cold weather gear

[tomtravis]

Any suggestions for what kind and where to buy cold weather gear?

[Klem]

Gee Tom I figured that with all the long distance riders we have you would have gotten more responses than you could read.

Electrics and wind shear seem to be the answer. an electric vest with something that really stops the wind over it lets you cover a wider range of temperatures without a lot of weight. Just don't forget to unplug when you get off. The little dirt bike style hand guards do wonders also..

Don

[Ken Krumm]

I like Gerbing for heated jacket liners and gloves. I've owned a Gerbing electric jacket liner since 1996 and use it all year. Even in the summer, it makes a good liner when traveling through mountains or when the temps dip into the 50s. The thermostats adjust from off to 120 degrees. I own two Gerbing liners, two pairs of Gerbing gloves and Gerbing heated socks. I don't recommend the socks if you plan on walking after you stop. The wires provide a strange feeling. The gloves work well, but a little bulky. http://www.gerbing.com/

There are other jackets liners that are new to the market -- FirstGear and Tourmaster to name a few. Both are good companies, but I have no experience with their products.

There many good glove manufacturers. I have about 15-20 sets of motorcycle gloves. The best winter glove that I have used are the Olympia All-Season I (4350) gloves. I've had a pair for 13 years and have well over 100,000 mile of riding with them. The leather on the top of the gloves have bleached out from the sun. Yet, there still in good shape. Bob Diehl has a pair that are even more bleached out than mine. I wouldn't leave home on a cold day without them. http://www.olympiagloves.com/viewgloves.html

Adding to your comfort should be heated grips. If there not standard on your bike, for $27 you can purchase this kit that works extremely well. I put this kit on my Ducati several years ago and it works as well as my very expensive BMW heated grip option. http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Hea ... 16539.html

If you wear this gear under a FirstGear Kilomanjaro, Aerostitch, Tourmaster or other brand textile jacket and pants, you can ride all year long.