Wilsons Sandbox

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Mike Frey wrote:

> > I'm interested in hearing commentary on your gear when riding at

temps

> in the 40s or even lower. > > (Yeah, I can already hear you guys in southern FL, TX, CA,

AZ..... "40s?

> What's that?) > > What do you wear and how effective is it? > > Mike

The single best piece of gear you can get is an electric vest. If you are looking to ride only in the 30s or 40s, I would go with the Widder system II (with the heated collar). If colder, I'd look into the Gerbings offerings. Cheers! Ira Agins Santa Fe, NM A18

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Mike Frey wrote:

> > I'm interested in hearing commentary on your gear when riding at

temps in the 40s or even lower.

> What do you wear and how effective is it?

Most important thing - a big windshield ! after that I have long underwear, 2 pair of socks, lined 3/4 length Tourmaster jacket, helmet (of course), knit wool gloves stuffed into welding gloves, scarf., etc. Lots of antifog on the glasses and helmet visor. I'll ride down to 30 F in the morning, because then the afternoon will be 40. I just put my 1500 Intruder away this weekend. Put the KLR away about 2 weeks ago. Jim C. St. Paul, MN

> The single best piece of gear you can get is an electric vest. If > you are looking to ride only in the 30s or 40s, I would go with the > Widder system II (with the heated collar). If colder, I'd look into > the Gerbings offerings.

I would actually recommend a heated vest without a collar. I find the collar gets in the way of layering, and if I'm wearing a vest I'm probably also wearing a balaclava that keeps my neck warm. I have a Cycloak Evolution jacket that's just great in cold weather, and pretty darned cheap on closeout too. -Lujo [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Yeah, but it's a "dry cold" LOL I got you beat today. 52 here in PA. Doubt if I can say anything like that in December. And January. ....And Feb. .....March...... Randy Shultz wrote:

>Well, it's 45 degrees today in Las Vegas, and I'm riding with a >Gerbing heated jaket liner under a Killimanjaro jacket. Keeps me >warm and toasty. > >Randy > > > >

> > > I'm interested in hearing commentary on your gear when riding at temps > in the 40s or even lower.

My Widder vest added to the riding season; electric gloves added even more. That's the advantage of the Widder, you can hook up gloves to it. Bogdan

I would agree that an electric vest be part of your gear. I must in my opinion be covered with a very good jacket and pants combo that is wind and waterproof. I can make this recommendatiln based upon recent experience. The week end of Oct17-18 I made a 2100 mile trip from SF area to Northern Il. Tht was the weekend that the jetstream dipped v. low and caused temperatures no better than hi 40's all across I 80 and included 6 hours of rain travel. My gear was an Aerostich roadcrafter 2 piece with a Widder vest and heated handgrips at most layered with a thinner fleece over the Widder. No special layering over blue jeans and no heated socks. I also know that even this experience depends upon the protection yielded by the bike' fairing. My experience was with an ST1100 which has quite good protection. I experienced NO discomfort. Another practical observation is that you should consider a suit that has a semipermeable membrane - Gortex or equal - because it eliminates the need to stop and change into raingear, Yes it adds considerably to cost so there is a subjective evaluation you must make. So reduce the bike protection factor and you must add to wearables. Speed has some effect but once you prepare for the heat loss at 45 degrees and 70mph higher doesn't add much. Good Luck, Lee --- Lujo Bauer wrote:

> > > The single best piece of gear you can get is an > electric vest. If > > you are looking to ride only in the 30s or 40s, I > would go with the > > Widder system II (with the heated collar). If > colder, I'd look into > > the Gerbings offerings. > > I would actually recommend a heated vest without a > collar. I find the > collar gets in the way of layering, and if I'm > wearing a vest I'm > probably also wearing a balaclava that keeps my neck > warm. > > I have a Cycloak Evolution jacket that's just great > in cold weather, and > pretty darned cheap on closeout too. > > -Lujo > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at > www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: > www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > > > >

Mike, I'm just N of Calgary and SO FAR I last rode the KLR on 17 Nov and the Bandit 22 Nov (I'm getting the last few miles out of the rear tire) starting out around -3C or 26F. Polypropolene longjohns, cotton sox, jeans, long sleeve shirt then add a homemade electric vest (Google search for "Fast Cat's" web page), motocross boots, heavy leather pants zipped to a Tecnik leather jacket, wool liners inside winter type leather gauntlets and a "dickie" to protect my neck topped with a full face Snell skidoo helmet that has a deflector to keep your breath from fogging the shield. I probably run the vest 5 mins ON, then 5 OFF. It's VERY important that the jacket is tight so the wind can't suck the heat out. My .02$. Ed

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Mike Frey wrote: > > I'm interested in hearing commentary on your gear when riding at temps > in the 40s or even lower. > > (Yeah, I can already hear you guys in southern FL, TX, CA, AZ..... "40s? > What's that?) > > What do you wear and how effective is it? > > Mike