How cold will you ride?

[Gypped_imp]

I'll go down to about 40 before I'll (be forced by SWMBO to) give up.... although since I live in North Florida, I'm more usually worried about the high 90s with 90-100% humidity since that can be almost 2/3 of the year here.

I do work the overnight shift so even though it's unlikely to snow here, it will drop below freezing at the times I commute... but to be honest, that's still not very often. It can be pretty miserable at 35 with 80% humidity and the windchill kicking in and no sunshine to help me pretend it's warmer. Also, the humidity means that any time I stop my helmet visor immediately fogs up; so that's super fun in the dark.

First thing I did was put heated grips on the CB though, so there's that. After riding my cruiser into work the last couple winters and having my gloves not work worth a crap, I decided I wasn't putting up with that again.

[12cb96vfr_imp]

30s for me isn't fun. Anthing 40 or higher and I'm game

[gcarper_imp]

I live in upstate S Carolina--1 mile to NC border and I ride year round unless there is ice or snow. Many day rides my buddies and I have started with temps in the mid 20s, however we all have heated jacket liners and heated gloves and 2 have heated grips. It is amazing what heated gear will do for you, you're warm, the heat from the liner will seep up into your helmet, and the engine / radiator will keep your legs and feet maybe not warm but not so cold as to be uncomfortable. I've installed heated grips on the CB and a power outlet for my Gerbing jacket liner. Heated gear is expensive but it allows riding far beyond the usual riding season.

[AzBob_imp]

Gentlemen,

Where I live we have the opposite problem. How hot will you ride? All summer I can only ride at night as 110+ degree summer temps are so miserable that it's unbearable. In June through August I'm a vampire and only come out at night when it's still upper 90's. but in the winter it's wonderful here. Dinner outside by the pool on Christmas Day.

But to answer your question, about 50 degrees is my limit. Cold roads and tires have very little grip so extra caution is required. Cheers.

Chip

The first year I got my CBR I rode all summer. I think the hottest it was was around 118. I soldiered on like an idiot. If I recall, the SUV I had at the time had an overheating problem so I was kind of forced. It was OK. I'd come home soaking wet under all my gear. Stupidly, my leather riding jacket was black. I now have a white leather one and it's way less hot.

I don't do that any more. I can barely stand 85+ any more with humidity.

In Winter, I used to be good down to about 35 with heated jacket and chaps and winter gloves. Now I don't like under 50. Winter gloves are a pain (bulky).

I've become quite the prima donna I guess.

[hl9td_imp]

Temperature doesn't matter. Like GCarper said, heated everything in my case. Grips, socks and all up to neck. Forgot to mention GoldWing. Ridden in Rockies in snow etc. Rode to Prudoe Bay in cold. Long as road is reasonably clear no issue. With CB11 it will be perfect down here in south Texas. Have Honda heated grips (very nice) and appropriate clothes. Starting in late September through next early May will always be CB11 riding weather; if not raining or whatever. Summer sucks. High humidity, high temperature, cooking in the sun. During summer just have a martini and watch the heat outside. Kinda like winter in the north except don't have to shovel heat!

[XeNoSCR_imp]

As long as there's no ice, I'm game. Gear up, warm sweater, Tourmaster Transition S3 in hi-viz, pants, boots, gauntlets with fleece liners, and breath box. Plenty warm.

XeNoSCR

[HikerToo_imp]

what's out there these days for a neck gaiter?

[rboe]

Cycle Gear carries/carried a turtle fur tube affair and Aerostich carries something similar. Love 'em!

[Randy B]

I used to live in Chicago and I have done everything from the mid teens to around 110° (temp at O'Hare was 106° but I'm pretty sure it was hotter where I was). The heat was a bit nuts and made my nostrils burn, but the cold damn near ate through me and I had on LAYERS...like 4 or 5.
Right now I'd say my cold limit is around 40 give or take and the upper limit....meh. I can tend to deal with that better than the cold...hence why I don't live in Chicago any more.

[the Ferret]

Anytime its below 40 I have one of 3 balaclavas I own on. Keeps neck, ears, chin warm.