At temps below 20*F and speeds over 50 mph the carbuerator freezes. If I had EFI I would get heated gear and go to lower temps. As it is I figure I can go as low as the machine can go.

ps: The new salt mixes (calcuim chloride) eat machines quickly. I try to avoid salted roads.

This spring I got HD heated grips. They are worth the $$$ if the temps are below 50*F for 1/2 of the year.
A windshield is also very nice in the low temps.
As for legs I wear leather pants with wool blend underneath.
I have yet to find a windchill chart that covers speeds over 40mph. I have no idea what the windchill temps I ride in are.

 

If the temp is above freezing and the roads are dry then I will ride.

The only problem I have is a red nose when I get there.

 

Hey Stefan...is that why my bike runs like crap on the interstate when it's this cold? I'm sure it was under 20 when I hit the wide valley on I-75 this morning by the Georgia Welcome Center...it's always coldest there....and it'll cough a couple of times until I get outta the bottoms through there.

Rev. George.....Chattanooga, Tn

 

+ 1 On the Wisconsin winters. 34 degrees was my lowest riding temp.
The roads are terrible as far as riding goes in the Milwaukee area. I've put my bike away until it warms up, the snow melts, and the salt is washed away by the first good rain of the year.

 

Down here in San Diego, it's been in the mid-30's or so in the morning when I make my 30-mille commute to work, about 1/3 of which is on the interstate. I have fur-lined boots, tourmaster jacket and pants, a polyproylene headover, and full face helmet.

I've been very comfortably warm every morning. The only problem has been the face-shield on my helmet. It has a tendency to fog up at low speeds or stoplights, but if I crack the visor, it's fine.

 

A pair offleece lined jeans will do wonders for the legs crampin' from cold.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=7695020

I got mine from the local Wal Mart store but for those in the not so cold climates like California who want em you can order em online.

 

I've never had a problem with my carb freezing when riding faster than 50mh and temps below 20. I've only done that a couple of times, but the bike did fine. I was pretty darn cold, but the bike was fine.

 

i ran to get milk last week. it was 27 degrees. i couldnt breath and allmost had to pull over, call me a wuss but if i cant inhale then i cant ride, the bike is now sitting in my heated basement room. ill go again this spring, that and theres 2 feet of snow here. brian

 

Follow the 30-30-30 rule. If it is 30F degrees out, and you ride 30minutes at 30mph, anything exposed can get frostbitten. Go over 30 mph and that time decreases exponentially.

I rode last year when it was 28F out about 10 miles doing between 30-55mph. I was wearing jeans, leather/lined jacket, half-helmet, a balaclava, leather/lined gloves. There were little spots around my balaclava the air snuck into that burned like a ***** with an STD. I also had headaches for about 3 days afterwards. That was my limit.

 

I'm no fan of riding in the cold, but sometimes, when it has been weeks since I've heard my bike run, I like to get all bundled up and go for a blast. I've ridden in as low as 19 degrees (in my younger days) here in Long Island, N.Y. Bikes run better in the cold. I guess it's the dense air.

I considered taking my bike out just the other day, when it was about 30 degrees and sunny, but when I was driving my car I noticed spots of ice here and there. I considered that a deal-breaker. There is no use winding up in a hospital (or even worse) because of some stupid patch of ice that I didn't see.

Meanwhile, a friend of mine at work gave me an old set of chaps that he doesn't wear anymore. Now, some people might think that chaps are "gay", and I never considered myself a "Chaps Man", but I must say that they are very effective in the cold. I tested them out in the cold about two weeks ago and they did their job flawlessly.

The only problem was that after I returned home I had a strange desire to listen to a Liza Minelli album while sipping on a white wine spritzer. Go figure.