Keeping warm

[elrasho]

As winter is round the corner, any advice for a newbie biker on how to keep warm and dry?

What make of bike gear would you guys recommend? When I say make I really mean brand. Are motorcycle boots really that necessary if im riding a YBR 125? They seem like a hassle to me

[Azonicben]

layers layers layers!!!! As for brands it depends entirely on your budget.
Yes wear boots! If the unthinkable happens it'll be too late to buy any as they only come in pairs


I'd imagine losing a foot could be a "bit of a hassle" too
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Cbt-23/09/07.....Theory-16/09/08.....Das passed 10/10/08.....
Current bike- GsxR750 K4. Broken: Cbr400rr (Nc29) Sold: Hyosung GT125R

[Joenitro]

Hot water bottle in your jacket. Sounds silly but works great.

[map]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

The forecast is for another mild winter and not as wet as last year, so you're not going to have to worry too much.

A pair of women's tights under jeans works well, just have your story ready when the nurse in A&E is cutting them away
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[map]

[Azonicben]

with you on the tights resorted to that on some of the really cold days last winter, up at five on a cold frosty morning to ride the 125 to London
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Cbt-23/09/07.....Theory-16/09/08.....Das passed 10/10/08.....
Current bike- GsxR750 K4. Broken: Cbr400rr (Nc29) Sold: Hyosung GT125R

[deanoet]

[elrasho]

Il be doing 50 mile round trip every day along dual carriage ways and A roads.

I get the picture, boots are important thanks for drumming that in

[Azonicben]

just scout round for textiles, go to a shop and try stuff on for size once you know what sizes you are buy it from the cheapest place eBay local shop etc , be aware though that different brands sizings can be miles apart as long as it fits.

Oh yea and boots boots boots
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Cbt-23/09/07.....Theory-16/09/08.....Das passed 10/10/08.....
Current bike- GsxR750 K4. Broken: Cbr400rr (Nc29) Sold: Hyosung GT125R

[elrasho]

having a look around at gear and WOW its gonna be expensive!!

What make Helmet would you recommend, im looking on https://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/index.php/cPath/43 and have no idea

[Mudskipper]

Ditto on layers. Thermals and inner gloves, as many pairs of socks as you can fit under your boots. I also have some 'boot liners' which go over socks, they are windproof and fucking awesome.

If you are skint, army thermals can be had for just a few quid, rest of gear (except for helmet of course!) look second hand, ebay, the for sale section here etc.

When I started out I had some £25 second hand ankle bike boots, £5 second hand leather gloves and my ancient leather jacket. Invested in some £70 textile trousers once I could afford it (and realised how vunerable my legs were).

You can upgrade as you can afford. I now have 3 pairs of bike boots, 2 leather suits, a textile suit and 4 pairs of gloves. Oh and 3 lids...

Don't rule out army boots if you don't want to have to change footwear when you get off the bike. I mostly wear german para boots in winter, they fit like gloves and are surprisingly waterproof.
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[deanoet]

[map]

[elrasho]

I live in Blackburn, I love that shiny window they have on the side of that shop.... used to cruise slowly past it and check my alloys on my beloved Ford Focus lol

Theres also the rocket centre in whitebirk. I'll go down on the weekend.

Ive seen some jackets that have built in thermals, they should do the trick right. My list is as follows:

Helmet
Textile Jacket
Trousers
Boots
Them boot lining things to keep sox dry
Gloves

Anything missing?

[Kal]

Neckprotector over the nose (also helps me avoid helmet hair), £10

Winter gloves (I have a lobster claw pair from Hein Gericke) £35

Also putting the knee pads inside my bike jeans all go a long way to keeping me toasty warm.

I also tend to wear a t-shirt under my shirt, a fleece (neck protector goes under it) with my Leather Jacket and bike boots.

I've said it before and I will say it again - comfort is a safety issue.
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Kal...
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[Rufus]

[nasty]

I got some good Cordura textile pants for around £45
First helmet (Full Face) for around £70 - included free pair of summer gloves
Textile jacket - £50
Waterproof Boots - £40 with free pair of waterproof gloves
Waterproof trousers - £25
Neckwarmer - £9
Toasty Face neckwarmer £15
Second helmet (Flip Up) - £110

That's £254 without the second helmet which isn't too bad, you just need to shop around.
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ZX6R F3

[Itchy]

Tsk..

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Collection_of_pies.jpg


Pies lots and lots of them , when I was about 10 stone from when I used to train heavily I'd get kind of cold , now I'm a more hefty 12 stone I get cold less
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[MaybeGuy]

i've got a balaclava thing (£10)
summer gloves (£90 )
frank thomas leather trousers (£160)
cheap shitty leather jacket (£70)
and some arlen ness boots (£170)

admittedly the gloves are overkill, but they look priddy
the rest of it is money fucking well spent.

24 mile daily commute, and i dont tend to feel it, no matter how fast i go or whatever the weather.
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[steppen22]

[pyx_e]

If you will not or don't want to fit heated grips then hand guards for the win. Really cuts down the wind chill factor on hands!

Neck tube from camping shop which has a windproof half - for the front - also a good find.
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Shiney!
Kawasaki: ER5, Versys, VN900.

[nick606]

I had some plastic bags in my boots today because they where still damp from yesterday monsoon. They actually kept my feet quite warm. Warmer than normal and dry even when todays monsoon struck

Also lots of layer, they seem to keep the cold out better than just one phat layer. yes that is fat spelt with a ph.

oh and neck warmers are a extremely good investment !

Probably best to get a rainsuit or something as there nothing worst than getting soaked and having to change your boxers because its soaked all the way threw. Really bad if it happens twice in 2 days. (not that its ever happened to me ) i should really listen to my own advice and buy one haha.

[Pernig]

A hi-vis bomber jacket over my normal textile jacket works pretty well. I've discovered that textile jackets' pockets aren't waterproof at all. With one of these you can still put your stuff that needs to stay dry (phone, wallet etc) in your normal jacket pockets even when it's pissing down and you can be sure that they'll stay dry.

Only problem with my jacket is that the collar flaps against my lid violently at anything over 60 , which is a bit annoying but I'm warm and dry so I'm not too fussed.
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H100 Breaking for spares

[chris-red]

I ride at some of the coldest times and all I wear currently this is between 10:30pm and 11:00pm and 7-7:30am.


Jeans
T shirt
Triumph Jacket - £55 from the BMF show - without liner
Lidl Trousers - £50 - Without liner.
Ancient gloves water proofand pretty warm.
Alpinestars SMX4 WP boots - £129 - one of the best bits of kit ever.

If it gets colder I will put the liner in my jacket and my Handle bar muffs on.

I have never needed more than that.
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