I feel so overwhelmed when looking to purchase jackets, gloves, chaps, etc.
for cooler/cold weather riding.

There is so much stuff out there- so many brands - so expensive - so many
choices.

Where do I start or where do I get good information?

TIA

On Oct 7, 3:40 pm, "That One" <x...@x.net> wrote:
> I feel so overwhelmed when looking to purchase jackets, gloves, chaps, etc.
> for cooler/cold weather riding.
>
> There is so much stuff out there- so many brands - so expensive - so many
> choices.
>
> Where do I start or where do I get good information?

Here's a start. Buy overpants, not chaps. Consider installing
heated grips on the motorcycle. Buy a rainsuit of some kind,
even if it's a $25 one from the hardware store and polypro
long johns. Avoid cotton or you'll freeze your ass off if you
get wet.

I've been pretty happy with a Firstgear Kilimanjaro jacket
and pants. Not all that expensive and really surprisingly
waterproof. Make sure you get the liners too. I think the
fabric is called "Sheltex".

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...=Google+Search

Also happy with my Sidi boots.

"Rob Kleinschmidt" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:e63755c9-d13f-42d0-95ba-(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Oct 7, 3:40 pm, "That One" <x...@x.net> wrote:
>> I feel so overwhelmed when looking to purchase jackets, gloves, chaps,
>> etc.
>> for cooler/cold weather riding.
>>
>> There is so much stuff out there- so many brands - so expensive - so many
>> choices.
>>
>> Where do I start or where do I get good information?
>
> Here's a start. Buy overpants, not chaps. Consider installing
> heated grips on the motorcycle. Buy a rainsuit of some kind,
> even if it's a $25 one from the hardware store and polypro
> long johns. Avoid cotton or you'll freeze your ass off if you
> get wet.
>
> I've been pretty happy with a Firstgear Kilimanjaro jacket
> and pants. Not all that expensive and really surprisingly
> waterproof. Make sure you get the liners too. I think the
> fabric is called "Sheltex".
>
> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...=Google+Search
>
> Also happy with my Sidi boots.
>

Thanks for the advice. I understand about cotton not being warm when wet,
but it seems i need some clothing that can breathe a little. I sweat badly
in the nylon stuff even in cooler weather.

Leather seems to be the best option I guess, but man it is all so confusing.

"Mark Olson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:_(E-Mail Removed). ..
> That One wrote:
>> "Rob Kleinschmidt" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:e63755c9-d13f-42d0-95ba-(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> On Oct 7, 3:40 pm, "That One" <x...@x.net> wrote:
>>>> I feel so overwhelmed when looking to purchase jackets, gloves, chaps,
>>>> etc.
>>>> for cooler/cold weather riding.
>>>>
>>>> There is so much stuff out there- so many brands - so expensive - so
>>>> many
>>>> choices.
>>>>
>>>> Where do I start or where do I get good information?
>>> Here's a start. Buy overpants, not chaps. Consider installing
>>> heated grips on the motorcycle. Buy a rainsuit of some kind,
>>> even if it's a $25 one from the hardware store and polypro
>>> long johns. Avoid cotton or you'll freeze your ass off if you
>>> get wet.
>>>
>>> I've been pretty happy with a Firstgear Kilimanjaro jacket
>>> and pants. Not all that expensive and really surprisingly
>>> waterproof. Make sure you get the liners too. I think the
>>> fabric is called "Sheltex".
>>>
>>> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...=Google+Search
>>>
>>> Also happy with my Sidi boots.
>>>
>>
>> Thanks for the advice. I understand about cotton not being warm when
>> wet, but it seems i need some clothing that can breathe a little. I
>> sweat badly in the nylon stuff even in cooler weather.
>>
>> Leather seems to be the best option I guess, but man it is all so
>> confusing.
>
> Leather is a poor option for rainy conditions. You have to stop
> and put on rain gear over your leathers. Any decent textile
> motorcycle gear will have Gore-Tex or something similar to it
> as part of the lining.

My riding is casually- never more than 50 miles or so. I don't ride in the
rain unless it is a very unusual surprise. That is why I thought leather
jacket and jeans (and chaps?) might be a good idea for my kind of riding.

Basically I am a weekend rider on my cruiser with small windshield and I am
trying to figure out how I can keep comfortably riding when the temperature
goes below 60 degrees. I don't think I will be interested in riding much
below freezing. My truck's heated leather seats have spoiled me.

On Oct 10, 5:22*pm, "That One" <x...@x.net> wrote:


> Basically I am a weekend rider on my cruiser with small windshield and I am
> trying to figure out how I can keep comfortably riding when the temperature
> goes below 60 degrees. *I don't think I will be interested in riding much
> below freezing. *My truck's heated leather seats have spoiled me.

I doubt very much you'd want to ride anywhere close to
freezing weather in a leather jacket and chaps. Below
about 50 I think you'd find yourself getting cold.

If you like the idea of leather that's find by me, but don't
kid yourself that it's good cold weather gear. First things
to worry about are keeping your hands warm and keeping
yourself dry in a rain. You can always layer up underneath
your riding gear once you've solved those problems.

"Rob Kleinschmidt" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:e199b85f-5f57-4660-a096-(E-Mail Removed)...
On Oct 10, 5:22 pm, "That One" <x...@x.net> wrote:


> Basically I am a weekend rider on my cruiser with small windshield and I
> am
> trying to figure out how I can keep comfortably riding when the
> temperature
> goes below 60 degrees. I don't think I will be interested in riding much
> below freezing. My truck's heated leather seats have spoiled me.

I doubt very much you'd want to ride anywhere close to
freezing weather in a leather jacket and chaps. Below
about 50 I think you'd find yourself getting cold.

If you like the idea of leather that's find by me, but don't
kid yourself that it's good cold weather gear. First things
to worry about are keeping your hands warm and keeping
yourself dry in a rain. You can always layer up underneath
your riding gear once you've solved those problems.

Yeah, I can see what you are saying. Thanks again for the advice. Cold
hands are gonna be pretty high on the list of things to fix.

On Oct 10, 8:52*pm, "That One" <x...@x.net> wrote:
> "Rob Kleinschmidt" <Rkleinsch1216...@aol.com> wrote in message
>
> news:e199b85f-5f57-4660-a096-(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Oct 10, 5:22 pm, "That One" <x...@x.net> wrote:
>
> > Basically I am a weekend rider on my cruiser with small windshield and I
> > am
> > trying to figure out how I can keep comfortably riding when the
> > temperature
> > goes below 60 degrees. I don't think I will be interested in riding much
> > below freezing. My truck's heated leather seats have spoiled me.
>
> I doubt very much you'd want to ride anywhere close to
> freezing weather in a leather jacket and chaps. Below
> about 50 I think you'd find yourself getting cold.
>
> If you like the idea of leather that's find by me, but don't
> kid yourself that it's good cold weather gear. First things
> to worry about are keeping your hands warm and keeping
> yourself dry in a rain. You can always layer up underneath
> your riding gear once you've solved those problems.
>
> Yeah, I can see what you are saying. *Thanks again for the advice. *Cold
> hands are gonna be pretty high on the list of things to fix.

Thirty bucks or so buys you a heated grips kit. This is
a good bet. Besides keeping your hands from going numb,
bloodflow through your hands can actually circulate quite a
bit of warmth back to the rest of your body. They're great
when you hit unexpected cold weather regardless of the
time of year.

Rob Kleinschmidt <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Thirty bucks or so buys you a heated grips kit. This is
> a good bet. Besides keeping your hands from going numb,
> bloodflow through your hands can actually circulate quite a
> bit of warmth back to the rest of your body. They're great
> when you hit unexpected cold weather regardless of the
> time of year.

What he said. And any form of windscreen makes a big difference, too.


--
BMW K1100LT & K100RS Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Suzuki TS250ER (currently Beaving) Damn, back to six bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com

On Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:40:16 GMT, "That One" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I feel so overwhelmed when looking to purchase jackets, gloves, chaps, etc.
>for cooler/cold weather riding.
>
>There is so much stuff out there- so many brands - so expensive - so many
>choices.
>
>Where do I start or where do I get good information?
>
>TIA
>


I would start at www.aerostich.com for a great range of cold weather
gear. An electric vest will go a long way in making you more
comfortable below 60F. They even have waterproof leather gear, though
it's expensive. I wear a Roadcrafter suit to work -- It's very easy
on and off over my work clothes, keeps dry, and I wear a fleece jacket
underneath for warmth when necessary. My bike has heated handgrips,
which I'd highly recommend!

On Oct 25, 8:51*am, Guppy Pilot <slipstr...@nospam.qwest.net> wrote:
> On Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:40:16 GMT, "That One" <x...@x.net> wrote:
> >I feel so overwhelmed when looking to purchase jackets, gloves, chaps, etc.
> >for cooler/cold weather riding.
>
> >There is so much stuff out there- so many brands - so expensive - so many
> >choices.
>
> >Where do I start or where do I get good information?
>
> >TIA
>
> I would start atwww.aerostich.comfor a great range of cold weather
> gear. *An electric vest will go a long way in making you more
> comfortable below 60F. *They even have waterproof leather gear, though
> it's expensive. *I wear a Roadcrafter suit to work -- It's very easy
> on and off over my work clothes, keeps dry, and I wear a fleece jacket
> underneath for warmth when necessary. *My bike has heated handgrips,
> which I'd highly recommend!

Just bought a pair of Fieldsheer Polar gloves I'm pretty
happy with. Look a little and you can find them for about
$50. Definitely on the tight side though. I'm normally a
medium or large, and in this case, large is still a little
snug, though I think it'll work fine.

Grab a look at www.motorcyclecloseouts.com and
www.newenough.com. I'm pretty happy with a
Firstgear Kilimanjaro jacket and overpants. Extremely
waterproof. The jacket is well vented too in warm weather.