Winter riding...

I find just a t-shirt under my Frank Thomas xxx jacket is fine. I use the supplied thermal layer in both the jacket and the matching trousers, and have never got too cold, even on 3 hours trips at 5am in January. My hands get cold even with the thickest winter HG gloves and heated grips - I agree with Rictus that heated gloves are a better option. A chin flap is a must to stop rain a sh*t getting into your helmet in driving rain or sleet. Ive got some cheap swift racing boot and they are about 90% waterproof if you treat them with some of that leather spray. They are starting to get VERY grubby now though after 12 months, would prefer some propper winter boots really.

the most annoying thing i find is when your visor freezes over and you can't wipe it clear with one hand - usually early in the morning with freezing fog.

As for visor misting ... I have a Shoei with pinlock insert ... does the job

Also, my textiles have removable thermal liners which kept me nice n warm thru last winter Was also wearing "office shirt n trousers" underneath them. Got a pair of "cold killers" inner gloves but they just made it feel like I was trying to ride in a pair of boxing gloves (hence I went for the Wolf winter gloves - which are absolutely great at keeping the cold out, but not so great at keeping the water out).

Still after a decent pair of waterproof boots tho :/
Mine appear to be leaking water thru the place that the toe-sliders attach to.

EDIT: and I'm thinking of getting an EDZ 1-pc undersuit for this winter as I intend wearing the leathers (cos its cheaper than replacing my now damaged textile jacket).

Pete

Not a big fan of pinlocks - it involves drilling the visor and if you have to buy a new visor don't you have to have a new pinlock system?

Also, doesn't it allow even more cold biting air to your face?

I like a warm (ish) face

Originally Posted by rictus01

2.don't ever ride with freezing hands or feet, it takes to much consentration away from what you are doing.

A-men to this man!

Last year I made the mistake of wearing my thin summer gloves on a gloriously sunny winters day (when I did the daily commute from Didcot to Swindon area) - needless to say it wasn't sunny on the way home, and it was raining and bloody cold - left hand was pretty much siezed onto the clutch lever - never felt so much pain in my fingers before...

Has anyone tried Pathans (the two finger glove/mitt??) I've heard they're meant to be quite good??

Originally Posted by Al_Sweetman

Not a big fan of pinlocks - it involves drilling the visor and if you have to buy a new visor don't you have to have a new pinlock system?

Also, doesn't it allow even more cold biting air to your face?

I like a warm (ish) face

You can normally buy the visor with the pinlock pins already in place and all you have to do is mount the insert (which is very easy). If you get another visor you can remove the insert and put it in the new visor.

Doesn't allow any air in.

EDIT - about the gloves

yep. i use the HG ones, cant remember the name. the only bugger is when you pull your hand out and the lining comes with it. it is a complete pain to get back in, especially on a dark, cold wet morning. my hands still get cold in them, but they are the best gloves ive used.

[quote=Al_Sweetman;1286259]A-men to this man!

Last year I made the mistake of wearing my thin summer gloves on a gloriously sunny winters day (when I did the daily commute from Didcot to Swindon area) - needless to say it wasn't sunny on the way home, and it was raining and bloody cold - left hand was pretty much siezed onto the clutch lever - never felt so much pain in my fingers before...

Has anyone tried Pathans (the two finger glove/mitt??) I've heard they're meant to be quite good??[/quote]

I've got some of these, great for keeping the cold out and I dont remember getting wet hands at all but I tended not to ride too much in the rain. They do take a bit of getting used to though as two fingers are effectively strapped together!

Last year i wore...

My Astar leathers with a fleece over the top to keep me warm, and as always a balaclava and a neck warmer. And i used my GP Pro's aswell, to say i was cold at some points is a small under-estimation. And obviously used me waterproofs when needed.

This year i have to wear...

Textiles from harpers with and inner fleecy lining, that made me sweat in 10 degrees. Boots as you were. HG 2 finger sheltex thingys. New Helmet that i think will get chilly as it is not as snug as my AGV i had last year so i may go back to the AGV for a while. I will be in all black otherwise. I'm gonna get one of those balaclavas that has the bit that goes all the way over your collar bone and that. And still wear a neck warmer. And use waterproofs when i need to, but apparently my textiles are 100% waterproof. I dont believe it and for £100 i dont care lol. Will wear my england shirt that has "grown around me" (got too small for my gut) and is very tight and has long sleeves, and then a cotton top over.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Al_Sweetman

Has anyone tried Pathans (the two finger glove/mitt??) I've heard they're meant to be quite good??

I used to, but the Spada Force 2 WPs I linked to back up the thread are just better- warmer, not as leaky, more protective too. The Pathans are ace but I wouldn't buy another, they've been beaten now.

[steveg]

just had to rekit myself out last textile kit had lasted 7 years .
from Hein Gericke in the sale :-
entry gortex jacket & trousers 220
rhino gortex boots 70 quid
Its not rained since I bought them !

Cheers Steve