cold weather commuting

[breakdirt916]

got any tips for staying warm, dry, and comfortable?

current gear only includes a vanson jacket, and I don't have any work storage, so anything I ride to work in (minus the jacket), has to stay on the bike

This upcoming winter (I'm in socal) will only be 40's-upper 50's, but I'm a skinny, and I get cold easy.

I saw nobody post some $35 heated grips, so I'm probably going to buy those, but will I need new grips as well?

how do you install them? cut the old ones off, glue in the elements, and glue new grips back on?

[Jim]

Heated grips and gear.

[Jim]

Also, at red lights, I'd put my hands in the fairings right by the radiator.

Since I don't have heated gloves, it would do the trick for me.

[Mustang]

got any tips for staying warm, dry, and comfortable?

current gear only includes a vanson jacket, and I don't have any work storage, so anything I ride to work in (minus the jacket), has to stay on the bike

This upcoming winter (I'm in socal) will only be 40's-upper 50's, but I'm a skinny, and I get cold easy.

I saw nobody post some $35 heated grips, so I'm probably going to buy those, but will I need new grips as well?

how do you install them? cut the old ones off, glue in the elements, and glue new grips back on?

You're looking for grip heaters, not heated grips, FYI. But you can reuse the current grips when installing heaters. To remove the current grips, sometimes you can just twist them off (though one hopes they're unable to spin, it does sometimes happen); otherwise you can try shooting some WD-40-esque liquid between the grip and bar to loosen it up.

As for keeping warm,
- UnderArmor Cold Gear as a base layer, then remove it once you get to work.
- Neck gaitor/balaclava
- Overpants. You should be able to find a pair with a removable liner on closeout somewhere for ~$100. If you're cool with leaving your other gear on your bike, then leaving these there shouldn't be a problem.

As 2shots said, put your hands near the radiator, or right on the engine cases, when stopped.

[breakdirt916]

yep, I already put my gloves directly on the engine block (hahaha), when stopped, and even my clutch hand when I'm on the highway, but that heat generally blows away within 30 seconds of riding off

are these grip heaters?



I also read about hippo hands WITH the grip heaters:



I'll buy some more underarmor and a balaclava tonight

[Mustang]

are these grip heaters?

Yes

[tsorfas]

underarmor or walmart has some nice stuff. got my snowboarding "clothes" pants jackets under shirt under pants for like 60$.
Pants and Jackets were water and wind proof too.
Never had heated grips but I havent heard anything bad about them.
And you want something to cover your mouth n nose as well

[klp]

You won't regret spending some $ on a heated jacket liner - it is a real thin layer and you don't have to bulk up and spend a bunch of time getting dressed and undressed to ride.

[tls25rs]

Frogg Toggs are a great item to have as a wind/water block. They are basically a Tyvek rain suit.

http://www.froggtoggs.com/

[breakdirt916]

walmart for clothes, and I like the idea of a heated vest that I can leave with my jacket...it already takes me about 15 minutes to change out the boots, swap pants, comb/gel my hair after arrival, and go back to the bike to put back remaining items...so if it's as easy as taking it off with my jacket and hanging it, I'm down

Joel: I almost forgot a rain suit! thx for the link

does a heated vest and grip heaters take a toll on a small electrical system? it'll be on a 1995 FZR600

according the research done by NHbubba, the grip heaters posted are the ones to get...so they're ordered.

For balaclava's, are they pretty much all the same? Do some fall short of covering the neck?

[schleppy]

Wear as many layers as you can without impacting your mobility or comfort.

Besides that, grip heaters and hippo hands work really well. To prevent visor fogging I've heard really good things about the pin lock insert.

[caddydaddy]

I prefer heated gloves, since a thick glove will insulate your hand from any heat that a heated grip will give.
I bought some used ones for cheap, and they work great!

[Sheppo]

I prefer heated gloves, since a thick glove will insulate your hand from any heat that a heated grip will give.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the opposite...My hands stay nice and toasty with my leather/thinsulate gloves and the heated grips on low.

[Garandman]

Knowing what kind of motorcycle you had would help.

[Ken C]

Heated liner and gloves, add-on windscreen spoiler and Barkbusters, FTW.
Twisted Throttle just did a video about their cold weather products, if you're interested.

[kawazzr]

I ride year round; love riding in the cold weather. If you can't do heated gear - layers is the best way to go. You gotta keep your hands warm (or not cold...yes; there is a difference). I installed heated grips last year and they work great! Easy to install. I also purchased snow-mobile gloves for about $50 online a few years ago. They are great. Warm on their own; but also have a pouch on the back of the glove to slip in one of those heat packs you can buy at the dollar store or Christmas Tree Shop. (yes; I'm married so I know about those stores!)

See you out there!

[nhbubba]

Commuted today. Insulated liners zipped into both my pants and coat. I got about half way there before I had to pull over and swap my good riding gloves to the heavy insulated pair. After that it was okay.

But I really want heated grips now. Definitely on my list for a winter project.

Knowing what kind of motorcycle you had would help.

it'll be on a 1995 FZR600

[Jaynnus]

Commuted today. Insulated liners zipped into both my pants and coat. I got about half way there before I had to pull over and swap my good riding gloves to the heavy insulated pair. After that it was okay.

But I really want heated grips now. Definitely on my list for a winter project.

I rode into work today too....jeans and my jacket with no liner! This morning was just perfect.

I damn near kept going right past work!

[nhbubba]

Wow. Your threshold for cold is higher than mine I guess. I was very happy to have the insulated liner zipped into the pants. I definitely felt the seam where they don't quite overlap with my boots.

[Jaynnus]

Wow. Your threshold for cold is higher than mine I guess. I was very happy to have the insulated liner zipped into the pants. I definitely felt the seam where they don't quite overlap with my boots.

Maybe it was just alot colder up north

[Sheppo]

I rode today, light gloves, jacket with liner and chino's. It was chilly but not un-rideable.

[duganc1717]

I rode into work today too....jeans and my jacket with no liner! This morning was just perfect.

I damn near kept going right past work!

No liners and jeans, perfect morning....

[nhbubba]

I was also on the road before sunrise, left the house at about 5:40.
Seeing the sun just start to glow the horizon as I cross the Squamscott in the morning is pretty epic. 2x as epic when you're on two wheels.

[e30addict]

After the mornings last week, today was warm

Why wait until winter for the grips?

Order HotGrips, they'll be at your day in a day, and install in 30 minutes.

Ride until the they sand the crap out of the roads

[tsorfas]

anyone wanna go riding?