A blanket on the FJ

[aviationfred]

Last night this is what covered the bike.  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

[Pat Conlon]

Fred, remind me, what is that white stuff?

A heavy coat of dust from a haboob?

[aviationfred]

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.....

[T Legg]

 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.

[Tuned forks]

and the reason for riding in 33F Fred is?  Remember, you're addressing a Californian.  

Joe

[aviationfred]

and the reason for riding in 33F Fred is?  Remember, you're addressing a Californian.  

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

[Pat Conlon]

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?

[ZOA NOM]

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.

[Millietant]

and the reason for riding in 33F Fred is?  Remember, you're addressing a Californian.  

Joe

I suppose you won't be joining me for a bicycle ride in CT then Joe 

[Firehawk068]

When You're cold, They're cold.................Bring them inside!

[red]

When 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.    
.

[PaulG]

Here comes a ramble....

Oh the memories.... well when I was a youngin' (late 80's  ) 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?     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.  Such is Karma.   

[Millietant]

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.

[ZOA NOM]

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.

[krusty]

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.