My appologies to Bob in Wisconsin. Like most conversations, we tend to get off track, especially when some subject that is of special intrest comes up. I tried to get some input last winter on this web site about winter driving of sidecars. The response was limited, so when the topic was mentioned, I jumped right in. Anybody care to post their experiences with winter driving or winter equipement?
heated clothes, layered clothes for when the heat fails, headlight cutout switch so the battery doesn't fail, gortex socks, gortex everything, tire chains, studs or machine screws in front and rear tires, surgeons plastic/latex gloves for extreme weather glove liners,etc. etc.
http://adventuresidecar.com/jan-1-02.htm
As far as riding gear, I just discovered the joy of neoprene socks last season. Not much bulk and an amazing amount of warmth when worn with just a thin wicking sock underneath.
I also have been fond of the BMW goretex boots for years. So much so, that when they discontinued the original design I went out and bought two more pair NOS in my size because my shoe/boot guy said that he can't resole them because of the crepe midsole.
For fingers, I found a pair of gloves designed for guys who have to work outdoors. Made by Ironclad, they are the "Tundra" model. Waterproof, breathable, precurved design for comfort wrapped around the grips for long rides, nice gauntlet, and fingerboxes that are not excessively long to give good feel when grabbing controls, pushing buttons, etc. They also have a nice grippy material on the fingertips that lets me pick up a dime from a smooth surface while wearing them. VERY COOL! Oh, and they keep your hands warm too... (I bought mine through my local Fastenal store)
Also, Hippo Hands, handlebar covers, whatever you want to call them. make sure that they have stiffeners in them to keep them from flopping around in the breeze if you need to take your hand out while in motion, or you will have a devil of a time getting your hand back in! What I did with my current set is run a coat hanger wire through the welt at the opening to hold them permanently open to the right shape. Still seals well against my sleeve, but holds them open for easy entry. Also, beware of the cheap versions, they use a thin nylon fabric which is NOT windproof or waterproof. Go the extra $$$ for a better set and you will be _much_ happier down the road.
For your head and face, invest in a good windshield to keep a still air bubble but one that you can still see over. For the older Beemers I recommend Parabellum Air-Balance sheilds. I have just gotten one on my RT, and it is amazing how quiet it is behind it. I can run with the helmet's visor fully or partially open at freeway speeds and feel little or no air on my face, yet still look right over the top for the times it is getting pelted with rain or worse.
For extreme cold weather I have a neoprene collar made by the Halo people which stretches over the lower edge of the helmet and covers down to over the shoulders. Completely seals out air/water/etc... They claim that it stays on with just stretching over and one velcro tab at the rear, but I ended up sewing extra velcro in at all four compass points because it tended to lift off from air turbulence when riding my naked bike above 70mph.
For milder temps, I have an AeroStitch windblocker bandana that wraps around easily and secures to itself with velcro. Soft fleece inside, wind/waterproof outside. AND easy to put on with the helmet already on for those frequent times that I forget to do the bandana first! 😉
And of course, we all wear our helmets, especially when it is cold and nasty, right??? Warmest hat you will ever own!!! Full coverage, completely waterproof (hey, they make boats out of fiberglass, right? ), and with up to and inch of foam insulation throughout. My Shoei even came with chin and nose deflectors when I bought it for cooler riding.
I use a Fog City shield in the Shoei, and my Nolan came with a PinLock anti-fog insert. I swear by them. They WORK.
Of course, now that I have the extra electrical power with my alternator upgrade, I am thinking of getting one of them fancy "heated" visors they sell for snowmobilers...
For keeping the bod warm and dry and happy, AeroStitch Roadcrafter one-piece suit with fleece/electrics to suit below. 'Nuff said!!!
That is how this road warrior suits up for the cold weather...
Originally written by bmwzenrider on 10/23/2006 9:44 AM
Of course, now that I have the extra electrical power with my alternator upgrade, I am thinking of getting one of them fancy "heated" visors they sell for snowmobilers...
...
Don't bother with this if you wear glasses. They'll still fog up and that nice clear visor does you no good. :0) And for those who are wondering or wishing, no it doesn't blow heated air on your face. :0) If you don't wear glasses the heated shields are wonderful. I wish I could find one to fit my Nolan N100. I'd ride without glasses.
Has anyone found something that does a good job of keeping eyeglasses fog free? I've tried a number of things that work for about the first hour of riding then slowly start to lose effectiveness.
I'm also a fan of electric riding wear. My personal experience is with Widder, but there are a lot of different makers out there. It's worth the extra money to buy the digital thermostats.
I know a number of people who have bought from these guys, http://www.kustomkomfort.com/index.html#ATTENTION, and sewn it into the zip out lining of their existing coat.
I also wear a pair of Leather bibs from http://stonelakeleatherworks.com/bibs.htm Mine have the sewn in thinsolate, but they have an interesting removeable liner available. It has two separate zipper halves down the outside of each leg with a narrow strip of leather between them. You unzip the full length zipper on the pants leg and zip in the lining. In this manner, it is not necessary to buy the bibs two sizes too big if you want a winter lining. They fit great with the liner and they fit great without it. Honestly though, the thinsulate 100 liner that came sewn in has been more than sufficient to keep me warm and is not uncomfortable in hot weather. I've never felt the need to buy the removable liner.
Originally written by SidecarMike on 10/23/2006 11:56 AM
Has anyone found something that does a good job of keeping eyeglasses fog free? I've tried a number of things that work for about the first hour of riding then slowly start to lose effectiveness.
My girlfriend introduced me to a product called simply "The Purple Stuff".
http://www.thepurplestuff.com/
Seems to do a better job than anything else that I have tried. And I have tried LOTS of things.
(stick based products, sprays, dips, treated cloth wipes, Rain-X, etc...)
Beside your glasses, it works GREAT on my bathroom mirror. No fogging when I get out of the shower. But it does need to be reapplied every couple of months on the bathroom mirror, and every couple of days on the glasses.
And NO "fog-proofing" is going to be 100% effective in all environments. When the air is saturated enough it will condense on just about anything...
As always, YMMV...
Karl, where can i get this stuff around our 'hood, here in nw milw area[washington county]?
I read an article saying it was actually made here in the Milwaukee area in the Journal this summer, but the address on the website is Florida. They do show up at the outdoor shows and stuff in the area, or if you call the 800 number at the website they may have someplace local to pick it up.
To be honest, I have just been mooching out of my girlfriend's supply. 😉
Guess I should go ahead and buy some myself eh? Maybe we could go together and get a break on shipping?
I forgot to add that Gander Mountain Sports and others I'm sure, sell a very nice 12 volt heated blanket for your sidecar passenger. Mine is a "Micris One" brand. It's only about 3 foot by 5 foot, so it makes a nice lap robe. It doesn't give a wattage rating though. We use it frequently on the Valkyrie.
Being a former mountaineer, ice climber, and back country skier, I have all the clothing I need to stay warm in the cold and wind. What I was hoping for in this thread, was information about the machine and it's driving techniques.
By the way, an expediant anti fog treatment for your glasses or goggles is to rub just the tinyest amount of dish soap on the lenses. It's not perfect but it works in all but the coldest weather and its cheap and handy.
i dont really worry about driving issues - especially since i avoid driving when its slippery primarily because of all the salt they use around here - basically with out wipers and washers on my windshield i become blind in a hurry.
for cold weather i wear my heated suit
my only real concern is starting - the summer oil is only rated to start to 40, i cant seem to find any stats on the synthetic oil & winter oil will start to 0f but is not supposed to be used above 50.
i was just out on a errand and its about 34.. tomorrow i have to drive the truck, wed it will be 50 - a guy could have to change oil every few days to meet the rated range of the oil.
im going to experiment with the synthetic oil and see how it starts below 40.
its never a issue in the morning as my shop is heated to 50.. its at the end of the day when the high is under 40 that i have had a few issues. for certain when i do start it when its really cold i let it run for or 10 mins till the heads are warm before i take off
later
to
Aside from dropping to 5w30 in winter, I guess I don't change anything. If I'm going to be out on slushy roads, I try to spray the aluminum down with WD-40. Seems to help reduce the salt cleanup.
im not so concerned about the aluminum i guess, its the windshild and the face sheild and my glasses
as soon as some salt scum gets sprayed up from a car i cant see
so i never ever go out when its slushy - dry and cold is just fine
later
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I'm not sure what the plow crews use on the road, but I painted my rig to match the color of the deposits (warm grey). I can go a little longer between washes. When I bought the bike, the alluminum was pretty well corroded. The previous owner painted everything flat black so I just let it rust. As for spray on my face shield, I have a full fairing that does a good job protecting me from the other vehicles spray. Anything that comes over the top of the windshield is from mother nature and clears quickly with no deposits. I added some spray skirts along side the motor to keep the slush from the front wheel from soaking my feet.
I forgot to mention that I run 10/30 oil year round. I hadn't noticed any problem with it in the cold. The battery is another story. The motorcycle battery won't turn the engine over when the tempriture drops to about 10 degrees F. I built a battery box in one of my saddle bags for a larger battery. I havn't purchased the battery yet. I was thinking of trying one of those lawn mower batterys to save a little weght. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Originally written by Mark in Idaho on 10/24/2006 8:39 PM
I forgot to mention that I run 10/30 oil year round. I hadn't noticed any problem with it in the cold. The battery is another story. The motorcycle battery won't turn the engine over when the tempriture drops to about 10 degrees F. I built a battery box in one of my saddle bags for a larger battery. I havn't purchased the battery yet. I was thinking of trying one of those lawn mower batterys to save a little weght. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Mark,
I put a 560CC amp auto battery in my right saddlebag..super!I found one at the local fleet farm auto department. it is long and narrow, for some odd size car.
13" long, 6" wide and 9" deep.
cables were just extended from where the original bike batt was under the seat. in place of the bike batt, i installed a fuse junction box, and a 1.5 V battery tender, wired right into the batt cables. with plug attached.
http://tinyurl.com/b9uje
he good part is if I remove the SC for any kind of service, the battery stays with the bike..not in the SC.
