Are You Still Commuting on Your Bike?

[e30addict]

I don't do much winterizing, basically keep the Tiger and the XR ready to ride throughout the winter, because when conditions permit I like to get out for a ride. My only concession, really, is adding fuel stabilizer to the gas tank.

--mark

This. Stabilizer and and battery tender and I'm done.

I pull my battery. No power outlet near where I keep the bike. I think it is happier in the (warmer) basement than the (colder) garage anyway.

Don't batteries like cold more than heat? Extension cords are cheap. Battery will probably last longer if hooked to a tender instead of slowly discharging all winter.

[01xj]

I rode in this morning. It was 27 degrees when I left the house. I wanted to try out my new toys.

http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-warm-wrap-grips.html

They are pretty nice. I like the fact that they are not permanent and connect to my SAE battery tender connection. They kept my hands nice and warm this morning which is 10 miles at roughly 60-70 mph. They don't distory the feel of the grips too much. But that wasn't a real concern of mine since I'm not hotdoggin around when it's below freezing.

[nhbubba]

Don't batteries like cold more than heat? Extension cords are cheap. Battery will probably last longer if hooked to a tender instead of slowly discharging all winter.

Yeah, the basement is where the power outlet is. Yeah, I could run a cord in the garage... but that'd just be one more cord in the way. Someday if I re-do the rear wall of the garage like I am thinking of I might wire in an outlet for this exact reason. Until then it goes on the tender next to the work bench in the basement.

[jhawley]

Anyone have a recommendation for a neck gaiter? My chin and neck end up colder than anything else.

turtle fur, i had the just neck one and lost it at deals gap last year. i brought one this season that covers your head and neck. ill be wearing it tomorrow.

[luukasama]

My situation is kind of unique in that my boyfriend is currently using my bike, so that he work on his. While we can carpool [bikepool?], I get cold very easily even if I bundle up head to toe. I also need to get better gloves or just any heated equipment, but I don't have time nor money for that right now. We'll see as the weather goes on, though I'm thinking the next time I ride is springtime.

[SprintPoser]

I also have a Turtle Fur (VT) "Shellaclava" neck gaiter. It's got a much thinner hood that's not got the same insulating value but works perfect to keep the PolarTech fleece part of the garment in place high on your neck and doesn't make the helmet fit but a teeny bit tighter. I hardly notice it's there (the thin hood) under the helmet, and after 10 minutes of riding with a warm chin and neck, I forget all about it. The Polartec neck part of the garment is 4 layers thick and NO wind or rain gets through it, at all.

The one I have is now about 6 to 8 years old, and is bright green with a black hood. I can't say enough good things about this garment. I don't know if this is the same one, but sure looks it even with the different colors.

http://www.turtlefur.com/Turtle-Fur-...&searchSize=12

[B440]

http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Neck-.../dp/B0059C7XT0

I use one of these, but yellow in color. It works good. I originally bought it for skiing. I'm sure there's better stuff than this though.

BTW: I never thought this post would go out to 3 pages. This is the most active forum I've ever been on since getting on the internet in 1998!

[backinthesaddle]

Yes, but of course a great weather day like today and I didn't ride.

[jwm2k3]

Today woulda been perfect to ride in....

[Intrepidse17]

Today woulda been perfect to ride in....

I can confirm that it was indeed a perfect day to ride in. I make no claims about riding OUT though, 50% chance of thunderstorms later in the day...

[Falko]

Couldn't ride today, have to pick up the kid at practice on the way home. Wifey is still quite against throwing our one and only on the back of the bike.

[jwm2k3]

Couldn't ride today, have to pick up the kid at practice on the way home. Wifey is still quite against throwing our one and only on the back of the bike.

My wife too, but only a little bit. Mine are 10 & 13yrs old....I think its time they go for a ride with Dad.

[nhbubba]

I was riding with dad by 13. And just look how I turned out.

[gregp]

Yep. I rode in today as well. I might get wet on the way home, but as long as I am headed for home, it doesn't matter. The temperature sure is nice!

[AVI8_636]

Of course the one fall week that it's nice out, I'm stuck on the road working

[reks95]

Promised afternoon rain storms never appeared.
Stayed home because I didn't really want to get it filth again so soon.
Now I want to punch a weather man in the mouth.

[NobodySpecific]

Starting a new job on Monday with an actual commute, so I took the heated vest out for a test ride. Worked like a charm, so I expect to commute well into November, provided we don't start to get ice.

[B440]

Promised afternoon rain storms never appeared.
Stayed home because I didn't really want to get it filth again so soon.
Now I want to punch a weather man in the mouth.

You could make a lot of money if you had a "Punch the Weatherman for a Buck" booth at the carnivals

[Rada]

Hopped on the FJR and skipped to the shop tonight. Only to find that I left some stuff at home. Darn. I have to make the run home and back.

Mid sixties are nice. Mud tracked onto the roads from harvesting corn. Not so fun. Still a great ride...

[gregp]

A bit cooler, but I still rode in today... I like to try to ride as much as possible around this time of year. Soon, we will all be bitching about the snow, and waiting for spring to arrive.

[Rockhead]

tomorrow morning's going to be a test of will for me.

[gregp]

Yes - The predicted low of 30 makes it questionable. It is tough to leave your warm, cozy house, and subject yourself to a sub-freezing blast - even for 5 minutes.

[nhbubba]

5 minutes?!? Wishing I had this guys commute!!

[sveesix]

Commuting into Boston for class tonight with the heated vest. Should be nice.

[Saabeh]

Rode today, pretty chilly on the highway.