Winter Motorcycle Riding Gear Options By: Shaun Kelly
I do not care how much everyone is screaming about Global Warming, cold is cold, and when you are riding in the winter, it feels a lot colder. Wind chill can be horrible, add in the factor of speed where the quicker you go the more the temperature falls. Using the following tips, you will be able to survive the winter on your motorcycle.
Some of you crazy people enjoy cold weather, I will never understand that. Maybe it's because I'm a thin guy and I don't have a lot fat to hold in the heat. I live in the South for a reason, but even in the dirty dirty it gets cold once in a while. When the temperature drops and the wind starts blowing hard I'm layering every article of warm clothing I can wear at once. If I look like the little brother from a Christmas Story when I'm done, so be it.
Hands, are your first line of defense, and Winter gloves are generally a good idea, something with Gore-Tex or Thinsulate is a plus. Practically every major motorcycle apparel manufacturer produces a winter glove, and many can be had for under $80 with different degrees of protection and insulation from the elements. But aside from going out and buying a name brand glove, there are other steps you can take before you shell out some money on specialty gloves.
Take a trip down to either the local grocer, hardware, or auto parts store and pick up a bunch of disposable rubber gloves. These are excellent for trapping in your natural body heat. And since they are form fitting, you can wear them inside your riding gloves as additional insulation. Some people may have an issue with latex, in which case sporting goods stores and outdoor outlets sell glove liners made of various materials.
Even if you have full gauntlet gloves, while in the riding position, and when you're moving around, your sleeves can creep up and let in the wind. Try a pair of wristbands, a great cheap trick for keeping the wind out of your sleeves.
Thick shirts are a necessity, but too many of these at once cannot only be uncomfortable, but can impair movement. Thermal shirts are always a plus, in addition to a sweater and lined jacket. You can also try one of those cool max shirts as a base layer. Anything that can wick away moisture from your body is going to keep you that much warmer. If your jacket lets any wind through in any parts try and pin point the problems from the inside. The solution for this is simple... duct tape. Patch up the holes on the inside so the wind will not make its way through. A light nylon windbreaker under the jacket or even your rain jacket over top can be a great addition.
Your head and face are extremely sensitive. Good quality full-face lids with closable vents are definitely the way to go. If you're in an area that gets a good amount of snow and very low temperatures, you may want to look into snowmobile helmets for the winter. The ones that come with heated visors would be a great option. Of course, one of the most common ways to keep your head warm, is wearing a beanie under your lid. If that is too thick for a comfy fit, try the sporting goods and ski shops for balaclava's. The ones that are made of nylon are generally quite thin. There's always the standard bandana as well. This will at least keep most of the wind off your face, and your breath will help keep your face warm. Keep breath mints handy though.
Another easy trick for cutting down fog and retaining heat. If your helmet doesn't include a breath deflector, you can build one out of duct tape. Double up the tape and form it to fit your face. Then, tape it right to the inside of the chin bar. Just be sure you do not leave any of the adhesive exposed, unless you want your face waxed while riding down the road.The feet and knees are always in the breeze. Ski socks are a major plus. The longer they are, the better too. Insulated boots are really the best way to go, the less wind that gets in the better. A great piece of gear I found is motocross knee and shin guards, these are similar to hockey shin guards with plastic caps, foam padding and fabric liners. The cool thing about them, is that they are thin enough to wear underneath loose fitting pants. The plastic blocks the wind very well while the foam helps to keep in the heat. These are generally inexpensive too, they can be found for no more than $40. For the remained of your lower extremities, double up on pants. Sweat pants, Track pants, thermals, etc.
Of course there is always the option of using heated riding gear. This can get pricey, but if you plan to ride in very cold climates, it is probably a smart investment. The cheaper solution is using hand warmer packs. They are fairly inexpensive and some last as long as 8 hours. If you plan on doing some long-distance trips, I would recomend getting some. You can position them in your shoes to keep your feet warm, in your gloves to warm up your hands and any place else you feel it would help.
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Some of you crazy people enjoy cold weather, I will never understand that. Maybe it's because I'm a thin guy and I don't have a lot fat to hold in the heat. I live in the South for a reason, but even in the dirty dirty it gets cold once in a while. When the temperature drops and the wind starts blowing hard I'm layering every article of warm clothing I can wear at once. If I look like the little brother from a Christmas Story when I'm done, so be it.
Hands, are your first line of defense, and Winter gloves are generally a good idea, something with Gore-Tex or Thinsulate is a plus. Practically every major motorcycle apparel manufacturer produces a winter glove, and many can be had for under $80 with different degrees of protection and insulation from the elements. But aside from going out and buying a name brand glove, there are other steps you can take before you shell out some money on specialty gloves.
Take a trip down to either the local grocer, hardware, or auto parts store and pick up a bunch of disposable rubber gloves. These are excellent for trapping in your natural body heat. And since they are form fitting, you can wear them inside your riding gloves as additional insulation. Some people may have an issue with latex, in which case sporting goods stores and outdoor outlets sell glove liners made of various materials.
Even if you have full gauntlet gloves, while in the riding position, and when you're moving around, your sleeves can creep up and let in the wind. Try a pair of wristbands, a great cheap trick for keeping the wind out of your sleeves.
Thick shirts are a necessity, but too many of these at once cannot only be uncomfortable, but can impair movement. Thermal shirts are always a plus, in addition to a sweater and lined jacket. You can also try one of those cool max shirts as a base layer. Anything that can wick away moisture from your body is going to keep you that much warmer. If your jacket lets any wind through in any parts try and pin point the problems from the inside. The solution for this is simple... duct tape. Patch up the holes on the inside so the wind will not make its way through. A light nylon windbreaker under the jacket or even your rain jacket over top can be a great addition.
Your head and face are extremely sensitive. Good quality full-face lids with closable vents are definitely the way to go. If you're in an area that gets a good amount of snow and very low temperatures, you may want to look into snowmobile helmets for the winter. The ones that come with heated visors would be a great option. Of course, one of the most common ways to keep your head warm, is wearing a beanie under your lid. If that is too thick for a comfy fit, try the sporting goods and ski shops for balaclava's. The ones that are made of nylon are generally quite thin. There's always the standard bandana as well. This will at least keep most of the wind off your face, and your breath will help keep your face warm. Keep breath mints handy though.
Another easy trick for cutting down fog and retaining heat. If your helmet doesn't include a breath deflector, you can build one out of duct tape. Double up the tape and form it to fit your face. Then, tape it right to the inside of the chin bar. Just be sure you do not leave any of the adhesive exposed, unless you want your face waxed while riding down the road.The feet and knees are always in the breeze. Ski socks are a major plus. The longer they are, the better too. Insulated boots are really the best way to go, the less wind that gets in the better. A great piece of gear I found is motocross knee and shin guards, these are similar to hockey shin guards with plastic caps, foam padding and fabric liners. The cool thing about them, is that they are thin enough to wear underneath loose fitting pants. The plastic blocks the wind very well while the foam helps to keep in the heat. These are generally inexpensive too, they can be found for no more than $40. For the remained of your lower extremities, double up on pants. Sweat pants, Track pants, thermals, etc.
Of course there is always the option of using heated riding gear. This can get pricey, but if you plan to ride in very cold climates, it is probably a smart investment. The cheaper solution is using hand warmer packs. They are fairly inexpensive and some last as long as 8 hours. If you plan on doing some long-distance trips, I would recomend getting some. You can position them in your shoes to keep your feet warm, in your gloves to warm up your hands and any place else you feel it would help.
More Motorcycle Resources: motorcycle articles | custom motorcycle forum | build a custom motorcycle
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