I have decided that I really enjoy riding my little motorcycle. I also know that I'll be upgrading to a more highway worthy bike before next spring. I'd like to take a couple of long rides next year.
But as fall sets in and the temperatures continue to drop, I'm wondering -- How cold is too cold to ride?
I don't really have any cold weather riding gear (yet), just a leather jacket and gloves and a full face helmet. I have been riding in the 40s with a pair of exercise tights on under my jeans and was very comfortable. I know one guy that has a heated suit and rides year round as long as there isn't snow or ice on the roads.
I suppose I could get a snowmobile type suit and gloves that do a better job of covering my wrists, but I'm still curious about how cold is too cold for most riders? And how do you dress for riding in the cold?
I found a motorcycle windchill chart but if windchill is how it feels against exposed skin (and it is) then this doesn't really apply to being properly dressed, right?
Whether you are a fair weather rider or pretty hard core when it comes to winter riding, I'd be interested in your opinion.
I'm just curious.
John <><
It's good to keep warm. I was a rider on a motorcycle in the 4o's for a while and I was not prepared for the wind with only a windbreaker! Not hard core.
ReplyDeleteWay back when I and all my friends had bikes we were fair weather riders. If it got to be 50 or below the bikes were put away for the winter.
ReplyDeleteWhen the temp goes below 40, I go for my leather jacket!
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