How cold will u ride? - Suzuki Volusia Forums : Intruder Volusia and Boulevard Forum

turbomangt · 10-05-2010, 08:07 AM

This morning I woke up and saw the temp outside a crispy 38*. I decided to take my car to work rather than ride, to my suprise I saw 3 bikes on my route, I do have cold weather gear, but below *40 for me is not fun, since I have a 25 mile commute. Just wondered what you guys feel is to cold to ride. I know guys that ride in the 20's and lower, but they have $900 heated riding suits, don;t see me investing in that gear too soon.

wiseguydave · 10-05-2010, 08:15 AM

So far, my record is -10 degrees.

danimal · 10-05-2010, 08:17 AM

You don't need electric gear, just layer up and make sure your top layer is wind proof. Before I started working out of my house all the time, I'd ride to the office with the temps in the 20's. It's not always fun, it's not always comfortable, but it's not impossible. My ride was 35 miles each way. The afternoon rides home were usually pretty pleasant.

rbrown620 · 10-05-2010, 08:22 AM

I rode today and it was 53. It wasn't bad as i figured it would be. Being my first winter having a bike, i think i should be able to ride up to at least 40 degress. That a big SHOULD!!!

t-man403 · 10-05-2010, 08:39 AM

Good wind proof gloves and full face helmet......not so bad, although I wouldn't want to do much more than the 1\2 hour ride. Been out with snow coming down but melting right at contact with the road.

Jendesigner · 10-05-2010, 08:54 AM

I rode this morning and it was 34*. I don't have heated clothes at all. I dress in layers, but 34 is still not cold for me, when it drops in the 20's* I will put on the highway bar chaps and layer a bit more, also good winter gloves are a must. The problem for me is not the cold on me but the tires feels like rocks at that temp and traction is not always the best, also that black ice is a killer.

Ogre67 · 10-05-2010, 09:13 AM

My lowest ever ridden was 15, with a 65 mile one way commute. I ride year round, the only thing that stops me is that falling white stuff, and then only because here in the south they don't know how to drive on the stuff.

**Mr. Efficiency** · 10-05-2010, 09:15 AM

I will ride n any temperature where I can get tires warm enough to stick to a road and there isn't ice on them. My "record"... heck who knows... I have been out in well below zero in a sidecar rig. Yes, without my heated gear on.

I also have my annual Snowduro event; I wait for at least a foot of heavy powder and then I take to the streets at night on my GS with knobbies or on an enduro bike. I always get pulled over and the look on the cop's face is priceless. Donuts in Wal Mart Parking lots, hot cocoa and brandy at Parnell's pub.

Riding well down into the low 30's is fun (I learned a valuable lesson about frozen roadways a few years back) I will say, heated gear is the very best investment you can make. I wear the Gerbings heated Jacket (I already have iron hot heated grips and just wear long underwear.

I The reason for this is even down into the 20s all I have to do is wear an underwear t-shirt the heated Jacket and my outer shell. This creates a nice freedom of motion and that means riding is still just as comfortable as spring or summer. I can't tell you how much fun it is to go out in November, in the low 40's, when ALL the motorcycle traffic is gone and go for a nice ride, all without being all bound up like a burn victim and enjoying the day, the heated jacket pumps warm blood to legs and toes. You feel just like it's a spring day. I'm a true convert; a few years ago I would have scoffed at the idea. Also tourmaster and even now Aerostitch offer heated clothes that are no more expensive than the expensive micro-fleece body suits I used to get to stay warm! Heated gear, even the best is much less than you think. Gerbings has an outlet; my Gerbings jacket was a freebie.

wiseguydave · 10-05-2010, 09:20 AM

BTW, in extreme cold I wear either my snowmobile suit or cold weather hunting gear. Of course, now that my bike is red the blaze orange will clash...

**Bob Penn** · 10-05-2010, 09:26 AM

It's like mountain climbing. I always ask myself, Self am I doing this for fun or to show how macho I am. No matter how much I tell myself this is fun, self keeps telling me "Dumb ass this is not fun"
I've dressed in layers and all that but I'm just not comfortable looking and feeling like the Michelin man and honestly the fun isn't there.
I have a perfectly good truck with a heater, wind up windows and the insurance is paid. So if it's going to be less than 45 degrees all day I'll pay for the extra gas to be comfortable.
My rules are:
45 to 60 full leathers
60 to 65 leather Jacket
65 to 70 light jacket
70 to 75 Long sleeve Shirt
75 and up T- Shirt

Below 45 full metal jacket

10-05-2010, 08:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
turbomangt Senior VR Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 385 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	How cold will u ride? This morning I woke up and saw the temp outside a crispy 38. I decided to take my car to work rather than ride, to my suprise I saw 3 bikes on my route, I do have cold weather gear, but below 40 for me is not fun, since I have a 25 mile commute. Just wondered what you guys feel is to cold to ride. I know guys that ride in the 20's and lower, but they have $900 heated riding suits, don;t see me investing in that gear too soon. __________________ www.ovrevolt.com

10-05-2010, 08:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
wiseguydave Senior VR Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mn, Brainerd Posts: 23,555 Thanks: 106 Thanked 298 Times in 186 Posts	So far, my record is -10 degrees. __________________ Some men think they are God's gift to women...not me...I think women are God's gift to ME... My Gallery

10-05-2010, 08:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jendesigner Senior VR Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: IL, Western 'burbs Chicago Posts: 5,811 Thanks: 5 Thanked 488 Times in 423 Posts	I rode this morning and it was 34. I don't have heated clothes at all. I dress in layers, but 34 is still not cold for me, when it drops in the 20's I will put on the highway bar chaps and layer a bit more, also good winter gloves are a must. The problem for me is not the cold on me but the tires feels like rocks at that temp and traction is not always the best, also that black ice is a killer. __________________ Jen / "All leather, no lace" 2000 Nomad 1500 \| 2003 Volusia Bike Pics: http://www.volusiariders.com/members...ndesigner.html

10-05-2010, 09:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
Ogre67 Senior VR Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 472 Thanks: 2 Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts	My lowest ever ridden was 15, with a 65 mile one way commute. I ride year round, the only thing that stops me is that falling white stuff, and then only because here in the south they don't know how to drive on the stuff. __________________ '05 C50 Red & Black-M/S Batwing w/ 12" Red Gradient Shield & Red lowers & Transformers Autobot emblem, Backrest, OEM Crash Bars, Kury Dually pegs with longhorn mounts, Custom luggage rack, auxiliary fuse block, wolo bad-boy

10-05-2010, 09:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mr. Efficiency Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Rock and Roll Capital Posts: 22,148 Thanks: 69 Thanked 651 Times in 498 Posts	I will ride n any temperature where I can get tires warm enough to stick to a road and there isn't ice on them. My "record"... heck who knows... I have been out in well below zero in a sidecar rig. Yes, without my heated gear on. I also have my annual Snowduro event; I wait for at least a foot of heavy powder and then I take to the streets at night on my GS with knobbies or on an enduro bike. I always get pulled over and the look on the cop's face is priceless. Donuts in Wal Mart Parking lots, hot cocoa and brandy at Parnell's pub. Riding well down into the low 30's is fun (I learned a valuable lesson about frozen roadways a few years back) I will say, heated gear is the very best investment you can make. I wear the Gerbings heated Jacket (I already have iron hot heated grips and just wear long underwear. I The reason for this is even down into the 20s all I have to do is wear an underwear t-shirt the heated Jacket and my outer shell. This creates a nice freedom of motion and that means riding is still just as comfortable as spring or summer. I can't tell you how much fun it is to go out in November, in the low 40's, when ALL the motorcycle traffic is gone and go for a nice ride, all without being all bound up like a burn victim and enjoying the day, the heated jacket pumps warm blood to legs and toes. You feel just like it's a spring day. I'm a true convert; a few years ago I would have scoffed at the idea. Also tourmaster and even now Aerostitch offer heated clothes that are no more expensive than the expensive micro-fleece body suits I used to get to stay warm! Heated gear, even the best is much less than you think. Gerbings has an outlet; my Gerbings jacket was a freebie. __________________ "faster, faster.... Until the thrill of speed overwhelms the fear of death. Man of Mystery... Get it, real funny... Mr. E., Genius No No No... Mr. E, Super Genius

10-05-2010, 08:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
danimal Senior VR Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Smyrna, DE Posts: 3,973 Thanks: 111 Thanked 258 Times in 177 Posts	You don't need electric gear, just layer up and make sure your top layer is wind proof. Before I started working out of my house all the time, I'd ride to the office with the temps in the 20's. It's not always fun, it's not always comfortable, but it's not impossible. My ride was 35 miles each way. The afternoon rides home were usually pretty pleasant.

10-05-2010, 08:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
rbrown620 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: texas Posts: 34 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I rode today and it was 53. It wasn't bad as i figured it would be. Being my first winter having a bike, i think i should be able to ride up to at least 40 degress. That a big SHOULD!!!

10-05-2010, 09:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
wiseguydave Senior VR Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mn, Brainerd Posts: 23,555 Thanks: 106 Thanked 298 Times in 186 Posts	BTW, in extreme cold I wear either my snowmobile suit or cold weather hunting gear. Of course, now that my bike is red the blaze orange will clash... __________________ Some men think they are God's gift to women...not me...I think women are God's gift to ME... My Gallery

10-05-2010, 09:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
Bob Penn Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pa Posts: 3,453 Thanks: 39 Thanked 247 Times in 187 Posts	It's like mountain climbing. I always ask myself, Self am I doing this for fun or to show how macho I am. No matter how much I tell myself this is fun, self keeps telling me "Dumb ass this is not fun" I've dressed in layers and all that but I'm just not comfortable looking and feeling like the Michelin man and honestly the fun isn't there. I have a perfectly good truck with a heater, wind up windows and the insurance is paid. So if it's going to be less than 45 degrees all day I'll pay for the extra gas to be comfortable. My rules are: 45 to 60 full leathers 60 to 65 leather Jacket 65 to 70 light jacket 70 to 75 Long sleeve Shirt 75 and up T- Shirt Below 45 full metal jacket __________________ I didn't do anything yesterday and doubt I'll have time to finish the job today

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