• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Cold Weather Motorcycling

#21
This was why...
Annual toy run.
image_20181208_170509.359.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gaolee
#25
Riding in 50 degree weather is nice. Bike runs great. Just have to dress for it.

I took the radio out of my Street Glide. It now sports an open box/compartment like the old FLH Standards came with. Perfect fit for water bottles.

I put mine away in the winter.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gaolee
#26
If the forecast is accurate, this will be a nice weeks for winter riding with temperatures in the mid and upper forties. The last two days, I literally did not have time to ride since darkness comes so early in December, but I did start my and ran it long enough for the to reach its usual riding temperature.
 
#27
Jeans. Yeah, I remember when I wore Jeans on the bike. Pain in the rear - indeed, I could not sit for weeks. I got heavy leather pants PDQ.

However, for cold weather riding, an AeroStich is da bomb. And it has enough vents for hot weather riding, and enough gore-tex for wet weather riding, and enough pockets for everything, and you can put your work clothes on under it (though I rather liked just wearing my leathers at work, that may depend on your workplace and role.) And it will still take the asphalt abuse rather than your hide having to do that...
 
#29
Jim Nazium said:
+1
I don't know what winters are like in St Louis, where the OP lives, but here in DC I really like my heated gear. It extends the riding season by a month on each side.
Click to expand...

DC and St Louis are at a similar latitude. Both places get cold but do not stay cold as long as New York or Chicago. This week here some days will be in the fifties.

I think my battery may be ruined. I rode my bike for couple errands today, and I stopped to talk to the water meter reader who just bought a bike himself, a Honda Shadow, after that, I could not start it again. I got a great lower body workout pushing my 500 lb.Tiger up my driveway, which is a pretty steep hill. I had to plug my battery into the again before it would fire up.
 
Last edited:
#30
2006 Sportster.JPG
I ride this thing every day - if it isn't already raining when I open the garage door (which ain't often, here in Vegas), and the temperature is over 40 (which it usually is). I have the proper cold weather gear to make my daily commute problem free - and, since I work the closing shift, my only real cold weather problem comes at night. Plus, the bike has a QD windscreen, anyway - which helps a lot. My only real problem with cold is that, growing up in places like Alaska, Colorado, and North Dakota - and being stationed in places like Korea, Michigan and Idaho - I've been frostbitten a lot, over the years. Which makes cold weather riding much worse for me than for most folks; I feel the cold much quicker, and much worse, than they do.. As for electric riding gear? Yeah, it's a real good idea, but.. it's expensive, and you need to make sure your bike's electrical system has the output to power it. And sadly, a lot of non-touring type bikes don't. My BMW GS Adventure does - even has the extra power outlets for stuff like that. The Sportster? Uh,...no. Not nearly enough output. Just have to bundle up; grit your teeth; and tough it out...:whistle: And, regarding your battery, Dr. Cheese? If it's more than a couple of years old? Probably time for a new one. Between the way they're made - and they are a little different inside than a car battery - and the fact that they're sealed, they usually don't last too long.. Mine all live on a Battery Tender trickle charger when they're not being ridden. And since my pickup hardly ever leaves the garage? It does, too..:cool:
 
Last edited:
#32
GIBrat51 said:
View attachment 3243730 I ride this thing every day - if it isn't already raining when I open the garage door (which ain't often, here in Vegas), and the temperature is over 40 (which it usually is). I have the proper cold weather gear to make my daily commute problem free - and, since I work the closing shift, my only real cold weather problem comes at night. Plus, the bike has a QD windscreen, anyway - which helps a lot. My only real problem with cold is that, growing up in places like Alaska, Colorado, and North Dakota - and being stationed in places like Michigan and Idaho - I've been frostbitten a lot, over the years. Which makes cold weather riding much worse for me than for most folks; I feel the cold much quicker, and much worse, than they do.. As for electric riding gear? Yeah, it's a real good idea, but.. it's expensive, and you need to make sure you're bikes electrical system has the output to power it. And sadly, a lot of non-touring type bikes don't. My BMW GS Adventure does - even has the extra power outlets for stuff like that. The Sportster? Uh,...no. Not nearly enough output. Just have to bundle up; grit your teeth; and tough it out...:whistle: And, regarding your battery, Dr. Cheese? If it's more than a couple of years old? Probably time for a new one. Between the way they're made - and they are a little different inside than a car battery - and the fact that they're sealed, they usually don't last too long.. Mine all live on a Battery Tender trickle charger when they're not being ridden. And since my pickup hardly ever leaves the garage? It does, too..:cool:
Click to expand...

I am interested in battery powered gear. My concern is finding stuff that will fit my fat butt. As for my battery, the bike is used, and do not know how old the battery is.
 
#33
Battery Tender.jpg Well, then, first make sure your Triumph's electrical system is up to the task. Then, depending on how large your butt is, you can probably find stuff that fits. And, from your picture, you don't look all that large...:rolleyes: But, get a new battery - and one of these - first. Just sitting around will kill a motorcycle battery pretty quick, these days...:cool:
 
#37
Inara said:
Here in Seattle it doesn't dip below freezing that often. I'm still happily riding, though by happily I mean low 40s and often a light rain. The coldest I've ridden so far is about 37. I'd much rather spend an hour commuting on my Dyna than on the bus though ... It's therapy, and I miss it when I don't or can't ride.
Click to expand...
This is the perfect riding climate. It rarely gets either too hot or too cold. As long as wet does not bother you much, it cannot be beat.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lex P. and Inara
#38
Spring (once the salt and sand has been rained off)/Summer/early fall up here all amazing riding weather. When it's getting down to 50 or below, I break out my gauntlets and a pair of long johns under my jeans, along with my heavy riding jacket, and Im pretty good for a while. Having a windshield makes a ton of difference.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back