Some new riding gear.
 

Got bundled up in some new gear today to see how well it worked. Weather was really wet and +5 C (about 40 F.). Tried out my First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket shell with my Tour Master heated liner. Initially not impressed with the jacket. I felt drafts on both arms and a bit at the shoulders. Well it is waterproof and a breathable material so I couldn't complain too much. Had a blonde moment earlier I guess. I left two 9 inch long vents open, duh, found my drafts after I got home.
Also tried a balaclava under the helmet, worked real nice tucked into the collar of the heated liner. Helmet is easier to slide off and on too.
And I also gambled on this next item but it was worth it. Heated insoles for my boots. Now I am electric from top to bottom. My feet were very comfy with no hot spots and thinner socks than normal. The jacket, pants and insoles are all Tour Master with mating plugs and one controller powered by the bike. Darn bikes sure keep me broke but it's better than having money and no life worth living. Hoping to get out riding tomorrow with the vents closed and less rain.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Sounds good.

I plan to ride tomorrow...about 55 f.

Took the granddaughter riding today. At 9 years old, she can flat foot the GZ and hold it up.

I let her sit up front and give it gas and steer on the straights.
She has been riding with me since she was 4.

Good times.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Gonna be a while before we get 55 F. around here. Not complaining mind you. Used to live with 55 below F on ocassions and it really sucks big time.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Hi, Mr. WW.
I'm very interested in your electric clothings...which I would never needed if I stuck in here California.
And saves $$ for me while enjoying the riding. ha ha ha
Anyway, does your VStorm handle all the amp. for your harnesses?

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

So far so good with the power draw. The total wattage draw at maximum settings for the pants, jacket, insoles and grip heaters is about 160 watts. That does exceed the Vstrom's system a wee bit but I haven't needed that much heat. Just setting everything at mimimum is very comfy. If I ever need full heat from these items I shouldn't be riding. I can unplug one headlight for more power if the need ever arises. Earlier this year I did change my fork mounted driving lights to LED MR-16 bulbs which lowered the power bill quite a bit. I am still visible to oncoming traffic and like the added safety factor. A battery monitor is a future consideration for the bike.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Went for a ride since my last post. Did up the jacket vents and was a bit warmer, the elbow pit is a different material that breathes quite well so there was still a slight draft/coolness but certainly not a frigid experience. So I am happy with the new jacket overall and think it will also be a winner during summer due to waterproofing and the vents/ breathability of the material. Did a little experiment with the handguards. Using light cardboard and duct tape I filled in the bottom of the handguards. My finger tips used to get chilled and this seems to be the cure. Now I have to create a sturdier, more sophisticated design for a little more coverage and still be removeable for summer. This is how retired folks amuse themselves. Oh, temps were down to 2.9 C or 37 F.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Congratulations on the new heated gear! Sounds like you have everything you will need to stay warm and dry when you ride this Winter. Merry Christmas!

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Ever heard of used, know of these? Hippo Hands here: http://www.hippohands.com/index.htm

M

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Hippo Hands have been around for ages. Some riders love them and others hate them. Other than some comments of being butt ugly they are probably a fantastic way to keep the elements away from your hands. The only comment in the negative that I would be concerned about is their habit of being a bit floppy and hard to put your hand back inside while on the move. A real advantage would be heated grips and summer gloves for better feel of the controls. Your wrists would also be out of the wind blast.
If you like function before form like I do you may find them real hand savers in colder temps.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Yeah, I could of used a pair of those today. It got down to almost 75 on the way to Ralph's. Brrrr!

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

At those temps we ride naked in the GWN.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

You better enjoy it, Alan. You have somewhat of a unique opportunity to thumb your nose at EVERYBODY else in the country......including Florida....for a few days.

BUT payback is a bitch. :skull:

When you coming to Illinois again ?? :biggrin:

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

:skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull: :skull:

I'm feeling the urge for some long distance riding this year. I may have to pack up and see where I can go. But this 10 degree wind with snow and ice on the roads is for the birds.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

I feel like I have contributed some fuel for the forum flame. Content has been a bit light of late. I am sure you guys are aware that one of the (few) benefits of SoCal is the weather and days when we can't ride comfortably are rare. We still have the fires and the overcrowded freeways and the bankruptcy and the taxes and the screwy employment laws and all of the other fun shit you read about, so don't begrudge us our one shining plus. It was truly awesome out there today. I went for my daily walk around the reservoir in running shorts and actually got a little tan.

Happened to get two GZ rides in already in '10: One to Borders and the aforementioned Ralph's. Making good use of the saddlebags.

Easy, I went most of '09 without going anywhere, but I did end up in Chicago at the tail end of August and a few more times in the fall. I've been sort of semi-retired for a while now and my travel is way down. I do anticipate at least one or two trips back to The Windy City in the near future. I might even ride my bike there if I get a gig in the summer.

Apologies to all for hijacking the glove thread. I did get some very nice gloves post Christmas to replace my frayed (hole-y) ICONS. The new pair are all leather and are pretty awesome. I will post a pic if I get motivated.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Yeah, same here, but the temperature is sure to drop to 55 before spring! :whistle:

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Yeah, we're freezin' our asses off down here this week. Lows in the low 30's and high about 52. I don't understand this clothing layering thing. I'm just as cold when I layer 5 pairs of shorts and 5 t-shirts as I am without. What gives? Am I missing something??

Have a niff stippler. O_o

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

You're both killing me. :haha2:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/...59b5318455.jpg

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

You need windproof shorts and T's.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Don't forget a couple pair of sunglasses - you lose 90% of body heat through the head!

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

It was so cold this morning that I almost zipped my jacket all the way up.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Well, that's cause you took the lining out, silly!

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

:neener: :neener: You guys are Wimps. You would never survive a real Canadian Prairie Winter. I got too tired of the long cold winter and moved to warmer climes. Old age and retirement made me a wimp.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

I did seven winters in Ithaca, New York, the last of which it never got above 5F below for the entire 28 days of February (with lows of -30F not including the "wind chill" malarkey.) My only motorized transportation for three of those years was a moped having had my license suspended.

I'm a slow learner, and the cold does not help the brain, but I finally figured it out. That was 27 years ago and I haven't looked back. Even birds fly south for the winter.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Sounds like California was a good move.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

It was so cold this morning that some of the kids walking to the high school weren't wearing shorts.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

My eyeballs froze this morning.

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Hello, Mr. Moedad.
Please do not trigger something for the other members who live in cold temp... ha ha ha...
We should have to be careful at the winter seasons against them, they might have been very depressed-sessions.
Today, I felt like warm spring morning; about over 70 degrees I guess. ha ha ha

Re: Some new riding gear.
 

Went for a nice ride since last logged on. Heated gear rocks. Stopped at Star Bucks on the way home then continued home without ear plugs, bala clava or turning on heat. CRAP and more CRAP. Am I spoiled now.