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Sunny blue bird skies yesterday, but cold for the deep south. Left the house at 42 degrees with the grip heaters on high and the heated jacket liner on low. Rode about 100 miles to the Kistachie National Forest and took a nice walk around a lake and through the woods. Afternoon high was only about 50, and I took the long way home. About 225 miles total - nice day by myself.

I did get ONE nice picture.....

Man you guys in the south talking about cold at 42 degrees kill me. Rode to work this morning, 19 degrees but supposed to be mid 30's when I leave for home. Forecast show snow coming in Saturday but we'll see. Just glad I'm not among those poor Canadian folks that just got pummeled with that white shit.

BkerChuck wrote: ↑Tue Jan 21, 2020 9:43 am Rode to work this morning, 19 degrees

I've only managed 22F. Seems whenever it gets that cold down here, it comes with freezing rain or an ice storm, in which case, I ain't riding.

BkerChuck wrote: ↑Tue Jan 21, 2020 9:43 am Man you guys in the south talking about cold at 42 degrees kill me. Rode to work this morning, 19 degrees but supposed to be mid 30's when I leave for home. Forecast show snow coming in Saturday but we'll see. Just glad I'm not among those poor Canadian folks that just got pummeled with that white shit.

I have to admit Chuck 42F is cold to me. I guess i am just not used to it. Plus, I don't have the proper gear. No heated gear. I just layer what I have.

However, I will ride in the 40s as long as it's dry. I do have to say the FJR is much more comfortable than my cruiser. At least it blocks some of the cold air.

I often say. I can do wet. I can do cold.

I can not do wet and cold.

I put some new PR5 GT's on the bike and took her out to one of my favorite mountain top roads close to home to scuff them up. Nothing like the feel of new rubber! Even the worst tires feel great with no miles on them These tires seem like they are going to be great for the bike but time will tell.

Awaiting reports with the 5's..... so far one..... so how long do you think it will be before they are worn out, i.e., when we can get your review?

Hppants wrote: ↑Tue Jan 21, 2020 9:19 am Sunny blue bird skies yesterday, but cold for the deep south. Left the house at 42 degrees with the grip heaters on high and the heated jacket liner on low. Rode about 100 miles to the Kistachie National Forest and took a nice walk around a lake and through the woods. Afternoon high was only about 50, and I took the long way home. About 225 miles total - nice day by myself.

I did get ONE nice picture.....

Most of us in der Northlands have not seen 42° in quite a while. Sigh.....

raYzerman wrote: ↑Tue Jan 21, 2020 12:57 pm Awaiting reports with the 5's..... so far one..... so how long do you think it will be before they are worn out, i.e., when we can get your review?

Ray, I hope it will be many more miles than what I got on the PR4's. 7K was it on those. How the bike handles as they wear is just as important to me as the miles. My bike really struggled to lean when those tires started to wear. As you have seen from the photos the tread depth is impressive on the 5's so I just hope they are tougher as they age.

Rode it to the office. After commuting at barely above 20F recently, 40 felt comparatively balmy.

You guys that ride in the cold. At what temperature do most of you start adding heated gear?

danh600 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:41 pm You guys that ride in the cold. At what temperature do most of you start adding heated gear?

I wear my Toyota when the temps drop below 45f. I've ridden in far to much cold in my life to think that is adventurous. Sorry, it sucks and it's not in the least enjoyable.

That being said, i do take pleasure in watching others claim respect for their efforts.

danh600 wrote:You guys that ride in the cold. At what temperature do most of you start adding heated gear?

I have found that I need to turn on my heated gear at and below 46F with my Joe Rocket Survivor suit.

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Depends on whether it’s 4-8 hours, or just a commute. Generally low 50’s and below, for me. Unplugged or turned down to the lowest setting.

Part of heated gear is keeping me warm when it’s really cold, under layers.

Another part is using it instead of anything else, where it’s the heated jacket and Darien jacket and no other warmth layers. For commutes and local stuff, just a shirt and heated jacket under the outer shell is convenient and allows for comfort across a broad range of temps.

danh600 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:41 pm You guys that ride in the cold. At what temperature do most of you start adding heated gear?

danh600 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:41 pm You guys that ride in the cold. At what temperature do most of you start adding heated gear?

Below 45-50f for me. Like Lumberg said we had a few days in the 20's and that heated jacket feels delicious.

Rode to work again this morning. Temps around 28-29 on the way in.

I'll use my heated liner as an midlayer under my jacket fairly often. Sometimes not even plugged in but knowing it's available to me when I need it. If it's damp out or light rain I've used it at temps as high as 50. I generally plug in and have it ready once temps are below 40 and use it for sure once they drop to around freezing. My commute is roughly 10 miles one way. Heated gloves are the same story. I've only used the heated grips a few times as the wind isn't hitting my palms so I'm not sure it's even a feature I find important. The heated gloves were actually my first piece of heated gear.

danh600 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:41 pm You guys that ride in the cold. At what temperature do most of you start adding heated gear?

I have two sets of gear. Most of the year I wear my Olympia mesh gear, which I'll toss in the quilted liners when it's in the 60's. When it hits the 50's I transition to my "Winter suit" which is my Gerbing Jacket/Pants combo that is not mesh. I'll usually wear the Gerbing liners with them, and will decide if I plug in or not depending on the temps. Often I'll plug in just in case and turn it on as need be. If it warms up, I can pull the liners out and open vents on the suit, and hope it doesn't get too warm.

Don't own heated gear. Several new mods (heated seat, big windshield, and knuckle guards) should extend my "OK to ride" temps down to about 32F.

danh600 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:41 pm You guys that ride in the cold. At what temperature do most of you start adding heated gear?

Short rides, say less than two hours, I'll go out in the low 40s w/o heated gear. If I'm planning to be out all day with temps below 50ish, then the heated jacket goes on, plugged in and ready. FJR has better wind protection than Tenere so bike choice also dictates when the heaters come out.

~G

escapefjrtist wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2020 11:46 pm

danh600 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:41 pm You guys that ride in the cold. At what temperature do most of you start adding heated gear?

Short rides, say less than two hours, I'll go out in the low 40s w/o heated gear. If I'm planning to be out all day with temps below 50ish, then the heated jacket goes on, plugged in and ready. FJR has better wind protection than Tenere so bike choice also dictates when the heaters come out.

~G

That sounds about right. Short rides without heated gear between 40 and 50. For all day rides, I prefer the electrical assist if below 50, especially if cloudy. It takes time but body core temperature slowly drops to the point where it takes a long time to get warm again. Not to mention that reflexes and judgement are impaired as core temps drop very far.

Rode to work this morning, temps were around 33 give or take but very damp out. Turned heated stuff on to about 1/3-1/2 power just to knock the chill off.