Pro tips fer winter riding...

[Banjoboy]

Soften up yer suspension if it's adjustable?
I'll take out 'bout 25 mm in the front, and 'bout 40 in the rear, the turn down the damping accordingly. I won't need the ground clearance in winter, and the "softer" suspenders give the tires more grip.
Hell, I'll even lower my seat too. (Just cuz I can )

 

[moto-rama]

Soften up yer suspension if it's adjustable?
I'll take out 'bout 25 mm in the front, and 'bout 40 in the rear, the turn down the damping accordingly. I won't need the ground clearance in winter, and the "softer" suspenders give the tires more grip.
Hell, I'll even lower my seat too. (Just cuz I can )

I usually take a few lbs off of my tire pressure, make sure I have enough tread on them, too; it's good to have water be able to vent out from under the tires.

Going over exposed moving parts with grease or lube to prevent rust is good, too.

 

[VicTim]

And don't eat the yellow snow.

 

[TheRiddler]

Be smooth. Really, really smooth.

 

[sephy]

Wear a neck warmer.

 

[SummerLove]

Wear a neck warmer.

This.. every time I decided not to where my storm collar because I didn't think it was cool enough I've pulled over and put it on.

 

[Tydive]

+1 smooth & neck warmer.

Rainsuit over leathers keep you warm(er) even when dry out. Add layers as needed.
Heated gear & grips & seat. Fondling cylinderheads is sooo '80's
Expect crap in the roads, branches, rocks, dirt, mud, crashed "fast cars" etc..
Test brakes often, some get sluggish when cold & wet.

Now I just need a good place to get some BT023's mounted and I'll be ready for winter riding season arty

 

[Banjoboy]

I usually take a few lbs off of my tire pressure, make sure I have enough tread on them, too; it's good to have water be able to vent out from under the tires.

Going over exposed moving parts with grease or lube to prevent rust is good, too.

I think a few lbs less is good for cold & dry, but I think a tire with less lbs would tend to hydroplane more on flooded roads?

Watch out where the Huskys go, don't you eat that yellow snow.
Watch out where the Huskys go, don't you eat that yellow snow,
Watch out where the Huskys go, don't you eat that yellow snow.

Don't be naughty Eska-moe-oe; take yer money don't go to the show-oe...

Be smooth. Really, really smooth.

Yeahzzz, smooth is good in rain & cold.

 

[crick]

Yup. I got new tires on for the winter season *win!*

one thing i hear OVER and over and over again: "i dont ride in the winter when i can't feel my hands"

...

then get heated gloves you schmuck!

Best investment i ever made? a Gerbrings heated jacket. the heated jacket sold me When i was riding in 32 degree weather (yup, below freezing point)... and my whole core was toasty - and it was only set maybe 35% power. After that, i invested in gloves, pants and insoles!

IT IS FUGGIN AMAZING... like riding in 75 degree weather with that crap on.

one thing i need tho is some kinda resistor inbetween the pants and heated soles... that sh*t is hot.

anyways, heated gear... always makes me think "WHY the F*** didnt i buy this sooner?!?!"

 

[TheRiddler]

Yup. I got new tires on for the winter season *win!*

one thing i hear OVER and over and over again: "i dont ride in the winter when i can't feel my hands"

...

then get heated gloves you schmuck!

Best investment i ever made? a Gerbrings heated jacket. the heated jacket sold me When i was riding in 32 degree weather (yup, below freezing point)... and my whole core was toasty - and it was only set maybe 35% power. After that, i invested in gloves, pants and insoles!

IT IS FUGGIN AMAZING... like riding in 75 degree weather with that crap on.

one thing i need tho is some kinda resistor inbetween the pants and heated soles... that sh*t is hot.

anyways, heated gear... always makes me think "WHY the F*** didnt i buy this sooner?!?!"

Not just heated gear, but core insulation. I rode around some mountains when it was 32 degrees and snow on the ground. I had on probably 4 layers and it may as well have been 70 out.

 

[Kornholio]

Layers are good but don't get so bulky that you lose the ability to ride comfortably and move like you normally would. Especially with gloves. In fact, go with heated grips instead if you can.

There's no reason to dress like this just to ride in the winter...

 

[crick]

with heated gear, i had my long sleeve shirt, heated jacket, jacket. But the riddler is right, if you have good insulation like thicker motorcycle fleece thermals, a windproof weather proof insulated jacket (doesnt have to be thick), and outer jacket - it can sustain you pretty well. Temps about 40 i can tolerate with insulation - it's not comfy tho.

that said - there's some jackets who's insulation sucks ARSE. no amount of inner layers will prevent it from getting cold. There are others that are awesome but breathability SUUCKSSSS.

right now i got hte D-system dainese gear, and it has been stellar down to 40 degree temps, after that i need better insulation/heated gear.

 

[Kornholio]

All I wear under my heated liner is a t-shirt or the like. Never needed more than that.

 

[crick]

All I wear under my heated liner is a t-shirt or the like. Never needed more than that.

i had the long sleeve shirt cuz... it actually burns XD the gerbrings heats up real quick, sometimes too quick before i realize the setting is too high.

 

[Kornholio]

i had the long sleeve shirt cuz... it actually burns XD the gerbrings heats up real quick, sometimes too quick before i realize the setting is too high.

What kind of controller are you using?

 

[crick]

the dual knob controller with variable heat adjustment - not the on/off one.

it's basically *turn knob* not feel a thing, *turn knob* not feel a thing *turn knob* OH THERE IT IS (i should wait fo rhte gear to heat up properly) *turn knob down turn knob down turn knob down* not a big deal, i'm overexagerating on the heat. but it can get really hot.

the INSOLES are may major problem. it goes to the second control knob that controls gloves/pants. But in order to get the gloves/pants to a good temp, it means the insoles are burning hot. i need something inbetween the pants/insoles to cut the voltage down.

 

[Kornholio]

I'm kinda surprised you need the heated pants. I just don't think it gets that cold around here.

 

[crick]

I'm kinda surprised you need the heated pants. I just don't think it gets that cold around here.

the insoles and pants are for traveling abroad around winter, not just here. around here i'm usually in my normal gear. i wear a heated jacket/gloves when temps drop below 45.

i wear the pants in sub 40 degree weather

ps: i love it when people say the riding season is over... NO IT AINT

 

[Kornholio]

ps: i love it when people say the riding season is over... NO IT AINT

Yup. This is my favorite time of year to ride. No one else on my commuting route but me right now.

 

[CABilly]

I think handguards would be a nice low-tech comfort measure. I wish I could find some for my ninjer. Heated grips sound nice, but if you're covering your levers they don't do any good, and they don't warm up the part of your hand taking on all the cold air.

Helmut (of Helimot) also recommended silk glove liners. So.. I guess I should look for those too.