[drDave]

30 degrees in Chicago; just took a 10 mile ride in 20 mph wind with the 65w Firstgear jacket and plugin gloves, insulated Slider pants, and a microfleece gaiter between helmet and neck. Jacket was mesh motoport kevlar. Everything toasty; definitely the only bike out there in this weather, even the BMW's computer was blinking "30" no doubt BMW's Frozen Stupidity Warning. . .

What's the coldest temp people have ridden? Anybody experience any 1200 weirdness in cold temps? (Other than the Frozen Stupidity Warning)

 

[yonderbob]

Won't catch me out of doors on purpose below 50 degrees... hats off to ya!

 

[RapidRider]

So far, only down to 30 deg F. (Coldest it's been here since I bought the BMW.) Really though, it's just a matter of dressing for it, so I'm going to push as far down as possible

 

[fleuger99]

I rode to work Mon and Tuesday here in Boston area and my temp guage was flashing 27F at 7:30am when I left. Only cold part of me was my lower jaw, the rest was comfortable.

I was wearing a thermal t-shirt, a Revit Thermal long sleeve/pants base layer and my BMW Tourance 2 suit with thermal liner installed. I also use the BMW winter gloves with heated grips cranked to MAX. Once North of the Mass Pike on 495 I was hitting 80 - 85 Mph. Before tires warm up though my cornering verges on a 3 year old on a tricycle

Next week it is in the high teens in the morning so I will not be riding. I washed my bike this morning and she will be going into hibernation shortly.

 

[Hoshiko]

NY it's not as cold yet,
As long as I have the right gear, I think I can ride at any temperature, taking it really easy on the turns. If there was any snow at all, you couldn't pay me enough to go out tho.
One Sunday few years ago, I was meeting a friend of mine in Manhattan, and the subway doesn't run that often late Sunday so I decided to take my bike since the place is only 6 miles from here.
Didn't even check the whether and that bike didn't have the "frozen stupidity warning"
We stayed at the eatery longer then what I though just catching up and drinking lots of coffee, suddenly, I left the place, sun is long gone, and it was beginning to snow and cold, somewhere on the mid 20's. NEVER AGAIN.

 

[drDave]

Last January during what was freakishly warm weather for Chicago, I did some errands on my (then) G650gs. Errands done ----- thick snow started falling. I hightailed back home. Bikes can do a lot of things, but riding in fresh snow is not one of them. . . Cold is one thing; wet ice is another. . .

 

[fleuger99]

Last January during what was freakishly warm weather for Chicago, I did some errands on my (then) G650gs. Errands done ----- thick snow started falling. I hightailed back home. Bikes can do a lot of things, but riding in fresh snow is not one of them. . . Cold is one thing; wet ice is another. . .

Absolutely. Dry and cold is okay, wet and cold is asking for trouble.

 

[drDave]

10 miles this morning - 25 degrees with the flashing BMW Frozen Stupidity Warning going all the time. . .winter liner in Motoport kevlar jacket, Firstgear electric liner and gloves, balaclava under helmet. Toasty.

 

[Hoshiko]

He DrDave,
25 degrees???:dizzy:
How many more motorcycles did you see out there?
I know someone who knows someone, who knows someone who lives in Chicago, I asked him to go out and look for you to make sure you are not lying about your cold riding adventures, he found you and even snapped a picture of you.

 

[drDave]

That's me. . .I was waiting for the Good Humor truck to get a frozen Popsicle. . .

 

[drDave]

Hoshiko, And for some reason, I haven't seen any other motorcycles out for weeks. . .silly rabbits. . .I think this goes back to when I started riding a couple of years ago. I was waiting for some good weather. . .and then it hit me. . ."this is Chicago, there is no good weather!" So I rode in the rain, at night, in the winter, in 100 degree heat. That's what we got. That's what I ride.

 

[Dave]

-3 C or about 26 F this morning. The heated jacket worked well but my hands still got a bit cold on the motorway stretch of my commute to work. I think I'll have to get some hand guards to keep the wind off.

 

[drDave]

Electric gloves, boyo. My Firstgear 65w jacket liner has cords for gloves and they work well.

 

[Dave]

I did have some matching gloves to go with my Klan heated jacket but I didn't like the feel and the wire attachment wasn't very comfortable around the wrist. I'm happy with the heated grips and just need the guards to keep the wind off.

 

[Hoshiko]

I did have some matching gloves to go with my Klan heated jacket but I didn't like the feel and the wire attachment wasn't very comfortable around the wrist. I'm happy with the heated grips and just need the guards to keep the wind off.

I also have the firstgear ones attached to my firstgear jacket, they are a charm.

Now, if you don't like the cables around your wrist, i have seen some battery operated ones, I can't say how well they work or how long the battery last but that's another option.
Venture Battery Powered Heated Glove Liners

Venture Battery Powered Heated Gloves

+1 on the hand guards to keep your hands warm.

 

[Dave]

What hand guards are recommended. I've been told those of a R1200GS fit and being BMW I can rely on their quality. I can't remember where but I have seen some made from clear perspex and they looked good but don't know where to start looking over here.

 

[G6620]

30 degrees in Chicago; just took a 10 mile ride in 20 mph wind with the 65w Firstgear jacket and plugin gloves, insulated Slider pants, and a microfleece gaiter between helmet and neck. Jacket was mesh motoport kevlar. Everything toasty; definitely the only bike out there in this weather, even the BMW's computer was blinking "30" no doubt BMW's Frozen Stupidity Warning. . .

What's the coldest temp people have ridden? Anybody experience any 1200 weirdness in cold temps? (Other than the Frozen Stupidity Warning)

About 55 degrees. Today was 75 and sunny so that was pretty good.

 

[drDave]

Wow G6620, how do you brave the elements like that? Hats off to you hardy Floridians.

 

[Clem]

Wunderlich ClearProtect Hand Guards
Part Number: 8600346-347
Like these?

 

[drDave]

Hoshiko, I and others have gotten Barkbusters Storm handguards. His are black, mine are chrome.