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Staying Warm


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So im a new rider. Been riding a few weeks now and have noticed the temperature starting to drop.

I currently only have a helmet and gloves for the bike.

I have a thermal top and trousers to stay a bit warm

but I don't really own any proper bike gear yet...

So I'm looking on some recommendations on the best way to stay warm/safe during the winter

dont wanna sound cheap but budget is tight

Thanks!

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Smart layering.

The wicking base layers from Aldi/Lidi I find very good value for the money. Over the top wear a fleece/jumper and then a water and wind proof layer ideally. For trousers I would suggest investing in some textile motorcycle trousers. Simply because they are designed for it and much less flaffing around with layers. Most textile trousers come with a thermal liner.

Teamed with waterproof boots, good socks and decent gloves that should keep you warm enough for commuting.


Layering is a balancing act. Too many layers and you run the risk of not being able to wick away sweat, so you end up damp and sticky no matter how waterproof your kit is. Too few layers and you'll be cold. Fleeces work well as a mid layer due to the fact they trap air in the them, which will keep you warm and dry at the same time.


Get on ebay and have a look for motorcycle trousers and jackets in your size. Some charity shops also sell them. You could also post up your sizes here any maybe someone will have something suitable for you?

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Waterproof is also windproof which helps keep you warm. I started off with a cheap jacket for safety and would add a waterproof for rain and cold weather. This is £40 and has never leaked


http://www.spadaclothing.co.uk/product-detail.php?subcat=8&cat=2&product=55&productname=912%20Unlined%20Jacket

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Is there a big ish bike event near you soon? Brighton Burnout? Brightona?


Go to your local bike shops find out what size you "normally" (if such thing exists in bike gear) are...


Draw a list of whats essential and nice to have, so when you see the right gear you can jump.... E bay Gumtree etc just remember that list and buy what you think you want.


Is there a local shop that sells second hand stuff?

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Don't be afraid of secondhand jackets and trousers.....If you know what sizes you need, then have a look on eBay or gumtree or any of those sites..... :wink:

I bought my current leathers from Ebay ....the jeans were £45 i think and jacket was £200 (but you can buy cheaper)


My Pillion has All new (£700+ for jacket & jeans) and very rarely uses them (well not much this year anyway)

All are the same size and I "broke" them in for her........but was happy to go back to My old leathers........cheaper used leathers dont mean crap, when you get a good fit it makes you feel good too

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Buy a cheap car or get a bus pass for the winter , if it's cold enough that you need heated gloves or grips or enough layers you look like your 3 stone heavier kitted up .... It's to cold to be riding a bike :thumb:

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Buy a cheap car or get a bus pass for the winter , if it's cold enough that you need heated gloves or grips or enough layers you look like your 3 stone heavier kitted up .... It's to cold to be riding a bike :thumb:

 

You must not get much riding in Blighty Six, not going out when it's wet, or cold.. what does that leave, 6 weeks at best? :lol: :wink:

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Top tip for riding through blizzards when you can't afford* winter gloves never mind heated ones --- get a pair of good quality insulated washing up gloves and wear them under your bike gloves, keeps your hands warm and dry.


Best to buy the blue or yellow ones, you get funny looks wearing the pink ones.


*Or are too tightfisted

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Buy a cheap car or get a bus pass for the winter , if it's cold enough that you need heated gloves or grips or enough layers you look like your 3 stone heavier kitted up .... It's to cold to be riding a bike :thumb:

 

You must not get much riding in Blighty Six, not going out when it's wet, or cold.. what does that leave, 6 weeks at best? :lol: :wink:

 





Must admit I'm a fair weather tart... don't mind if it's a bit brisk out , I never hibernate my bike , it's always ready to go for that odd day through the winter months :thumb:

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  • 3 weeks later...

I just started as well so dw .. I have a thermal neck tube that I wear it under my full face helmet, also keep your visor close, if it steams up so fast inside buy a Pinlock that prevents steaming. Also invest in a thermal base layer. U can cind cheap ones in Amazon or ebay

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This is what I usually wear in the cold.


Long socks inside short socks inside proper boots,

Leggings under waterproof textile trousers without liner (because it does not fit any more),

T-shirt under shirt under waterproof textile jacket with liner,

Buff (or knock-off) as a balaclava inside helmet, and

Gloves.


Works for me except the extremities. Proper boots, gloves, jacket, and trousers the only specialist bike items, everything else is just cheap Aldi, Lidl, Primark etc. clothing.


But the boots can be worn year round, and the gloves, jacket, and trousers can be worn autumn and spring too (you would want vented for summer). They are primarily for safety though, they do not have to be super expensive but proper bike gear is important for those.


Toes still get a bit cold, reckon heated insoles are the only answer there.


Heated grips are great, but you can still feel the cold on the outside of the fingers, especially if you cover the brake. I used to use battery-powered heated glove liners, not as hot as grips but make a big difference and heat the fingers from the outside. The only problem, aside from batteries dying on longer trips, is you lose some feeling by having an extra layer inside the gloves. Never enough that I could not feel the bike controls but more than I would have ideally liked. Still, better that not feeling the controls because your fingers are frozen. Muffs are probably the only perfect solution, but could not get the ones I bought to attach on my old bike.


The only other place I feel cold is my face, but that is because either my Caberg helmet (with properly attached pinlock) or glasses steam up too easily that I need to leave the visor open a crack. The ventilation on the helmet is awful though, hot or cold you need to do that.

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Silk inner gloves seem to be doing the business. I’d rather lose my hand then pay £200 for heated gloves/battery/charger.


RST track tech evo’s keep my feet warm just fine on their own. Don’t even need padded socks or anything.


Standard thermal inners on textile kit work nicely, nothing required below on trousers. Jacket i find a t shirt and hoodie is enough.

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Yeah it's getting proper cold now, had to wear an (awesome) black t-shirt instead of a white one today to trap that extra heat. Wish I could find my sunglasses, they'd probably help too...

20171126_145021.jpg

 

Moving to the other side of the globe is probably off the OP's shopping list!..... :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Lidl and Aldi stuff is great value,. Try asking on sites like freecycle and streetbank, if there is anyone out there getting rid of stuff you just have to collect it, good luck and stay safe in winter roads



Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk


 

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Lidl and Aldi stuff is great value,. Try asking on sites like freecycle and streetbank, if there is anyone out there getting rid of stuff you just have to collect it, good luck and stay safe in winter roads



Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

You will be surprised what you can get off good local people who really just like helping others

Most the stuff people have will be just hanging up forgoten about until they see a "wanted" post


Ive given AND Received Lots of good stuff on Freecycle.

Ive never given or received anything Anyone would call crap.

A lot of it has been almost new too, last thing I got was a nearly new Gas Space heater for the garage (with 1/4 bottle gas too) that is good enough for any house


Last thing I gave away was a 1 year old working 4 channel CCTV DvR


Makes you feel good too

Costs nothing to ask


Not heard of Streetbank but will look into that now

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Mountain Warehouse (no, I didn't want to buy a mountain, either!) have some good thermal/wicking undergarments and they generally do a sale price. Nice for under leathers/top layer.

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Lidl and Aldi stuff is great value,. Try asking on sites like freecycle and streetbank, if there is anyone out there getting rid of stuff you just have to collect it, good luck and stay safe in winter roads



Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

You will be surprised what you can get off good local people who really just like helping others

Most the stuff people have will be just hanging up forgoten about until they see a "wanted" post


Ive given AND Received Lots of good stuff on Freecycle.

Ive never given or received anything Anyone would call crap.

A lot of it has been almost new too, last thing I got was a nearly new Gas Space heater for the garage (with 1/4 bottle gas too) that is good enough for any house


Last thing I gave away was a 1 year old working 4 channel CCTV DvR


Makes you feel good too

Costs nothing to ask


Not heard of Streetbank but will look into that now

Well said, a good community spirit does exist


Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk


 

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