[Guest]

Hey guys, this topic has been covered before but in bits a pieces and usually seems people want an all round outfit for summer and winter, I want something for winter only.

I have a Joe Rocket ballistic jacket, for summer and some BMW vented boots.

 

[MonsterHooligan]

I dont think a leather suit is going to work for you in cold weather.
You should check out the Aerostich Darian 2-piece
http://www.aerostich.com/riderwearhouse.store
I use a TourMaster Cortech Sport 2-piece with the liner in and some thermals...but I'm in fresno. we dont have a 'winter' per se.

 

[maxpower]

[url][/url]Re: First winter gear

I second the aerostitch (don't own one, but have sampled) and if you like the BMW stuff, I think they have some pretty decent touring corduroy type stuff that don't look too shabby. http://www.bmwma.com/eCat/bmw_suits.htm

And I don't think leather is gonna be the way to go - I think you end up compromising good fit / protection by trying to get a size that you can stuff enough layers underneath. I ride into the 40s (maybe touching high 30s) but I am stupid and don't have the right gloves and just throw on a fleece vest and as many thin layers as possible under my Vanson perf jacket and Dainese cordura pants.

 

[Guest]

Is a Leather suit really that bad an insulator? I'm in Atlanta so the winter is pretty mild, but I would like to be warm as I plan on riding up to about December and then start riding again in March... I was considering buying a good leather jacket (dainese) and a heated vest, then a rain suit if a full leather suit is not the best option.

 

[Fillmore]

I've worn leather well into the 30's, but you do need an insulating layer underneath.

I use Hind brand Drylete thermals, which are pretty thin, but very warm. I throw a fleece vest on under my jacket and I stay pretty toasty in my leathers.

My big issue is keeping my hands warm. I haven't found anything that keeps my hands warm, but still feels like a piece of safety gear instead of ski gloves.

Dainese has the Talos line of gear that is a combination of leather and textile, and is available with a gore-tex liner.

--Fillmore

 

[tmronin]

cold=snowboarding.
not cold=motorcycle riding, skateboarding.

november 1st - monster goes into friend's garage in PA, snowboards get moved to Vermont skihouse.

just my $.02... ;D

different carving toys for different seasons,
steve

 

[maxpower]

I think that if you have a heated vest under your jacket your hands will be better off. Hands get coldest when your body is trying to heat your main internal organs - but if your torso is toastie hands will stay warmer - but you still need a good pair of gloves.

I don't know Atlanta weather - but generally I think that if you are riding in colder weather, there is more of a chance of precipatation - and hence the need for some kind of textile. Not that leather is bad - I just figure a completely water proof layer keeps you happier and warmer than leather with all of the thermals underneath. It really comes down to your local weather and how much you are going to need two sets of riding gear.

I think that in Atlanta you would probably be fine with leather, insulating thin layers and a heated vest.

My 2 cents.

 

[Guest]

Hello from BUFFALO!!!!
So you want cold weather gear?

 

[mmoore]

One option not mentioned is heated grips. Don't have 'em myself (sunny CA and all that) but they are supposed to be great and make wearing normal gloves possible.

On the Aerostich front, I have a Darien Light jacket & pants, as well as leather, and the textile is warmer by far. Plus you can put on windbloc layering below it. For real cold though I'd probably go with a one piece suit, like their Roadcrafter. Plus it is waterproof, but if you're riding around in the rain and it is forty degrees, you're both miserable and crazy. I did that once coming home from VT to Boston for a couple of hours and it was the worst time I ever spent on a moto.

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys. I'm looking for something for winter with the cold, if its raining I don't ride, I'll have a rainsuit for the "got caught" situations. Based on what everyone is saying I'm going to get a good leather jacket such as a Dainese with removeable thermal liner and a rainsuit, and possibly a heated vest later if its that cold out, but I'll try layers first. Winter is mild in GA, it gets down to about 40 for a few weeks at most and then its mild again. Thanks again for all the responses, great help.

 

[Guest]

I live in minnesota so cold weather is the norm for a lot of riding.
I found that some rei or patagucci capaleine under the Duc/Dainese leathers works with some other layers, and if really bad add the Duc Corse rainsuit. Add the rei sock liners and glove liners a balaclava and pretty good to go down to the thirties and still able to move around on the bike. I found that BCM is selling Ducati Corse one and two piece rainsuits for $100.00 that's $50 less then I have I seen it anywhere else. I also found Dainese leathers at good prices at Motorace.com. I think they are or where us distributors for dainese.

 

[Guest]

I got my Dianese Shard from Frans at The belgium dianese pro shop. I have to say he was so helpful, professional and prompt., helped me with sizing, made sure I know what options were available, the whole process was a pleasure. I ordered the jacket on monday, shipped tuesday and received it today in Atlanta Thursday, fantastic service. I saved about $150 over US dealers on the jacket and G2 back protector. I will be using Frans again when I need some pants and have already recommended them to some of my riding buddies.

 

[Robert_Bowman]

Ditto on how helpful and service-minded Frans is at bimoto.com. I purchased some winter Dainese gear from him just recently--textile and gore-tex pant and jacket, both with armor and zip-out quilted liners. Ordered on a Thursday, received on Tuesday at prices that beat U.S. sellers.

 

[scrappy]

Ditto on the kudos to Frans. Used him twice so far and he is awesome to deal with. He will not let you buy without some serious consultation on sizing and selection; he even had a pair of leather pants in stock sized euro 25. They are a euro 50 short which is exactly what I needed.

As to winter riding; for non rain cold weather in the NW, I go with my Dainese leathers (jacket and pants) with liner, and a fleece layer underneath. Does the trick with kevlar fleece lined Dainese gloves.

scooby ;D

 

[Ducster620]

Any Winter Gloves you guys would recommand?

Is Tour Master good?

 

[Duc_N_Har]

Yeah, Widder electric to go with your vest.

 

[mmoore]

Any Winter Gloves you guys would recommand?

Is Tour Master good?

I don't know about Tour Master, but in my experience winter gloves are always the weak point in keeping warm. Either your hands are cold, or the gloves are so thick that it feels like you're trying operate the switches through pillows. I have a pair of Daytona rain gloves that are pretty good, but if it was in the 40s they'd be too thin. One good thing to add, and cheap too, are some glove liners. There are ones made of silk as well as other types of insulating fabric. You might be able to wear them under a reasonably thick all season glove and have it be fine on those moderate days.

There are a lot better options than when I used to live in Boston. Brrrrrr.