Winter Riding Kit, What you got that works.
 

Well folks, I was frozen when I got to work. :035:

Can anyone recommend some good waterproof Winter riding Kit. :headhack:

I decieded to treat myself and buy some Hein Gerrick "All year round kit" but I must be a coldie as it does not keep the cold out. :confused2:

I will get the muffs on to help the hands, but due to a circumferance problem it is to tight to wear much under the existing kit, so though I would add to the clothing choice knowing that these will be worn. (The Summer Kit bought two years ago, has only been out on two days since then), and the circumferance issue has effected the Dragnet jeans that seem to have shrunk in the cupboard. :tard:

What you got that works folks???????

Tanks in advance :Flowers_QAT7TL:

Go for snowmobile gear and you are set. =)

The best weatherproof / waterproof gear is from a company called RUKKA but they are expensive, lifetime goretex protection, you get what you pay for.

http://www.rukka.com/motor

http://www.bikex.co.uk/acatalog/Rukka.html

Today was the first cold day 'up north
 

Yip, a bit of frost on the grass this morning.

Up until quite recently I was doing a daily commute from Carlisle to Newcastle. I've tried most things, but settled on the light layer approach.

I've a Toureg Rally suit that is brilliant from March to November, but not that good in the real cold. I have a Hien Gerricke H20 winter jacket that is really warm, and I match this up with Leather pants, long socks Toureg boots (had these 4 years and they are still fantastic) and a cheap set of waterproof overtrousers, even when it's dry - they keep the draughts out. When it gets really cold, such as below freezing, I have a pair of Base Layer long johns - I even tried an old pait of the missuses tights, boy are they warm! On the Body I wear a thin base layer shirt with a (thin) long sleved t-shirt over the top, then the jacket

Gloves, and old timer once told me to buy winter gloves that are 2 sizes to big, thought he was talking crap, but as it happens I tried it and it worked. something to do with the air inside the glove providing insulation from the cold of the glove... ???!!?? I have a pair of silk inner gloves too. Hand protectors work well at keeping the air blast off your hands.

Don't forget your head, that's where most heat is lost, a silk liner in your lid will work wonders, and a neck buff to stop the draughts getting into your jacket.

Last year (for a spring trip into the Pyrenees) I purchased a Kiess heated waistcoat - wow! toasty warm, although I've seen the EXO2 ones now and they are much better. I've a pair of EXO2 heated gloves that worked very well in the Arctic Cirlce. Heated grips are usefull too, Oxford ones are by far the best value, really warm and you can get them for about �50.

Not sure what you are riding, but I got a screen from an old GS (the early ones with square headlights) and made some brackets that fit to the Acerbis hand guards, it gave me a few extra miles MPG (on the TTR) and kept loads of cold away, worth considering for the winter.

http://www.smokingtailpipes.com/Gallery/P7090008.JPG

I don't think there is one answer to the cold, a cheap waterproof oversuit will make a huge difference - you just feel a bit of a 'richard' on sunny mornings! I spent alot of time in the fells, so I just applied the same lessons!

The problem with most motorbike gear is that it is designed to be worn in so many different ranges of temperature that certain compremises have to be made.

Personally ive got a Devon 2 jacket from hien gericke, some expensive trousers from hien gericke (�220) and couple of different gloves, and Sidi waterproof boots.

The down side is that most of my gear is textile which means the outer skin will get wet before the waterproof membrane is used, yes ive stayed dried on the in side but you get very wet on the outside and cold, this then takes more heat away from the body and you get cold and the feeling of wet

The best thing i use for wet/winter riding is a my 1 piece waterproof suit from hein gericke. Just like a big plastic bag over you it keeps the worst of the water out and keeps most of the heat in. I would buy another one like it but would probably go for a 2 piece suit for the flexabiltiy of being able to just wear trousers for those wet roads but dry weather days.

Apart from these im also looking at getting those stupid waterproof boot covers as my boots have just started to leek a bit of water, and am maybe looking at getting a set of glove mitts to. �20 for both cant be too bad really. (i call them stupid cause you do look like a burke in them to be truth full, but if they work im going to be a burke too:happy:)

I must invest in some new gear one day.
At the minute although i do not ride every day i have been known to venture out when its persisting down. I have a cheapo Buffalo textile suit from J&S which as per Maxwellnumbers is supposed to be waterproof but when it rains the water runs down the seat and your arse gets soaked!!!! To combat this i bought a cheap 2 piece waterproof suit from local camping superstore (Go Outdoors) which normally keeps me bone dry. If it gets cold i wear thermal top and bottoms and a waterproof/windproof jacket under my textiles.
Boots are Sidi Black rain Evo's , not great protection but 100% waterproof.
Gloves, well a waste of time really lol

All,

As per tyres and stuff its down to personnel preference, however, for my Green laning during the winter and my Quad racing days I have always used and would recommend Lindstrand gear, the Graffiti range being the top of range - waterprrof, windproof and in my own opinion keeps you warm warm warm....

http://www.adrenalinatv.co.uk/product/?pid=4661

Have a look on the Adrenalin ATV website link above, the jacket is around �200 and the trousers around �190, but all in all, as the Capt states, you get what you pay for.

For the uneducated around Lindstrand, they have made Ski/Snow gear for 20+ years for Norway/Sweden etc etc, where the winters are much colder than in the UK, so they are certainly tried and tested.

But, it's all down to personnel preference. If i had the dosh i would buy Hein Gericke all day long, but i felt that the Lindstrnad was a close 2nd at hlaf the price of the HG stuff.

Cheers

WB

Nice weather :grouphug5:

Try this guy i have bought loads of kit of him Difi ventura jacket and trousers,heated grips ,heated jacket liner and i am lovely and warm in all weathers

www.riderz.co.uk

What is "cold"? Is it like - only cold? Or cold-cold? Or really, intensely f*****g cold? Any temp area that you define as cold? In centigrades please? Might be more easy to suggest solutions. I ride down to -23 centigrades (well - did it once, usually sets the limit at -15 centigrades), but I guess what I wear will be overkill over at your place?

Hansp

mostly cold over here is anything between 10-0 degrees celcuis, but once you include wind factor that will drop and rain (british :smilies0979: rain) you can become very cold and wet within seconds let alone minutes

snugpac airpac jacket under my dainese jacket keeps you really warm ,plus point most snugpacs gear is made in the uk when was the last time you seen that

Forgot to mention my large fleecey neck tube ive got. Very similar to the thousands that are out there, its got like half a chest/shoulder covering to make sure to get a good over lap of the jacket collar and the neck tube. It fits up the inside of my helmet nicely allowing me to get it up over my nose to keep the worst of the elements away. (snot is an added bonus if you can get it):044:

Reima, Rukka, Sinisalo, coldwave etc have nice but expensive gear. Had a cheap overall from Sinisalo that I took for a spin in -41 centigrades once (on a snowmobile). Had to warm the lining of the helmet with a blowdryer to get it off my head and I had white knuckles, but other then that not any probs. ^^ might be overkill for UK weather I guess.

I am currently in my second year of using Frank Thomas AquaForce Titanium jacket/trousers.

Has outer that lets wind through for summer (LOL!) then waterproof liner that is 100 % waterproof and then AntiFreeze thermal layer that is so warm I can only wear it from about now until March. Only downside to this suit is that the outer layer gets soaked and holds water so it takes longer to dry out than I would like.

The gloves I use are funny Hien Gerick ones wich are half way to mittens but keep my fingers toasty.( Good for doing Vulcan live long and prosper type stuff).

As for boots, I use Sidi Black Rain ones (�140 ish) made of Lorica and they are always totally dry plus don't soak up water like leather ones do.

:-)

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I thought I had paid a lot for the Hein Gerrick kit I bought thinking it would be worth the investment, but I have been disapointed. I bought the PSX XCR Jacket and Zip together trousers, fancy and in my terms expensive Just over �700. soo far they have been back Becasue I got wet in the crotch, they gave me loan trousers they must not have believed me when I said I got wet. Then they replaced them becasue they were allowing water through. They also put new Zip tops on the sleeves of the jacket because they broke in half. :095:

I bought them as a fit not loose and find if I dont wear thermal long johns my thighs get cold even in the summer (When wet). There is a draught comes in where the zip together zip stops at the front (Welcome in the summer when it is hot, but not now). :confused5:

I tried oversuits on but by the time I get them to fit round there is 300mm extra on the legs and arms. I also did not see them keeping me much warmer.

I have thought of wearing normal waterproofs or even the padded ones, which makes buying Goretex kit a bit of a joke. :eusa_shifty:

I think the problem here with Snowmobile kit is two fold firstly getting it dont think there will be many shops, and second correct me if I am wrong but they are designed for dry cold not the wet stuff we get. :confused5:

The layering approach is good but what size of jacket and trousers do you get, how much bigger or do you put on all your layers and then try them on??

I dont mind paying to get the right stuff but that was what I thought I was buying when I bought the stuff I have now. :confused5::confused5:

I will check the links you have given me too see. But I prefer to try things on wrong shape for most :Lollypop_2G1DR4:when tall and slender are the HG models....:confused5:

My boots work they are Daytona leather and Goretex, do keep them dummined to keep the leather dry. Gloves, I have the summer goretex HG, pathon two finger things, Dianese ??? Water proof with a two peice sleeve Over and under your Jacket sleeve, fine until you lift your hand up to open your visor them the water runs up your sleeve eeeeeeeggggh. And a couple of summer pairs still quite new looking...:icon_clown:

As for Temperature HansP nothing like yours. as an example.
Friday 5c am damp (Frozzen no thermals thought it was still summer), pm 7c dry (Just cold). Saturday 9c raining. Sunday 12c sunny. Monday -1 dry, Today (Tuesday) 11c dry. and it can go like that all winter but there will be more rain, and even possibly colder with a little snow, but not for sure may get none this year, but will get rain rain rain. Can make planning difficult.

Thank folks :grouphug5:Round two

Can you pack some up and send it over. let me know the cost :glasses2::glasses2::glasses2:

:clock::Pyshic_C5UYG8:

I do not need the ultimate in weather protection - I live in Spain for most of the year but from Ride magazine to every bikers forum I have read (even Ducatisti) everyone says the best is Aerostich - the only downside is the price and the fact that they do not have UK dealers.

colros,

The Lindstrand gear has a waterproof liner and is still very good in the wet matey. Trust me when i say that my gear has been used for off-roading and quading over the past 3+ years and hasn't let me down to date.

Cheers

WB

So far the only really watertight suit I've used is the Yoko/Scott with goretex liner. For your temp area I guess that would be the optimal suit, but I'm not sure if it's available to the Isles. I think Yoko was a Finnish brand, just like Rukka and Sinisalo, but was taken over by Scott.

I have been looking at the one piece oversuits as an alternative to buying another set "Normal" Winter Jacket and trousers. ??

Has any one used the one that are ment to be worn over normal clothes (Dianese drystar 360). ??

The one piece waterproofs do they just keep out the rain or do they add to warmth, Do they end up wet on the inside ??

Still gathering info

Thanks in advance:054:

Does a 1 piece waterproof suit keep you dry? You would think it would but ive never heard of anyone who has used one that after a certain amount of time/rain hasnt had a small leek, for eg a few small cups of water. But it all depends on what you want to spend, ive heard a few people claim there BMW 1 piece suit (����) is nearly fully waterproof only letting in a bit of water after say 7-8hours in the rain. :sunny:

They are mainly designed to go over the top of normal bike riding gear like textiles or leathers so are slightly larger but most have adjustment straps here there and everywhere to try and stop big flappy bits forming. Ive heard of a few manufactors who do 1 piece riding gear where you where your normal cloths underneath but not just a 1 piece waterproof suit as they have no armour

Ching Ching next round
 

Well today I tried the following:

Still using mainly what I have around already.

One piece base layer, HG Bottoms, Workshirt, Heated Jacket liner, HG Jacket, Balaclava, Summer gloves, boots, Helmet. I was going to put my Winter Hivis waistcoat on only to find that the Zipper came out in my hand.:Christo_pull_hair:

Put the Muff's on the Bike, not:coolsmiley: .

Well My mate is not at work today so dont have Temperature Home and here.

But it was not too cold and only drizzling part of the way.

Result so far hands,feet, head, neck and trunk warm. Thighs still cold.

Found the Bike strange to ride, but when daylight came I could see that one of the Muffs was hanging down like a wind brake on the bar end, tucked it up and things returned to normal, I will make the WB mod and make a hole for the Mirrors, this will help hold them in place.:poke1:

What next??? Should I get a new Winter Hiviz Bodywarmer or get a full overjacket. Must do something about legs. I may try just over trousers first to see if that helps, should have some somewhere....:Pyshic_C5UYG8:

I wonder what Ray wears???

Here we go.

Before during and after the Muff werreee fitted.


OK The before is last/......

Took WB advise and put hoiles in the muffs and fitted in Mirror. The right hand morror has a left hand thread just for info....

The Mirrors would noit turn in the brackets so had to remove the whole mirrow, This meant I had to remove the SAcreen becasue the mirrors would not pass it.... One thing leads to another...

I did find the Headlight adjustrmet screw (Just below headlight Above the Mudguard) and can be adjusted without removing anything, Hoiw unusual.

I Have turned it up but will wait until I have not had any brown bottles before I go to the road and set it correctly in the dark. :sign17:
And with the lovly muffs fitted isint it lovly.:blob1::woo:


http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...8102008073.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...8102008078.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...8102008074.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...8102008075.jpg


This is next when the top box was a pannier.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...2082008034.jpg



http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...3062008012.jpg

Nicee piccies, the muffs dont look that bad, but i dont think i could hack having to take my hand in and out of that hole all the time, as my commute is in and out of town then i would need my hand in and out of the muff to open the visor, clean it, play out etc etc

You find it makes no difference, you quickly get used to bringing the Hand Back before up, and down before in.

As my mammy says you get used to anything but Hanging. :googly[1]:

:rofl[1]: bit harsh but also a very true saying