BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I'm a newbie and need some cold weather gear help. I don't get cold easy and even though I live in Chicago I'm still riding in 30-40 F weather. My Joe Rocket jacket leaves my neck exposed. This is my weakest link and I'm looking for something to cover it up. Has anyone had any luck with the following?

http://www.aerostich.com/product.php?pr ... 287&page=1

http://www.aerostich.com/product.php?pr ... 287&page=1

Tipstall,

Last winter I purchased a North Face Gore Windstopper Neck Gaiter. It cost me $20. and knowing how well it works, is worth more than twice that for me.

You can read about the Windstopper technology here :

http://www.gore-tex.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... ctId=10256

But in a nut shell, what it does is as it's name applies, stops the cold wind. Plus it's made by the North Face company which makes terrific outdoor clothing.

What I like best about this neck gaiter is that it has an elastic cord that I cinch around my neck and above my chin, just below my lower lip. I then pull the helmet on, being careful that it does not slip off of my chin and tuck the lower section inside my jacket. This keeps all the cold wind out and keeps my neck toasty warm.

Shop around and you should be able to find one for @$20. Full retail price is close to $40. Below is a link for a place that has a good price however it looks like they are currently out of stock.

http://www.bobwards.com/bobwards/servle ... /104792-09

Keep warm!

I just use a simple $10 polyester scarf I bought from Sears a few years ago. Works great. I used it in 20 degree weather going from VA to GA a few years ago in January.

I ride in chicago as well, pretty much 5 days a week all year.

I have a goretex neck wrap that covers my mouth, nose and checks. This has proved effective down to 15F.

The only down side is keeping the wrap in place when putting my helmet on.

Bill

tipstall wrote:I'm a newbie and need some cold weather gear help. I don't get cold easy and even though I live in Chicago I'm still riding in 30-40 F weather. My Joe Rocket jacket leaves my neck exposed. This is my weakest link and I'm looking for something to cover it up.

Well, a Widder System2 vest has a high collar which will keep your neck warm, PLUS, you don't have to bundle up as much. Just throw on your favorite long sleeve T under the vest.

30-40F that sounds about the same as the UK at the moment. 30 on the way to work and 40 on the way home. Ive got a very good jacket which comes with a high neck. Under that when it's going to be 30f I use an old cycle wind gore jacket. This is vey thin and light but the warmest thing for it's size. I would see if you can get a wind gore neck protector. Cycle and ski shops are good places to look.

I have two issues riding in cold weather.

1. My visor fogs up if I get stuck in stop and go traffic. I installed a nose guard in my helmet and treated my visor with anti-fog stuff. They both helped but I am still having a problem with this.

2. I get a runny nose when temps are in the 30's or colder. Yes, it sounds silly, but it gets annoying.

Any solutions would be appreciated.

My "secret" for cold weather riding is the "Wind Triangle" by Noz.
It is made of wind-proof nylon with a fleece liner and is secured by Velcro.
You can wear it:
Loosely around the neck. Even in just "cool" weather I like to eliminate thaat little cold spot where the jacket zipper ends at the throat.
Tightly around the neck, high-up where your chin-strap holds it in place over your throat and it "seals" around the edges of the helmet. This is my favorite.
Or you can wear it up over your nose like a bandit and pretend you're Dubya sneaking down to Condi's room at the Holiday Inn! It's kind of hard to get your helmet on this way and I don't recommend it for going into a 7-11 store on Saturday night.
There are other, similar brands but I have no experience with them. It sells for ~$20 or a little less. Some of the Harley Dudes wear a black leather version. I suppose it looks cool but can't see how it would work very well.
I also have a Windstopper balaclava that works well for really cold weather but it seldom gets *really cold* here and if it does I drive my truck and turn on the heater.
Heated grips, GS handguards, a heated vest, windproof FirstGear HT Overpants and a Cycloak jacket complete my cold weather ensemble.

rdsmith3 wrote:I have two issues riding in cold weather.

1. My visor fogs up if I get stuck in stop and go traffic. I installed a nose guard in my helmet and treated my visor with anti-fog stuff. They both helped but I am still having a problem with this.

2. I get a runny nose when temps are in the 30's or colder. Yes, it sounds silly, but it gets annoying.

Any solutions would be appreciated.

Whoever solves these two problems will be a rich man, indeed!!
8-)

But seriously, FogCity is the gold standard for visor anti-fog.
http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/pr ... sp?Item=FC

Other than that, you have to crack open the shield when you
come to a stop, or slow to a crawl.

I used to have something I bought from a local dealer about 8 years ago - it was basically cotton (T-shirt material) that was made up into a tube. It was perfect, not too bulky but thick enough to keep the cold air off my nect and out of the helmet. I would put it on under my jacket and pull it up over my nose. Then I lost it.

Last year I found something similar at the motorcycle show and have been using it since. I like the thin stuff since it easier to gut up under the helmet. I don't care for the full head socks so what I have is another 'tube' of material.

Better than cotten is the synthetic Buff. These are very thin and flexible. you can get them from Motorbike, Ski and outdoor shops.

tipstall wrote:I'm a newbie and need some cold weather gear help. I don't get cold easy and even though I live in Chicago I'm still riding in 30-40 F weather. My Joe Rocket jacket leaves my neck exposed. This is my weakest link and I'm looking for something to cover it up.

Check this out:
http://www.exigentbikecovers.com/accessories.htm

Scroll down to "Neck and Chest" bib-looking thinger.
I've had mine for years and love it. Velcro closure makes it easy
to put on/take off with helmet on. $15!

I know this may upset some people, but so far to date, and i have a lot of riding gear, the harley davison FXRG jacket and pants are by far the best cold weather gear i have. And it has very suttle harley logo, no big harley logo. I bought it on sale for $800.00 for both pieces. I was looking at vanson leathers and the jacket alone was $800. The atlantis pro 3 from bmw was $1500. The FXRG comes in leather or fabric.

scott

ride1150r wrote:I know this may upset some people, but so far to date, and i have a lot of riding gear, the harley davison FXRG jacket and pants are by far the best cold weather gear i have. And it has very suttle harley logo, no big harley logo. I bought it on sale for $800.00 for both pieces. I was looking at vanson leathers and the jacket alone was $800. The atlantis pro 3 from bmw was $1500. The FXRG comes in leather or fabric.
scott

Joe Rocket Meteor 5.0 jacket and Ballistic 5.0 pants, a bit over $300 for
the pair from NewEnough.com

They've been good down to high 30s degrees(F) with just a regular
long-sleeve shirt and dockers on underneath on my 45-50 minute
backroads commute.

As pointed out above, it's been chilly in the UK over the past week. -4C this morning (another 6C lower and it'll start getting cold)

FWIW, I've been snug as a bug in a rug with a thickish roll-neck undershirt originally bought for rock-climbing, a sweatshirt, heated vest and IXS Goretex/Cordura jacket on top with Rukka trousers as bottoms.

Investment this year was some BMW ProWinter gloves - not yet tested in the rain for waterproofing since only had them a week but comfy and warm.

For helmet liner I bought half a dozen Scott cotton balaclavas a few years back and they do fine.

Noticed fewer bikes around today, though.

I know people who use the Aerostich items you linked and like them. But my problem with anything like that or any neck gaiter things is I can't get them to stay up under my helmet and on my chin. Must be the beard! And plain fleece and other materials just let the wind through.

The best item I have found is a BMW product which is a balaclava (spelling?) wore under the helmet that has a polypro thin upper material and a thin Gore-Tex windblocker lower portion which tucks nicely into my Roadcrafter jacket collar. Used in conjuction with a fleece jacket with a zip-up collar underneath it, it completely seals the warm air in and wind out. I highly recommend it. About $35 if I recall.

I have seen thermal face masks in the JC Whitney catalog for $5, $10, and $15. Can't say how effective they are, but sound like some of the other things mentioned here.

I have a Tourmaster Cortech one piece suit that I wore in 28 degree weather last Friday and was plenty warm, other than my hands. I put a cotton headband - like what you put around your head and ears for skiing - around my neck and tuck it in under my chinstrap and helmet. That blocks the wind fine for me, but in my daily commute I don't get much over 40 mph. I also have a FirstGear Kilimanjaro winter jacket that is quite warm as well - wore it today in 40 degree weather - and has a lining that can be taken out when it warms up. The lining can also be worn as a separate (not riding) jacket!

Simplify your life and get Gerbings.
You will be warm all winter.
http://www.gerbing.com

Andy the BMW gloves are the best I've ever had. They just kept my hands the warmest last year, And they have never leaked. Best buy as far as I'm conserned.

I have a set of Hien Gericke All season jacket and trousers. These are both gore-tex and zip togeather, so no cold drafts. I don't wear anything under them except when it is very cold and then I slip an old wind gore cycle jacket.

leno: That's encouraging. Not a bad price, either, for BMW.

I keep looking at new gear, like some of the latest Rukka range. After what, 5 years and many, many miles in all sorts of conditions, my IXS jacket is looking a bit tatty round the edges. And, being touring (long) style it isn't the height of fashion.

But it doesn't leak, keeps me warm in winter and comfortable in summer. And feels like an old friend.

PS On BMW gear, last year's investment was the Transition Boots. Best I've ever had for general use.