Winter Gear...

[ride512]

Even though it's still 100+ during the day time here in Austin, TX the mornings are getting cooler and cooler. This is my first year riding and I want to ride all year round. Hopefully convincing myself that we don't need two cars. Winters in Austin are pretty mild, but I'm guessing riding at 60mph in even 40-50 F degree temps is a bit chilly. So what piece or pieces of cold weather gear should I get?

I currently have a Johnny Rocket mesh jacket with a rain liner and a thin quilted liner. I also ride with a full face helmet.

 

[Clint Love]

I have a Icon Motorhead leather jacket and that is usually enough for me here in Texas. If you want to ride in January or February, I know guys who wear a Carhartt jacket or a set of insulated coveralls. They will be comfy at 6am but by the afternoon it will be too warm! 40° at 60mph is about 25°, depending upon humidity and other weather nerd stuff. NBD if you're only riding for 20 minutes. For over an hour is another story.

 

[Lurch]

I ride in a Hein Gericke Sheltex (own brand GoreTex) jacket with removable liner. If it's properly parky I wear a sweatshirt underneath and put on heated grips. Never been cold, even near freezing.

 

[Marden]

I can't remember the site that has all this information. But BVG talked about it in one of his videos which says about an algorithm that works out what the temperature would feel like whilst traveling certain speeds at a certain temperature. I remember the difference not being rather significant.

 

[Marden]

Note as well when it get's to a certain temperature (95F) the feeling of the temperature actually increases whilst moving.

 

[Marden]

I remember the difference not being rather significant.

I didn't mean to say not so significant. I meant to say it is quite significant at lower temperatures

 

[Clint Love]

Note as well when it get's to a certain temperature (95F) the feeling of the temperature actually increases whilst moving.

I can vouch for that. Been riding in 95° to 100° heat this summer. It's like having a giant hot air dryer blowing on you at 70mph

 

[ride512]

Ok so another question. I currently wear a 3/4 helmet that fits under my scooters seat, but when winter rolls around I'll probably start wearing my full faced helmet. I leave my scooter at the train station for 10 hours a day. I'm not really worried about my helmet being stolen, but is there anyway to protect my helmet from the weather? I guess I could just wrap it in a plastic bag.

 

[Marden]

Get a bag made for holding your helmet. And I'd advise just always wearing your full faced helmet. Are you going to leave it with your scooter?

 

[ride512]

My plan was to leave it with the scooter, but I guess I could take it with me if I bought a bag or backpack that it would fit it.

 

[Mr fish]

I would suggest taking it ...A friend of mine left his lid with his bike and some lowlife pissed in it ..(thats london for you) although it amused the rest of us lol

 

[Clint Love]

I would suggest taking it ...A friend of mine left his lid with his bike and some lowlife pissed in it ..(thats london for you) although it amused the rest of us lol

I left my helmet hanging on the handlebars at my mom's house once and a bird built a nest in it. It wasn't even there that long!

 

[Fobs]

I can't remember the site that has all this information. But BVG talked about it in one of his videos which says about an algorithm that works out what the temperature would feel like whilst traveling certain speeds at a certain temperature. I remember the difference not being rather significant.

Thanks for the map

 

[ride512]

After thinking more about all the crazy things that could crawl into my helmet here in Texas. I decided to order a helmet bag.

 

[Arctic Pride]

I commuted on the bike into November for a while when I was in New England. Leather is your friend, good warm gloves, long underwear and layering. You can get really kitted up with insulated stuff electronic warmers e/t/c but then the gear starts to get bulky.

Eventually it would get too cold and I'd park it for the remainder of the winter even if it didn't snow.

 

[TheDutchTexan]

I left my helmet hanging on the handlebars at my mom's house once and a bird built a nest in it. It wasn't even there that long!

Hahaha! That made me laugh so hard. Thanks for that mental image!

I'll ride it around the block once a week to keep the blood flowing I am sure this winter when it gets too cold to do any type of fun / longer distance riding. But as far as full on winter gear? Nah... I'll just man up for the 5 minutes I am out.

 

[BCCruiser]

Use RST textiles with a fleece gilet underneath when it gets extra cold.

 

[KorstoMoto]

Layered clothing is the way to go. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.

IMO a merino wool baselayer is a must for the cold times. Keeps you warm even if wet or sweaty. Over the baselayer the best options would be probably fleece-clothing or knitwear. Obviously you may not even need these under the protective gear if it's not too cold.

 

[ride512]

Thanks for all the suggestions I really appreciate it. So far I've bought a fleece jacket that fits under my riding jacket and I'll be picking some winter riding gloves since my current gloves are vented. I also think I'm going to get a Balaclava (sp?). That being said it was 88 here yesterday afternoon.

 

[Grimfaith]

I can't remember the site that has all this information. But BVG talked about it in one of his videos which says about an algorithm that works out what the temperature would feel like whilst traveling certain speeds at a certain temperature. I remember the difference not being rather significant.

Crap well I need some winter gear...haha...drops to 44 in the morning and I ride more than 65mph...ouch.