Are You Still Commuting on Your Bike?

[Sheppo]

My boots seemed to be the only thing noticeably cold. Should I be looking at better boots or electric liners?

Better Boots. I'll ride in insulated work boots and my feet don't get uncomfortable.

[csmutty]

Fiberoptics Tech. Inc.

Hah nice. I used to ride by there all the time. It's right on a wicked nice road too. I love Quasset.

[Intrepidse17]

I take the highway to work, 25 miles each way, I am still riding whenever I can get to work dry. Fleece under my textile jacket if its 40ish. 80 mph at 40 degrees is pretty brisk, I'll hold out as long as possible, but as Clayton said, once it stops being fun, I'm done.

[luukasama]

It all depends on how cold it is. Since I lost some weight, I started getting cold really easily and so even below 50 degree weather, my hands turns to ice. It's the weirdest thing. Anyway, I have been recently using my car as of late because my boyfriend will be taking his bike inside to work on the engine, so we make do. Otherwise, I'd probably still be riding if it weren't for that. I've had to put the insulating insert back into my jacket, and I wrap a scarf around my head and neck because I feel really cold. I also got sick because the only thing exposed on me to the air was my neck. Everywhere I'm covered up 100%.

[nt650hawk]

Solution. I love mine

[TheIglu]

My helmet gets too tight just from putting my neck warmer on due to the thin nylon head cover. Not sure how you could fit that thing in there with a properly fitted helmet, unless you have a winter helmet?

[duganc1717]

+1, I just use the silly Fast Bikes magazine neck-tube stretchy thing. Works well enough and I have pulled it over my chin in past winters as needed.

Kind of like this, but black free from Fast bikes mag.

[PhilB]

I'm still riding. My limit is ice/snow/slush. As long as the roads are reasonably dry, I'm good for it. The winter of 2010, I was working in Cleveland, and rode until 06Dec, when it started snowing. It was about 30F at that point. Last winter I was here in Portsmouth; it was such a mild winter that I just rode all the way through it. It only snowed twice; Hallowe'en and 01Mar. Temps got down in the 20's a few times. I did fit a port for heated gloves, and had to upgrade the wiring on my starting system so it would start at those temperatures. Once done, though, it worked fine.

PhilB

[reks95]

Still riding. 22miles each way. Lots of route 9, so 60mph with stops.
Right now I'm commute at 6:30.
When it gets down into the 30's, I'll move to 9:30 and that'll buy me some more time.
Then I'll keep riding as long as I'm comfortable.

I wear textiles, add a fleece layer below 40, and I'm a fatty.

[Billy]

Yup. I ride until the temps drop below 40 on average or until they sand/salt the roads.

[lord1234]

4 miles each way to the commuter rail. Till it gets too cold or they sand the roads.

[Rossco]

With my current gear set-up, 20 is the lowest I dare to go out. My record, is 17 though. I don't have handguards, or heaters. I tried to put V-Strom Handguards on my Bandit last year, but gave up after seeing how much I'd have to McGyver the thing to make'em fit.

I've got thinsulate gloves (Cortech Scarabs), two-piece insulated textiles, WP A* boots, and I got one of those fancy $40 balaclavas from Moto-Market.

Current wind protection is the stock Bandit S bikini fairing (not great) and a cheap Givi windscreen.

I'll probably invest in some Gerbings stuff next year. No sense buying anything now, since it's probably now on backorder till like, February.

[e30addict]

I'll probably invest in some Gerbings stuff next year. No sense buying anything now, since it's probably now on backorder till like, February.

Stop assuming

http://heatedclothingoutlet.com/jacketLiner.shtml

$100 this month. Through a First Gear heat 'troller at it and you're in business for less than $200 total.

[noxin]

With my current gear set-up, 20 is the lowest I dare to go out. My record, is 17 though. I don't have handguards, or heaters. I tried to put V-Strom Handguards on my Bandit last year, but gave up after seeing how much I'd have to McGyver the thing to make'em fit.

I did it a few years ago and it wasn't that hard. I think there's a guide on MaxSuki somewhere.

[Rossco]

Stop assuming

http://heatedclothingoutlet.com/jacketLiner.shtml

$100 this month. Through a First Gear heat 'troller at it and you're in business for less than $200 total.

Yeah, and look the only size left is XXS!

That'll fit me great!

I did it a few years ago and it wasn't that hard. I think there's a guide on MaxSuki somewhere.

The 600 Bandit is a lil' bit different then the 1200. IIRC the threaded parts for where the bar ends go in are different, it was that and the clutch switch and the infuriating amount and placement of the different washers that made me say fuck it and give up.

[e30addict]

Oops.

[drinkingmymilk]

I work nights. 11:30 pm - 7:30 am. My Jeep was parked from April 17th this year until I sold it in August. I think I drove to work under 10 times since in my wifes car and only do when I need to get something in the morning... like today when I leave here I am picking up a trailer.

I ride until there is ice. At 11:30 at night a few of the roads I use have no lights, so once they ice up I won't risk it. My record was 11F, my cheapy walmart dump in battery cracked.

[nhbubba]

Yeah, and look the only size left is XXS!

That'll fit me great!

And from what I've seen, that seems to be all they ever have in stock.

Although their selection of the pant liners is better.

For $99, I'd do it today. For $199, I feel like taking a swing at a DIY project first.

Some references I've been collecting:

http://www.klr650.marknet.us/diy-Electric_Vest.pdf
http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/heatedclothing.html

McMaster has the recommended wire for reasonable money. Right now I'm on the hunt for a proper donor jacket. Something nylon and wind resistant on the outside with a bit of insulation to it so I can stitch the wire in. I also want it to fit snug. Ironically my company just gave out jackets as swag that fit the bill nearly perfectly. Unfortunately I passed on this one as I'm not feeling that much company spirit and most of the swag lately has been really bad crap.

[nhbubba]

Oh. I rode today. It was great. Very mild.

Wore my Tourmaster 2-season 3/4 jacket, which I hardly ever wear anymore. Riding in that thing feels like riding in my PJs compared to my leather jacket. Forgot how flimsy the armor feels.

[Rossco]

If ya want a donor jacket I gots a XXL tourmaster that I no longer use if you're interested.

[TheIglu]

You still have those V-strom hand guards?

[nhbubba]

I want a thin jacket that I can wear under my other gear. I think I'm basically looking for the typical Lands End jacket.

The V-Strom hand guards are a worthy add-on for 2 season riding. I have them on my 'strom. Have been meaning to put them back on. It is overdue.

[fineout]

Still commuting around 2x/week, 25 miles each way mostly on 95/195 in RI. I am wearing mesh jacket(need to get textile/leather soon) with gerbings liner and mesh pants with rain and thermal liners both in on days its really cold, I have grip heaters and handguards so my hands usually arent too bad, I'll keep going until its consistantly in the low 40s in the morning.

[Rossco]

You still have those V-strom hand guards?

I lost most of the hardware, so it's just the guards. and one of them is a bit butchered to accommodate the Bandit's clutch cable. If ya still want'em then shoot me a PM since they're useless to me now.

[Suzuki bandit]

I ride everyday unless snow or down pours are predicted usually 50% and under I will ride colder weather I have heated grips, jacket liner and my turtle fur neck thing. Lowest temp to date is 15. Anyone know of some hand guards that bolt to the 01 600s ?