How many layers?

[Circuitrider]

Thursday I have to drive up to Indy for a meeting and I'll be taking some interstate. The temperature will be in the 50s.

My question is, how many layers will it take to keep warm? How would you start the trip? The ride back at 4pm will be easier since it will be 80. I'll have my Givi rear case to keep gear.

I just don't want to start off too cold and be stuck on I-74.

Thanks!

 

[Erci]

50 is not bad at all. No need for heated gear yet.

1. You'll want good warm gloves! Your hands will get cold quickly at highway speeds. Heated would be best, but good, regular winter gloves should do the trick.

2. Layers: I would go with expedition weight base layer, followed by ultra-thin wind-blocking layer (simple nylon wind breaker works great), followed by regular riding jacket. I would also wear medium to expedition weight base layer under riding pants/jeans.

3. Use a neck gator or a bandanna.. something to fully cover your neck and secure the chin strap over it to keep it in place well. Note of warning though: this will cause the shield of your helmet to fog up more.

That should do it.

 

[Circuitrider]

What is "expedition base layer?"

 

[dpaul007]

What is "expedition base layer?"

It's the first layer you put on that goes against your skin. I have this and it's nice: Expedition Weight Crewneck Baselayer | First Ascent

I actually haven't worn it while on the bike yet, though.

I rode in the low to mid 50s this morning. All I had on was a leather jacket and wind pants over my business professional clothes. You just really need to block that wind and you should be ok

 

[Circuitrider]

Sounds good. I have some overpants with a liner. They have armor in them and are pretty comfortable.

Since it is about 1.5 hour ride, I just bought a baselayer for under the pants. I have a columbia shirt that should work and a liner for my ICON leather jacket. I'll just take a pair of pants to change into for the meeting. I really like that the overpants zip into my jacket. When I bought some jeans, I really hated that gap that shot air down my pants (actually it was rather nice but then I wondered if the car behind me saw my crack ) haha

Sorry if this sounds stupid, I'm just new to so much riding culture and have only focused on safety gear and MSF exercises while getting used to my FZ6.

 

[FIZZER6]

One thing I have learned when taking a longer ride in <50 degree temps is this. "YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH ON!" I've never stopped to take off clothes on a cool day but I've stopped quite often to put the 1-piece wind/rain over-suit on!

 

[MG-242]

Just as a reference at 65 mph the wind chill will be about 25F. You can always peel the layers off.

 

[Circuitrider]

I'm going to do the redneck heated gloves. I have Triumph gloves I got off eBay and will get a package of "hot hands" from the hunting section of walmart. BOOM-- Heated gloves for $15 total..haha

 

[aclayonb]

Grabbed a cheap-o fleece balaclava and just pulled the opening down below my nose. Works fine for an hour in the high 40's. Keeping the wind out of the sleeves and neck is pretty key. My legs don't usually notice the cold unless there's frost on the ground.

I'll look around the Armory here and see if we have any of the lightweight poly-pro ninja suits lying around. Those are good base layers with a thumbhole in the sleeve. They're light enough to wear under dress pants/shirt without cooking as long as the heat's not cranked wherever you are going.

For my rides when it's cold - uniform plus hoodie plus leather jacket (minus liner). The liner isn't as good as an extra long-sleeve hoodie if you can tuck the sleeves into your gloves.

 

[fb40dash5]

I have a pair of really thin OR glove liners. They're like freaking magic if you keep the wind off them. First time I used them was under my JR leather gloves, I had ridden up in the daytime and it had been nice and warm, so I left my winter gloves. When I rode home it was about 35 degrees, the plain leather gloves with liners were warmer than my winter gloves alone. With winter gloves they'll keep my hands warm down below where I want to ride anyway.

Also have an OR 'windproof' fleece balaclava. I tried just a neck gaiter but it was a PITA to get it to stay high enough when I put my helmet on. Plus if it's cold enough I want my neck covered, I want all my vents open to keep my shield defogged, so the balaclava keeps the rest of my head warm.

Other than that... at 50 I'm just barely wanting a decently warm long sleeve under my jacket. Honestly, all of the above might be slight overkill at that temp. But better overkill than under.... brrrr.

 

[Circuitrider]

Grabbed a cheap-o fleece balaclava and just pulled the opening down below my nose. Works fine for an hour in the high 40's. Keeping the wind out of the sleeves and neck is pretty key. My legs don't usually notice the cold unless there's frost on the ground.

I'll look around the Armory here and see if we have any of the lightweight poly-pro ninja suits lying around. Those are good base layers with a thumbhole in the sleeve. They're light enough to wear under dress pants/shirt without cooking as long as the heat's not cranked wherever you are going.

For my rides when it's cold - uniform plus hoodie plus leather jacket (minus liner). The liner isn't as good as an extra long-sleeve hoodie if you can tuck the sleeves into your gloves.

That would be AWESOME! THANKS!

 

[LFZ6]

So, how did your cool ride go?

 

[Ssky0078]

Man it sucks for you guys where it gets cold. :BLAA:

 

[Circuitrider]

The ride was pretty good. My base layer pants didn't arrive in time so I used ICON riding jeans and overpants with a liner. I had a Columbia base layer wicking long sleeve shirt and my leather jacket with the liner in. The only problem was that I started sweating with everything before I got underway! So the wicking was getting my chest a little chilly but not bad.

My legs didn't get cold and only the very tips of my fingers and toes got just a bit uncomfortable.

It was also my first experience with fog. That is messed up not being able to see the condition of the road!

I took a flip flops and a different shirt and a ball cap for the meeting and put the rest of my gear in the top box and helmet on the lock. On the ride home I broke out the mesh kevlar gloves, jacket without liner, and just the jeans. Worked out great! Thanks for all the help!

 

[Nelly]

I have a pair of really thin OR glove liners. They're like freaking magic if you keep the wind off them. First time I used them was under my JR leather gloves, I had ridden up in the daytime and it had been nice and warm, so I left my winter gloves. When I rode home it was about 35 degrees, the plain leather gloves with liners were warmer than my winter gloves alone. With winter gloves they'll keep my hands warm down below where I want to ride anyway.

Also have an OR 'windproof' fleece balaclava. I tried just a neck gaiter but it was a PITA to get it to stay high enough when I put my helmet on. Plus if it's cold enough I want my neck covered, I want all my vents open to keep my shield defogged, so the balaclava keeps the rest of my head warm.

Other than that... at 50 I'm just barely wanting a decently warm long sleeve under my jacket. Honestly, all of the above might be slight overkill at that temp. But better overkill than under.... brrrr.

+1 on glove liners, the trick is not to be tempted to get a thick pair, a nice thin pair helps to trap warm air heated by your fingers.
I have never had heated grips and ride regularly in the freezing winter with liners and gloves.

Nelly

 

[aclayonb]

Rode up to Connersville (3 hrs away) on Thursday for work @ approx 50 degrees / 80 pct humidity. Not bad, considering we were averaging 75+ all the way up there. Had on regular uniform pants (thinner than jeans, honestly), a hoodie and leather jacket over my uniform top and my Z1R unlined gloves. Was fine the whole trip.

Like I said, you don't have to get too frisky until the temps get into the low 40's or high 30's. Then, you consider 2 layers on the legs, fleece liners + leather gloves, balaclava or gaiter, 2 sets o' socks, base layer + hoodie + leather jacket w/liner (for "full" comfort - not necessary if riding less than an hour or staying off of highways).

Anyway, a lot of crap to pack. Saddlebags become a must to haul all this junk around in if you want to ride when it's cold. Fall is 30's in the morn, maybe low 70's during the day. Makes for weird riding clothes.

We don't have any extra ninja suits lying around but here's a flea-bay auction for them (Army Silkweight Undershirt/Pants):

2 Polartec Thermals Top Bottom L1 Gen III Silk Weight Military Army Medium Reg | eBay

I used to wear this stuff in Afghanistan under my regular uniform on foot patrols. We would move 10-15 miles in 15 degrees with a stout breeze and I'd be sweating like a champ when I got back. I assume it would be a good base layer for rides too. Military surplus is cheap enough and usually built to last. It fits a little tight, btw. If you don't like stuff tight on you, you may want to go with a larger size. I'm 6' 200lbs and I wear a large regular, for reference. If you can get the long version, go for it. That way you can tuck it into your gloves. The sleeves have thumb holes, which help.

They make another, heavier version that is polyproplyene but that crap itches like wool and you'll get cold because you'll sweat too much.

 

[Nelly]

Rode up to Connersville (3 hrs away) on Thursday for work @ approx 50 degrees / 80 pct humidity. Not bad, considering we were averaging 75+ all the way up there. Had on regular uniform pants (thinner than jeans, honestly), a hoodie and leather jacket over my uniform top and my Z1R unlined gloves. Was fine the whole trip.

Like I said, you don't have to get too frisky until the temps get into the low 40's or high 30's. Then, you consider 2 layers on the legs, fleece liners + leather gloves, balaclava or gaiter, 2 sets o' socks, base layer + hoodie + leather jacket w/liner (for "full" comfort - not necessary if riding less than an hour or staying off of highways).

Anyway, a lot of crap to pack. Saddlebags become a must to haul all this junk around in if you want to ride when it's cold. Fall is 30's in the morn, maybe low 70's during the day. Makes for weird riding clothes.

We don't have any extra ninja suits lying around but here's a flea-bay auction for them (Army Silkweight Undershirt/Pants):

2 Polartec Thermals Top Bottom L1 Gen III Silk Weight Military Army Medium Reg | eBay

I used to wear this stuff in Afghanistan under my regular uniform on foot patrols. We would move 10-15 miles in 15 degrees with a stout breeze and I'd be sweating like a champ when I got back. I assume it would be a good base layer for rides too. Military surplus is cheap enough and usually built to last. It fits a little tight, btw. If you don't like stuff tight on you, you may want to go with a larger size. I'm 6' 200lbs and I wear a large regular, for reference. If you can get the long version, go for it. That way you can tuck it into your gloves. The sleeves have thumb holes, which help.

They make another, heavier version that is polyproplyene but that crap itches like wool and you'll get cold because you'll sweat too much.

Great kit, $40.00 postage is a bit of a rip off.

Nelly

 

[Circuitrider]

I bought a oakley base layer but it just didn't get here in time so I'm good with that part of the layers.

You're not kidding with the extra space! I was glad I had the Givi top box, it really came in handy.

 

[LFZ6]

I'm kind of a fair weather rider I guess. If it gets below 55 degrees I say screw it and drive my car. But my suit is a Tourmaster with the cold weather and wet weather liners so, when I have rode with it cooler I put in both liners and did fine.
I'm glad your ride went well and you returned safe. I hate fog.

 

[mnuttall87]

I hate fog.

One of the main reasons I absolutely love my Arai helmet is because of the pinlock face shield. I have never had it fog up on in wet/rainy/freezing conditions.