Modern Vespa

Brrrr! Winter is getting nearer and nearer. Some guy on a chopper told me that they make a heated motorcycle helmet. Is there such a thing? Would YOU buy one?

I've never felt the need for one - the brain is the last bit of your body to get cold, it insures that itself!

Keep your core warm and the rest is easy.

Thanks Jim. Somehow, I always feel more confident when I hear from you. By the way; how cold does it get in London? As cold as New York City?

Back in late eighties, I recalled that AGV if I am not mistaken had a helmet that incorporate a heat pump. Basically it will either heat or cool the helmet depending on the setting. It has the heat exchanger fins on top of the helmet and metal plate behind the helmet lining which will either heat or cool the inside of the helmet. I cannot recall whether the power come from a built in battery or from a power connector to the motorcycle battery

Rarely - the UK is at the crossing of three weather systems - and we have the Gulf stream to keep the seas around us relatively warm. It is unusual for temperatures to drop below 0C for more than a day or two, and London as a whole is usually 2C above the temperature of surrounding countryside. So we have it fairly easy in some respects - but it also means we never get used to snow-bound conditions and when that does happen every ten years or so everything comes to a grinding halt.

Google 'london snow in october'

As I am bald my head tends to get cold. I bought a Turtle balaclava. It works well for me. This week riding to work with temperatures in the 30s. My hands were cold with leather gloves on, but not my head under my flip up full face helmet.

Man! It's that cold in Georgia already? Here in NY it's in the mid 40's tonight. Have you considered some heated gloves or that leg warmer/ scooter skirt thing?

It is cooler than normal for this early in the year. Legs not a big deal. For now I put rain pants over my mesh motorcycle pants and will be buying winter motorcycle pants. I am also waiting for my winter jacket to arrive so lots of layers: t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, light down vest, sweat shirt, mesh motorcycle jacket and rain jacket. Big thing is rain jacket over mesh jackt to block wind. Tall Fabbri screen cut down to see over helps of course. Ride is 13 miles in aobut 15 minutes, all highway. The ride is comfortable, but takes a long time to get dressed. On backorder is a Tourmaster Transition Series 2 Jacket.

BTW I am in middle Georgia, 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Had a frost yesterday. Colder in north Geoagia. Layers in pet carrier coming home tonight at 65 degrees.

You mentioned the "Tourmaster Transition Series 2" jacket. Is that the warmest jacket I can buy?

Maybe a polar buff is what you could use. http://www.buffwear.com/

I am in Georgia so "the warmest" was not my choice criteria. Reviewers on line say they have been comfortable in it down to 30 degrees. I figure I can add a layer on the few days it is colder here. It is lower priced than some comparable jackets. I like the 3/4 length for winter. It is flexible with the removable liner. Without the liner and the vents open the same reviewers say it is OK up to 80 degrees. I have made a couple trips on my MP3 and this style is suitable for that and called a touring jacket by some manufacturers. I also like the Olympia AST, but it is $100 more. Some of the review report some fraying after a year of heavy use and that may be the price of lower cost jacket, but overall the reviews are high. It is also water proof but breathable for wearing in the rain with out sweating too much inside.

I just got my Tourmaster Saber Series 2 jacket and it is awesome. Not quite as expensive as the Transition jacket. Rode in it this morning and it definitely keeps the wind out.

I could be wrong but hte Transition and Saber jackets might not be warm enough for NY but I think if you keep the wind out and can put some warm clothing underneath it should keep you warm. Corazzo has a fleece hoodie thing you keep under your jacket you might also consider on top of the jacket.

I had my Saber up to 80mph this morning and not even a hint of chill but this morning was not as cold as usual.

This just in....Motorcycle Rider Electrocutes Himself With Helmet....Riders Told Don't Sweat it.

Sounds like a brain tumor waiting to happen.

"It's not a tooma. It's not."

I wear a Balaclava.Not so much to keep my head warm but to keep my neck warm and to keep whatever happens to be in my hair out of my helmet. Plus it makes me look like a elite ninja.

I ride all year round in Seattle and even when it's below freezing my head doesn't get cold. It's everything else that gets cold.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaclava_(clothing)

It's called a full-faced helmet. When it gets cold just breathe out of your mouth..

I don't know if it covers the whole helmet, but I know some snowmobile helmets have heated shields.

It's just the shield that is heated to prevent it from fogging or even icing up.

Wayne B