Bloody freezing......

[RogerC]

Rode back from Stoke-on Trent last night....Leather jeans+long johns, Rukka jacket/liner/sweatshirt and thermal vest but still freezing cold after 150 miles ish home......So without the obvious of electric this and that or stopping more often for a fag and a warm up can anyone recommend some 'GOOD' thermal gear?? :sunshine :sunshine

 

[Deleted account W]

This is the best stuff I've found. Even used it last week skiing in -3 temp. Waterproof as well.

 

[Big Al Litch]

I have never suffered a cold body even in 200+ mile journeys in sub zero temperatures (you know the ones, the whole journey you are clinging onto the handle-bars just knowing that the front wheel is going to slip away on the ice any minute!) but face/fingers & feet always have been a problem.

About 20-years ago I invested in a Ruka lined 2-piece (bib & brace setup) to go over the leathers and that always kept me warm & dry in any weather (believe me, I really tested it). The tall trousers cover the body and with the jacket on top you have doubled the insulating layer.
For the feet I never really progressed beyond a pair of thin socks underneath a thicker pair and wrapped up in a nice pair of motoX boots.
Hands, well once again that was never really a success as the 'thermal' ones were never any good after 50-miles or so and wearing inner and/or outer gloves just make operating the controls difficult.

Nowadays, if it is really cold when I set off I dump the new armoured waterproofs (Revit, not very good to be perfectly honest) and wear a lined Sidi one-piece over the leathers. This only cost about £70 a couple years ago and has proved to be 100% waterproof and totally insulating. I wear a long-sleeved thermal shirt, a thin sweatshirt, the leather jacket (thermal liner long since removed) and with the oversuit I am as warm as toast.
My current boots are Sidi Black Rain and while they have proved to be 100% waterproof (I really like Sidi stuf as it does what it said it would) they are still cold and modern thermal socks only help for 50-70 miles and then you have cold feet again.
As for hands, well the heated grips & handguards (with extensions) make up for the failures in 'thermal' gloves. The backs of the hands/fingers still get cold but the palms are lovely and warm and stop you loosing feeling.

 

[Steptoe]

in the old days, used to rub deep heat on my hands, then put washing upgloves on with normal gloves on top, warm and dry in any weather- one problem ! when stopping for a call of nature remember the deep heat on your hands, it burns like hell on sensitive places;

 

[Vendome 41]

Chilli

Leather is fine as protection if you come off but does not keep you warm.
Decent thermals, quality fleece, rukka style trouser with bib and brace. gauntlets rather than gloves, may be silk inner gloves. and a set of handlebar muffs should keep you going. It has worked for me for many years.

 

[slimbo]

frank thomas did do a one piece thermalquilt lined waterproof jobbie...it is bulky to store but in the cold brill
i bought one two years ago bloody marvelous over the top of leathers or goretex gear stops the wind chill no problems..
did 500 miles last monday on the adv comfy all the way..

 

[Flying banana]

Get a set of Frank Thomas Windstopper lined clothing. Antifreeze, I think is the name. I have a long neck top, and a neckwarmer, both of which are feckin brilliant. They cpompletely stop the colling effect, i find. The Windstopper is completely windproof. Knox do a slightly cheaper version which my brother-in-law uses, and it is as good. The Frank Thomas top was about £45 I think. Well reccomended. I ride in all weathers, both commuting, and as an instructor, and love tghe stuff. Bearing in mind I get very cold very quickly, this clothing combined with heated grips, and a Widder heated waistcoat, I never get cold. I exaggerate not!!

FB

 

[keith. C]

Since I fitted an Aeroflow screen I have not suffered from the constant windblast that GS riders seem to be susceptable to and which chills you to the bone whatever clothing you seem to wear.

Its a bit like fitting a barn door but you can easily change it back to the stock screen as soon as spring arrives.

 

[pragmatix]

Layers

The best wat to keep warm is to use thin layers rather than a thick one, on a cold day i.e - temps I wear, silk vest and long johns, a base layer from the local climbing shop, then a self wicking tee shirt, then an Altura cycling shirt, the legs get a pair of my cycling tights these are of a winstopper material and are soft lined and have the added bonus of having a padded seat, outer layer is a Belstaff explorer jacket and Dianese trousers, and that keeps me warm for 300+ miles, the biggest problem is trying not to generate to much heat getting dressed.

Its important that all the items are self wicking as you do not want a build up off moisture next to your body. Also try to exclude drafts.


Pete A

 

[LivNorway]

Hi!
I just bought a trouser to wear under your normal trouser.
It's from BMW, and it's foam-rubber/neoprene in front, on the knees, and in the back.
It's not warm to wear inside, but the salesman said it's worm outside, in the wind.
There's a jacket too, made the same way.
So I'm hoping it works!

Normally when I ride in +10c I wear my electric socks and my electric west, and it's OK.
But when I was riding in 0c I was cold on my legs, and in my face.
And I got some electric gloves this winter, so I hope I won't be freezing this spring!

The rest of my gear is a Yoko jacket, and a BikeWear trouser, and Lindstrand or some old BMW boots, and a Schubert helmet.
And wool, and 2 balaclavas! Wind Stopper Burka, or whatever they call it!

BMW neoprene/foam-rubber trouser; I'm gonna try it!

Liv.