I ask a friend of mine to give me some tips on Cold Weather Riding -- here they are.
Wisdom #1- Cold Dark Wet - Pick any one to deal with. Two or more is misery! If it looks like 2 or more for any length of time, cancel if you can!
Wisdom #1A - always hide a spare key on your bike somewhereblack electrical tape completely wrapped around it on a bottom frame member, etc works fine. It may be worth its weight in gold sometime. Ask your friendly locksmith if he carries spare blank Honda motorcycle keys. (You want the answer in advance?)
Wisdom #2 - Your head - you lose 40% of your body heat thru your head, due to the blood vessels close to the scalp. God designed us this way, it works pretty good most of the time. A full face helmet generallly provides adequate warmth, not to mention the most physicial protection of any helmet design. If your not wearing a full face, wear a ski mask for warmth. Besides, in an emergency if you run short of cash you can always use it to rob a 7-11! (just kidding!) you'll be surprised how much difference this item makes.
Wisdom #2A - Within reason, whats the worst scenerio you can think of thats not life threatening on a motorcycle trip? How about a minor wreck, and in the process of picking up the pieces and dusting yourself off, the worst thats happened is youve lost your billfold. I keep a old passport, spare valid credit card, and $100 cash in a locked saddlebag. Or some variation of this situation. Why? Simple solution. You call your AAA + people (you do have AAA+ or equivelent, dont you?!? The + means motorcycle coverage) and secure the bike. Then with the cash, credit card, and old passport you can get an airlines ticket and get home. Or , if the bike is good and you just lost your billfold, your still good to go, you'll just fret about the lost billfold some the rest of the trip. I always carry the old passport on any trip separate from my wallet, its good for ID on airlines, even when expired. If you must fly home unexpectidly and lose your billfold, ID is the one thing you need that you cant easily obtain from family, friends, or fax machine these days.
Wisdom#3 - Layered clothing, outer gear should always be waterproof, which by its nature is also, handily, windproof. Being wet in cold weather on a motorcycle is not only uncomfortable, its dangerous!
Wisdom#4. If your head, hands and feet are warm, the rest of you won't be all that bad -- if your not wet. Wear two pairs of thick socks, cheap protection. Waterproof lined ski gloves are reasonable in price but worth their weight in gold on a cold day on a bike.
Wisdom#5 - make sure those wrist and ankle cuffs are tucked in and dont let cold air blow up your sleeves or legs. The best gear in the world wont do any good if this simple step is overlooked. You gain warmth from the heat of captive still air in your clothing system. If its constantly replaced by cold outside airyou too, will be cold.
Wisdom#6 - when you get off the bike with your expensive gear on, keep those legs away from the hot pipes when filling up with gas. The insulation will not let the heat of the pipes warn you that your too close to them. Frogg Toggs are great, but easily melt just close to hot pipes! The more expensive the gear, the more extensive and noticeable burn marks left on them!
p.s. Remember your Boy Scout days. Be prepared. If you are really prepared for any eventuality, (within reason) nothing bad will ever happen to you because your prepared! Thats the main benefit of being well prepared! Its hard to explain technicially. Just take my word for it, it's part of Murphy's Law.
Words from my good friend Bob.
Wisdom #1- Cold Dark Wet - Pick any one to deal with. Two or more is misery! If it looks like 2 or more for any length of time, cancel if you can!
Wisdom #1A - always hide a spare key on your bike somewhereblack electrical tape completely wrapped around it on a bottom frame member, etc works fine. It may be worth its weight in gold sometime. Ask your friendly locksmith if he carries spare blank Honda motorcycle keys. (You want the answer in advance?)
Wisdom #2 - Your head - you lose 40% of your body heat thru your head, due to the blood vessels close to the scalp. God designed us this way, it works pretty good most of the time. A full face helmet generallly provides adequate warmth, not to mention the most physicial protection of any helmet design. If your not wearing a full face, wear a ski mask for warmth. Besides, in an emergency if you run short of cash you can always use it to rob a 7-11! (just kidding!) you'll be surprised how much difference this item makes.
Wisdom #2A - Within reason, whats the worst scenerio you can think of thats not life threatening on a motorcycle trip? How about a minor wreck, and in the process of picking up the pieces and dusting yourself off, the worst thats happened is youve lost your billfold. I keep a old passport, spare valid credit card, and $100 cash in a locked saddlebag. Or some variation of this situation. Why? Simple solution. You call your AAA + people (you do have AAA+ or equivelent, dont you?!? The + means motorcycle coverage) and secure the bike. Then with the cash, credit card, and old passport you can get an airlines ticket and get home. Or , if the bike is good and you just lost your billfold, your still good to go, you'll just fret about the lost billfold some the rest of the trip. I always carry the old passport on any trip separate from my wallet, its good for ID on airlines, even when expired. If you must fly home unexpectidly and lose your billfold, ID is the one thing you need that you cant easily obtain from family, friends, or fax machine these days.
Wisdom#3 - Layered clothing, outer gear should always be waterproof, which by its nature is also, handily, windproof. Being wet in cold weather on a motorcycle is not only uncomfortable, its dangerous!
Wisdom#4. If your head, hands and feet are warm, the rest of you won't be all that bad -- if your not wet. Wear two pairs of thick socks, cheap protection. Waterproof lined ski gloves are reasonable in price but worth their weight in gold on a cold day on a bike.
Wisdom#5 - make sure those wrist and ankle cuffs are tucked in and dont let cold air blow up your sleeves or legs. The best gear in the world wont do any good if this simple step is overlooked. You gain warmth from the heat of captive still air in your clothing system. If its constantly replaced by cold outside airyou too, will be cold.
Wisdom#6 - when you get off the bike with your expensive gear on, keep those legs away from the hot pipes when filling up with gas. The insulation will not let the heat of the pipes warn you that your too close to them. Frogg Toggs are great, but easily melt just close to hot pipes! The more expensive the gear, the more extensive and noticeable burn marks left on them!
p.s. Remember your Boy Scout days. Be prepared. If you are really prepared for any eventuality, (within reason) nothing bad will ever happen to you because your prepared! Thats the main benefit of being well prepared! Its hard to explain technicially. Just take my word for it, it's part of Murphy's Law.
Words from my good friend Bob.
Dave Fashenpour
Black Magic T
'98
Black Magic T
'98
You can only add degrees when you're riding the other direction!!
I've already been accused of that this year. I still don't know what that means exactly.
