Need recommendations on cold weather gear

[billyboy]

Specifically textile jacket & pants. I'm in Cleveland, Ohio & last season had just purchased the new 2008 Nomad in January 2009. Picked it up in late Feb and began riding it as often as possible. Rode on some pretty cold days and I realized that I really needed better cold weather gear. I've got a great leather jacket and heavy leather chaps, but it ain't enough with temps in the 30s.

I'm currently looking at Fieldsheer Mercury pants and possibly the Highland 3/4 jacket. But nowhere on their site do they have any temp rating info.

Looking for FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE recommendations on waterproof cold weather apparel of good value for the $$$. I also need something with removable lining that I can wear over my dressy-casual work clothes in warmer weather. I have to wear collar dress shirts and slacks (Dockers, etc). I keep a pair of dress shoes in my office, so I can wear my jump boots on the bike. Chaps don't work well over Dockers.

If I'm riding to work I will take the bike if it's in the 30s in the morning if it's expected to warm up. If not, I'll drive. So, I'm looking for something that will work in the 30s and higher.

Thanks in advance.

[ringadingh]

I use Arctic Cat snowmobile pants with the high bib, thet seal out all drafts and I don't get a bit cold at all in my body. Now hands are a whole different story, I have handlegrip heaters, and I could probably use better gloves but after a while my fingers do get cold.

[dantama]

Over dress pants I wear an insulated Tour Master overpant with suspenders. It works well.

When it's very cold, and I'm not wearing dress clothes, I usually wear leather pants, leather jacket with "windstopper" light jacket under, winter riding gloves, a neck gaitor to keep wind out, and a full face helmet.

I also use crash bar chaps, and plexiglass hand guards.

With all that, I'm good to ride in the teens. The crash bar chaps and hand guards made a big difference.

[Netnorske]

This year I broke down and spent the money on a heated jacket liner from Gerbings....never been happier! Also using some hand guards to keep the wind from directly hitting your fingers will help a ton.

http://www.gerbing.com/Products/Line...cketLiner.html

This jacket liner is all you will need to keep yourself warm and toasty on those frigid days. It will keep your core organs warm and pumping warm blood to your extremities.... ! If you ride regularly in real cold weather, this is the ticket....and if you don't...you will once you have one.... ;)!


Power Cord....$20.00

Controller w/case......$71.00

Jacket Liner......$200.00

Riding all day long in 35 degree weather wrapped in toasty heated comfort......Priceless !

[fakebikerdude59]

I use a Fieldsherr Quattro Jacket, Gerbings Heated Jacket Liner, Gerbings Heated Gloves, Fieldsherr Mercury Overpants, Joe Rocket Sonic Boots and Gerbing Heated Boot Insoles. Snug as a bug in a rug. The Fieldsherr is very waterproof although I do throw on a Tourmaster rain jacket if it's coming down hard and I'll be in it for more than an hour.

[billyboy]

Thanks everyone! This is good info. Fieldsheer is in my price range - or should I say the range that stands a chance for approval by the CFO (wife). I need to find a dealer that carries it. I hate to buy something like that online without being able to try it on.

I saw the Gerbings stuff at the Cleveland MC show last week. I have to buy this stuff in stages.

[clayton]

Originally Posted by billyboy

Specifically textile jacket & pants. I'm in Cleveland, Ohio & last season had just purchased the new 2008 Nomad in January 2009. Picked it up in late Feb and began riding it as often as possible. Rode on some pretty cold days and I realized that I really needed better cold weather gear. I've got a great leather jacket and heavy leather chaps, but it ain't enough with temps in the 30s.

I'm currently looking at Fieldsheer Mercury pants and possibly the Highland 3/4 jacket. But nowhere on their site do they have any temp rating info.

Looking for FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE recommendations on waterproof cold weather apparel of good value for the $$$. I also need something with removable lining that I can wear over my dressy-casual work clothes in warmer weather. I have to wear collar dress shirts and slacks (Dockers, etc). I keep a pair of dress shoes in my office, so I can wear my jump boots on the bike. Chaps don't work well over Dockers.

If I'm riding to work I will take the bike if it's in the 30s in the morning if it's expected to warm up. If not, I'll drive. So, I'm looking for something that will work in the 30s and higher.

Thanks in advance.

BB
I live here in Cincy...
Textile Jacket: Scorpion Hat Trick. It is a multi-season riding jacket with 2 removable liners. I have ridden in as cold as 28 degrees and felt comfortable. The only thing under was a long sleeve sweat shirt.
http://shopping.scorpionusa.com/C55D...0FA6231475427B
I normally ride with a pair of thermal underwear pants and jeans since my legs do not get too cold however the wife an I picked up a set of chaps which helps a lot. You noted that chaps don't fit well over Dockers...the chaps I have as well as most have a zipper that run the length of the legs so it shouldn't be an issue.
I suppose it is preference for the most part.
Gloves: I have a set of Heated Tour Master Synergy Gloves...
Best thing I ever purchased next to the Nomad...
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ed-Gloves.aspx
There are 2 versions, Leather and what I refer to as textile which is in the link.
As others posted, Hand Guards and Engine Guard Chaps make the world of difference. I ended up making my own but thats in another post :)

Good luck in your decision.

[cactusjack]

Chaps don't work well over Dockers.

No kidding. I bought a pair of insulated ski pants with full length side zippers, sort of like chaps. They are heavy black nylon, more like Cordura than the slick nylon ski pants you sometimes see. I wear them over my Dockers while riding to work when it's cold. I paid $35 for them on sale at Sports Authority. They are Slalom brand.

[MAS Tequila]

Go to Joe's (Chucksters) site. Have him make you a set of hand deflectors and if you don't have the oversize lowers get them also.

I rode from Myrtle Beach to Charleston Sun morn in the mid 20's all the way. It was not bad. I had my rain-suit pants on over my jeans and just my leather jacket. The amount of wind actually hitting me was almost nonexistent. And don't forget the crash bar chaps.

MT

[schoeney]

+1 on the engine guard chaps and larger lowers.

I would also recommend some thin under armor "coldgear". It is great stuff. Get the loose fitting style so it can go over your dress shirt.

Also a head/face mask...real cheap ($10-15) but makes a world of difference. See this link for examples.

http://www.customridefx.com/Face-Mas...FQwpawodoFwTHw

As far as waterproof and warm jackets I would get a 3/4 (longer style). I do not have one but I have my eye on a Tourmaster Transition 2 .....3/4 jacket. $170. I have heard good things about them and I really like the fit.

http://www.amazon.com/Tourmaster-TRA.../dp/B000W4XXXA

Good luck...stay warm!

[dank]

I wear FirstGear Kilaminjaro jacket. Astounding jacket. Waterproof, and has a zip in insulated liner that I call wearing a polar bear. I find it too warm with the liner in if temps are above mid-30's. I have worn it on extended rides down to 26 degrees. Without the liner the jacket is good up to around 90. Above that it is hot. Good crash resistance as well, personally tested. Totaled the bike, I walked away without a scratch or bruise.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ro-Jacket.aspx

First Gear mesh pants with liner. Same thing, except the liner is not insulated.

Tourmaster winter elite gloves. These are outstanding. Great down into the 30's. Low 30's you need to hold your hand in behind the shield now and then to let it warm up a bit if you are on a multi-hour ride. (I recommend doing it one hand at a time except for Dan Lund. ) When temps are in the 20's I put a chemical heat pack in them if I am riding all day.

http://www.newenough.com/gloves/insu...le_gloves.html

I have worn these over my dress shirt/tie/ slacks in going to work meetings many time. Hop off, put the jacket n a saddlebag, unzip the side zippers on the mesh pants, and step out, change shoes and I am ready to go.

I can't tell you these are the best made: I haven't tried everything out there. But I can tell you that based on many thousands of miles of riding in cold rain and sub-40 degree temps, these work.

[peterdarby]

Down to about 20 degrees I am comfortable with boots, chaps over my dress slacks, Joe rocket long jacket with removable liner. leather mittens, full face helmet with scarf to seal out the drafts. And a sheepskin on the seat which I will pull up in front to cover anything not covered by the chaps.

[cactusjack]

I also picked up on of these: http://www.zanheadgear.com/catalog/p...CategoryID=144

I wear a half helmet 90% of the time and it makes a huge difference.

[funtogo]

I second the First Gear Kiliminjaro Jacket.Got mine at New Enough on sale for around $110.00 in Dec.

[billyboy]

Thanks to everyone for the great recommendations and ideas, and thanks especially for keeping the recommendations based on firsthand experience with the equipment.

For those who recommended ski pants, how are they regarding the exhaust pipe? Did you have to sew something on the protect from melting on the pipe?