How to stay warm on your motorcycle

Riding season? No such thing with these tips!

It’s hard to pick the right line when your teeth are chat- Keep The Wind Out Heat Your Hands
tering from the cold. Any warm body—including yours— This means wearing windproof clothing (leather, textile) Electric gloves may seem like a great idea, but the heating
loses heat through five mechanisms: radiation, respi- that seals tightly around your wrists, neck, lower legs, and elements tend to break down after being flexed repeatedly.
ration, conduction, convection, and perspiration. And waist. Boots and long gloves that overlap your pant legs Try heated grips instead. They fit over your current grips
if you’re cold, your bike is as well. In very cold weather and sleeves are a must. A scarf or neck gaiter can seal up like little electric blankets. Even better, try replacement
your suspension oil may thicken, and your bike may ride your throat area. grips that are hard-wired into your bike’s electrical sys-
harsher; your tires might also offer a little less grip on the tem. These will let you ride with thinner gloves, for more
Wear A Onesie
pavement. These things are worth being aware of, but they dexterity and control.
One-piece overall-style riding suits eliminate the jack-
don’t really affect your ability to ride.
et-pants gap. Snowmobile suits are wind- and weather-re- Turn It Up—And Down
All of that said, unless it’s actively snowing or you’re try- sistant and offer good insulation. The best advice is to Whichever options you choose, make sure your system
ing to keep traction on an icy road, riding in the cold dress in layers, making it easy to adjust your temperature. includes a rheostat—it’s like a volume control for electri-
doesn’t present any special problems for the way your bike cal current. For more convenience, hard-wire a quick-con-
Stay Plugged In
handles—rather, your main concern is keeping yourself nect plug between your battery and the vest—that lets you
Electric gloves, grips, vests, and even socks can turn
warm and comfortable. jump on, plug in, and take off with less hassle. Just re-
you into a four-season rider. The best systems feature a
member to unplug it before you get off your bike!
A cold rider is going to have less coordination and longer quick-disconnect between you and the bike as well as a
reaction times. Motorcyclists make their own windchill, rheostat to control the temperature. Make sure your bike’s Keep The Warmth In
too. Winds of 60–70 miles per hour (95–110 kph) would electrical system has enough juice to power it. And there’s Several thin layers of insulation work better than thick
make the top of the evening news, but on a bike, you ex- always that old biker favorite: a cup of hot coffee or tea to ones. Even some folded newspaper shoved inside the chest
perience that every day. So here are some important tips stoke the fires within. of your jacket can make a noticeable difference in your
on staying warm during a cold ride. comfort. Gloves need to be thicker on the back of your
Warm Your Core
hands than on the palms.
Get Behind The Windshield Electric vests provide the most bang for your buck—if
Choosing a bike with bodywork or a windscreen can add you can keep your torso warm, the rest of your body Get Some Heat On The Cheap
a lot of comfort. Consider adding a small aftermarket will follow. Look for a garment thin enough to fit under If you’re trying to save money (or if you spent it all on your
windscreen to hide behind for chilly autumn or winter your existing jacket. Wear the vest close to your skin bike and gear) there are plenty of ways to keep warm that
climates. and layer over it. won’t break the bank. Want to go old-school? You can also
use a hot-water bottle (or the new school version, a Cam-
Stay Dry Seal The Deal
elBak-style hydration bladder removed from its insulating
Water conducts heat about 200 times better than dry air; Air blowing up your sleeves or pant legs can feel like an
sleeve) filled with hot water. Slip it inside your jacket and
ergo, a wet rider is a cold rider. A rainsuit or Gore-Tex arctic blast. Pants and jackets that zip up tight are the an-
stay toasty for about an hour. Fill it with hot coffee to sip
oversuit is the fix. Added bonus: Even in dry weather, a swer. Even better: gloves and boots that overlap the gap
and you get warmth inside and out. You can also try using
rainsuit adds plenty of warmth and wind protection. and let those sleeves/legs tuck in.
a couple of those chemical hand and foot warmers used by
hunters and skiers.