upgraded Balaclava

[aviationfred]

For those that ride in colder temps. A Balaclava is a necessity. Even with a high quality full face helmet, my neck and ears still get extremely cold without one. I have just ordered one of these. http://itemhunters.com/products/motorcycle-winter-fleece

I have not received it yet. I am hoping that the vented nose/mouth guard helps with defusing my breath from fogging the face sheild


Fred.

[FJ1100mjk]

I've used a balaclava when needed. I use one that is thin, because my helmet's fit is snug, and when the weather is colder, I usually have thicker hair on my head. Although as I'm getting older, the latter is less of an issue. 

I'd put the use of the a balaclava, in the same category as heated gear, very nice to have when the conditions warrant, and sorely missed when not available and needed.

[Firehawk068]

Fred,
When you try it out, let us know how the fit is.
I borrowed one once to use under my helmet, and the material was thick enough that it felt like I had to stuff myself into the helmet.
It's hard to believe that that amount of material would make a difference, but it does.

If this particular one was really thin, I'd be interested.

[Pat Conlon]

You poor bastards.....

[aviationfred]

Fred,
When you try it out, let us know how the fit is.
I borrowed one once to use under my helmet, and the material was thick enough that it felt like I had to stuff myself into the helmet.
It's hard to believe that that amount of material would make a difference, but it does.

If this particular one was really thin, I'd be interested.

I currently have 2 Balaclava's. One is extremely thin......More like a thin silk shirt, under 35* temps, my ears still get cold. The other is double to triple thickness and works really well on 20*-35* degree days. The thicker one is definitely noticed and takes a minute to get used to the feel of the helmet.

Fred

[aviationfred]

You poor bastards.....

The price we pay to ride year round.....except when snow and ice are on the roads..... ....I am not suicidal.  .... I don't go on long rides....mostly commute the short 7 miles to and from work. I rode in 40* and raining yesterday.....riding like that, not cold and not wet is when you know that you have got the right gear....

Fred

[FJ1100mjk]

You poor bastards.....

Yea, you've got it made all right.


Do you ride naked, or in the dark, during traditional riding months? Not that we need a visual of the former!  

[Pat Conlon]

There is a reason the migration pattern in north America flowed from the east to the west and not vice versa.....

There are some tricks you learn when riding in the desert summer heat....like don't be out after 2pm, etc, etc

Luckily I have Hwy 74 at my doorstep. I can be at altitude in 20 minutes.

Fred, do you have a pin lock fog shield on your visor?

[aviationfred]

Fred, do you have a pin lock fog shield on your visor?

I have a Transitions face shield. They do not offer a pin lock option with the shield.


Fred

[ZOA NOM]

For those that ride in colder temps. A Balaclava is a necessity. Even with a high quality full face helmet, my neck and ears still get extremely cold without one. I have just ordered one of these. http://itemhunters.com/products/motorcycle-winter-fleece

I have not received it yet. I am hoping that the vented nose/mouth guard helps with defusing my breath from fogging the face sheild


Fred.

Fred, my whole motorcycling world changed when I bought one of these. I can't get my shield to fog no matter how hard I breathe. It's universal, unlike the Pinlock version found for Shoie helmets. I use this one in my Bell with a transitions face shield. It is simply amazing to never worry about fogging up in any conditions. Simply peel and stick on the inside of your shield. Mine is also auto-darkening. No need for sunglasses. I use a simple fleece tube that bunches up around my neck to seal out the wind, and I'm snug as a bug!



https://www.amazon.com/Progrip-Light-Sensitive-No-Fog-Helmet-Shield/dp/B000N8ZX9W

[rlucas]

You poor bastards.....

I thought Pat meant "you poor hairless bastards....."

[aviationfred]

You poor bastards.....

I thought Pat meant "you poor hairless bastards....."

Thank you Rick...... I have one of the inserts ordered.

Yes..... I resemble that remark.

The photos are 10 years apart. I had hair......then I didn't

[ribbert]

For those that ride in colder temps. A Balaclava is a necessity. Even with a high quality full face helmet, my neck and ears still get extremely cold without one.

.....I am hoping that the vented nose/mouth guard helps with defusing my breath from fogging the face sheild


Fred.

Fred, have you tried one of these....



They're mostly either single or double layer Polar Fleece. I've got half a dozen of them (they're cheap) in varying thicknesses, I leave them in all my bags. When it's cold I tuck it in around the base of my helmet for a perfect seal, very cozy. I find balaclavas thick enough to keep you warm are too thick to go under my helmet and the thin ones don't keep you warm (they don't stop the wind coming in under your helmet) and they are claustrophobic and uncomfortable.

If you can keep the wind out of your helmet in the first place there's no need for additional head warming and with the Pinlock you can leave your screen "locked" - no rain, no fogging, no cold air. I also fitted a chin curtain to my helmet. My head and neck are never cold.

A typical mid Winter ride here in the High Country ranges from sub zero to peaking in low single digits plus the wind chill of travelling at highway speeds all day. Then there's that second wave of cold that comes 3 or 4 hours into a ride where the cold starts to creep into your bones.

As has been said already, Pinlock screens (or knock offs) are 100% unfoggable.

Noel

[ZOA NOM]

Yup, that's the ticket, Noel. Love mine.

[giantkiller]

I've ridden in -14 degrees. On the ice with my Raptor 700. Tops out 78ish mph. Use one for that.have leather bibs. Kept melting the others when I tucked my knees in by the pipes going around tight corners wheeling up on the outside rear wheel. .. kookaloo