Mid week topic 29th October

[guest7]

Now is the time that us all-year riders start thinking of 'winterising' the bike.

I am a fan of wind protection after my 2008 Elefant run with windshield and legshields fitted. A good way of making the point about their usefulness is to say "compare riding with your visor open (on a cold day) and with it shut". I reckon cold windblast is your biggest emeny when winter biking.

Here is my fully equipped XBR as I set off for the Elefant:



What do you lot fit to make the winter months more comfortable?
GC

[bullet350]

 who's in the sidecar?

bullet350

[robG]

I agree , the biggest emeny is windblast . In order to fully protect my velocepede from same , I carefully monitor my diet . I try to avoid those foods known to promote windblast , however this must be carefully balanced . The odd windblast from within ones oversuit can , in the right conditions provide warmth and relaxation .{ In moderation and due care being observed at all times }.

[guest381]

A vest. 

[squirrelciv]

Used to fit muffs for winter, but I bought a pair of Spada 3 finger gloves last year that seem to work really well so wont bother now. (might regret that on the way to the Dragon though)

This years winter plan is to fit a front mudguard extension. Biggest grief I get is water injected into my boots as it flies off the wheel and bounces off the front down tube. Mind you I've had this plan every winter since I bought the bike and still have done nowt about it

Heyho!

[Andy M]

Heated vest, heated grips, leg apron thingy, windscreen and fully enclosed hand guards made of old creosote bottles. The latter are still experimental. I also run a heated visor, but can't decide if goggles and a face mask actually work best. The Triumphs exhaust layout of pipes under the footpegs seems to keep boots dry, but I still carry overboots and overgloves on the basis they dry quicker.

I think tips on food are useful too. Any hot drinks are the best rescue package if you get cold, but if you are staying warm advice about staying off the caffeine seems true. Chocolate gives you a quick boost, but a steady consumption of hot meals (chips, pasta that sort of thing) mixed in with cereal bars seems to work best. Of course a good Yorkshire diet of beef and beer builds up the insulation and acts as an emergency supply 

In my long running rant about motorcycle clothing, the midrift and neck issues still don't seem solved. I'm running a set of German tank crew overalls to try and sort that one, but ski suits and other cold weather gear seems to have it sorted too.

It snowed here this morning (must have only been for about 30 seconds, the roads are still functioing). Bring it on 

Andy

[robG]

We're obviously being very grown up about all of this and quite right to .

Has anyone solved the problem of wicking ?I use Dainese Kit and seem to suffer water wicking down the front of the lining . Nothing coming through the jacket itself. This in turn finds its way into the trousers . All very boring and moist .

I wear an open face arai all year round and put it down , in part,  to this {water down the chin etc} .Usual scarves worn , round neck , not as per Her Majesty the Queen when shooting .

Any suggestions ?

[jules]

IVE FOUND THAT IF YOU WEAR A SCARF/BUFF TYPE THING YOU WILL GET WETTER QUICKER
DEPENDING ON HOW HARD ITS CHUFFIN IT DOWN,
LIKE YOU SAY ROB IF YOU DONT HAVE A VISOR THEN IT WILL RUN DOWN YOUR CHIN,JUST
LIKE GRAVEY DOES IF YOU MISS YOUR PIE HOLE.I NOW WEAR A DIFI HUSKY 2 ALL IN ONE SUIT

http://www.riderz.co.uk/popup_image.php?pID=222&image=0



http://www.riderz.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=64_67&products_id=222

THIS IS VERY VERY WARM AND WATERPROOF,THE ONLY DOWN SIDE IS WHEN YOU NEED TO TAKE A LEAK,ITS A PAIN IN THE RRR'S,I ALSO LIKE ANDY WEAR A GERMAN TANK SUIT UNDER IT,ON COUNTLESS RUNS TO GERMANY ITS KEPT ME TOASTIE WARM,AS FOR BOOTS ITS GOT TO BE MY JOLLYS,GORETEX,WARM AND DRY WITHOT FAULT,THREE FINGER GOVES ALSO KNOWN AS BUNGLE GLOVES FROM HEIN GERKIN

[guest7]

Julian's first link takes you to this picture:



The second takes you to the suit details:
Difi Husky One Piece Waterproof Motorcycle Suit

Material:
420D Dobby Oxford; 330D Taslan; Lining: Nylon Taffeta

Details:
Windproof and Waterproof by PVC Coating
BODYGUARD® CE Protectors at Elbow Knee and Shoulder and Foam Shock Absorber at the back
Reinforcements from Heavy Dobby Oxford at Elbow Shoulder And Knee
Anti Slip Patches from Sure Grip at Shoulder and Bottom
Silver Reflective Stripes at Sleeves Back and Side
Reflective Prints at Front and Back
Thermal Lining from 180g Thermolite® Plus by INVISTA
Tight Fitting Cuffs and Additional Wind Cuffs
Variable cuffs and Ankle Width Adjusments due to Zippers and Velcro
Adjustable Sleeves
One Chest Pocket
Two Leg Pockets with Labyrinth Closure
Easy Entry by Large Front Vipper



Cheers,
GC

p.s. What is a large front vipper?

[jules]

DID MY LINK NOT WORK THEN OR HAVE I DONE SOMETHING WRONG?,

[guest7]

Yes the links worked, but I just added the details to another post to short-cut the process.

Cheers
GC

[robG]

p.s. What is a large front vipper?

[jules]

Yes the links worked, but I just added the details to another post to short-cut the process.

Cheers
GC

THANKYOU

[002]

p.s. What is a large front vipper?

Trouser snake ?

It goes with the emeny....Silly !!!

Jethro

[trophydave]

It is about time that I took off the standard plastic handguards from the Transalp.On go some wrap around type barkbuster things to act as a support for some handlabar muffs.Add a couple of cable ties and you have handlebar muffs that do not move in the wind.