cold weather riding wear

[Bork]

Any tips or tricks to keep from freezing? besides the electric grips. What gloves without sacrificing flexibility, etc...

[BillyGoat]

Gotta have one of those full face masks that go over your whole face and neck...called a Baclava or something like that.

[phoo]

I used my electric jacket that I bought 11 years ago for the first time today. Despite below freezing temperatures, I had to turn it down twice because I was too warm.

Non-electric gear that will be about as good as you're going to get :

Fleece pullover.
Fleece vest.
Fleece leggings.
Long socks.
Cordura riding suit (jacket and pants).
BMG makes a decent winter glove.
Balaclava (face mask).
Full face helmet.

That's about as good as you're going to get. The vest is important, as it provides warmth without bulk on the arms. The cordura is important for wind protection. You cannot avoid bulk on gloves. Wearing triple digit rain covers can help with wind protection, as could hippo hands or to a lesser extent offroad hand guards.

Electric gloves are where it's at. Not grips, because those are only good for extending the season for your summer gloves. Electric jacket (I would go vest if I get something new) is nice but optional if you have the gloves.


Patrick

[1AHBE]

heated gloves provide great warmth, but are thick and I hate dealing with the wires.
this year i've started using heated grips + hippo hands and i've kept wearing my summer gloves. so far i've been comfy with this setup. hopefully i can do this all winter.
you need to get used to not seeing your controls with the hippo hands, but it's not a big deal.

i wear a heated jacket from gerbings as well. the warmth is great, but i've had 2 warranty claims on it already. the quality is suspect. they do have a lifetime warranty, however.

[Marylander]

I get cold easy and it's getting worse as I get older. I will not be without an electric jacket again. Last year I replaced my old copper wired Gerbing jacket with a Warm N Safe one with the modern wiring. The new stuff is so much better. It heats up almost instantaneously. I just recently replaced the old Gerbing electric gloves with a set of Warm N Safe electric liners that I can use in summer or winter gloves as necessary. To me electric heat is the best thing ever. My commute involves nearly an hour each way at 70-75mph and this stuff keeps me warm without having a big touring bike/big windshield.

I wear a turtle fur fleece neck warmer that fits from my head down into my jacket so no cold air gets in. Cheap (about $15 at places like REI) and works awesome. Just a fleece tube.

[bonehead]

I figured it would be easier to post a picture

[Longboardr]

Cold Killers Hot Hood

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/55 ... e-hot-hood

Windproof, comparatively comfortable, essential freezing weather gear.

[Hare]

ride tighter trails and drink

[BigBird]

And the BEST ANSWERE IS:

ride tighter trails and drink

[Bucho]

I will also endorse the combination of hippo hands and heated grips. My street bike is set up like that and road all winter in below freezing weather with my summer riding gloves. This past winter my heated grips went out and even just the hippo hands do a remarkable job in keeping the cold air off your hands. Without the heated grips Im perfectly comfortable down to 38-40 degrees with my summer gloves.