cold weather riding?

[Webb]

so I bought some gear and been riding lately, any tips for riding style or bike maintenance for riding in cold weather that’s different from warm weather? I know tires are cold and I'm mainly commuting so tire heat and grip shouldn't be an issue but not sure if it would affect wear or life of the tire. I rode today left the house about 8 when it was about 35 I'm not planning on riding below freezing temps to much of a chance to hit black or any other color ice. and not going to ride when they are salting or putting any other corrosive shit on the roads. I give it a day or so to clear off.

Also the gear I got is Freeze-out long johns, jacket liner boot and glove liners and a bacalava also have a neck/ body guard. I wore all this minus the body neck guard this morning with another insulated shirt and my insulated coveralls and was chilly but now freezing other then my finger tips this morning. Any feedback on the freeze out gear or suggestions on other better gear? I picked up all this for about $100 at Cycle Gear and I think it was pretty good. I know going to a heated jacket and gloves would be very warm but I don't have that kind of cash right now.

[WorldLeader]

I wear hunting thermos and socks when it is 45F or lower (cheap enough at Bass Pro). That along with full nonporous gear will keep your torso warm (I use my inner liners in the winter and remove them the rest of the year). Get some winter gloves, make sure your boots fit well, and wear a balaclava with built in neck protection. That should keep you good above freezing.

[.Cheetah.]

Easy on the brakes and gas....... Stay off of paint surfaces and stay the hell away from cagers because they rarley see us during the summer and never see us during the winter...... Thats why I ride in Cheetah weather.

[AndyCAPP]

I got a few pieces of that freeze-out Cycle Gear stuff and it really is good in my opinion. I started with the balaclava in the fall but it was TOO HOT so I went back and got just the neck piece and that held me until winter. I am riding when I can, I let the bike idle and warm up before taking off, keep low on the tac to stay low in the power band and not get any surprises on a slick surface. I guess I put the same things in place as I do in my car, just drive like a grandma with plenty of room all around just in case. And Cheetah's right people really don't see you or hear you cause all their windows are up now LOL!

On a side note I was having trouble with my fingers getting super cold so I bought a bad-ass pair of gloves that are waterproof and just amazing but they make it odd and uncomfortable to control the bike as I feel like my fingers or hands are "floating" an inch off the grips in this layer of cloud like warmth and insulation. It's not the end of the world because these can be great gloves for a snowball fight or perhaps arctic backpacking too but I hate not having a "grip on my grips" if that makes sense?

[.Cheetah.]

Ap, thats why I hate riding in cold weather...... With all the crap you have to wear, its just not fun for me. You can buy heated grips to cut down on the thickness of glove you need to wear.... My hands stay warmest when the bikes on stands though.....

[Webb]

I know what you mean about not feeling the grips and having controll. I bought some gloves at the superstore and the liners from cycle gear and fingers get cold not not unbearable. But would still like to have warmer gloves without giving up controll. My bike also has shields over the grips and that helps when I keep my hands tucked in behind them. Might have to look into heated grips or gloves.

[tvetree]

Get a 2 peice rain suit to replace the coveralls (or go over it ...overkill...) it is amazing how much warmer you will be.When layering keep them loose.An extra layer does very little if it is tight.It's really a pocket of air you are trying to build...

[halliwood]

like cheetah said easy on gas and brakes, I've rode through pretty much any weather you can imagine including six inches of snow with no problems, just had to adjust and not make any sudden movements. As for the gloves since you have the v-strom with the "bark busters" you should look at getting some hippo hands and it'll allow you to wear some thinner gloves. You also want to keep your rain gear packed, it sucks getting caught in the rain below 40. I speak from experience when I rode back to kentucky from Pittsburgh two winters ago when it was about 35 degrees and it rained the whole way, sadly I didn't have any rain gear, that sucked lol.

http://www.hippohands.com/

[Thumpida]

Im riding mine daily and have no wind protection. With my raingear on and one layer of polar fleece and light underarmor underneath for moisture wicking only my fingers are cold. I have snowboard pants if its really cold(<20). The real key is no exposed skin. It negates all your insulation in a hurry with a 70 mph wind. I have some large winter riding gloves, but im leaning towards thinsulate lined leather drivers gloves with a pair of silk glove liners under that. Heated grips do sound tempting though. The biggest thing for me was going to a zip up boot. Even my 1500g thinsulate lace ups are cold compared to these simple step in waterproof boots. My biggest issue has been the visor fogging up whens its in the 20's. The other thing never mentioned to me- Tank grips, yes they hold you in place, but they also are thermal insulators. Your tank is a giant metal heatsink. that little rubber pad makes thing so much more comfortable tempature wise. Winter and summer.

[.Cheetah.]

Theres Cold and then theres......... Cold on a bike. brrbrbrrrrrrrrr...........