Wasn't as cold as I thought. I only did 10 miles but I can see myself doing more if I really needed to. The strange thing was that the temp display blinked the entire time. It was like "You sure you want to do this?". Couldn't really feel the heated grips through the gloves I was wearing, and the heated seat barely got warm. I didn't feel the warmth in the seat the way I would have liked to. I guess 25 degree F is pushing it. I rode in 45 degree weather and I can recall the seat getting nice and warm, too warm at the highest setting in fact. In 25 degree weather I could barely feel the heated seat.
Rode the scooter in 25 degree F weather last Friday.
- Thread starter Tony
- Start date
TwoPort
Member
25F at 50 MPH is -14 F (from a wind-chill web calculator) but I don't think 10 miles was long enough to get your seat and grips to temp. My heated gear is on once it gets into the low 60's. Even if your hands and seat got a little warmth -14 is gonna bite the rest of you pretty quick!
Im from NYC and ride all winter long (as long as the roads are clear). It can be pretty brutal but its manageable. I do have the tucano urbano skirt which helps a lot. The heated grips and seat are lifesavers, while you may not feel it even bringing the seat temp to 40 degrees is a huge difference and can def. save you.
Keep riding man, it isnt as bad as you think. Odd think about my temp gauge is the lowest it gets is 49.5 degrees. I gotta get that fixed.
Keep riding man, it isnt as bad as you think. Odd think about my temp gauge is the lowest it gets is 49.5 degrees. I gotta get that fixed.
SteveADV
Active member
That's pretty good, Tony.
I have made the mistake of being caught out without my heated vest and enough other layers when I road further than intended and got caught in a storm. Came home with everything on I had on my bike, including my rain gear, and still had to have wife help strip me down. Being cold isn't good. Being cold and wet is me just being a knucklehead.
exavid
Member
Had my GT out the last couple of days in the cold mornings one day 21F the next 28F. Not too bad since I wasn't traveling at highways speed, mostly local errands. Had on my heavy Tourmaster coat with liner and Gerbings gloves but didn't have them plugged in. The automatic function on the grip heat was nice though. For those who haven't had the pleasure of brisk riding, the blinking temp reading is a possible ice warning.
I need to invest in winter gear. I'd hate do go down wearing my Down North Face parka. Feathers will be everywhere LOl!!!. The only issue I had, was that the jacket didn't have anything to tighten up the waistband and air was getting up under the coat. Looking at getting heated gear.
What kind of heated vest do you have? Thanks. I'm doing research.
I'm from Rockland County. I actually purchased the scooter from BMW of Manhattan. First C650 Sport sold by that dealer. Looking forward to some more rides.
Thanks
JaimeC
New member
I have this one. It's not inexpensive but it is the most versatile heated vest I've EVER owned:
http://www.aerostich.com/clothing/h...rostich-kanetsu-airvantage-electric-vest.html
I also added the optional zip-off sleeves to make it even more practical. Like all clothing sold by Aerostich, it'll last you YEARS and they stand behind their product 100%.
For cold weather, a one piece suit is the way to go. I have a Carhartt Arctic Extremes coverall which is made from 1000 denier Cordora . This is heavier then the Aerostich and about $700 bucks cheaper.
http://www.carhartt.com/products/ca...alls/Extremes-Coverall-Arctic-Quilt-Lined-X06
http://www.carhartt.com/products/ca...alls/Extremes-Coverall-Arctic-Quilt-Lined-X06
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Edumakated
New member
I have a c600 and would commute about 10 miles in Chicago. I'd ride down to about 30 degrees or so. The constant ice and salt on the roads is a huge hazard though, so I typically stop once we get a snow. I bought a pair of insulated overpants and layer up pretty good. I also ride with a neck scarf. The ride has generally been tolerable especially with the heated grips and seat. I found my finger tips getting really cold though.
SteveADV
Active member
I tried something like that a few years ago (whatever they were selling at the local outdoor store) when out of town and caught in a surprise cold snap. Worked pretty well but ended up duct taping the cuffs to my boots to keep the cold air out for the 4 hour ride home. Inseam length was an issue, when riding but works great when goofing around outside this time of year. My son-in-law who is my height but shaped weird (actually has muscles and no waist), wore it the other day tobogganing and loved it.
Yes, air infiltration past the cuffs is a problem with any pants, I always use velcro straps around the cuffs when riding colder temps. If your strap will go around more than once you can get a much better seal. Using straps also allows wearing longer length pants without tripping on the cuffs. Straps also work well for keeping out snow when it gets real deep when involved in snow removal, or outside winter work.
I did my time in the military, and sometimes I will blouse pants if they are extra long, but, for heavy motorcycle pants or coveralls a velcro strap on the outside is easier to get a good tight seal to keep out the cold air and or snow.
SteveADV
Active member
Tough to blouse the coveralls.
Although I have a pair of boots from the army circa 1969-1970 I wear once in awhile. Amazing how that last pair has held up over the decades.
I have few pair of 36" inseam pants I bought knowing I would be using them for riding even though I have a 32-33" inseam. Cuffs sometimes. Remember those things with the elastic straps you attached to the bottom of both sides of your cuffs and ran under the sole to keep your pants down? I have set or two of those around somewhere.
Although I have a pair of boots from the army circa 1969-1970 I wear once in awhile. Amazing how that last pair has held up over the decades. I have few pair of 36" inseam pants I bought knowing I would be using them for riding even though I have a 32-33" inseam. Cuffs sometimes. Remember those things with the elastic straps you attached to the bottom of both sides of your cuffs and ran under the sole to keep your pants down? I have set or two of those around somewhere.
JaimeC
New member
Although guys will IMMEDIATELY notice the design flaw in the pants, the most effective non-electric protection from the cold that I've found is the Freeze-Out undergarments from BiLT and sold exclusively through Cycle Gear. Besides being made of a thick layer of wicking fabric (which keeps the layer against your skin warm and dry) they also feature wind-proof panels on those parts of your body most likely to be affected by the wind (if you're crazy enough not to be riding with a wind-proof outer layer).
I wore a set two years ago in March to Daytona Beach and rarely had to utilize my electric clothing. Don't go by the listed price on the Cycle Gear website, either. They always sell it for less in the stores. Definitely worth it if you don't mind the "inconvenience."
I wore a set two years ago in March to Daytona Beach and rarely had to utilize my electric clothing. Don't go by the listed price on the Cycle Gear website, either. They always sell it for less in the stores. Definitely worth it if you don't mind the "inconvenience."