“I said brrrrr its cold in here!” – I received this message from a good friend the other day and boy was she right, it’s that time of year again and out of nowhere it seems we went from warm riding days to “Do I want to ride today?!” weather! Well, if you’re anything like me there is no question that you want to ride today. The real question is whether or not you have the proper gear and riding setup for comfortable cold weather riding, and most importantly, safe cold weather riding.
Cold weather riding gear is essential for the majority of your pleasant fall/early winter/winter time riding for us weirdos as well as early spring riding. We all know 55 degrees and sunny is great for a stroll in the park with the dog, but head out on the bike and going 60 mph on the highway isn’t too pleasant at that temperature! And if you want to go next level winter motorcycle riding, you’ll need even better preparation. So the question for those of you who are new to cold weather riding – how do I gear up to ride safely in cold weather?
Cold Weather Motorcycle Boots
Let’s start from the bottom up with our footwear. Leather boots are widely recommended across the board from seasoned riders no matter the time of year. But, with the addition of cold weather, you definitely want something that creates a barrier to the wind but also has some warmth, which leather is great for. Its insulation properties aren’t great, and I personally don’t like riding with insulated boots as they are typically cumbersome. So my solution is to ride with a pair of leather boots paired with a quality set of merino wool socks. Anyone who is privy to cold weather sports/activities knows the awesomeness that is merino wool. They’re warm, comfortable, and wick moisture away from your skin. If you do decide to go with something insulated I can’t stress enough the mobility factor! Make sure you feel like you have natural control of your toes and ankle movements. You want to be able to feel every upshift and downshift as well as every time you make use of the rear brake.
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How To Keep Your Body Warm While Riding
On to pants and your torso gear. What we discussed with your footwear applies here as well – you want comfort and your movements need to feel natural and unrestricted. For my “base” layer I again resort to merino wool, or in this instance, a good set of synthetics. Tight fitting to your skin, this layer keeps the moisture away from the body and creates the first barrier to keep the heat your body generates close. For pants I don’t do anything more than a pair of jeans to about 45 degrees. Under 45, I’ll throw on insulated jeans for that added warmth. In super cold weather like the 30’s and below you are going to need a shell over your pants that are wind proof.
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For your torso, a form fitting wool sweater or fleece pull over (note both fleece and wool are not great for blocking wind, but they trap heat very nicely) will insulate your body heat well. On top of that you want a shell jacket that is going to ultimately offer protection in the event of an incident, but also something that keeps the wind out. Leather is a go to here, or a synthetic nylon style jacket that is wind proof will do the trick. This setup keeps me nice and warm into the 30’s. Dip much lower than that and you’ll need to add layers underneath your shells that fit your temperature tolerances without compromising mobility.
Cold Weather Motorcycle Gloves
Ahh hands…the most important part (aside from using your head properly) to riding a motorcycle! Also, the most susceptible to cold weather! Boy do those phalanges get cold and become immobile QUICK! The balance here between warmth and mobility is the most difficult. Heated gloves get a lot of attention and great reviews. If you like the fit and feel, then this is your #1 choice. If you don’t, you’re going to want a pair of base layer gloves covered by a set of leather gloves to block the wind. Remember, don’t go too thick here – we all know that the front brake is the majority of our stopping power, and if you need to grab a bunch of front brake you want to feel it and control it with precision.
Cold Weather Riding Headwear
For my head I don’t add anything but my helmet. If you can find a tight skull cap style hat that doesn’t go over your ears that is probably fine, but personally I don’t like the feel. I just keep my lid closed and it works well enough for me. But, a must-have is something to cover up the exposed skin on your neck. There are so many variations of neck warmers that this really comes down to personal preference. I have one that is made of synthetic material that I use for snowboarding. It works great, fits cleanly and without interference between my neck and the chin strap on my helmet. Use what works best for you here, just make sure nothing restricts your lateral movements or interferes with your line of sight.
To sum up this blog I’d like to say cold weather riding is something most people do not enjoy, hence why you don’t see many riders out there. For me personally I only go out if I know the roads are clear of salt and ash (used to melt snow) and runoff. Recent precipitation just about guarantees the bike stays parked if we are in the dead of winter as ice is almost a guaranteed disaster. Use your head when going out there in cold weather, especially when it comes to winter motorcycle riding. If you need to dress to the point that you feel like Randy from “A Christmas Story” then you’re either gearing up improperly, or you shouldn’t be out riding in the cold! Stay safe my friends, and let the winter wonderland adventures begin!
