Modern Vespa

Hello, Big Empty here [if anyone catches the reference big cookies to you]. Now I did some searching on the search thing, but there was several pages to wad through. I'm looking to see if anyone can either direct me to threads specifically to California Winter and more importantly near Sacramento.

I need some help in trying to stay warm. With a few ideas. I have a pair of thermal underpants and probably am going to buy a shirt too; maybe a few more sweaters too. Otherwise I'm at a lost about staying warm. I've basically collected all my winter gear a piece at time when I can afford it.

I've been riding since 2009. Which seems silly that I still don't know how to stay warm.

Not that cold here in Sac.

But, if you want to stay warm, nothing beats heated gear combined with wind stopping layers.

Pop over to Cyclegear off of Madison and get one of these:

http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/sedici_hotwired_heated_jacket_liner/web1011442?registry_id=

includes the $79 controller for free. Went for a ride tonight in the 52 weather and medium setting was plenty warm.
The heated glove liners are another $79, if your hands get cold.

The Freezeout Gilet is also a good pick, but is not electrical of course:

http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/freeze_out_zipped_gilet/web1008354

Keeping the wind off your neck and head is also important, but I dislike the available Mcycle gear.

I have yet to find a better head/neck than my Buff I originally bought for fly fishing and keeping the sun off my neck. Great in summer as it cools your neck down if you keep it wet.

COvers everything and while not perfect, it is sufficient.

You do not know me then. I get cold so easily. Not riding my Vespa just walking, 3 minutes into cold weather and start shivering my butt off. lol. So to you it may not be that cold. To me, especially tonight, was riding through a freezer. I was considering getting a Balcava I think....is what it's called. For my neck mostly, short hair plus nippy weather.

Get heated gear, you will not look back.

Speaking from 57 winters of straight thru riding in various climates---WI,Japan, Korea, Europe now TN-------first equip your scooter with proper windshield set at nose height so you can look up. Where you are doesn't rain much, so......on the cheap......Down jacket (WalMart, used clothes places)---Pants=bibs heavy work type, some are lined, work boots (KMart good source) Again cheap padded gloves, ski type.

This outfit will work for 10-20 mile rides to work, etc.-----serious trips in winter, where there may be rain/snow----get professional quality riding stuff like Aerostich one piece suit, rubber overboots----heated grips--idea is to stay dry and warm-----your scooter may have enough electrical output to handle heated grips.

I have not had much luck with electric heated inner clothes and still have an electric bib---jury out on it....but if you think you are warm, you are warm.

Also with the above "cheap" set up,put your rainsuit on over every thing. I just returned from 4 day scooter trip(1600 miles) to MI from TN---three days starting temps 36F, one day at 33F and later nasty/cold rain. With Profession quality riding gear ok, but short periods of cold hands. Scooter for this trip Burgman 400, which has plug in for bib and electric capacity to handle it.----cheap long underwhere a must, too.

I agree with rgconner and John. Layer. 4 or 5 if necessary. Go to a ski shop and buy some ski pants and a ski jacket. Goodwill or Salvation Army might have some. I wear a Walls jumpsuit. I have a windscreen and ski gloves. All good comments posted so far. and hey, Saturday night it is only forecast down to 28. It could be worse....

But an LX150 won't be able to drive more than heated grips (and low wattage ones at that)...

After decent clothing (layers, lined jacket, windproof lined overpants) the next best thing for keeping warm are muffs on the handlebars. Keeps the wind and wet completely off your hands. Combined with heated grips you can wear thin gloves all year round, below freezing even. Boots that you can tuck your trousers (pants) in help as well.

A Balaclava is a good idea, as you can lose heat quickest from your head - another alternative is a Buff.

The vital thing is to keep your core temperature up, followed by your hands then your feet.

Keeping warm is one thing and we all want to do that but at the same time are you concerned at all about keeping safe? In the event of an unscheduled dismount most of the warm clothing mentioned in the above posts offer little if any resistance to sliding along pavement, even at low speeds. I can't imagine what a goose down parka would look like after the average 35 mph get-off.

Do yourself a favor and invest in some decent gear, there's tons of it for sale on Adventure Rider, most of it's used and at really low prices. You'll find all sorts of cold weather gear from all the big name firms. There's no cost to join the forum and that will allow you to shop in their "Flea Market" where riders sell their no longer needed gear. Next to Modern Vespa it's the best place to be. http://www.advrider.com/forums/

Lastly, before you invest in heated vests, jacket liners, gloves, etc., do a bit of research and find out what your scooter is capable of handling wattage-wise. Same goes for heated grips, there's no sense spending money only to discover your scoot's system can't operate it.

LL75

PS - Take a look at the Knox Cold Killer Hot Hood, it's light weight and works great as a wind/rain deterrent, available from Planet Knox in the UK. Well worth the price and slight delay in shipping time. http://store.planet-knox.com/cold-killers/accessories/154/hot-hood-core-collection/

Cold is cold, wherever you find it.

Next to my helmet, this Aerostich Windstopper Jersey is the single best piece of riding gear I own. It adds very little bulk, and keeps me warm in most of the Bay Area conditions I find myself in. I have been evangelizing this piece of kit for several years, and the few people who actually listened came back to thank me and tell me I was right, that it really was as good as I said.

I'm also a big fan of heated grips, as you can turn them on whenever you find yourself with cold hands, regardless of what gloves you happen to be wearing at that moment.

Jess,
In what kind of shop or store did you find the "Aerostich Jersey"?

You can click on the link Jess posted or http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Aerostich+Jersey

*cries*

87 dollars.

That's the issue I see.

Check out the fly fishing shops in your area for layered clothing. Prices range from about $30 to $200. Kiene and Fly Fishing Speciality are in the Sacramento area.

That's a good idea.

Hit cyclegear. They are blowing out the winter gear and non heated jacket and pants would run under $50.

Wind stop plus fleece is very warm.

I think the 150 would run heated jacket just fine, if my 75 cb550 can keep up with just 155w max output, an lx150 should too.

Sure. But it will last for many years and provide riding comfort year after year. It will probably outlast your helmet and your riding boots, both of which I'd wager cost more than $87.

1. windscreen w/hand coverage
2. winter jacket (alpinestars messenger, revit bronx, etc) -- waterpoof/windproof shell, full sleeve thermal lining
3. wool/fleece layer
4. thermals
5. winter gloves or liners
6. heated jackets/gloves (can by pricey but worth it if you ride often in winter)
7. scooter aprons (don't love the look but they're function in keeping legs warm)

+1 to everything Misu says
Additional thoughts from one in the great white north. Stay relaxed in cold weather. Any time you tense up, you impair circulation and it pretty much won't matter what you are wearing, you will still get cold. Its easy to put an extra layer on your torso, but I find the extremities are the hardest to keep warm, ie hands and feet. So if money is a concern, invest first in quality gloves, boots and often overlooked, but very helpful - Smartwool socks. These are washable wool and smooth smooth smooth, no pressure points to impair circulation.

I'm a big fan of heated glove liners. I also have heated grips but they just cannot help warm the tips of your fingers the way heated glove liners can. I now use the heated grips as a back up for when I don't have my heated glove liners with me and it gets unexpectedly cold.

Yep.

I commute all year 'round, rain or shine. I'm pretty weather tolerant, but the cheapest improvement is rain suit over everything (I use Frogg Toggs). Last year, I added Gerbings battery-powered gloves; they are heaven.

This year, I added a MP3 400 with the comfort screen. I can wear summer gloves now! Stopping the wind is the biggest thing you can do.

My gear now is a Teknic MC jacket with quilted removable liner (bought off ebay after model was discontinued), Frogg Toggs rain pants, summer gloves, and helmet over my dress clothes. I'm toasty so far down to 38 degrees (the coldest we've had so far this winter.)

Cheers!

John