 40's......


We did about 160-170 miles for the day.
Ran thru some ice, well more than some.....


What's the wind chill of 38F at 75mph?

 

[Ben]

just arrived in florida after leaving boston last saturday, got snowed on in the blue ridge mountains while riding and camping....have to ride back to boston next week, looking into heated vests...

 

[Planecrazy]

Hey Jon!

Sounds like "fun!" Two years ago Ryan (First Timer) and I got caught in a "white out" after braving 40 degree temps to meet Brad in Rockford. The three of us were just into WI (on our way to the "Slimey Crud Run") when the snow hit, and the forcast had been for temps in the 50's and a mostly sunny day.

After taking refuge at a McDonalds for an hour the weather passed and it eventually DID get into the low fifties. Unfortunately for Ryan and I, we left late in the day, and on the way back home the temps took a nosedive. We stopped mid-trip for dinner, and with about 45 minutes of riding left (to my place) I'm guessing we braved low thirties ... youch!!

Ryan wisely chose to crash at my place that night, and left for home warmed and refreshed in the morning!!

Heated gloves ... here I come!! :lol: :wink:

Steve 8)

 

[crag antler]

Sunday morning it was 38F when I left.
Didn't get much more into the 40's......


We did about 160-170 miles for the day.
Ran thru some ice, well more than some.....


What's the wind chill of 38F at 75mph?

7.68F

Got my info here :arrow: http://www.motorcyclecity.com/chill.htm

 

[8trackmind]

28. 8O
I held my gloved mits on the side of the engine at stop lights to keep the 'ol digits warm. Everything else stayed toasty...sort of. :wink:

 

[mdole]

My longest was 45 miles and 2.5 hours at 9 degrees F. I got into work before a snow storm hit which turned into an ice storm on my way home.

 

[scotty]

one mile. Last week i was forced to ride to the super market. It was 68 degrees F

 

[bradleymaynar]

one mile. Last week i was forced to ride to the super market. It was 68 degrees F

You poor thing Scotty! I don't think I've cried so much after reading of your "forced" ride!

Brad tt

 

[Ninja_Lancer]

28. 8O
I held my gloved mits on the side of the engine at stop lights to keep the 'ol digits warm. Everything else stayed toasty...sort of. :wink:

It would help if you'd ditch the stolen summer gloves. :roll:

 

[semerm]

my ride

my ride

I did a 20 minute ride at 29 degrees, 55 MPH in the morning with no windshield or face shield just my glasses and of the open faced helmet. I realized half way there maybe I should have prepared better. The next day I bought a face shield and I am going to be installing a fairing. My face was red for about 1/2 hour after.

 

[skreemer]

I'd have been out alot this witner because it's so temperate for here this time of year... Low 40's mid-30's most the time? Heck I'd almost not need the liner... But unfortunately my get off before the toys for tots ride broke the clutch lever and I just this week got a replacement. That and the fact that my rear tire is absoloutly bald has kept me in the cage this winter...

Though I can say that I've ridden in 26F degrees to work... it's almost an hour commute with speeds ranging from 35mph to 55mph... Every stoplight I got I hugged the tank and stuck my hands where my airbox used to be just below the carbs...

I swear it was the only time I ever cursed getting a string of green lights...

Also that day I found out that leather gloves do nothing to keep the heat in..

 

[scotty]

this year i drove for 6 miles in 64 degree temp.Never again

 

[8trackmind]

this year i drove for 6 miles in 64 degree temp.Never again

:lol:

 

[Hoomgar]

Re: Personal cold WX riding record

Well, I made a colossal mistake in my transportation planning on Friday and ended having to take the bike to make my afternoon appointment. Having been busy lately, I've not had a chance to swap out my cafe fairing, so there was little I could do to keep from eating some cold air for lunch.

By the time I left the house, it was about 32 degrees out and I was stunned to hear the GS fire up after only to hits on the starter. She likes cold weather too!

So I don everything I have to keep me warm. Calf-high boots, First Gear overpants, Gericke tour jacket, spandex balaclava, a scarf to fill in the gap over the neck, my neoprene face mask, helmet, and gauntlet gloves. I felt like the little kid in the snowsuit in the "Christmas Story!"

I have to ride about 10 miles that takes about 20-25 minutes. I brace myself for the cold blast, only to find out that I was indeed very well wrapped up. I never got a chill because nothing snuck in. I got to my destination with only cold fingers since no pair of non-electric gloves can ever keep my digits warm. All the while I was thinking about all the topics on the GSR about fitting heated grips on my bike!

Ok, so I made it in the 30's. But then I had to come home around 5:00. The sun was near down and after I got home, the temp was reported at 27 degrees. Still I only had the same problem of cold fingers while everything else stayed warm. My wife told me I was crazy and I knew all was well.

Winterization? Who needs it?

Jon

Man, I completely missed this story?! Good show Jon I tell people all the time that winterization is for the birds :lol:

Here is a tip to keep your hands warm that I found works very well.
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/viewtopic.php?t=45195

Question, what does "WX" stand for?

 

[Jethro]

Don't understand it, but WX=weather. That part you probably knew already...