[car9cop]

What types of jackets are you guys wearing in the cold weather states? I live in Cincinnati and would still like to ride if weather permits. Any suggestions?

 

[Canyon]

You looking for heated gear or just cold weather jacket? Most will likely say "layers" is best.

If you want heated gear, Gerbing is the best.

 

[hoss37]

I just wear a powr-trip VTX jack. But like Papalonis said the key is layers. I start with a Under Armor heat gear? The one for cold weather. From there its layers, how mant and of what depends on the temp and distance of the ride.

 

[billcarr]

The shell is important with layers below. Cotton is almost a waste as a cold weather fabric. You need some wool blends in there. Flannel is just another name for cotton. These items feel great on the showroom floor but at 75 mph and 40F the picture changes. Consider cold a force like pressure. It is constant and invasive due to the speed. It wants to get through any kind of layering and eventually will unless the outer shell stops it. I like Cortech by Tourmaster. It make a good outer shell and is fairly waterproof. The layers are important starting with long sleeved long johns made of a good blended material.

Blue jeans arent good for much except looking like James Dean. I wear cortech pants that resemble a kids snow pants. Not much for appearance but they work. Hands and feet and neck are important if any of these are cold you are cold, period. Cotton socks are a waste so are cotton glove liners. Wool blend is much better. I use hot packs in my gloves on long cold rides. Lastly, to be warm you must be dry. Than about says it. I didnt mention top of head but the full helmet is good for that.

 

[kenko]

Nothing beats a good quality leather jacket for holding back the cold air. Get one with a removable liner so you can wear it in the summer also.

 

[thundrhd]

Heavy leather jacket along with layers.

 

[Crash Override]

Sorry...I have to add some fuel to get the fire going..

My cold weather gear today was jeans and a short sleeve shirt to work and then changed into shorts for the ride home....82 degrees. I teach in the Redlands (Homestead, FL) and went for a 2 hour (teacher planning day)ride through Everglades National Park.....Oh, the horrors of Winter

 

[drparkwood]

Sorry...I have to add some fuel to get the fire going..

My cold weather gear today was jeans and a short sleeve shirt to work and then changed into shorts for the ride home....82 degrees. I teach in the Redlands (Homestead, FL) and went for a 2 hour (teacher planning day)ride through Everglades National Park.....Oh, the horrors of Winter

That's just mean.......:bleh:

I have a good MC insulated jacket that I layer sweatshirts and thermal underwear. For my legs I have insulated chaps, a pair of Air Force BDU pants and insulated underwear. I have a thermal balaclava topped with a full helmet and thermal gloves. I'm just up the road 90 miles from Cinci so I feel your cold.:choppersm

 

[Coop06]

For base layers, under armour cold gear is good stuff! I also have and like even better a pair of bottoms made by Polar Tech but have the name Marker(ski clothing brand) I have skiied in -15 with these as base layers and ridden down below freezing with blue jeans and chaps over them and been toasty. On top, under armour top, columbia fleece shirt and Good leather jacket. Full face helmet, and heavy leather gloves.
Coop

 

[sumdatx]

Air temps in 40's and beloew, I use Walls coveralls over flannel lined jeans and under-armor coldgear 3.0 long johns. I use Toastitoes insole liners ($1.97 at China/WalMart). I use a heavy sweatshirt and coldgear up top with heavy ol;ympia riding gloves. A balacava over my nogin. And a yippe-ka-yea into the wind :choppersm Still, the wind chill factor is what I try to dress for. At some point, the mummy factor (not being able to move), outweighs the need to ride tom

 

[M-2]

I've got 2 Jackets.

The warmest is not leather, believe it or not. It's the Tourmaster Intake Jacket. It is 3 layers; the out 2 are wearable as separate pieces. The outermost layer is a mesh jacket system that holds the elbow, shoulder and spin protectors. The next layer is a rain/wind blocker layer that is also wearable separately. Inside that rain/wind block is the thinsulate liner, you cannot wear the liner as a separate unit, but you can wear it with just the wind/rain block, or in combination with the whole system. This jacket is very versatile, and very, very warm. Actually warmer than my leather raiding jacket, which in all honesty I prefer wearing. Go figure.

My leather jacket is warm, but not as much so as the one mentioned above. My leather jacket is also a Tourmaster. It is the Coaster Series 2 Jacket. It has 4-5 zipper vents on it and a removable liner. It is very thick leather and it does block the wind very well. I guess the liner is just not thick enough to really keep you warm.

On the same note, invest in a good neck warmer. I don’t care how good your jacket is, if you don’t block the wind from going down into it, you’re not doing yourself any favors.

Good luck.

 

[car9cop]

Thanks for the tips. I have a 3 in 1 winter coat that I have been wearing. It does a good job of blocking the wind and is warm, but it is very bulky and catches the wind. At times I feel like I am wearing a parachute. I like the heated stuff papolonis suggested. I like the style the coats come in. I'm also going to check out the tourmaster items as well. Do you guys typically wear chaps or motorcycle specific pants in the cold weather?

 

[thundrhd]

For now, I wear chaps over jeans, over thermals. I do have a heated bib that helps tremendous keeping my core warm. I have decided to get some leather pants and see if that is any warmer on cutting down on wind.

 

[billcarr]

Parachute effect

It does a good job of blocking the wind and is warm, but it is very bulky and catches the wind. At times I feel like I am wearing a parachute.

My joe rocket jacket does that as well. I wrap a bungee cord around my chest and clip it in front, snug not tight. This defeats the parachute effect.