I've had cold weather riding on my mind ever since I tested a Ducati in typhoon-like conditions a couple weeks ago; after all, it's not very often I encounter harsh riding conditions in my sunny hometown of Los Angeles.
Following my bone-chilling experience on the Duc, I queried my forum friends about how they tackle the cold, and got a lot of great answers from folks bold enough to ride year-round in states that aren't always the balmiest.
Read my Common Questions: How Do You Stay Warm on a Motorcycle? article for ten tips on how to beat the cold, and comment on how you plan to avoid Old Man Winter this year.
Related:
- Common Questions: How to Brake on a Motorcycle
- Common Questions: What Makes a Scooter a Scooter?
- Common Questions: What is it Like to Ride a Race Motorcycle
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A good warm leather Jacket will do the trick! I ride all year, and have found that ‘Hippo hands’ work very well for the hands.
Gauntlets are amazing. Last week I was out in some uninsulated deerskin gauntlets in light rain and 35 degrees and decided to change to some insultated regular length insulated gloves. The wind was running right up my sleeves and I went back to the gauntlets within minutes.
I got an inexpensive set of grip warmers a few years ago, makes a huge difference, even on a windshieldless 919!
With proper gear of course.
In Chicagoland, staying warm includes a snowmobile suit, wool cap with mouth cover under the full coverage helmet, and snowmobile gauntlets (not gloves). Lined snowmobile boots should complete the wear. It worked at 0 degrees for me.
I use an electric-vest under snowmobile suit, hippo hands also.