30 Mile ride today, FREAKIN COLD!

OK, I know the stock gen 1 probably is not the first choice for an all season bike in Ohio, what can I do here. I was greared up prety darn good, all my safetygear, plus my old Army poly-pro underwear and a kneck gator. Air temp was about 39F. Had the day off, had to run downtown to pick up some paperwork. So it was my 92 F-150 or my FZ1, I said what the hell. My core was prety good, but hands and lower legs were DAMN cold! I had covered up the bike for the season 3 times and keep breaking it back out. I know some of you guys out there ride nearly all year. What kind of options would you guys recomend if I keep doing silly stuff like this. I hate the looks of the touring wind screans but do they help? I'm thinking if can deflect more wind I would be fine. I have some great gloves for warmth but I can't feel the controls well enough to feel safe.

 

ride a vfr

 

Call me crazy, but I had thought about this. I kinda dug it when Buell put them on the streetfighter lightning a while back. I never looked at them but it might be worth it. I like this bike all around. It's crossed my mind to go touring bike a few times, the st1300 and Yam FJR1300 both are bikes I seriously looked at. I just like the sport performance of this FZ1000. I feel a bit cramped on Kristen's gen 3 VFR and my brother had a gen 6, I liked the feel but the bike just felt like it it was being held back or detuned in a way (VTEC?), He has a Gen 5 VFR now, havent rode it yet. I know I'm pushing it by riding into late November in Ohio. But I still see the same guy on a BMW 3 days a week while I'm stuck in my truck. Pisses me off. I love the overall nakid look of the FZ1 and dont wanna over do the bolt ons. My feet are fine, as well as they get anyway, several pairs of Danners and Matterhorns from the service that hold up nicley in the cold. Rain suit might be a good move too. Don't have one on hand, but do have my old EWACS Gortex Parka and pants.

 

Gortex is not the best Motorcycle Riding gear. It is not tough enough to stop the driving wind or rain. For $100.00 in Canada, probably about half that in the US you can get a ruberized two piece rain suit which works great. I wished I hand the shields on the handlebars cause when it is raining hard, and I ride to work (which is most of the winter here) the gortex gloves do not stop the rain and my hands do get wet. But they stay warm though.

http://www.teknicgear.com/jetstream-2pc-rainsuit/

http://www.teknicgear.com/thunder-wp-glove/

 

Very Cool Randy. I know the Gortex was misserable in the rain, not bad in snow, but in the rain, you were pisssed you bothered packing it. By the time I figure this out it will be spring! I'm gonna try and ride as much as I can this off season. My F150 just sucks fuel and my grocery getter bought the farm late last winter on my way home from shift. I'm probably just trying to find an excuse to ride more. But hell, I can live with that!

 

I hear ya. I have a 2500 Duramax and it costs be upwards of $40-$45 a day to commute to work. The bike is $10. and change. Does not take a scientist to figure that one out. If there is no snow, I ride. And I have been caught in the snow from time to time too. So long as it isn't sticking to the roads. When finances permit, Gerbings heated jacket liner and pant liners are great too. I have both them too. But I can get by without.

 

You want to ride year round, get one of these.

I know it seems expensive, but this is one of the best items I've ever blown my hard earned money on. I started with sleeveless tee, and sunglasses when I lived in Florida and started riding about 10 years ago. Each year I buy one more nice safety or comfort item. Now I've got a full-face, First Gear coat and pants, and riding boots. I shopped for electric vests about 2 seasons ago. Started with heated grips like everyone else, because that is what gets cold first. Was suspicious, but finally convinced that if you warm up your core, then blood flow and warmth will be restored to your extremities. Also, vest could be plugged into my existing battery charger pigtail without wiring. Bought this vest:
Aerostich Kanetsu TLTec Wind Blocker Electric Vest :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear
It rocks! I can be freezing, and then I pull over, plug in, and 5 minutes later my body is toasty and I'm cruising with a smile and cagers are looking over at me. If you see someone on a BMW riding in winter, guarantee they have electrics on underneath.

 

I really like having heat on my hands (chronic poor circulation in my right thumb from frostbite several years ago). However, I really detest the big clumsy grips that come with most heated grip kits.

Some snowmobiles use a type of grip heater that is essentially a 'tape on' piece of plastic with adhesive backing, with the heating elements formed within. These can be fit underneath your stock grips, they work darn good and are way inexpensive compared to the kits I've seen (of course you need to buy the toggle switch as well). I've had a set on my ST for over ten years now...they're off a late 90's model Ski-doo.

Electric clothing is very effective as well, until it doesn't work (a mid June, 40's and rainy trip to the Canadian Rockies and a failed electric vest come to mind). I'd say it's hard to beat high quality outerwear, and good thermal underwear. If you're really serious about cold weather riding, you gotta cover exposed skin (difference between discomfort and frostbite), and look into snowmobile gear. It's made for much colder weather than you'd EVER ride your motorcycle in.

 

The 5th gen fairing is very effective for the legs. I know since my 1st gen does not provided that protection. I ride in jeans with padding under (bohn armor) and this is enough up to -2C up to now. Thick and tight leader jacket (the one I had when I was 20 years old, 30 years ago ;-) and goretex all seasons gloves. The gloves are recent and got some rain without failing but not heavy enough to contredict the other posts. I prefer riding at 5C better than at 30C (~90F) where the protection is a pain when stuck in traffic.

Montreal is not Vancouver. We cannot ride all year long because of the ice and snow that stay for months, sniff!.

 

I also agree with RedMenace. Here are mine:
Gerbing's Heated Clothing // Heated Jacket Lhttp://www.gerbing.com/Products/Liners/heatedPantsLiner.htmliner
http://www.gerbing.com/Products/Liners/heatedPantsLiner.html
http://www.gerbing.com/Products/insoles.html
http://www.gerbing.com/Products/tempControls.html
I know they are a bit more expensive and you mentioned affordability in your original post, but if you are intending on continueing cold weather riding, your should target at getting as good as you can afford. The nice thing about the Gerbings, is that everything pugs into each other. Pants to Jacket, Glove liners to jacket. Boot liners to pant liners. The only thing wrong with gerbings, is that the on off switch, which is a must in my books, is an additional purchase. Stay away from theri rheostate dual control switch. I bought one and am sorry. The plain on and off switch works great and easy to use on the fly.

 

80 Miles

I got to see some of the heated gear and play around with it last winter in Cleveland Intl bike show. Did'nt think much about it till NOW! I experimented with some extra wind protection on the bike, still after an 80 mile ride I was still on the cold side. but it did help.