Cold weather preparation: Difference between revisions

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Winter gloves can give warmth but can also add bulk and reduce dexterity. Some sort of hand guards to get the wind off your hands can really help. [[Hippo Hands]] and generic handlebar mitts aren't generally considered great-looking, but people who use them usually swear by them for the warmth that they add by getting the wind off your hands, rather than having the wind aggressively strip it away. It also allows you to keep a small pocket that is warmer than the ambient temperature. Mittens can be very warm, but at the expense of dexterity; it can be hard to keep a couple of fingers on the brake lever in mittens. Thin silk or polypro glove liners can add warmth without excessive bulk.

For rain riding, and also to help cut the cold coming from the wind on your hands, consider using your normal gloves and adding a layer over the top. The cheapest are latex or nitrile gloves, or regular old rubber gloves from a grocery or hardware store. You can also go to Aerostich and get their [http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-triple-digit-rain-covers.html Triple Digit Rain Covers]. You may also like neoprene kayak paddler's gloves under your armored gloves. Your hands don't stay completely dry, but warm and comfortable. Look at [http://www.rei.com/ REI] or [http://kayak.nrsweb.com/boating/Kayak%20Gloves NRS].

====Heated gear====

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Heated grips, vests, gloves, socks, and the like are all available for motorcyclists. See [[Heated cold-weather gear|this article]]. Given the [[Alternator Information|electrical limits]] of the 250, you most likely won't be able to run all of those, but even just one or two of them can make a difference.

Heated grips generally get good reviews from those who install them. Heated vests can add warmth back to your core. Some say it is like riding in 10 or 15 degree warmer temps. If you only need a little more edge, many swear by their heated gear.

[[Installing heated grips|Heated grips]] generally get good reviews from those who install them. Heated vests can add warmth back to your core. Some say it is like riding in 10 or 15 degree warmer temps. If you only need a little more edge, many swear by their heated gear.

====Visor fogging====

If you are going to seriously ride in the winter, you may well encounter one of the banes of cold weather riding: visor fogging (or, in really cold riding, frosting). Simply cracking the visor open is the simplest solution, but it does cost you some heat. Also, if you have clunky gloves or floppy generic handlebar mitts, it may not be as easy to fiddle with things on the fly as in lightweight summer gear. [[Defogging the visor|Many solutions exist]].

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 Winter gloves can give warmth but can also add bulk and reduce dexterity. Some sort of hand guards to get the wind off your hands can really help. [[Hippo Hands]] and generic handlebar mitts aren't generally considered great-looking, but people who use them usually swear by them for the warmth that they add by getting the wind off your hands, rather than having the wind aggressively strip it away. It also allows you to keep a small pocket that is warmer than the ambient temperature. Mittens can be very warm, but at the expense of dexterity; it can be hard to keep a couple of fingers on the brake lever in mittens. Thin silk or polypro glove liners can add warmth without excessive bulk.
+For rain riding, and also to help cut the cold coming from the wind on your hands, consider using your normal gloves and adding a layer over the top. The cheapest are latex or nitrile gloves, or regular old rubber gloves from a grocery or hardware store. You can also go to Aerostich and get their [http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-triple-digit-rain-covers.html Triple Digit Rain Covers]. You may also like neoprene kayak paddler's gloves under your armored gloves. Your hands don't stay completely dry, but warm and comfortable. Look at [http://www.rei.com/ REI] or [http://kayak.nrsweb.com/boating/Kayak%20Gloves NRS].
 ====Heated gear====
@@ Line 44: / Line 46: @@
 Heated grips, vests, gloves, socks, and the like are all available for motorcyclists. See [[Heated cold-weather gear|this article]]. Given the  [[Alternator Information|electrical limits]] of the 250, you most likely won't be able to run all of those, but even just one or two of them can make a difference.
-Heated grips generally get good reviews from those who install them. Heated vests can add warmth back to your core. Some say it is like riding in 10 or 15 degree warmer temps. If you only need a little more edge, many swear by their heated gear.
+[[Installing heated grips|Heated grips]] generally get good reviews from those who install them. Heated vests can add warmth back to your core. Some say it is like riding in 10 or 15 degree warmer temps. If you only need a little more edge, many swear by their heated gear.
 ====Visor fogging====
 If you are going to seriously ride in the winter, you may well encounter one of the banes of cold weather riding: visor fogging (or, in really cold riding, frosting). Simply cracking the visor open is the simplest solution, but it does cost you some heat. Also, if you have clunky gloves or floppy generic handlebar mitts, it may not be as easy to fiddle with things on the fly as in lightweight summer gear. [[Defogging the visor|Many solutions exist]].