This week has been fairly decent for Northeast Pa. in November. However, it is still pretty chilly when riding a bike. Each year it takes me a while to adjust to the colder temperatures. As expected, there has been a sharp decline in the number of motorcycles seen on the road these days. In the warmer weather, there was a much larger than usual bike population due to the increase in gas prices, but that number has now fallen to only our bravest of our riders.
Sunday found the Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club enjoying its fall poker run, needless to say the last run of the year. Although I did not join them — yes, I was a wuss — I did see a group of them coming down Edwardsville Mountain. Let me tell you, they looked cold! This run was designated to run “rain or shine, if it’s not good weather drive your car.” And so a dedicated group of diehards got out and enjoyed what was a beautiful if slightly chilly day.
On Sunday, watching American Chopper — yes, I do watch the show — Rick got to test drive the newest custom bike because it was 15 degrees out and Pauly didn’t want to do it! What are friends for? Which goes to show you that even the tough guys don’t always like to tough it out.
So what things can you wear to keep yourself warm when winter riding?
Every event and style demands a look. Winter riding is no different. I went Web shopping and discovered some pretty neat clothes that are designed to keep the rider warm in this type of weather. Heated vests are pretty popular, as you don’t need to buy a whole new jacket to enjoy them. Just plug it into your bike’s electrical system, and you are good to go. Their advertisement for this product states “Synergy Jacket, Vest and Pant Liners include a Power Lead Wiring Harness, Temperature Control Unit and a Thigh Mounted Leg Band to attach the Temperature Control Unit.” More information about these products can be found at www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/461/10325/ITEM/Tour-Master-Synergy-Heated-Vest-Liner.aspx
What is nice about these garments is that you can still keep your look with your leather Harley jacket and still have the warmth of a slim layer of heat. Additionally, Synergy offers heated gloves and pants.
Neck wraps are another important feature. A jacket that has a collar that stands up to the wind works well also, but if you can, find a balaclava wrap for your head. You may be more familiar with this accessory from TV coverage of bank robbers. For the bike enthusiast, however, the balaclava wrap is more than a head covering, as it should be long enough to cover your throat and upper chest. Many of the ones for motorcycles are made from a synthetic fiber material that retains the warmth of your skin and releases the moisture from the skin to keep the face and neck area warm. These range in price from around $17.99 – $44.99. Another form of neck wrap is the gaiter. This is a short tube of material that fits over the head and snugs around the neck. This is good if you have a low collar and want to keep the wind from going down your back. Of the gaiters I saw online, the one that seemed most practical was the Schampa Neckgaiter, as you could wear it in a variety of ways: as a rolled neck gaiter, an ear warmer (over your head like a cap, not over your eyes) and as a longer gaiter that goes into your collar.
As every rider knows, your hands are your most vulnerable part of the body when riding. Some bikes do come with heated grips, but it wouldn’t hurt to add a pair of heated leather gloves to stay warm. In addition, you can help minimize the hurt of the wind by adding a larger windshield to your bike. Some of these shields have an extended molded plastic feature that keeps the force of the wind down and assists in keeping your hands warm. The more wind that you can block with a windshield, the less cold air gets on you!
Finally, to finish dressing you from head to toe, a discussion of good boots is required. Waterproof and warm are the best choices. I got my boots from Ranger Joe’s ( www.rangerjoe.com), but you can find good boots just about anywhere. If you like cowboy-style boots. I recommend Hoof & Paw & Jeans in Dallas; the store has a wide selection of nice boots that are fairly priced.
So in the words of my father, “Stay warm and dry.” And we’ll see you on the highway until it’s too snowy to ride.
w
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