Cold Weather Riding

I got an email the other day about adding our cold riding tips. I lost the email so if there is a specific topic area where this was supposed to go, please feel free to move it. Thanks.

The following was NOT written by me but was posted to our venturerider.org forum some time ago. There is some good into here.

With Credit to a WI STAR Chapter 166 President --

Cold Weather Tips

- Cold weather starting tips...
ALWAYS hold your front brake (HARD) before dropping the bike into gear - even when your clutch is being held all the way in. Because you have a wet clutch, cold weather causes your oil to thicken and your clutch/flywheel tend to stick together after sitting for several hours with the engine off. Because of this, merely holding your clutch lever fully engaged is no assurance that when you drop into gear the bike will not jump forward unless you are firmly braked.

- Protecting those numb fingers...
We have all ridden in cold weather and despite having heavy gloves, possibly including extra liners, those fingers get too cold and begin to numb. (By the way, I have found that silk liners offer better cold weather protection than heavier cloth liners.)
So, what to do about it?
Here is a tip that my partner, Elaine Anthony, came up with a couple of years ago when we were out on the last leg (612 miles) of a week on the road and it was so cold that our fingers began to get numb. We pulled to the side of the road, got off our bikes, and dug into our first-aid kits. We pulled out a set of latex gloves and put them on over the liners, then put our regular gloves on over the latex gloves. It's amazing how effective that simple idea turned out to be. (You do carry latex gloves in your first-aid kit, right?)

Tire Pressure...
Time and outside temperature affect the pressure within your tires. It is NORMAL for a tire to lose about 1 pound per square inch (psi) per month. Outside temperatures affect your tire pressure far more profoundly, however. A tire's pressure can change by 1 psi for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature change. As temperature goes, so goes pressure.
For example, if a tire is found to have 38 psi on an 80-degree mid-summer day, it could lose enough air to have an inflation pressure of 26 psi on a 20-degree day six months later. This represents a loss of 6 psi over six months and an additional loss of 6 psi due to the 60-degree temperature reduction. At 26 psi, your tire is severely under inflated and dangerous!
There is nothing wrong with your tire if it behaves like this, of course. What is being illustrated here is that you MUST check your tire pressure on a regular basis (about once a week is reasonable) and to be particularly aware of it on cold days. Remember the tires on your 4 wheel vehicles too."

Black Ice...
The term "black ice" indicates a clear road which has become wet from melting snow, or moisture in the air, and in freezing temperatures will create a thin layer of ice that is not apparent or visible. You'll usually find black ice in shaded or nighttime conditions. If you find yourself in these conditions while riding, or driving your car, you should not use your cruise control. If the cruise engages on "black ice", it could cause loss of traction, and you may find yourself in a fishtailing situation.

More great information Freebird. Another tip you can use if you're a really freaky kind of biker... run nitrogen in your tires instead of regular air. You don't get pressure differentials between hot and cold temps. We run nitrogen in the race bike tires, and I ususally keep a can of it around. Consistency is nice.

I like this subject, living up north I could use ideas to stay riding longer in the fall season. On another note how about putting helium inthe tires for better gas milage? Quick take-offs should be done with caution. bird

The more I think about it, the concept of wearing latex gloves over the silk liners makes sense. It might be a pain to keep taking them on and off, but I'm gonna give it a try this winter. Nothing is worse than numb fingers when you're riding.

As far as helium in the tires goes, I've never heard about that. We use nitrogen in the tires because it is temperature stable. It doesn't matter if it's 50 degrees or 90 degrees outside... the tires are at the same pressure. Pressure doesn't change after burnouts, etc. I would guess that helium would exhibit similar inflation properties since they are so close on the molecular chart, but just damn... who wants a Goodyear Blimp on the takeoff line at a drag race? That would be funny though. Float your bike over your competitor to win the heat.

I don't mind riding in the cold. So long as there's not ice on the road, I can usually dress warm enough to still enjoy the ride. I've ridden in temps down in the 20 F range with no major problems. The problem here in Ohio is that once the snow starts, they start salting the roads and that is why I don't ride more in the winter. Even a short ride results in a LOT of cleaning. :(

Don

Living up here in the North the temperature in spring and fall can change in an hours time. I am always looking for ways to be prepared for weather changes and extend my ride. I know that layering is a great concept but finding layers that work well is the issue for me. I have tried the leather route but bulk and weight both on me and in the luggage limits how much I am able to take. I have went the route of a textile jacket and plan for textile pants before spring allowing for the rain suit to stay at home. I think some of the long distance tour riders could have some ideas for lighter layers for keeping warm so I plan to seek some out and see what they use. Maybe I am off base but it seems to me that some of the Harley riders either don't travel very far from the garage or are willing to chance freezing half to death rather then dress for the ride. Maybe it is a biker fashion issue. Anyway, I welcome any ideas for staying warm. Thanks for the chance to share, this seems to be a good site to be on, I should probably sign up and support it. bird

Living up here in the North the temperature in spring and fall can change in an hours time. I am always looking for ways to be prepared for weather changes and extend my ride. I know that layering is a great concept but finding layers that work well is the issue for me. I have tried the leather route but bulk and weight both on me and in the luggage limits how much I am able to take. I have went the route of a textile jacket and plan for textile pants before spring allowing for the rain suit to stay at home. I think some of the long distance tour riders could have some ideas for lighter layers for keeping warm so I plan to seek some out and see what they use. Maybe I am off base but it seems to me that some of the Harley riders either don't travel very far from the garage or are willing to chance freezing half to death rather then dress for the ride. Maybe it is a biker fashion issue. Anyway, I welcome any ideas for staying warm. Thanks for the chance to share, this seems to be a good site to be on, I should probably sign up and support it. bird
Hell ya, you should sign up and support the site. :)
And yes, there are more and more riders that put fashion, or at least a style statement, ahead of common sense.
I've lost count of how many young girls I see riding on the back of crotch rockets wearing shorts and a bikini top. They aren't going to be looking so pretty if the bike goes down. :(
As far as cold weather riding goes I've always found the layered look works best for me. I'd rather look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy and be warm then fashionable cold. :snow:

In an earlier post I mentioned looking for clothes that can be layered to extend the riding day in the north country spring and fall. Well after talking to a number of touring riders, motorcycle shops and checking all the sporting centers in the area, I have found a reasonably priced leg covering that I am going to try in the spring www.glieberman.com I am still looking for a shirt that will help keep me dry and warm. If anyone has any ideas let me know. bird

My first year in NC, I rode my bike all winter long, since the wife had the cage for her work. That year, temperatures dropped to single digits numerous days, which while not common in southern NC, seemed to be just my welcoming to the south ;)

Anyway, what I found worked best for the long rides to work was wearing a combination of a one-piece snowmobile suit, an apple warmer attached to my full coverage helmet, and hippo gloves around the handlebars as well as snowmobile mittens (the kind that the index finger is separated from the rest of the fingers, but a liner over them made them true mittens)

My first year in NC, I rode my bike all winter long, since the wife had the cage for her work. That year, temperatures dropped to single digits numerous days, which while not common in southern NC, seemed to be just my welcoming to the south ;)

Anyway, what I found worked best for the long rides to work was wearing a combination of a one-piece snowmobile suit, an apple warmer attached to my full coverage helmet, and hippo gloves around the handlebars as well as snowmobile mittens (the kind that the index finger is separated from the rest of the fingers, but a liner over them made them true mittens)

What is an apple warmer? bird

What is an apple warmer? bird
Lockhart's Apple Warmer is an elastic neck cuff that goes around the bottom of the helmet. I don't know if there still made.

Not sure if they are still available, but an apple warmer is kinda like a dicky (man I am old) ;). It attached using velcro to the helmet, and was tucked under the coat or in my case snowmobile suit. Made of a quilted fabric to hold in body warmth. Thus keeping your neck from freezing.

I ride in temps down to about 25, colder than that I drive the truck. I wear lined chaps, leather jacket with liner, full face helmet, neck gaiter for that little open spot between the helmet and the jacket collar, wool liners and gauntlet gloves.

I ride a road king with th big old windshield and I stay toasty. For colder temps I suggest looking for an outdoor company like LL Bean. they make some awsome stuff. Not cheap but it will last a long time. I have a pair of "Hot Chilly" long johns. When I got them they looked flimsey but put them on and you will be amazed.

not sure yet what exactly the guys around here wear to stay warm or how they winterize their bikes up here but i will find out before winter is over. damn, there were a lot of bikes out today. can't wait until i get mine!!!

Hey, I asked this in my introduction, but I figure that it deserves to go here as well, seeing as how it's pretty really on topic.

I live up in the mountains while at school, and it frequently drops to 10 degrees, and sometimes less. Being at school, I live in a dorm, without a garage. If I were to buy a bike, would it get damaged if I left it locked in an outside parking lot? What could I buy / do in order to protect the bike, and what should I do before riding?

Thanks!

I'm in North Carolina as well.

I start out with polyester fleece longjohns and wool socks. If I"m going to work, just regular pants ans shirt over that. My leather jacket is thick and heavy, with a Thinsulate lining. Regular chaps are okay for shorter trips, but the "area" will get cold before too long.

I add a fleeece jacket on the colder days. I have no problem keeping warm from my head to my waist, but legs, feet and hands will get cold if I'm out long enough. 23 degrees has been my coldest morning so far.

I'm anxious to try the latex glove suggestion. I think I'm gonna add insulated boots. I just need to work out an easy to get in and out of solution for my legs.

I have a snowmobile suit, but the zippers only come up to around the knee, so I have a hard time getting my big feet through them with boots on. For that reason, I don't wear it much.

Thats an easy one.I have learned from experience!...AND DON'T LAUGH!!!
Before you put your britches and all your leathers, slip on a pair ov your
ol' ladies "panty hoes". Yes I said "PANTY HOES". They hold in the the heat!!!
Then you can throw on all of the denim and leathers. Trust me,: it may sound silly but hunters wear them too! And nobody but you will know you have them on, except your ol' lady, after all they do belong to her!!!!

:football: Even Pro Football Players Wear Them!!!!

When it is to cold to ride, I stay home. High tomorrow of only -6. I can't believe it.

High today was 70 here. A nice change from the snow we've been having. I drug the beast out for a little while and rubbed on her just enough to get her juices flowing... teasing her a bit you know. She's been ignored for the last couple of months due to the cold, but she's ready to romp and so am I.

I rode to work the last two days .. it was highs in the 50s but at 7:30 am it was in the low 30s...

picked up the new bike last sat. and rode it the 30 miles home. in 29d weather.
it was cold!!!!