Getting older and keeping warm.

[sickpup]

Back when I was as young as the average member here I could ride in all weathers just wearing jeans and a leather jacket with waterproof trousers in the wet and always stay warm. As I get older I can't, the difference from lets say two years ago to this year is noticable.

I've just got a brand spanking new ER6f and in an attempt to keep warm it already has a longer screen, heated grips and handle bar muffs. I'm now looking at getting a new set of muffs, Tucano Urbano ones and maybe an apron to keep my legs warm. I've also been talking to a company in the states and might be looking at importing a few heated seat elements that retro fit to standard sets as well as looking at buying a heated waistcoat and maybe gloves as well.
It's a bit pointless telling me that I should wear lots of thin layers on the bike, I already do. I generally (work days) ride non-stop 10 hour+ days late into the night at which point your body stops producing heat efficiently so you get cold whatever you wear. I also could be sent anywhere in the UK at a moments notice so being dressed for the journey is almost impossible.

So hows does everyone else stay warm on long journeys?

[Charlie]

Wiggle my toes and hands, I get a pattern on the go etc... And I am cautious about having two many layers so that I don't slow/prevent bloody flow to my extremities. If I put under gloves on with my current gloves I get colder hands.... same goes with two pairs of socks and jeans tucked into boots, restricts the bloody flow too much.

One thing my Dad does is use a pocket warmer, it runs off lighter fuel and burns for ages, nice and toasty. He puts that in his breast pocket while he is riding.

Something like this, although his isn't as fancy as he has to light it using a lighter... Clicky
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Reppyboyo]

Keis heated vest.

Best thing I have ever bought for winter.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Lots of...

https://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/396734298_cb91ab2216.jpg
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/56/166391112_4157dd6254.jpg?v=0

And a pair of tights.
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Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[iooi]

One thing that will help, is when you stop for a break in the warm, remove as many of the layers such as coat, textile jeans etc. So you are just in normal cloths. Then when you are getting ready to get back outside, you will get the benifit of the extra layers.

The above helps the body draw heat for the suroundings without overheating yourself and ending up getting to hot and sweaty, which will then result in your cooling down a lot faster.

Maybe something like carrying a 2nd pair of gloves that you keep under the jacket and keep changing if dry will also help keep hands a bit warmer.

I guess the best way to keep warm is keep taking breaks to warm yourself up. Which i guess in your line of work is not so easy.

You could also look at your diet and see what foods are best to eat to keep the body provided with the source of its heat producing bits.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[sickpup]

[Barry_M2]

[Fisty]

After an accident i get artheritis in my hands and wrists, when its cold they reeeeally play up. This year I have discovered heated inner gloves. I did 200 miles in sub zero temperatures and i was absolutely fine.

Skiing themal base layer is also very good. I wear leathers all year round, with just different layers to suit the conditions.
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TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[Itchy]

Buy an airhead BMW or similar CX500 works with its odd cylinder arrangment , and its uncomfortably warm I ferried BMW man's BMW down the M6 recently and when at slow speed after it warmed up and stopped at traffic lights your feet and knees and thighs would be uncomfortably warm.

Or you could just go all Babyyam

https://bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=161635&

You can do the same with a bike with a radiator by putting a scoop behind the rads and 'plugging' them into your biking suit.

I think you need to mod something to vent off some of the heat and mix it to keep it a comfortable temp.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[BenR]

I'll probably get shot here but the best bike I ever had through the winter months was a piaggio X9 500ie. Heated hand grips, massive screen & vents by your feet. Whilst moving even in heavy rain only my shoulders & top of my lid got wet. Loads of them going cheap now. Perfect winter hack & brilliant on long journeys. Only down side is the oil has to be changed every 2000miles.
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Current bikes: suzuki RG125UN wolf. Yamaha MT-07

[sickpup]

Without meaning to be rude but I sound it anyway....

[BenR]

Definately worth it, so comfortable on distnaces & they have a built in radio. Very easy to keep clean & maintain, I used to jet wash mine just make sure you don't go near the switches. Only thing that ever went wrong was the electric centre stand (ram went & unfortunately they are about £600) but I never used to use it & the rear light connectors had a tendancy to corrode, but easy to sort. How come you don't use a car in the winter?
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Current bikes: suzuki RG125UN wolf. Yamaha MT-07

[sickpup]

[stinkwheel]

Technical base layer for ski-ing works wonders.

A string vest with as tight t-shirt over it also makes a huge difference, traps loads of air.

Given your situation though, an electrically heated kidney belt may well be the way forwards. I've never used one but I've heard good things and physiologically, the blood flow through your kidney area is massive and close to the skin.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[multijoy]

If you can find a way of layering it, down garments might be worth looking at. That said, it's expensive and can be fragile- you certainly wouldn't want to have it over your top layer, but the extra bulk might be too much to go under.

Or buffalo (the mountaineering rather than motorbike) fiberpile stuff. Works best as a single layer against the skin, but might cope better with being layered especially if you're already waterproofed. Keeps you warm when wet, which is always a good thing.

I'm afraid most of my experience of keeping warm is being cold, wet and 'kin miserable on some god forsaken moor which is an entirely different set of parameters and one in which I can swear by a buffalo shirt. Whether it'll transfer over to biking is a different matter, regrettably.
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silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

[MarkJ]

Have you tried a full set of 12v powered heated clothing?

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

I know you say about not eating, but a little bit of chocolate helps surprisingly. So just carry a bar around with you and eat a block every now and then.

Has something to do with the chemicals it releases in your brain and all the sugar stuff apparently. Arctic explorers use it, look it up.

[Kris]

Well during the -4 Deg starts this winter I was wearing HG full textiles over jeans and a jumper with a final layer of HG one-piece waterproof oversuit. Yes, I felt slightly bulky but I did stay incredibly warm. Once into town you can remove the top part of the rain oversuit at a set of lights and tie round your waist.

Carrier bags over your socks in your bike boots keep the cold out there. Big mitts and heated grips keep the hands warm. A storm collar on your textile jacket or the oversuit can be tied under the helmet strap to keep draughts out. A heated waistcoat would top this lot of nicely.

Other than that? Quit your job for something warmer you old git.

Awaiting a response telling us that you can't be bulky etc etc.
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[sickpup]

[NSR Mick]

Cant really help but I know exactly what you mean. It does get harder to stay warm when you get older.

I just got a car instead and wont even consider firing the bike up if it's below 10c.
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If you dont like the way that I ride.......Stop trying to keep up!!!

[Kris]

[the grim reaper]

I had this chat with a mate of mine recently, neither of us is particularly old (shut it whippersnappers!) at 35 and 39 respectively but we are both feeling the cold more this year over previous ones.

Riding-wise, I've not done anything longer than about 2.5 hours but I have tried various things over the years and the only thing I have found, apart from proper heated kit, that makes a big difference is silk. It's fragile as hell and don't let it get anywhere near velcro but silk is non-bulky and the warmest bottom layer I've ever used.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/100-Silk-Thermal-Base-Layer-Long-Johns-Man-XL-NEW_W0QQitemZ350113345777QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Sporting_Goods_Skiing_Snowboarding_Clothing_LE?hash=item350113345777&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

(someone please tell me how to shrink URLs, for God's sake.

Cheers

Grim
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[yen_powell]

I have an electric vest and gloves. Been using them when it's very cold for the last 12 years of commuting. The vest I use without plugging it in for a few months either side of the worst weather, as it's thin/non bulky but holds the heat in. I am on the second pair of gloves, wore the first pair out.

They are made by Widder who have just shut up shop for good. When I replace them I'll have to go to a different manufacturer.

When I use them it's like riding to work in front of a log fire. I seem to feel the cold more these days too, I always assumed it's cos I'm on aspirin and my bloods thinner, but it could just be a factor of getting older.

If you're doing longish trips between drops then I reckon they'd pay for themselves in keeping you warm and happy. Around town constantly stop starting the plugging and unplugging might become a pain. But then of course it's usually warmer in town than out of it.
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XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[s44678]

You can only keep a human warm for so long while it's sitting still for 10 hours being blasted by cold air. You can delay the effects with heated gizmos and good insulation and what not, but eventually they will all succumb to the cold if all you are doing is sitting still.

You can't perfectly insulate yourself either becuase you'll just sweat, then that will condense and make you damp and cold.

The body generates heat when converting glucose into energy, so when you're moving around and using lots of energy you generate lots of heat. Sitting still doesn't require much energy, so not much heat gets created, the glucose just gets stored as fat instead. So you can eat as many fried breakfasts as you want, unless your converting them to energy you won't get the benefit of any extra heat.

Not very helpful sorry, but it's true.

[sickpup]