Low Temperature Riding Threshold?

[Vance]

Ahh....winter...I seriously don't like it...the cold weather that is. It would not hurt my feelings to never see snow around here again. Now I know some people really like the cold weather...and that is OK. I have often said, it is a really good thing we are not all alike!

But we rode today for a couple hundred miles in total and the highest temp I saw on the bike thermometer was 41* and that was just before we got home. We have a lot of gear including Gerbings jacket liner and even Gerbings heated gloves for extremes. Of course I only have a single hook-up on the bike presently for heated gear so I let Mari have that today...so she rode pretty warm. I also recall a ride home from WI a couple years ago and when I left the hotel that morning it was a balmy 14*....again a good ride but I have to admit uncomfortable.

I really enjoyed the ride today but I must admit at times I was quite cold...so that got me thinking about it. A little informal poll here.

Do you have a temperature below which you won't leave home? If so what is that temperature? It goes without saying that we all prefer the mild to medium temps for riding, but considering extremes what do you prefer...the oven or the freezer?

[BamaBiker]

I ride in temps down to about 20 degF, as long as the roads are dry. I have a Gerbing heated jacket liner, heated gloves, a head scarf with neck gaiter, long x-fabric underware, lined FirstGear overpants, lined FirstGear jacket, and sock liners. It goes without saying that I also wear a full-face helmet. If it's raining, or if there's a chance of rain, the bike stays in the garage.

[Vance]

I hear ya Jack...riding in the rain is one thing...leaving home IN the rain is another

[Gail]

As long as there is no ice on the road, I'll ride. I think the coldest temp I've ridden in was 13 degrees, and that was in the days before good gear and Gerbings. I was also younger . Gail

[Vance]

Yep...13 is pretty extreme. I tell people that riding in cold temps is still fun..just not as fun as it could be! Thinking about ice...I vividly remember the trip to Chattanooga last year...the WHITEOUT!! Don't want any more of that anytime soon!! lol....

[jdubeemer]

Yep...13 is pretty extreme. I tell people that riding in cold temps is still fun..just not as fun as it could be! Thinking about ice...I vividly remember the trip to Chattanooga last year...the WHITEOUT!! Don't want any more of that anytime soon!! lol....

Ahhh yes, the WHITEOUT. That was memorable. The only time I miss the K1200LT is when it is cold or getting caught in the rain. I can remember riding in the 30s with only a BMW heated vest and quite comfortable. Also on the slab in light rain staying perfectly dry with no waterproof gear on. I love my R1200RT but it doesn't do the job the LT did. Sorry we wimped out and rode the Miata to Eldridge but it was toasty warm.

[Vance]

no need to be sorry Jim...you guys were the smart ones! I didn't warm up until about 8 last night!!

[Gator]

We have ridden in temps in the 20s but much prefer mid 30s or higher. Cold and damp rainy days don't put me in a riding mood unless we're on the road and have no choice. I rode from where I was stationed in Germany to Paris when I was there in 1965-66 on my NSU Super Max in temps in the teens. Didn't have any gear except GI clothing. I had to stop and hug the engine about every 15 minutes or so. Of course I was 18 years old and stupid. Don't need to do that anymore. There's always another day.

Gator

[xwingnut]

It's nice to know I'm not the only nut.....When living in Colorado (Denver area), I recall several times chipping out a path 3" thick by 18" wide where the street met my driveway in order to get the bike out for a ride! I'm betting others have held a hot cup of coffee in order to thaw out the hands....

JB

[Vance]

I'm betting others have held a hot cup of coffee in order to thaw out the hands....JB

Or used the easily accessible "jugs" like Martin for glove warmers at every stop!

[SteveHebert]

Or used the easily accessible "jugs" like Martin for glove warmers at every stop!

Every time I reached for the "jugs", accessible or not, I seem to get slapped

Seriously though, I rode to Atlanta for the International Motorcycle show back in 2002 or 2003 the last time it was at The Cobb Galleria. Uli and a few others went with me. It was in the mid teens when we left the Rucker area. The Nashville group meeting us had to drive due to the ice and snow on I24. There were 6 of us that rode with no heated gear, except me. I borrowed a Gerbing jacket from a friend. Gerbing's made a killing at the show. Three of the six guys bought the head to toe liner system, gloves and socks as well!

I do not get that cold on the 1150RT. That is why I went back to it. I rode to VT in April of 04 in the rain most of the way. No issues.

For me it is not the temp or rain so much but rather the road surface. No ice for me. I have ridden in the snow.

[Vance]

No ice for me. I have ridden in the snow.

Riding on ice and snow makes ALL riders equal...lol...terrible riders! lol....

[birddog]

Riding on ice and snow makes ALL riders equal...lol...terrible riders! lol....

When I was with the Birmingham Police Department I rode funeral escorts. I remember riding those with the temp in the teens and that was in the 70s when we had no heated gear and only our leather uniform jackets and no full face helmets. When we finished an escort we would take our gloves off and hold them so the exhaust would blow inside them to heat them up then put them back on to warm our hands. All we had on our legs were our uniform pants and long under wear. How nice it would have been to have had the good gear we have today.

Now I will ride as long as there is no ice on the road, except for the time I got caught in blowing snow on Beartooth Pass in August. I do not have heated gear but have what i need to stay warm. As long as I have no exposed skin and layer well, I can stay comfortable. The heated seat and grips really help. My wife has a heated vest and loves it so I may try one myself. She does prefer riding the Ultra Classic in really cold weather due to increased volume of wind the hits her on the GTL and the GS. The Harley has become the cold weather bike when she rides.

Tommy

[Vance]

you got me laughing Tommy...I can see the tears frozen on your faces....I do not like the COLD!! lol....

[catchmeifyoucan]

We were in the low 30s in the Alps with no heated gear so that was pretty cold. (I had the gear but it didn't work on the bike for some reason. Worked fine when we got home.) If I have heated gear, I can do lower but then my eyes start watering and my nose runs so that keeps me from doing that very often.

Lenn