Who else dislikes all the cold weather gear?

[Kev m]

:1:
This is one of the many reasons that I prefer to use heated gear to layering up when temps are below the mid 40's.  When I get off the bike, the heat is turned off, making it more tolerable to walk around, or even go into a heated building for a short period of time.

I also get a lot better control feel with my heated gloves than gloves insulated enough for freezing temps.    Plus, I can move around a lot better with just my heated liner vs. many layers.

I will layer a thin fleece layer on top of the heated jacket for temps below freezing so that I don't have to max the jacket liner just to be comfortable. 

And that's why I use it on occasion, especially if I know I'm going to be all day in cold weather.

That said -


1. I still can't leave the house for an all day cold ride without enough layers in case something goes wrong with the electrics.

2. I F@#%!@#% HATE the wiring for the electrics. I've tried rubber bands, wire ties, Velcro, something is always uncomfortable/in the way. And I just hate not being able to walk up to the bike and just get on and ride away...the stopping, contorting, plugging in, trying to see and not fog up my helmet (even with the Pinlock, cause it's that cold and I've got a bala clava blocking most of my breath from escaping directly)...

No, I give in and use the stuff sometimes, but sometimes I wonder if it's worth the trouble.

and with all our air-cooled bikes, I'd never go 25 minutes in sub freezing weather, that wouldn't be enough to fully warm them.

Honestly, I understand a fully-faired water-cooled bike for such things.

OR, I'll just take the Jeep - screw it!

[Triple Jim]

OR, I'll just take the Jeep - screw it!

I ain't ridin' in no cage, man.

[Kev m]

I ain't ridin' in no cage, man.

OK, whatever floats your boat.

But when it's cold, and wet, and icy, I'm gonna have it in 4wd, with the heated leather turned up, the warm air blasting, and the sat radio cranking!

 

[Testarossa]

Staying cool while ATTGAT is more of a problem than keeping warm -- as long as it's dry.  I'm comfortable on a cold sunny day down to freezing, if I can keep the wind off my chest and hands with fairing/hand guards. Won't go out if there's even a hint of snow or ice -- I did enough of that in the bad old days before I could afford a car. The new-to-me F650 has heated grips, which are nice to have.

A cold-weather issue not mentioned here yet is tires that never warm up and can be iffy in hard braking even on dry pavement.

[jackson]

I used to wear a bunch of heavy, winter gear for riding but finally came to the conclusion that I wasn't enjoying the experience nearly as much as I did without the excess clothing.  So, I came to the following solution that works for me;
For weather above 55 degrees, I have a V7 Classic.  I love this bike.
For weather below 55 but no lower than 38 degrees, I have a BMW R1200RT.  It has an exceptional fairing and super warm 2-stage heated hand grips: with the electric windshield raised, it's a very comfortable ride.  I won't ride in the rain unless I get caught by surprise in an unexpected storm.  It weighs 150 pounds more than the V7 but I can ride in cold weather without all of the extra clothing and stay comfortable.  The Beemer is much more stable when it's windy & if I get on an interstate hwy. at higher speed.
Works for me.
*If it's below 38 or raining/snowing, the bikes stay parked and one of the cars gets some exercise.

[Loser-At-Life]

I moved from the Chicago area, to the low deserts of Aridzona, problem solved !!!!

[twhitaker]

My First Gear Thermo keeps me warm down to 20 degrees comfortably but is too warm once the temp goes above 70.

[jas67]

1. I still can't leave the house for an all day cold ride without enough layers in case something goes wrong with the electrics.

:1:   Absolutely!    I carry the extra layers, and heavy gloves, so that I can layer  in case something goes wrong with the electrics -- which HAS happened to me.

2. I F@#%!@#% HATE the wiring for the electrics. I've tried rubber bands, wire ties, Velcro, something is always uncomfortable/in the way. And I just hate not being able to walk up to the bike and just get on and ride away...the stopping, contorting, plugging in, trying to see and not fog up my helmet (even with the Pinlock, cause it's that cold and I've got a bala clava blocking most of my breath from escaping directly)...

I've sort of got the cable management down, but, yes, it is a PITA.

No, I give in and use the stuff sometimes, but sometimes I wonder if it's worth the trouble.

Losing every third weekend to my wife's work schedule, and being one of those people who don't have the luxury of mid-day rides during the week without taking one of my precious vacation days (I'm looking at all of you retired people, and my big-bro here), some weeks, the only riding that I get is the commute to work, so, I take what I can get.    This time of year, weekend rides can usually be done without heated gear by just departing after the temps are tolerable, but, the temps during the morning commute are already hitting near freezing.

and with all our air-cooled bikes, I'd never go 25 minutes in sub freezing weather, that wouldn't be enough to fully warm them.

Honestly, I understand a fully-faired water-cooled bike for such things.

Hence my fully faired water-cooled F800GT.

[Perazzimx14]

Losing every third weekend to my wife's work schedule, and being one of those people who don't have the luxury of mid-day rides during the week without taking one of my precious vacation days (I'm looking at all of you retired people, and my big-bro here), some weeks, the only riding that I get is the commute to work, so, I take what I can get.    This time of year, weekend rides can usually be done without heated gear by just departing after the temps are tolerable, but, the temps during the morning commute are already hitting near freezing.

Fortunately I have a company vehicle so other than the once or twice a year I sneak a motorcycle to work I get to wear out someone elses vehicle. That's fine because the 110 mile round trip is all highway (130 miles if I back roaded it).

Some weeks my only riding to the grocery store or a quick ride before the girls get out of bed. Wife still has trouble figuring out that the store is 5 miles away but it takes me 1 or so to get there and back

[jas67]

Some weeks my only riding to the grocery store or a quick ride before the girls get out of bed. Wife still has trouble figuring out that the store is 5 miles away but it takes me 1 or so to get there and back

Sometimes my wife will send me to the grocery store for something, and say, "could you take the car, I don't want to wait 2 hours for it."   

[Kev m]

Sometimes my wife will send me to the grocery store for something, and say, "could you take the car, I don't want to wait 2 hours for it."   

Well, for all intents and purposes my wife doesn't cook, so she doesn't bitch when I take 2 hours to hit the grocery store. 

[Solojoe]

But...the Goose runs so much better in cooler weather. This morning it's -8C, not planning a ride tho.

[bpreynolds]

To me, a Guzzi engine makes glorious noise in the dense, cooler air.

[Perazzimx14]

Well, for all intents and purposes my wife doesn't cook, so she doesn't bitch when I take 2 hours to hit the grocery store. 

Mine doesn't cook at all or clean but does manage to do laundry every now and again. Her complaint in me taking so long to go to the store is her dinner is delayed

[charlie b]

Most of my riding is my commute, 30min each way, every day that there is no ice on the road.

First, like Charlie, full fairing is only way to go.  Only hazard is fogging shield, but, just pop it open a notch until it clears.

Mornings (0530) are cold and dark from Oct to March.  Below freezing is routine.  This morning it was 25F.  I do draw the limit at 20F, only because of the chance of ice/frost on the roads.  Watch humidity and temps.

Electric gloves.  Jacket and hoody underneath.  Base layer under my kevlar jeans.  Insulated boots.

And, yes, on my Sunday rides I usually do the same.  I like being 'snug' in cold weather gear.  Bike runs well in the cold and everything feels crisp.  Just have to watch for the sand left after a storm and runoff that has gone across the road and frozen.  Shade in a turn usually means spots of ice.

Keep riding.

[drlapo]

I like the cooler weather as it allows me to were all my gear without overheating
I bought a new Barbour International jacket and trousers: waxed cotton with a removable quilted liner and armor
if its below 45 I also put on some Cyclegear freeze out underwear
now I'm warm and dry but I don't like wearing heavy gloves. I'll put on insulated gloves and use my old Belstaff waxed cotton over mitts= warm and maneuverable
but I still don't like the rain