How cold is too cold?

[patmahoney]

As fall is heading into winter I was wondering; how cold does it need to be for you to say it's too cold to take the Nomad?

Results as of 4:15 pm edst 30 Oct

BELOW____HIGHWAY____IN-TOWN
50__________ 6 _________6
40__________12 _________8
30__________ 7 _________8
20__________ 5 _________5
10__________ 1 _________ 2
NO LIMIT_____ 3 _________4

[blowndodge]

Below 50f

[cactusjack]

Today is too cold to ride the Nomad. We had a cold front come in and the high yesterday was 63 degrees (over 40 degrees cooler than a month ago, and 25 degrees cooler than the norm for this date) and the temp was 35 at 06:00 this morning.

We don't have many mornings when it's this cold, so I don't have really cold weather gear. It's not worth it for maybe 10 days a year.

That said, I usually don't ride if it's below 40-45 degrees.

[jestephens]

For riding in town (under 40 mph) I have now lower limit. BUT for the highway (60 mph and up) I really don't like any temperatures under 40 degrees.

Of course ALL scenarios are subject to change depending on Wind, Ice, Wet leaves, Distance, etc. ::)

A group of us bikers in town meet on New Years day and ride 1 mile for every degree of the current temp. The first year I participated we rode 75 miles on a 70 degree day. The next year, we rode 20 miles on a 20 degree day . . . that hurt!

[waterman]

Depends upon your gear. Right now with my gear, I have ridden in low 30's. Very cool ride but doable with stops. Mainly my feet and hands get cold. However, if you have heated gear, I know of people riding into the 20's.

[blowndodge]

It was actuall in the 40's at my house this morning Scott! brrrrrr

[trip]

If you're using electrics, then too cold is probably not a factor on a motorcycle.

But without electrics and since riding temperature is usually 10 degrees lower than ambient temperature, no lower than 50 for me.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

It was actuall in the 40's at my house this morning Scott! brrrrrr

Wow. I hope you stayed inside where it was warm! ::)

[dank]

I get more worried about ice, which usually is limiting here in Michigan once temps drop much below freezing for any period of time. I've ridden my Nomad all day, 700 plus miles, on a day with a low of 32 and high of 36. The ST is good for all day down in the mid-20's ( I found this out with an unexpected cold front while on a trip). A big part of the difference is that the mirrors block most of the wind from your hands. Don't use electrics, but sometimes put chemical heat packs in my gloves.

C'mon Trip! No Lower than 50! You'd have had trouble riding in July here this year. You really know you're alive when you cruise out on a sunny, 35 degree day. Makes the pie and coffee taste really good.

[Top Cat]

I have no electric gear so 45 is as low as I am willing to ride.

[waterman]

You southerner's. What a group, no riding under 50????? After a long winter hybernation, the first nice day (anything above freezing) and dry roads feels great.

[ccmjr77]

I rode this morning. it was in the 40s when I left, but it is suppose to be in the 60s this afternoon. I wore the full face helmet for the first time and my new winter gloves. It was a nice ride in. If it was a long commute, I would not ride. 20-25 minutes is not bad, any longer it might start getting cold. But, it is suppose to be back in the 80s by saturday.

[classic1]

25 deg air temp is my cut-off point. That's on work days and I ride 35 miles each way to work at 60 mph. Now, on weekends, low 40's.

[bigdave]

I have rode with temps as low as 20 and have ridden home from work at night with temps in the mid 30s several times

[dank]

Can't believe you southerners and Texans.....good grief, my wife rides with me down well into the low 40's. And she's just a little slip of a thing with about 2% body fat and no significant body mass for homeostasis. To even do an Arnold and call you "girlie men" would be an injustice to her.

Question isn't how cold does it get in your state, it's how cold is too cold to ride!