Modern Vespa

Okay, so I've got my waterproof windbreaker to get me through the slightly chilly days and spatterings of mist; but now that the mornings are dipping into the 50's, I'm finding myself a little more hesitant to venture out.

I'm from Michigan, so it's not like 50 degrees is cold in and of itself -- but when you're zipping along in that temperature it feels more like 40 degrees. Is it time to make the move to a leather jacket? Do I then get matching pants to keep my legs warm, and risk looking like a gimp on a scooter?

What do you wear when it gets a little cooler?


- KeV

We had similar weather here in Chattanooga last week. I found that a windbreaker underneath my mesh jacket, combined with a pair of rain pants over my jeans kept me pretty comfortable.

Once winter sets in for good, I will install my Termoscud. http://www.tucanourbano.it/main/termoscud.asp

The key is to remember to cover the legs - lap apron, scooter skirt, wind pants, overalls - whichever method you prefer.

New discovery used today for the first time and it gets 5 stars.
From LL Bean search for neck warmer.

I, like you, live in a Northern state and the mornings have dipped into the 40s recently.

I prefer to be warm in the morning and chose the LL Bean Warmup Jacket.

Here's the link: http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=32937&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=504720&cat4=504714


I like the fact that it's waterproof, has a fleece inner liner and tight elastic cuffs that fit snug underneath my gloves. When I have this jacket on, I'm quite warm even at higher speeds on cold mornings.

Hope this helps.

I wear one of these:

http://www.johnsonleather.com/Tornado%20Shirt.htm

It's very toasty for its size. The neck zipper is on the side, so it's less bulky under your collar. In fact, the entire shirt is very thin but crazy-warm.

I'm looking for something waterproof and came across a product from Motoport that may also work, albeit without insulation like the Tornado 'shirt': http://www.motoport.com/Product.asp?Clv=102.387

Cheers,

Kevin

Go to WalMart or Penneys and buy a cold weather work jump suit like mechanics wear. I use mine all winter going back and forth in 30-50 degree weather over my school clothes. I substitute teach and the suit keeps me toasty warm. If I go down, it is thick enough to deter some road rash. Don't stop riding just because it is cold--bundle up, put on your full face and ride. Winter riding is great!

I'm retired and have a GTS. I've been a customer of Gerbings Heated Clothing since the late 70's and now help them out with The International Motorcycle Shows, which are just starting up.

I run a heated jacket liner amd heated gloves with a dual control thermostat, when it startes to get cold here in WA state. Never a problem. Keep on eye on my battery with a Battery Tender and turn on the heat when the GTS is up to speed. The GTS and probably your BV have approx. 280 watts of power at speed.....just like my old BMW, which I've been running heated gear on for years.

I've got a very thin quilted down jacket that i wear under my corazzo 5.0 in between seasons. it extends the range amazingly and can be folded and put in the pet carrier if you get too warm later in the day.

fleece neck warmer. makes a huge difference as a large percentage of body heat is lost through the neck area.

add a lap apron and heated grips and you're good to go for most of the winter too.

Yeah, no construction delays and detours!

The easiest and cheapest options for me on the scooter have been heated hand grips - self installed $30 kit, and the windproof jersey from Aerostitch.

Jess highly recommended it, so I bought one.

Yes you do get to look like Spock (no not that one, the green one with pointy ears) and it stops the wind. Really. With my mesh Dainese jacket it's good to about 50 degrees, and with my heavier textile jacket and 5.0 it's good for 40. Link: http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-WINDSTOPPER-Jersey-p-16553.html

I've looked at all of my usual recreation gear stores like REI, North Face, Any Mountain, Patagonia, and not found anything like this material they use- or suitable for 70MPH (Not speeding 50mph plus 20mph headwind)

I do have heated gear on the big bikes and it is great, but the Vespa has better wind protection and I'd forget to turn it off the heated gear while going slow.

Leather's good for abrasion resistance, but it's not very warm. When you're riding, I think the biggest factor in making you feel cold is the wind. I've ridden in some very heavy jackets, but none of them keep me as warm as my super thin snowboarding jacket. Here's a review:

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewmhrecon.html

It's completely windproof. It also wicks away moisture from your body without letting in any moisture from the environment (the quickest way to freeze is be wet in the wind).

So my suggestion would be to layer, put on your riding jacket, and then get a snowboarding or skiing shell to wear as the outer layer.

Agreed. Except you *wish* you guys looked as cool as Star Trek. You guys look like overgrorwn smurfs in that blue.

Fall clothing..that would be kevlar jeans, boots, gloves etc to protect you when you...fall?

....oh you mean Autumn
It's the start of Summer here and I'm shopping for a mesh jacket

Great suggestions everyone.

Thank you so much.


- KeV

I use Tucano Urbano Parka + Takeaway. They are good for down to 0C and some rain.

I've recently succumbed to some more substantial gear. Bought a leather jacket, and have teamed it up with a Bench hoodie underneath. Bench hoodies quite recommended as they have those (stupid) thumb holes - BUT....i've found this is great for keeping the wind out your sleeves and the gloves airtight.
So far so good!

Happy riding!

XL

I h ave to say, the wind shirts I've tried are pretty cool. I have a few mountain hardwear transition zip T's I got a few years ago on a fire sale, and they're very good at retaining body warmth. They look damn cool too, bcs they're cut athletically, so the fit is close. They are uncomfortable to sweat in without something in between. But they're damn nice if you're doing sedentary stuff in the cold.

http://www.trailspace.com/gear/mountain-hardwear/transition-featherweight-zip-t/



The short-sleeve version is kind of counter-intuitive, but is really nice as an undershirt, bcs it is less bulky around your arms.

You reminded me of this chart I'd found before, that shows just how cold it really is when you're going 40-50 mph and it's 40 degrees or less outside.

My jacket of choice - with the liner