How low can I go

[sschering]

I try not to ride below 32 but one morning my house was the warm spot in town. It was 19 by the time I got to work and I had ice inside my visor...

Last winter I wore a 3/4 winter coat over my mesh riding jacket..
Balaclava to keep the wind off my neck and a little fog control.
It's really quite warm. I don't have winter gloves but a few seconds on the engine will warm your gloves up real quick.
I also found that putting my feet on the passenger pegs will get your legs down into the warmer air coming off the engine.

Every little bit helps.

 

[Skateguy50]

I think its great to keep riding if you can but got an ad in my email for winter gear and found the cover picture a bit much. Cold is ok, snow is just unsafe.

 

[DanTheMan]

I think its great to keep riding if you can but got an ad in my email for winter gear and found the cover picture a bit much. Cold is ok, snow is just unsafe.

Isn't that rider on a BMW? Beemer riders can do anything, go anywhere, no matter the weather, as long as they've got new 'Stich clothing on and the GPS is working properly...................

 

[Skateguy50]

maybe but the site didnt offer studded tires anywhere

 

[duaneage]

I rode my bicycle at 28 degrees last year. Try that sometime.

 

[bradleymaynar]

Single digits, but my commute is 5 or 10 minutes. I'll ride every month of the year as long as the weather is decent and the roads/streets are clear.

Brad bk

 

[Rkt-Rch]

Been riding for the last couple of weeks in 25-35Deg... Brrrrr... Oh yeah did we all forget that we have a wind/speed/chill factor involved! Did a 65mile ride in 31deg-rain... That @$#@ed. Had more problems with the helmet fogging up then any thing else, and keeping the back wheel from spinning when taking off and crossing the painted marking on the road..
Slow...Slow.. and slower...

 

[madjack57754]

..... Electric riding gear. Snowmobilers have eletrics wired into helmets to keep shields clear, 'lectric socks, pants, vests, and even gloves in addition to heated grips

 

[marvinsc]

..... Electric riding gear. Snowmobilers have eletrics wired into helmets to keep shields clear, 'lectric socks, pants, vests, and even gloves in addition to heated grips

No way a standard GS charging system would handle even half of that amount of draw.

 

[toejams1]

Wow

Wow

I haven't logged in in a couple of weeks and see this thread is still alive. I realized that 32 will be my cut off. Because I don't have a windshield, and that other little annoying thing about water freezing below 32, that just may have to be my limit for now. Though I have to admit, I kinda enjoyed seeing the faces of other drivers when I am out on my bike on those cold mornings, and they are in their car with the heat on and a cup of coffee in their hands. You know, the "that guy is freakin' nuts" kinda look.

 

[kerrfunk]

If there's no snow or ice on the roads, I'll ride.
Lotsa layers is the key. And a windshield.
I just picked up some insulated coveralls to go over my normal clothes (long underwear and khakis, longsleeved teeshirt or two, overshirt, wool sweater). My leather coat fits over the coveralls.
Also just picked up some snowmobiling gloves and I'm eager to try them out.

Rode 30 miles today with my windshield, coveralls, and new gloves, and was not the teeniest bit chilled. 40's. And knowing what other layers I've got I'm happy as a clam

 

[Buster-boy]

Last year I rode my little CB450SC with a tiny little SlipStreamer SS-28 in January at 23 degrees. Short ride, only about an hour, but I dressed for it. Wore my ski jacket, ski pants, neoprene ski masque, heavy leather gloves. Wasn't too bad temp wise but I could harldy shift, clutch, or brake. I felt like Ralphie's little brother on a Christmas Story I was so bundled up. As long as the roads are clear and it's not raining I'm riding!!

This year I have an 81 GS850G with factory Vetter fairing and lowers. Man what a difference!! So far I've only need my Joe Rocket textile coat with liner, leather gloves, and my rain pants to block the wind a bit. The lowers also directs engine heat up and around my legs so that helps a lot too.

BUT, it's not January yet and the lowest it's been so far is high 30's, so we'll have to wait and see!!

 

[schlyme]

this morning it said 34 outside, with long johns, sweat pants, jeans, and chaps down low; 2 t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirt, thermal shirt, sweat shirt, and leather jacket with leather vest over it on top; doubled up on the um bank robbing mask the funny thing is just a simple pair of sock on with my regular riding boot and my feet was fine. it was hard to look over my shoulder but all in all not cold, just crazy oh did i forget, it's an hour each way to work for me oh and heavy gloves with glove lines too and a little help from the engine once in a while

 

[Ponderosa]

No snow? GO...

No snow? GO...

I used to hate taking twenty minutes to layer your clothing, hopping on the bike and heading across town to a friends house, getting undressed, only to have your friend tell you (after you have undressed) "Oh we have to go to my mothers house, what are you going to do"? Good reply, "You will have to wait twenty minutes before you go, so I can get dressed!" Ooh Nanuck of north, on motorcycle...

 

[79FiveFifty]

26? nice! I'm just waiting for the colder dry days ahead to see if I can stand it. I happen to be ok in the cold usually, and my jacket is wind-proof so I don't feel the outside temp on my upper body. Glove liners, and long johns will be in order if I plan to ride below freezing like you are doing!

Excellent to see that people still ride in the cold for the love of the hobby.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

My personal coldest so far is 37 degrees F with passive gear. It was a little rainy and windy that night too. Does the chill factor count?

I also rode my Honda 160 to high school one day during snow flurries but I don't know what the temperature was. I guess we can't count that one.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Smokinapankake]

28 degrees on a bicycle is actually quite comfortable. I've done it in single digits and enjoyed every minute of it. A cyclist generates a LOT of heat, enough to be sweating inside my jacket.

Motorcycles, now that's a different story. Sitting there (relatively) passively doesn't generate a lot of heat, so your extremities shut down faster.
When I was in the military stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, all I owned was my motorcycle (the first of two GS1000SZ Katanas, incidentally) and rode year round. Being young, dumb and full of something, I just toughed it out with generic ski apparel. Occasionally I would utilize my Army issued rain gear to help stay dry, and can attribute my surviving a low speed get-off to just that.

See, I was heading north on I-25 the weekend before Thanksgiving and got caught in a wet snowstorm. I parked the bike in Castle Rock for the night, and awoke to 6" of snow. Undeterred, I packed up and headed out. The freeway was packed snow and traffic was moving slow (25-ish). Not more than 2 miles down the road, the big Kat went out from under me (imagine that - now where did she go?). I held onto the handlebar and we both just eventually slid off the side of the freeway. I turned around to see a diesel go by unable to stop, and was glad I was wearing my army issued rain slickers that allowed me to slide easily off the road. Long story short, I eventually ended up in Denver, riding a Greyhound bus back to Salt Lake City for the holiday. Don't recall the temps but I do remember sliding off the side of the road and watching the wheels of that rig go by.
My cut off is now 40 degrees as a result of that memory - temperature fluctuations and what we call black ice are not worth the risk to brag about riding year round....

 

[Ponderosa]

Riding during a snowstorm!

Riding during a snowstorm!

Went for a ride last night while it was snowing....

 

[79FiveFifty]

are you kidding me, lmao

burnout in living room... :dancing: