Last night this is what covered the bike. :shok: no riding for me. I drove the truck into work. The temperature was 14°F when I left work this morning. I did ride into Cycle Gear this evening for the monthly bike night, 33°F when I left the house.
Fred
Fred, remind me, what is that white stuff?
A heavy coat of dust from a haboob?
Quote from: Pat Conlon on November 13, 2018, 08:10:18 PM
Fred, remind me, what is that white stuff?
A heavy coat of dust from a haboob?
It is that magical dust that falls from the sky once the temperature drops below 32°F and covers everything in a soft fluffy blanket..... :sarcastic:
cold weather riding is here.It isn't always pretty and stylish but the roads are empty and the air is dense.I love it.
and the reason for riding in 33F Fred is? Remember, you're addressing a Californian. :biggrin:
Joe
Quote from: Tuned forks on November 13, 2018, 10:09:36 PM
and the reason for riding in 33F Fred is? Remember, you're addressing a Californian. :biggrin:
Joe
I ride year round. Mostly commuting, and I typically don't go on long rides. No heated gear except hand grips. Living in the Midwest for the last 20 years, you learn about layering and using motorcycle specific insulated gear. I did a 350 mile round trip ride to Kansas City last December just to have lunch at a restaurant that we don't have here in Wichita (Fuddruckers) . 32°F upon departure, 50 at arrival near the Kansas Speedway racetrack. During the winter months, a 50°F day is a pleasant day of riding.
Fred
When studying the North American migration patterns, anthropologists have a theory, had Columbus sailed around the cape and landed on the west coast, to this day, there would still be vast regions of the eastern seaboard undiscovered and uncharted..... because, who the fuck would ever want to move back there?
(popcorn)
Just got to work at 0500 this morning. 34F in the driveway. Heated grips and a thermal onesie and I'm snug as a bug! The FJ really loves cold, dense air.
Quote from: Tuned forks on November 13, 2018, 10:09:36 PM
and the reason for riding in 33F Fred is? Remember, you're addressing a Californian. :biggrin:
Joe
I suppose you won't be joining me for a bicycle ride in CT then Joe :lol:
(http://i66.tinypic.com/22cpc7.jpg)
When You're cold, They're cold.................Bring them inside!
Quote from: Firehawk068 on November 14, 2018, 01:32:21 PMWhen You're cold, They're cold.................Bring them inside!
Umm . . . how cute.
Most insurance companies will void the building's insurance (without saying, and with no refund) if there is a motorcycle in the house. Even with the gas tank removed, same results. Ask your insurance agents, and if they tell you otherwise, get it in writing.
Please don't shoot the messenger. :sorry:
.
Here comes a ramble.... :morning1:
Oh the memories.... well when I was a youngin' (late 80's :sarcastic:) I tells ya nothing would stop me. My only form of transportation was my bike. My riding season was early March til January. I tried not to go for extended travel if it approached -10degC
Cold gear was 2 tees, a shirt, hoodie, insulated fleece shirt (lumberjack plaid still in fashion), thermal underwear, jeans, leather jacket, 1pc PVC rainsuit, ... aaaand downfilled arctic flight pants (I scored when working for fed govt while in college), snowmobile gloves (thumb-index finger-& paw), knitted balaclava (courtesy mum), scarf, and steel toed cowboy workbooks.
I could only move like Robbie-The-Robot. This on an unfaired 750 Seca then a KZ750. I was working/living about 100km from home and friends so I would make regular trips on the weekends. My limit was reached when one night I showed up and they had to undress me. The only thing I could feel was my heart pounding in my chest trying to move the sludge in my veins.
Lessons learned? Black ice is not your friend. The pain of the cold eventually will pass - its called hypothermia. And steel toes freeze up very quickly.
Stupid? :wacko3: Absolutely. But such is the invincibility of youth. I had to convince myself that people with fairings on their bikes were pussies to justify the uncontrollable shivering.
Of course now I'm a bigger pussy than I thought "they" were all those years ago. :flag_of_truce: Such is Karma. :pardon:
When I was younger (in the 70's and 80's) I did a lot of windsurfing and realised that my wet suit kept me nice and warm in cold water - so I thought I'd try wearing it under my bike leathers and see what that was like.
It was a revelation, I never got cold even riding through the worst of winter (although I needed a shower after any journey over an hour or so). The 1/4" neoprene suit was a fantastic insulator and it also gave me comfort that if I did fall off, I had a bit of cushioning all around my body.
But, it also made sense years later, when I saw bike gear being sold with "foam" protection in the knees, hips, elbows, shoulders and back.
If I ever go back to winter commuting on the bike, I'll wear a thin wet suit under my bike gear again.
I don't like a lot of fuss with wires and layers, so I use this Firstgear one piece over my work clothes. Works beautifully in the coldest weather we can muster here in the Bay Area. low 30's aren't uncommon.
Was wondering if I need a suit like that for a tour of New Zealand late March next year. Or wear my Aldi two piece suit with winter liners. You never can tell what the weathers' gunna do, particularly in the South Island. Will be renting a bike - choice of Africa Twin, Tenere or V-Strom. I'm leaning towards the Tenere ATM.
Quote from: krusty on November 15, 2018, 06:23:08 PM
Will be renting a bike - choice of Africa Twin, Tenere or V-Strom. I'm leaning towards the Tenere ATM.
You probably can't go wrong with any of those three bikes.......................however, there is only one of those that has the "no chain maintenance required" shaft-drive. Which is also the only of the three that is available with Cruise-Control................Depending on your intended trip, you might wonder how you ever got by without it?
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 15, 2018, 10:42:06 AM
I don't like a lot of fuss with wires and layers, so I use this Firstgear one piece over my work clothes. Works beautifully in the coldest weather we can muster here in the Bay Area. low 30's aren't uncommon.
Rick, a riding buddy has been talking up Aerostich for years. Your suit is about 20% of an Aerostich. You use that suit everyday during the winter? It's holding up well?
Joe
I use it all winter. I did have a zipper on my lower left leg break, but it was due to my own negligence. The rest of the suit works perfectly, and seals up with velcro down both legs over the zippers. It rolls up about the size of a helmet and fits into my Givi trunk for the afternoon commute home. I just swap out my regular leather jacket.
Pros: easy on-off
plenty warm and seals out all wind, even at the neck
cheap
not too bulky
Cons: no easy pocket access to your layers beneath (you have to unzip down the chest and nearly disrobe to get to your wallet pocket. Planning ahead solves this)
no CE protective padding (mine is a large, and I can wear a light jacket with armor underneath if I choose)
I use my cross country ski gear which is basically the same thing,a zip up insulated waterproof pants, gloves that go over the sleeves and sinch down .but to keep the air from blowing through my helmet and down my neck i have a waterproof windbreaker with a hood that i wear under the helmet that makes a huge difference.I wear varying amounts of layers underneath the zip up pants and windbreaker and my normal armored leather jacket on top.that setup has been down to 12 degrees that i can attest to.We have dry weather not much rain.
I had one of these riding suits. IMO, packed with features that the AeroStitch suits can't touch for a 3rd of the price. I later sold it because IMO a one piece is not convenient for everyday casual riding. All day riding and touring the Joe Rocket Survivor suit can't be beat.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Joe-Rocket-Survivor-Waterproof-Textile-Motorcycle-Suit/273552133740?var=&hash=item3fb0fa4e6c (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Joe-Rocket-Survivor-Waterproof-Textile-Motorcycle-Suit/273552133740?var=&hash=item3fb0fa4e6c)
Fred
I currently have a Joe Rocket Nano jacket for my colder weather riding. There were matching pants, but I have only been able to locate one pair that is for sale and they are a size medium. Won't work for my expanded mid section. IMO, this was the 2-piece version of the Survivor 1-piece suit.
These have not been manufactured for a few years. I really wish Joe Rocket would come out with another example of the 2-piece touring suit
Large and X-Large available. https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Joe-Rocket-Gray-Black-Dry-Tech-Nano-Jacket/182174821837?hash=item2a6a772dcd:m:mz_0PLhcZ0utkSg9PGMQftA:rk:1:pf:0 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Joe-Rocket-Gray-Black-Dry-Tech-Nano-Jacket/182174821837?hash=item2a6a772dcd:m:mz_0PLhcZ0utkSg9PGMQftA:rk:1:pf:0)
Pants https://www.ebay.com/itm/Joe-Rocket-Dry-Tech-Nano-Pants-Mens-Black-Grey-Medium-Med-Md-M-Motorcycle-Street/113233735423?epid=663518951&hash=item1a5d41aeff:g:990AAOSwy6lbjzAg:rk:2:pf:0 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Joe-Rocket-Dry-Tech-Nano-Pants-Mens-Black-Grey-Medium-Med-Md-M-Motorcycle-Street/113233735423?epid=663518951&hash=item1a5d41aeff:g:990AAOSwy6lbjzAg:rk:2:pf:0)
Fred
Quote from: red on November 14, 2018, 03:56:35 PM
Quote from: Firehawk068 on November 14, 2018, 01:32:21 PMWhen You're cold, They're cold.................Bring them inside!
Umm . . . how cute.
Most insurance companies will void the building's insurance (without saying, and with no refund) if there is a motorcycle in the house. Even with the gas tank removed, same results. Ask your insurance agents, and if they tell you otherwise, get it in writing.
Please don't shoot the messenger. :sorry:
.
Red, you raise an interesting point, one that I'm sure many of us have fallen victim to over our lifetimes, insurance companies screwing us in the fine print.
Not wishing to be a pedant but most modern houses have UMR (Under Main Roof) garages with internal access. From a structural point of view, the garage is effectively just another room but designated for vehicle parking. Unless building codes are different over there, garages are no different in terms of hazmat risks than any other room in the house and I've never heard of insurance companies making that distinction.
If you have some substantiated, industry based information to that effect it would be in the interest of forum members to be aware of it. It can be a very expensive excercise finding out you're not covered
after the event.
Insurance companies are heartless bastards, loyal only to shareholders, not policy holders.
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on November 16, 2018, 05:40:16 AM
Quote from: red on November 14, 2018, 03:56:35 PM
Quote from: Firehawk068 on November 14, 2018, 01:32:21 PMWhen You're cold, They're cold.................Bring them inside!
Umm . . . how cute.
Most insurance companies will void the building's insurance (without saying, and with no refund) if there is a motorcycle in the house. Even with the gas tank removed, same results. Ask your insurance agents, and if they tell you otherwise, get it in writing.
Please don't shoot the messenger. :sorry:
Red, you raise an interesting point, one that I'm sure many of us have fallen victim to over our lifetimes, insurance companies screwing us in the fine print.
Not wishing to be a pedant but most modern houses have UMR (Under Main Roof) garages with internal access. From a structural point of view, the garage is effectively just another room but designated for vehicle parking. Unless building codes are different over there, garages are no different in terms of hazmat risks than any other room in the house and I've never heard of insurance companies making that distinction.
If you have some substantiated, industry based information to that effect it would be in the interest of forum members to be aware of it. It can be a very expensive excercise finding out you're not covered after the event. Insurance companies are heartless bastards, loyal only to shareholders, not policy holders.
Noel
Noel
In the USA, an "attached garage" must be separated internally from the main structure by a firewall of non-combustible materials. This firewall must be constructed of heavy-grade (maybe fire-retardant) drywall, or masonry (brickwork), or other code-approved materials. Building codes here require that the firewall (and any doors in that wall) will
delay the progress of a structural fire by some length of time, based upon the expected response time of the local firefighters. Even then, you will still pay more for fire insurance than you would if you have a separate garage.
Your insurance company should have lower rates (than average) for a building that is located closer to the firehouse, or on improved (faster) roadways, but you must ask the insurance company directly for those lower rates. You may need to provide a street map, to back up your request for any special rates. The
worst they can say is No.
I have no good way to provide accurate "substantiated" industry information that applies across the globe. If anybody doubts my basic statement here and just refuses to contact their own insurance provider on this important issue, I want to wish them the best of luck, and g'day.
.