How cold is too cold?

[paul246]

Still riding. Early shift into work at 3:30am. Under clear skies the temp is getting down to -12. I always check the weather first, including the weather radar. Frost on the road surface is the biggest danger, still, make no sudden directional changes and its OK. The ground is frozen now. Once we get a good snowfall it will most likely be staying around. Then I'll have to consider studded tires

[noodlenoggin]

I've found that I'm comfortable down to 60*F -- 50*F with my windshield mounted on the bars. It's bearable down into the 40's, wearing my fleece vest zipped up to my neck, lined leather jacket, wool socks and my Thinsulate winter gloves. Sadly, I have to keep my helmet visor cracked so it doesn't fog up. Generally, I can take a half-hour of that kind of cold in the morning, so that I can have a nice ride home in the afternoon.

[KarateChick]

So long as there isn't frost and ice or snow on the road and I can still get out of subdivision streets, it'll be okay. Once the snow really hits though...time to store the bike.

[touge_dorifuto]

It never snows down here in Alabama, so I'm gonna ride all winter. I was pretty cold the other night, riding home in upper 30's, but I forgot my balaclava and warm pants.

[TooBama]

Well, I rode and dang it was cold !!

Got some good info on gloves from another post on here.....handy info ya'll gave in that one.

[ArcticHarleyMan]

snip....... The coldest I think was -7 celcius (about 19* Farenheit). snip.......

Did that at -10C for 200 miles. I called home before I left on the final leg of my journey and told the wife to leave the garage door open because I just knew it would be painful. I had NO winter gear, just a leather shirt over a t-shirt & heavy shirt, a leather jacket, a half-helmet, no goggles or windshield, just blue jeans & chaps and summer socks in steel-toed leather work boots. Leather lineman gauntlets. I know, I was stupid, but I was delayed in Calgary for a few days but had to do it. Either that or leave the bike and hitch-hike.
Anyhow, I got home, rode the bike into the garage, almost fell over but barely managed to get the stand down (and I had been pumping my legs for the last 50 miles, stopping and huddling to the engine and pipes) never even closed the garage, and stumbled into the house, tearing off my clothes as I went (at 2AM). The lovely wife had the shower on barely warm, but when I got in it felt like 200*. That was the last time I ever went anywhere without being fully prepared.

[ofblong]

I am thinking of getting the gloves posted I think the second post in

viewtopic.php?t=17956&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[CajunBass]

I left the house this morning at 0430. The temp readout on the bike dash was 32 degrees. It got up to 34 before I pulled into the parking garage at work about 0715.

I was wearing insulated jeans, T-shirt, a sweat shirt and a sweater, with a jacket over that. Over everything else I had on a snowmobile suit. I started off with Gerbing heated gloves, but they got hot, so I swapped them over for a pair of winter leather gloves. Two pairs of socks and steel toed work boots.

I probably covered over 100 miles this morning. My regular trip to work is 78 miles, and I had to detour to the far west end of town, then swing back to work. Even with all that on, I got cold toward the end of the trip. (That's the interstate part.) Not unbearable cold, but cold enough to turn on the heated grips and seat.

Another tip from my hunting days. Get something to eat inside you. Something good and hot that will stick with you. I find oatmeal does the job. You might like something else, but an empty stomach is the same as an empty fireplace.

[PYSCHOWard]

TOO Cold, is when you're not enjoying the ride.
Everyone has different tolerence levels.

[qwerty]

I spent some time yesterday shopping for motorcycle gear and I heard two old timers swapping lies about how cold is too cold. One told about a fellowe who go so cold that he lost an inch and a half of pencil to frostbite.

Now, THAT's too cold.