Cold Weather is Coming!

[ARtraveler]

Sun thing: Interesting phenomenon. When you are in the direct sun you can just feel the warmth. When it goes behind a cloud or a mountain blocks it, the temperature feels like it instantaly drops about 10 degrees.

 

[Spydee8]

Tuesday it was near 90 here in West Texas...Wednesday it cooled off to the 70s. Got out my hoodie and went for a ryde.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Well you northern folks may be cold but you can dress for it. When it's 106 degrees with 100% humidity we Southerners can only take off so much clothes and still be cooking! So it's kind of a trade off. The good thing is we don't have to shovel heat!

 

[Pandy]

Just installed a new battery and have the Gerbing power connected. Up on the BRP for a short stint this weekend so not a really fair test of the jacket liners. Looking forward to being a lot warmer this winter than last. Electric socks are next.

Patrick

 

[fastfraser]

We have a fall colour ride this weekend with the Ontario Spyder Riders ,:thumbup: They are calling for rain snow mix Friday.:gaah:

 

[spyderrock]

Well up here in Alberta, Canada it snowed yesterday not much but it is still on the table out back on the patio. Temp at 5am this morning says minus 1 that's about 32f im guessing. My Rt is at the dealer getting serviced its going to be a very chilly ride home on Saturday. And yes the one good thing about living this far north is that the mosquitoes are gone for the next 8 months. Even with the heated clothing maybe 2 weeks of riding left it we are lucky. Really envy those of you living down south where you can ride all year..

 

[Rar]

Well you northern folks may be cold but you can dress for it. When it's 106 degrees with 100% humidity we Southerners can only take off so much clothes and still be cooking! So it's kind of a trade off. The good thing is we don't have to shovel heat!

:agree: Here, it seems we're either mowing, raking or shoveling.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Here's a review I did last year of one of the Winter products we got from Ron

Here's The Answer to 80% of your Winter Ryde'n Excuses!!!

FirstGear Thermo Riding Suit Review:

OK, so I took advantage of the 1stGear Riding Suit being offered here by BajaRon. Well, Ive had it since 12/30/10 & promised to give it a review once I had time to actually test it out, so here goes.

Let me start by saying, IMHO, for the price, YOU CAN'T BEAT IT!

THERMO TEXTILE 1-PIECE SUIT
100% waterproof, 210 denier Hypertex
120-gram polyester insulation
Full storm flap closures on zippers, pockets and cuffs
Cargo storage pockets
Elasticized ankle closures and adjustable waist
2-year limited warranty

Teddy & I have ridden in 5-12F degree temps for more than 30 minutes at a time, reaching brief highway speeds up to triple digits, and with only wearing normal clothes underneath, (long sleeve shirt & jogging pants) & the only thing that got chilled (not cold) was my neck area. While riding, the collar provides adequit wind protection with a full face helmet, but whenever I look down at my instruments, I can feel the cold air on my neck. I remedied this by adding the use of a $10 Balaclava from Dicks Sporting Goods.

We've been out ryding everyday that its been dry out. We had 2 weeks straight with below freezing temps, and I was able to ryde 11 of the past 14 days. Today, it got up to 37 & I went for a 100 mile ryde, just for fun. All was on the expressway & I was actually passed by a guy on a Harley 2 wheeler, and the thoughts that went thru my head were, that guy looks miserable. He had no windshield, half helmet, scarf, at least 2 heavy coats & i dont know how many pants & gloves, but you could tell the guy wasn't having fun.

Me, on the other hand, thanks in part to the RT-S's heated grips & adjustable windshield, along with my 1stGear Riding Suit, I WAS HAVING FUN!!! I love this suit!!!

The legs zip up half way for easy access for putting on boots & then have velcro to close over the zipper to prevent wind/water from get'n in & elastic at the bottom to create a seal around your boots.

The arms have velcro adjusters at the end, so I put on my bulky gloves and velcro them tight and get no air/water penetration at all.

Now for the drawbacks:

NO HAND POCKETS:
The Suit has 1 chest pocket & 2 smallish front-leg cargo pockets. It has no pockets on the sides like you have on normal pants. So, when you come to your destination, & if you take off your balky riding gloves like I do, you have no-where to put your hands to keep them warm while walking in the cold to your destination.

COLLAR:
The collar could be another inch or so higher to help buffer the cold air when looking down, but that may just be me. I mean, if I had a shorter neck, it wouldn't be an issue, right? LOL As stated above, looking forward with normal driving, the wind wasn't an issue in the neck area.

BULK:
The suit is kind of bulky, but I don't think you can really get around this, for the wind/cold protection that it gives you. I'm 5'9, 175lb & ordered a medium size. The waist is adjustable with velcro strips and the top fits fine, but the legs bunch just a bit, but nothing major.

OK, so...... all that be'n said, I checked out 1stGears website www.firstgear-usa.com and they do have another riding suit (Expedition) that looks like they corrected the few issues that I mentioned here, but for $500!!!

I'm enjoying ryding every day thats dry no matter the temperature outside. I hope this helps some of you that have been on the fence about this product. I don't think you would be dissapointed, I know I'm VERY SATISFIED & can now enjoy Ryding Teds Red Sled Year Round!!!

Update: 3/24/11
I ditto everything stated above

I almost put the suit away for SpringTime, and BAMM!!!! Snow on Sunday... Teddy & I are ok tho, cause I have my 1stGear Thermo Ryde'n suit, & Teddy's got his enclosed carrier with heating pad.

 

[ARtraveler]

RE: Cold on the Neck. I usually wear a balaclava type neck warmer. BRP had one for $29.95 or so--I found one elsewhere for about 1/2 that price. I will be wearing mine this morning on the way in to work. Its 30 degrees here this AM.

 

[BajaRon]

Here's The Answer to 80% of your Winter Ryde'n Excuses!!!

FirstGear Thermo Riding Suit Review:

OK, so I took advantage of the 1stGear Riding Suit being offered here by BajaRon. Well, Ive had it since 12/30/10 & promised to give it a review once I had time to actually test it out, so here goes.

Let me start by saying, IMHO, for the price, YOU CAN'T BEAT IT!

THERMO TEXTILE 1-PIECE SUIT
100% waterproof, 210 denier Hypertex
120-gram polyester insulation
Full storm flap closures on zippers, pockets and cuffs
Cargo storage pockets
Elasticized ankle closures and adjustable waist
2-year limited warranty

Teddy & I have ridden in 5-12F degree temps for more than 30 minutes at a time, reaching brief highway speeds up to triple digits, and with only wearing normal clothes underneath, (long sleeve shirt & jogging pants) & the only thing that got chilled (not cold) was my neck area. While riding, the collar provides adequit wind protection with a full face helmet, but whenever I look down at my instruments, I can feel the cold air on my neck. I remedied this by adding the use of a $10 Balaclava from Dicks Sporting Goods.

We've been out ryding everyday that its been dry out. We had 2 weeks straight with below freezing temps, and I was able to ryde 11 of the past 14 days. Today, it got up to 37 & I went for a 100 mile ryde, just for fun. All was on the expressway & I was actually passed by a guy on a Harley 2 wheeler, and the thoughts that went thru my head were, that guy looks miserable. He had no windshield, half helmet, scarf, at least 2 heavy coats & i dont know how many pants & gloves, but you could tell the guy wasn't having fun.

Me, on the other hand, thanks in part to the RT-S's heated grips & adjustable windshield, along with my 1stGear Riding Suit, I WAS HAVING FUN!!! I love this suit!!!

The legs zip up half way for easy access for putting on boots & then have velcro to close over the zipper to prevent wind/water from get'n in & elastic at the bottom to create a seal around your boots.

The arms have velcro adjusters at the end, so I put on my bulky gloves and velcro them tight and get no air/water penetration at all.

Now for the drawbacks:

NO HAND POCKETS:
The Suit has 1 chest pocket & 2 smallish front-leg cargo pockets. It has no pockets on the sides like you have on normal pants. So, when you come to your destination, & if you take off your balky riding gloves like I do, you have no-where to put your hands to keep them warm while walking in the cold to your destination.

COLLAR:
The collar could be another inch or so higher to help buffer the cold air when looking down, but that may just be me. I mean, if I had a shorter neck, it wouldn't be an issue, right? LOL As stated above, looking forward with normal driving, the wind wasn't an issue in the neck area.

BULK:
The suit is kind of bulky, but I don't think you can really get around this, for the wind/cold protection that it gives you. I'm 5'9, 175lb & ordered a medium size. The waist is adjustable with velcro strips and the top fits fine, but the legs bunch just a bit, but nothing major.

OK, so...... all that be'n said, I checked out 1stGears website www.firstgear-usa.com and they do have another riding suit (Expedition) that looks like they corrected the few issues that I mentioned here, but for $500!!!

I'm enjoying ryding every day thats dry no matter the temperature outside. I hope this helps some of you that have been on the fence about this product. I don't think you would be dissapointed, I know I'm VERY SATISFIED & can now enjoy Ryding Teds Red Sled Year Round!!!

Update: 3/24/11
I ditto everything stated above

I almost put the suit away for SpringTime, and BAMM!!!! Snow on Sunday... Teddy & I are ok tho, cause I have my 1stGear Thermo Ryde'n suit, & Teddy's got his enclosed carrier with heating pad.

I've sold a ton of these Thermo suits and they are really a big hit. Waterproof too! I can't tell you my price because I get in trouble with FG. But you can PM me or email me at [email protected]. For cold/wet weather there just insn't anything else out there that provides the bang for the buck like the Thermo.

Of course I also carry the full line of Firstgear products from rain gear to heated.

Is this a shameless plug or a helping hand? :dontknow:

I suppose it depends on your tollerance for cold! hyea:

 

[Rar]

I've sold a ton of these Thermo suits and they are really a big hit. Waterproof too! I can't tell you my price because I get in trouble with FG. But you can PM me or email me at [email protected]. For cold/wet weather there just insn't anything else out there that provides the bang for the buck like the Thermo.

Of course I also carry the full line of Firstgear products from rain gear to heated.

Is this a shameless plug or a helping hand? :dontknow:

I suppose it depends on your tollerance for cold! hyea:

This sounds perfect for me. It is such a hassle getting dressed and undressed with all the layers. One piece would be ideal.

 

[billpowell]

I was riding around 8:30 this morning and had to turn around and go back to the house and get a jacket, it was 66 and I nearly froze, :joke:. Sorry guys and gals up North, now at 4pm it is mid 80's.

 

[Sarge707]

Yesterday Hubby wanted to get an early start to pick up his RT. We rode two-up on my RT to pick it up. The temps in Saranac, NY (where Roberts Sports is located) were barely above freezing. I stalled as long as I could, until the temps in Plattsburgh reached about 40. I wore long underwear, polar fleece, a Foxcreek leather jacket with liner, jeans, knee socks and sneakers. I was very comfortable. My neck was a bit chilled, but nothing unbearable. I can work out that issue going forward. I guess my point is that I can probably do 40 degree or lower temps, providing the road conditions are satisfactory. :yes:

Much easier for me to Slip into the Thermal Suit with Just Sweatpants and sweatshirt under and be totally warm to (For Me) about 38 degrees. Just wish they Made a Thermal suit with 1/2 the bulk and the same protection but that would probably Cost $1,000?

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

I have the non insulated version of the Thermo Suit by Firstgrear which is perfect for me in the Deep South. Everything said about it is true and it is good for temps down to the low forties just as it is with street clothes. If you wear a hoodie and long johns you can get out on the road at any temp north of freezing.