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How cold will you ride?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:09 pm
by Steph
Starting to get a little chilly out there for some of us in the colder climates.

I've been riding relatively comfortably at 50 degrees. Any colder and I have troubles is keeping my fingers warm. No heated grips or gloves. Been thinking about heated gloves or liners. But, the price is shying me away. maybe I could ride using mittens. :)

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:45 pm
by SECoda
I rode today at 55 F with just deer skin gloves but I have thinsulate sport gloves when it drops more and insulated pants. I am think 40 F or so may be my personal limit if the sun is out and it isn't too windy. :P Our winters can be mild sometimes. I am in southern Missouri.

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:53 pm
by DAB
As low as it goes, so long as it's dry.

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 7:59 pm
by gn2
I wouldn't even put my thermal suit liners in for 50 fahrenheit, its below that now most days.
Liners go in when its consistently below 40.
I have ridden in temperatures in the low 20s but only if the roads have been completely dry and free from ice/snow.
I wear HG Pathan lobster claws but many people need better hand protection.
The most cost effective solution for keeping hands warm in really cold conditions is a pair of Tucano Urbano neoprene muffs.

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:05 pm
by JoshM
Anything above 40F. I really need better gloves to ride below that.

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:53 pm
by Steph
Wow! Some you guys ride in cold temps. 20s 40s I hope to aspire to be able to do the same. I just don't want to stop riding yet. The lobster claw glove is interesting and so are the handle bar muffs. Still may see if wearing mittens is an option. Maybe not be on a motorcycle with gears to shift, but on a scoot might work.

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:54 pm
by JohnL
Not bragging, MUCH. A cool day in sunny Queensland is usually around 17c, which is approximately 63f, so there really is no "too cold to ride" day for me :D :D At present our temperature is 27c = 80f. I'll be taking the scoot out later today with helmet vents fully open.

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:59 pm
by Steph
Way to go JohnL! Rock out and ride. Wish I was in your shoes. :D

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:07 pm
by SECoda
He is just heading into summer. :P

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:19 pm
by AustinPCX
I ride year round regardless of temp. I don't own any cold weather gear but fortunately we only have a few days when the temps dip below 30F. Will look into getting lined gloves though as my hands freeze when doing 70mph. Don't see many other bikes on the road after temps drop below 50F.

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:29 pm
by Steph
We were still seeing motorcycles last weekend with 50 Degree temps. Did see one scoot. No one riding below 50. Would love to have 60 degree winters like JohnL. ;)

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:35 pm
by ScooterMan
I found gloves to be the weak point too. A good tall windscrren helps, but keeping hands warm is critical. I've also found that 40 degrees is about the tipping point. After that, I'd have to do some research on how to keep my hands warmer. Fortunately, living a block from the water in San Diego, temps are faily moderate even in the winter. Although I've seen some 37 degree temps in my car in some of the inland areas and even alond the coast on very rare occasions.

Not really thinking heated grips would be all that great. Heater gloves would be better. Fingers have so much surface area and are at the extremeties, so yeah...they're tough. Anyone have a product that works for them as far as keeping their hands warm?

My ideas

Wind deflectors (ugly)
Plastic hand guards (also ugly)
Heated gloves
Heated Grips

Anyone running this stuff that can attest to what type of improvment they make?

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 5:33 am
by iceman
Mits are better than gloves as for warmth as they have a big air-gap around most fingers (but no protection?) or basically get gloves that are a few sizes bigger than you need to give an air gap around the fingers. Sadlt I've made that mistake again with the semi-armoured leather gloves I bought for the scoot (right size, no gap) and made that mistake with skiing gloves, needed a bigger size to give more air gap as my hands freeze unless the suns out.

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 6:44 am
by Indyglow
20 degrees is usually my limit, and I DO wear leather mittens! I put a hand warmer packet in each mitten on the back side of my hands and it works fine.

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 12:48 pm
by Steph
@Indyglow- That's what I'm looking to hear! Thank you for admitting that you use mittens while riding your scoot. I was afraid to try it.:D I didn't think of the warmer packets either, Totally great idea! I have a nice leather pair of mitts. Just need to get the warmer packets.

Also checked the weather in my area and it's going to be near 60 degrees this weekend starting Friday. Yay! :D

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 1:08 pm
by homie
Well since we are confessing to wearing Mitties... I also have a well worn pair and a box or two of hand warmers. But only on the worst of days of February.

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 1:42 pm
by DAB
Mittens are warmer but if you are used to using 2 or 3 fingers for breaking, I found the adjustment to using all 4 fingers quite difficult

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 2:09 pm
by kramnala58
I don't wear mitts, but I know someone who does. ;) ;) :lol: :lol:

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 4:52 pm
by Steph
Way to go Homie, Good for you! :D I do see three finger breaking going on. But, not me. Not strong enough for it.

One of our favorite routs is near Lake St.Clair and it's gets cold along the water even when the temps are in the 50s. I got boney fingers that have no insulation on them. ;)

Re: How cold will you ride?

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 7:31 pm
by gn2
DAB wrote:I found the adjustment to using all 4 fingers quite difficult
Difficult, but worthwhile learning to use the controls properly.