Winter Riding

[Dan Lee]

I would like to know what everyone has done to keep the cold out during their years on two wheels.

I've tried every cheap trick in the book from long Johns and washing up gloves to more expensive gear to keep out the cold and rain, any relative stories and product recommendations? Lots of miles in the cold nights are on the chalk board for the not to near future, can't harm to prepare early.

[motobiker]

keeping it simple - 2 words.

Electric clothing.
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1999 R1100GS + 2006 F800S
(Nottingham)
Sooner or later opinions fade and the name on the tank matters not. I think that happens somewhere between 3rd and 4th gear. Enjoy the ride... everything else takes care of itself.

[Dilyan]

Heated gloves and lots of layers. 6 on the body, 3 on the legs, 3 on the feet and 2 on the neck.
Then you realise you have to pee ... Oh the joy.
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Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[ChrisJ]

Heated grips, 2 fingered gloves and bar muffs over the top keeps your hands warm in most weather!
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C90 for commuting and Divvy 900

[Rob1970]

Not sure why people complain about cold on a bike now - as these days the kit is so good.

I rode a 70 mile commute through this winter with £30 gloves (Richta Atlantic), £65 boots (RST Raptor) and a £300 RST textile suit

Not cheapest but a long long way off the most expensive gear out there and I was not cold once. Underneath I wore cheapo Lidl thermals and a gap wooly jumper on really cold days. Also a £10 fleece neck warmer

Bought some heated grips but never got round to fitting them! I guess I would have if I really needed to but a pair of thin running gloves under my main gloves worked on a couple of the really snowy days

I know it sounds bollox but I reckon it helps if you eat healthily and exercise as that gets your circulation going

The day I have to wear heated clothing is the day I get in my car and give up biking for good!

[Benson_JV]

Heated grips & Muffs. You then have the option of being too warm.
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Willson - "If you go out on that CBR600 in the winter, you're going to do more miles on your side than on your wheels."
Riding: CBR600FW Driving: Audi A6
Previous Bikes: '96 Bandit 600, '96 GPz305

[Benno]

You don't have to break the bank to do this. But simply by riding a motorbike you're unlikely to maintain a comfortable temperature in winter. I personally wouldn't waste money on silly things like heated shirts/seats/gloves. Even heated grips, IMO, aren't much of a deal breaker but then my bike came with them already fitted so I don't know otherwise

- A thick balaclava under my helmet that covers my entire face except my eyes (make sure it fits with it on!). Tuck balaclava into jacket collar.

- Decent gloves (mine aren't great but I'm not spending on yet another pair just yet)

- Heated grips are pretty good, but the tips of my fingers and thumbs get jarringly cold on medium-long trips despite them and the gloves. Never bothered doing anything about it though, MTFU

- Thermal base layers - top and bottom

- Thick socks help a little bit

- A decent textile jacket with thermal layer

- Layers of warm kit on underneath the jacket - as many as you can comfortably fit. Most I've worn is a thick fleecy jumper and a hoody under my jacket, with a shirt and a thermal base layer on underneath.

- I find sallopets/ski trousers are good to wear to keep the legs warm too


I once tried having a hot water bottle sandwiched between two of my thick layers. It worked for a while but I had to take it out after about an hour (two-hour trip) and I felt so cold after that...also, crashing and having hot water go all over you could be bad if it is still very hot. Maybe don't boil it.


You considering this OP?

https://www.theadventurists.com/ice-run-handbook/the-ural


EDIT: CAN'T BELIEVE I FORGOT TO MENTION THIS

If you search "cock socks" you may find a thread by me, detailing a journey during which I discovered just how cold my penis could get (I wasn't wearing my thermals). Get a thick sock and put it over your nob if it really is freezing outside, because mine was in real pain when I got home!
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I'm autistic. That means I'm smarter than you.