How Cold is too cold to take a ride

[NJtony]

Ok I promise this my last new post for a while.

I found out when I had my Can Am F3 LTD I could ride in 50's, but , with my Freewheeler I can go as low as 40's and still enjoy the ride.

I have a nice heavy leather motorcycle jacket , chaps , heavy leather gloves, full face helmet, boots and adjustable heated grips, (So far only needed #3 on the grips) The front faring and lower fairings help cut the wind much better than a windshield. (believe me I tested it, BIG DIFFERENCE) The Faring deflects the wind off your hands, upper chest and arms.



So How Low Can you GO???

 

[Jack Klarich]

Everyone is different when it comes to cold weather

I have ridden in 20 degree Minnesota winter weather, now that I live in Florida cold does not mean the same to me

 

[rhino 2]

When it comes to the cold weather I have no limit’ I have an electric jacket that plugs into the bike itself and a heavy genuine motorcycle jacket I bought in 1998 (water buffalo hide) actually I have to lower the heat setting at times… also I wear heavy gloves and a full face modular helmet …

 

[JTJersey]

Low 50's is about it for me and that's around town or with the knowledge that it'll be warmer as the day progresses. I'll take the '99 Jeep Cherokee the rest of the time.

 

[RareSS]

Our group rode to Big Bend in 2015 and it was a minus eight degree chill factor. I have heated gear, but two things got really cold …. my toes and ……! Other than that trip, another was 17 degrees. Yes, it gets cold out here in West Texas, also.

on the other side of the thermometer, I rode in 114 degrees. The two things that helped in these circumstances? Lots of hot chocolate and lots of ice water!

 

[Zammy]

The coldest we've ridden in was around 32-34 degrees with a 30 mph wind blowing off the Atlantic on the east coast of Florida on A1A of all places, we survived but not a lot of fun. I think that's as low as I want to go, we didn't have heated gear at the time either.

 

[hardwickbv]

I have heated jacket liner and heated pants.

I will ride down to 20 degrees as long as it looks like it will get near 40 in the afternoon most of the time I will ride even if it doesn't warm up.

It has to look to be dry all day also.



Riding a Tri-Glide 25-30 miles to work and back at least 2-4 days a week this time of year and will do that through the winter.

Bob

 

[3-4me]

cold weather riding

I can remember coming out of a bar when I was younger in northeast Wisconsin & wiping about a inch or so of snow off the seat of my chopped pan head now I live in the ozarks their calling for record breaking temp for Christmas this week (75 degrees)

 

[ol' school]

Coldest I ever pulled out of the driveway was 38° heading for a ride over 3 mountains that were in the low 30's with snow flurries. No heated gear, just good leathers... I was younger and dumber than... probably high 40's, low 50's is my comfort level anymore.

 

[Teufelhunde]

Was a time when I rode 300 days out of the year, hot, cold, rain, dry, snow.....whatever.....

No more, I'll admit I'm a pussy and fair weather rider....below 55 or over 105 and it's NOT gonna happen......

YMMV

Lon

 

[priell3]

I've ridden when it was 25 degrees outside. That gets even colder when going down a highway at 70mph. I just layer up with a heavy leather Harley coat over top. I'll put on a balaclava mask since I only wear half helmets. I need better gloves.

 

[Sunman]

Rode 52 miles one way to work one time when it was 28 degrees but dry so no worry about ice. At that time was riding a Honda GL1800 Goldwing. Had cowboy boots with insulated socks, insulated coveralls and gloves, half-helmet with winter neck skirt zipped in. Was comfortable. Going home after work it had warmed up to mid 40s and actually had to unzip the coveralls some to not get too hot. Don't do that anymore. Now usually don't ride if it is below 55 degrees.

Sunman

 

[Woody]

I've ridden when it was 25 degrees outside. That gets even colder when going down a highway at 70mph. I just layer up with a heavy leather Harley coat over top. I'll put on a balaclava mask since I only wear half helmets. I need better gloves.

Try putting on a pair of vinyl or rubber gloves like the Doctor uses. I put them on then put my regular gloves on over them you'll be surprised at the difference and then if it warms up you came remove them.

 

[Woody]

Now there is a difference in what I have rode in and what I will leave the house knowing the weather. When all I had was a motorcycle I rode in all weather, but now it would be something special for me to get out in below 60 degree temps.

 

[ultrafxr]

IMO it all depends on how motivated you are to ride. I ride for enjoyment not transportation so I try to avoid heated gear whenever possible. I have heated jacket liner and gloves - just don't like the bulkiness of layering up. Heated seat and grips along with leather jacket and chaps or riding pants are good into the mid 40s if the sun is shining. On a damp cloudy (or heaven forbid wet) day well mid 40s is awfully cold.

I've been on road trips many times and gotten into cold weather where I had no choice but to ride. All you can do in those instances is suck it up buttercup, suit up and ride on.

 

[56Elwood]

I really like riding in the cold and as you can see cold is cold. I won't ride anymore when it's this cold but 40's and 50's I'm there all day long.

 

[Motorcycle Mike]

I use to use my bike as my daily commuter.

I've rode in temp's as low as 17 degrees.

Since I no longer commute I guess I've gone soft.

I don't care to go out under 50 anymore.

I never used heated gear, Just layers and leather.

 

[priell3]

I did some last minute Christmas runs around town this afternoon. Only 5 miles in 30 degree weather.

 

[cScjhb]

I have an Eddie Baur Goose down, Gortex, ski jacket for cold weather. Cold does not penetrate it. Long johns, jeans, knee socks and leather chaps keep my legs nice and warm. Hand grip heaters have been on all my recent bikes. A sheep skin stays on my seat both summer and winter. I have ridden in temperatures in the teens and not been cold...... Jim

 

[nucseal]

Lately, 40 seems to be my limit. Especially traveling the highways around here at 65mph. Of course that is early in the morning here in Texas, because it will be in the 70's by 10:00AM

 

[Tophog]

Was a time when I rode 300 days out of the year, hot, cold, rain, dry, snow.....whatever.....

No more, I'll admit I'm a pussy and fair weather rider....below 55 or over 105 and it's NOT gonna happen......

YMMV

Lon

Pretty much the same here. I realized that as I'm approaching 69 years I ain't the kid I used to be! :laugh: Back in the day weather was no big deal.

I live near Las Vegas, so not much snow, but the summers can be brutal. Rode my old Panhead in 110 degree weather once. Oil was seeping out of every known gasket.

And I hit 120 in Phoenix once. My Shovelhead was none too happy, and my boot soles were sticking to the asphalt at the stop lights!

So yeah, 105 is about it any more.

 

[NJtony]

I took a ride Christmas Eve

I took a ride Christmas Eve. It was around 45, I did not put on my chaps on. I should Have!! Merry Christmas

 

[JTJersey]

I took a ride Christmas Eve. It was around 45, I did not put on my chaps on. I should Have!! Merry Christmas

Went out yesterday myself, but only for about 15 miles. It was a bit chilly. Today, Christmas day, was nicer. It hit 65 down here in South Jersey so after the company left I hit the road for about an hour. Looking at low 50s tomorrow with sunshine. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Went out yesterday myself, but only for about 15 miles. It was a bit chilly. Today, Christmas day, was nicer. It hit 65 down here in South Jersey so after the company left I hit the road for about an hour. Looking at low 50s tomorrow with sunshine. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Ride whenever you can, Winter sucks

 

[LadyonaMission]

We rode 175 miles yesterday, high was 80. Had a very Merry Christmas.

 

[Sully]

67 This Morning, Went For A Short Coffee Ride To Get The Fluids Flowing In The Trike.........:Coffee:

 

[rhino 2]

Its too warm the last few days to even say it's too cold...:Shrug:..

 

[paws]

Christmas Eve we rode 128 miles in 80* weather. Beautiful sunshine. Zero traffic on the back roads. Mexican food lunch. Was a really nice ride.

Christmas Day was gifts, food, and change oil to get ready to ride again!

Christmas 2021 was SUPER!

 

[Jack Klarich]

Its too warm the last few days to even say it's too cold...:Shrug:..

Make up your mind already, I hope you had a good Christmas with family

 

[Jack Klarich]

I rode a new bike home in February 88 , it was sunny but only 10 degrees. The roads were clear and dry.

Again in 92 I rode a new FLHS Electra glide Sport home in February. This time it was a 45 mile ride, the air temp was 15 above with a wind chill of -10, that ride was damn cold

Now after the last 25 years here in Florida, cold no longer has a meaning to me