Staying warm in winter without staying home.

[vodka]

Hi all.
Wondering if anyone has any experience with thermal wear such as Hydroskins or equivalent. They use a 0.5 mm neoprene layer over fabric called Hydraprene. Used in rafting etc. Make a jacket and pants. Only gettable in US so I'd need to import so I want to try and get it right
I am getting old and in winter it's starting to really bite me BUT I wont stop.

I am finding that even thin layers dont cut it especially under leather which I prefer for abrasion protection.
If anyone would know I figure the loonies (affectionately) that ride in a North American winter would.

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=942

[CRazyCam]

Hi vodka.

I'm not one of the North American loonies, just a regular Ozzie loonie, and I have only ever worn neoprene when diving, where it was unbearably hot until I got in the water.

However, FWIW, I have found wearing really warm stuff under leathers is a nuisance in Oz.

At sparrow fart, leaving Hay or Balranald, it is cold....very cold, but, as the day progresses it tends to warm up enough that I have, in the past, got to the stage of overheating.

What I have worked out, which works for me, is that I wear leathers, then other stuff over the top.

Even just a rain suit over the top, makes leathers much cosier.... and you can strip the rainsuit off before lunch time.

For really 'orrible weather, I have thick DryRider pants and jacket, which fit over the top of the leathers, still giving me the option of taking them off if conditions warm up.

regards,CrazyCam

[rockbottom]

You might want to look at Gatorskins.

http://www.gator-skins.com/

Just by coincidence, I stopped during a long ride and bought a Gatorskin shirt in April which really surprised me. I hit a surprise rain storm which knocked the temperatures down 20 degrees. I hadn't prepared for that and if I hadn't had the Gatorskin shirt in my side case, I would have been dangerously cold.

Personally, I rely on fleece in the winter. I have a military surplus jacket that is Polartec 300 that works well as well as Polartec 200 pants that go between my jeans and my overpants or suit. And electric gloves. I may go to an electric vest this year. Of course the problem is that fleece is bulky so might not work with a tight fitting suit.

[ka5ysy]

Electric liners are the greatest invention since sliced bread. My SO absolutely LOVES the ability to stay toasty with a twist of the control knob. I ride in freezing temps all the time with mine, and love it.

I am a scuba instructor, and absolutely hate neoprene wetsuits. I only dive a dry suit when it is cold, and essentially get the same thing with my riding gear and electrics under my rain gear when it is really cold and wet. The .5 mm neoprene will bake you dangerously unless you are in freezing temps.

[deilenberger]

+1 on heated gear. With a decent windshield (20" Cee-Bailey), Wunderlich mitts over the controls and a Gerbing heated jacket liner, I'm good to 32F (0C) for several hours. All that actually gets chilled is my toes. Haven't tried the heat pads or heated boot inserts, but might next winter.

[ipokebadgers]

Just a note on heated gear. I have a heated jacket liner. the first time I tried to use it on my 2007 R1200R it didn't work. I ended up having to wire it directly to the battery and then later added a fuse box. I found out from a dealership the CanBus system wouldn't let it draw the currant it needed. At least that is what they told me.

Heated gear is great. When it is really cold turn it on and adjust as the day gets warmer. Then turn it off. They will fit under a tight jacket as well.

Good luck.

[jkhomes]

Don't forget to plug in your heated gear before you switch on the ignition. I heard this is not an issue with the newer R1200R's. I guess Mr. Canbus needs to check in with everything on the initial diagnostic. It is definitely an issue with my radar detector.

[deilenberger]

The stock accessory outlet is limited to 5 AMPs - for an 80 watt Gerbing jacket liner, that's just over the rating (5*12.6).. so a fused wire to the battery (or better - an accessory fuse block) is the way to go. There are rumors that later models ('10 and newer) allow drawing 10A from this outlet.

I have no idea why a radar detector wouldn't work even if plugged into the accessory outlet after the engine is started. The outlet turns on with the ignition, something plugged into it or not..

[mogu83]

Is there a reason you don't want to go with heated gear. Seems perfect for a cold morning warm afternoon situation'

[vodka]

Thanx for the replies.
I guess I'm not that keen a upon yet more plugs if simple clever clothing can do the trick. I seek the Holy Grail . Clothing that isnt bulky ,can be mixed with leathers.(Perhaps the Atlantis Suit) and can deal with sitting on a bike long distances in wet,cold temps.
I just thought that the 0.5 mm neoprene layer may have been experienced by some. It seems like a potential answer when you see neoprene face masks etc. Of course encasing in neoprene is different. Having dived in the past the limit would be 0.5mm thickness.
I may just get the bottoms .If I do I'll let you guys know how they feel.

I sent the company an email but the salesman could recall any use by motorcyclists.

Anyways coming up to 45000 km
Issues so far
Small break where electrical cable fits into front shock for ESA. Replaced under warranty.
Back pad replaced x1 ....... Er thats all Ride everyday. Bought new in Jan 2009. Looking at 2011 seriously

Best....can ride Adelaide to past Melbourne 800 km like a commute in a day and be fresh as a daisy. Hit the Snowy Mountains for a 5/7 blast. A transcontinental roadster..Still a hoot. Cant walk past the dam thing without wanting to sit on it

[websterize]

Between 40 degrees and 60 degrees, the BMW PCM 2 jacket and pants are terrific — and pricey. Below 40 degrees, the jacket, underneath a Gerbing's heated jacket, mitigates hot spots created by microwires. The PCM works best when fit snug. Wearing a long-sleeve work shirt underneath is a wrinkled exercise in frustration. A wicking, short-sleeve T-shirt is ideal.

The Gerbing's heated gloves are indispensable. I couldn't commute year round without them.

[Woland]

For use in combination with a leather suit I´d go with icebreaker merino-wool garments under the leather and when needed a rain-suit on top. Merino-wool underwear is hard to beat, warm when needed, doesn't get smelly, soft and nice against your skin and are surprisingly adaptable to both hot and cold. I´ve yet to come across a synthetic material that can compete in both hot and cold.

Likewise, a rain-suit on top of your other gear will do wonders for warmth since it doesn't let any air in.

If you wanna ditch the leather there are some really good textiles out there these days. I bought a Rukka Argonaut jacket a couple of weeks back that are supposedly very abrasion resistant and while I cant attest to that myself, I do find it very good in every other way. Rode for about 5 hours the other day in pouring rain without a drop getting in and even without the inner liner it kept me warm at 18 degrees Celsius. A bit pricey @ 800€ or so though, thank god I didn't have to pay full price

[Anyname]

+1 on the Gerbings gear...

[roger l]

Has anyone tried the Tourmaster Synergy jacket?


Roger L

[CRazyCam]

Is there a reason you don't want to go with heated gear. Seems perfect for a cold morning warm afternoon situation'

Hi Harry.

Can't speak for vodka, but, I'd try heated gear, but there isn't much heated gear on sale here in Oz, and it's kind of important to actually try stuff like that on for size before purchase, so buying sight unseen on the net is a bit too dicey for me.

regards,CrazyCam

[AllanCook]

Move to Texas. You can ride year-round here. Not the most beautiful riding, and you may not always want to ride, but you can go out in the "winter" without electrics.

[Caroanbill]

My aussie experience - cold weather touring and commuting (Canberra - so sometimes ~ -5C). I've ridden SA in the winter (and in winter rain), so I know how bleak it can get!

I'd dodge neoprene altogether: eventually it'll make you cold because you can't get the water OUT ... latent heat of evaporation is 240 joules / gram so having evaporating water right one your skin is one fast way to hypothermia. That's the point of a wick layer right one your skin - moves the site of evaporation (even 1mm makes a big difference). I'm an XC skier / snowcamper and cold water diver - and while I'll scream the benefits of 7mm neoprene (with titanium lining) for serious cold diving, I wouldn't wear in on land.

A mate uses SKINS (really an active system) - the snow stuff has a brushed lining. He swears by it (wears a BMW Klimacomfort Suit, not the warmest thing ever).
http://www.skins.net/index.aspx

Me, I use merino wool on the bike. Wicks moisture off my skin and is very warm (insulating) - but not too hot as the day warms up. Takes no space, so easy to keep in my gear on any multiday trip, for just in case. The polypropelene "thermal" wear wicks just fine, but actually has no warming / insulating properties. Icebreaker (NZ) is about the best, but Kathmandu et al sell reasonable stuff at lower prices. Over that I use a fibrepile fleece if I have a long cold run (and I've done several ours at <1C) - thin is fine, and you can get stretchy stuff which will fit under road pants. I wear a BMW goretex suit - Streetguard / Tourgard, which allows evaporated moisture out and keep me comfy until a fuel stop where I can lose a layer on mornings that start around zero and warm up.

My most effective touring garment is a windproof fleece vest - teamed with fine wool and a street shirt, you look quite normal on and off the bike, but your core stays toasty warm. Add a light fleece top and you've got great flexibility

I know a few Aussies use heated gear - but as a few have commented, it's overkill for most places on our old continent.

[MoraleHazard]

I live in Connecticut USA and have ridden in the 30's F / low single digits C. I use UnderArmor Cold Gear as a base layer with a fleece over that under my leathers on my upper body. Lower body is generally just polypro long underwear and leather pants. Merino wool socks. Over the leather jacket I'll wear my rain jacket if I'm on the highway for a long distance, but I don't bother for rides in the twisties where the speed is in the 45-60 mph range.

The only thing that gets really cold is my hands. Thank God for heated grips.

[websterize]

The only thing that gets really cold is my hands. Thank God for heated grips.

If you think the grips are good, you would be amazed by heated gloves — I couldn't commute year-round without them.

[pistonbroke]

hi all
i ride all year round ,not keen on dressing up in bulky clothing, so here is what i wear for the cold , leathers in a bag in the wardrobe ,just to cold for the winter, textiles out . thin polartec fleece top ,100 series the best , polartec gilet and have a 5 mm neoprene body belt ,with perforations in it, 9 inch at the front and 13 inch at the back ,had it made in a wet suit factory. then bike jacket . trousers i wear a thin type polartec legging and then textile bike trousers over the top , walking socks and boots , thats the lot . the body belt is the best thing however. no more frequent trips to the garage for a pee. heated grips of course with summer gloves i have tried the rash neoprene vest type stuff but get damp, bad combo with cold . i do have a neoprene waist coat i had made 2mm with a zip ,needs the perforations though .very warm .longest trip in a day was from scotland to cornwall , coldest night of year ,500 miles in one go , fuel stops were the only breaks , i did have problems , back of hands and visor frosting , hands got warm in a hand drier and salt smeared on visor stopped it frosting . end of trip my knees were cold through . do not think i would like to do this regular with long breaks . another thing is if you put waterproofs over you bike gear that will keep you a lot warmer , cheap leggings and top work great. i always wear a neck type scarf and a silk type balaclava under my helmet too.
i would like to try the heated gear but would probably walk off with it all attached and break it . the cold days i can handle but the rain and cold are not pleasant.