Did morning commute at 29 degrees F

[The Mad King Pepe']

I will ride till the roads are like a beach with sand. But if you like riding in the cold you get a lot more days in the late winter / early spring because it's cold but there is more light in early March than right now.

I just like to ride. 

Besides the alternatives are the cage or the metro So I'll ride as long as I can.

Perhaps one of the bikes in the pic are in my future

Multistrada - Quota - Norge

[K3V1N]

My dad has a R1200RT, now that is the right machine for commuting in weather colder than freezing. But it is too big to be fun in the twisties or around town.

[velocipede]

My commute is about 17 miles each way, but the final 7 go through a Parkway and that's when the cold really hits. :'(

But that's also the part I enjoy the most

Any one have experience with the Tourmaster Heated Gloves?

I had the Tourmaster gloves, and they worked great, although I'd recommend the Gerbings, if only because Gerbings makes a nice jacket/glove combo.  The heat controller plugs into the jacket, and the sleeves have wires that can plug into the gloves.  Very simply and not much wire to mess with.  With a dual controller, you can set different temps for the jacket and gloves, making for a comfortable ride in below-freezing weather (well, assuming you've got riding pants over jeans to keep your legs warm, and good boots).

[The Mad King Pepe']

I had the Tourmaster gloves, and they worked great, although I'd recommend the Gerbings, if only because Gerbings makes a nice jacket/glove combo.  The heat controller plugs into the jacket, and the sleeves have wires that can plug into the gloves.  Very simply and not much wire to mess with.  With a dual controller, you can set different temps for the jacket and gloves, making for a comfortable ride in below-freezing weather (well, assuming you've got riding pants over jeans to keep your legs warm, and good boots).

Velocipede, did you go from Tourmaster to Gerbings? I've read/seen much about the Gerbings, great stuff but more than I need, I think...

Last year I would wear snowboarding pants on my commute, pretty warm but not much protection in case of an 'ooops'... I'll be getting proper pants soon.

[Randy@StradaFab]

   My record so far is one day last winter when it was 4 degrees. I ride to work year round unless there is ice on the road, 20 miles each way. It's a lot easier on the BMW with heated seats,heated grips and windshield. I think the coldest I made it on the Monster was lower teens. A set of Frogg Toggs over cold weather gear makes a huge difference. When it's that cold out you don't have to worry about passin any Harleys 

[speedknot]

Cold weather riding just flat out sucks.  Jack Frost always finds that one opening in your gear that you forgot to cover.   Below 50*, I'll take the car and be toasty.

[velocipede]

Velocipede, did you go from Tourmaster to Gerbings? I've read/seen much about the Gerbings, great stuff but more than I need, I think...

Last year I would wear snowboarding pants on my commute, pretty warm but not much protection in case of an 'ooops'... I'll be getting proper pants soon.

Yeah, what I thought was a problem with the gloves turned out to be problem with the wiring in the jacket I had the Tourmasters plugged into, so I bought Gerbings.  Before I could return the Gerbings (Since the Tourmasters actually would have still been just fine), my garage was broken into and the T'masters stolen, so I'm just keeping the Gerbings.  Either one is fine, temperature-wise, but I like the setup with the Gerbings jacket/gloves/controller, and that they guarantee their electrical components for life.  Plus, I think the Gerbings are more water-resistant.
Also, can't remember if anyone mentioned this, but a windshield, or at least a tank bag, to cut down wind resistance really helps, as will hand guards.  I installed guards on my MTS 620, and with the Gerbings and some good pants/boots, it's been quite comfortable so far, down to 29 degrees.

[cobrajet]

I'm planning on getting a Gerbing jacket /controller combo to go with my gloves but I need to work on better pants so I can loose the snowmobile suit with snowmobile bibs over. Plenty warm now but combo is extremely bulky. Also use my Frogg Toggs as an over for the in between temps. Any recomendations for pants for really cold temps?  Thanks

[The Mad King Pepe']

Well, I made up my mind and went with the TourMaster Synergy Gloves. Now I have to keep myself from getting lazy and post on the Gear forum.



Now this will probably sound like a silly question, but how do those of you who have windshields deal with rain (especially at lower speeds)?

The helmet is not an issue for me, if I'm going fast enough the wind just blows it away, if it's slow I wipe it with my gloves and don't mind much anyway.

I would assume it's much of the same at speed with the windshield, but what do you do at low speeds? I think especially if you have a full windshield like on an RT, or the Norge, but maybe even the Multi, I would be very nervous. 

[Triple J]

Now this will probably sound like a silly question, but how do those of you who have windshields deal with rain (especially at lower speeds)?

Wipe it away with the squeegie built into the glove at low speeds. At speed just turn your head sideways and it'll blow away. Also, just get used to looking thru it.

[VisceralReaction]

Yesterday was a new experience for me. It was 30F and I was riding through heavy fog.
Never done fog at 30F before. Couldn't for the life of me figure out why the mist wasn't blowing off the
face shield. I then realized I looked like a giant icicle. I was covered in ice!

[The Mad King Pepe']

Wipe it away with the squeegie built into the glove at low speeds. At speed just turn your head sideways and it'll blow away. Also, just get used to looking thru it.

As I said, the helmet is not an issue for me, I'm concerned about the windshield.

[Triple J]

As I said, the helmet is not an issue for me, I'm concerned about the windshield.

Oops...I gotta read better! 

I just look thru the water on the windshield. My old GS had the biggest windshield of any bike I owned though. I rode my old Multi a lot in the rain and the windscreen was never an issue...same with the current SMT.

[The Mad King Pepe']

Oops...I gotta read better! 

Not a problem, I heard it only happens to the best

Thanks for the info!

[Bick]

Gerbing is the shit! 

12F @ 70 mph, wc = -35F

Toasty Warm w/ jacket & pant liners, glove liners.