Post by toledo1156 on Jan 18, 2010 14:17:43 GMT -5
I took a cold weather ride today
I took the my JCL 250cc scooter out Yesterday for a ride. I put the scooter away the last week of October when the weather started turning cold here in Toledo. Over the holidays I ordered a pair of handlebar mitts over the internet. This was in anticipation of possibly doing some cold weather riding providing the pavement was dry.
I had already installed what I called “Wind Wings” on the running boards. These are rubber extensions about four inches wide to help deflect the wind from my legs in cooler weather. So, now I was ready to go at last. All I needed was dry pavement.
At Last! The weather warmed up to a relatively balmy 35 degrees or so. The pavement was relatively dry, except for a few spots here and there. The urge to get out on the scooter was overwhelming! At 67 years of age, I felt like a kid again! Just couldn’t wait!
I put on a warm bubble jacket, over which I put on my buffalo leather jacket. I also put on my snowmobile pants over my jeans. I grabbed my handlebar mitts, leather gloves, and full face helmet. Now I was almost ready to hit the road.
I carefully installed the mitts over the handlebars, making sure not to obstruct access to any controls. The mitts use nylon straps and buckles to fasten them to the handlebars. I found them to be somewhat awkward to install due to interference with my mirror mounts. However, after some manipulation I finally got them installed.
The openings on the mitts have a flat spring steel rod on the top and bottom which you must put your hand into for access to the handlebars. This proved to be somewhat awkward as it is easy to put in one hand (gloved) using the other to open the mitt. When inserting the other hand, some wiggling and brute force is required. I finally got it figured out and both hands were finally in place. There was not a problem removing my hands quickly if needed.
It took a short while and a few miles before I started feeling comfortable with the handlebar mitts Their intent is to deflect the wind and insulate the hands while riding. I rode about an hour or so around Toledo at speeds of 30 to 40 mph.
During the ride I noticed that my thumbs tended to get cold. Upon closer inspection I found that the straps were not holding the mitts in place well enough. This allowed cold air to flow into the side of the mitts by the mirror mounts. I tightened the straps and it helped, but did not seem to cure the problem. My thumbs warmed up somewhat after that. The rest of my hands remained relatively warm, but could have been warmer.
The wind deflectors helped deflect a lot of wind from my lower legs. I have decided to extend the deflectors most of the way up from the running boards to the bottom of the console. This should be a great improvement with very little cost as they are made from leftover office rubber floor runner.
The snowmobile pants are highly recommended as they proved extremely warm and wind resistant. I believe they are a definite MUST for cold weather riding. Those snowmobile riders really know what they’re doing in cold weather! The warm jacket under the leather jacket proved to be very effective also. A thick sweater should also work well.
The handlebar mitts I have are all I had hoped for. They are a good buy but I feel they could be improved upon. These mitts are satisfactory for short rides around town at slower speeds. For longer rides in cold weather they may not prove to be as effective as I would prefer. I intend to make a new pair sometime in the near future with the following improvements:
1. Provide slits to go around the mirror bases which would result in a better fit.
2. Devise a way to seal around the handlebars to prevent cold air leakage. Possibly foam and velcro.
3. Provide better insulation inside the mitts.
4. Eliminate the springs on the hand openings and replace with elastic bands for easy access.
5. Extend the arm length to cover further past the wrist.
I learned a few things on this ride that I would like to pass on. First, dress warmly with good clothing to act as windbreakers. Second, handlebar mitts are a big help. Third, dress adequately for the ride. A taller windshield or extension would be helpful to deflect the wind from the riders head area.
I hope this information helps others . Most is common knowledge but this was my unique experience which I wish to share with you.
Happy and safe riding to each of you.
I took the my JCL 250cc scooter out Yesterday for a ride. I put the scooter away the last week of October when the weather started turning cold here in Toledo. Over the holidays I ordered a pair of handlebar mitts over the internet. This was in anticipation of possibly doing some cold weather riding providing the pavement was dry.
I had already installed what I called “Wind Wings” on the running boards. These are rubber extensions about four inches wide to help deflect the wind from my legs in cooler weather. So, now I was ready to go at last. All I needed was dry pavement.
At Last! The weather warmed up to a relatively balmy 35 degrees or so. The pavement was relatively dry, except for a few spots here and there. The urge to get out on the scooter was overwhelming! At 67 years of age, I felt like a kid again! Just couldn’t wait!
I put on a warm bubble jacket, over which I put on my buffalo leather jacket. I also put on my snowmobile pants over my jeans. I grabbed my handlebar mitts, leather gloves, and full face helmet. Now I was almost ready to hit the road.
I carefully installed the mitts over the handlebars, making sure not to obstruct access to any controls. The mitts use nylon straps and buckles to fasten them to the handlebars. I found them to be somewhat awkward to install due to interference with my mirror mounts. However, after some manipulation I finally got them installed.
The openings on the mitts have a flat spring steel rod on the top and bottom which you must put your hand into for access to the handlebars. This proved to be somewhat awkward as it is easy to put in one hand (gloved) using the other to open the mitt. When inserting the other hand, some wiggling and brute force is required. I finally got it figured out and both hands were finally in place. There was not a problem removing my hands quickly if needed.
It took a short while and a few miles before I started feeling comfortable with the handlebar mitts Their intent is to deflect the wind and insulate the hands while riding. I rode about an hour or so around Toledo at speeds of 30 to 40 mph.
During the ride I noticed that my thumbs tended to get cold. Upon closer inspection I found that the straps were not holding the mitts in place well enough. This allowed cold air to flow into the side of the mitts by the mirror mounts. I tightened the straps and it helped, but did not seem to cure the problem. My thumbs warmed up somewhat after that. The rest of my hands remained relatively warm, but could have been warmer.
The wind deflectors helped deflect a lot of wind from my lower legs. I have decided to extend the deflectors most of the way up from the running boards to the bottom of the console. This should be a great improvement with very little cost as they are made from leftover office rubber floor runner.
The snowmobile pants are highly recommended as they proved extremely warm and wind resistant. I believe they are a definite MUST for cold weather riding. Those snowmobile riders really know what they’re doing in cold weather! The warm jacket under the leather jacket proved to be very effective also. A thick sweater should also work well.
The handlebar mitts I have are all I had hoped for. They are a good buy but I feel they could be improved upon. These mitts are satisfactory for short rides around town at slower speeds. For longer rides in cold weather they may not prove to be as effective as I would prefer. I intend to make a new pair sometime in the near future with the following improvements:
1. Provide slits to go around the mirror bases which would result in a better fit.
2. Devise a way to seal around the handlebars to prevent cold air leakage. Possibly foam and velcro.
3. Provide better insulation inside the mitts.
4. Eliminate the springs on the hand openings and replace with elastic bands for easy access.
5. Extend the arm length to cover further past the wrist.
I learned a few things on this ride that I would like to pass on. First, dress warmly with good clothing to act as windbreakers. Second, handlebar mitts are a big help. Third, dress adequately for the ride. A taller windshield or extension would be helpful to deflect the wind from the riders head area.
I hope this information helps others . Most is common knowledge but this was my unique experience which I wish to share with you.
Happy and safe riding to each of you.
Ummmmm No sir.... I didnt have a helmet then...I do now!!!!! and I went out and bought some Cooll Mitten Covers at a Army Surplus store brand NEW at 13 bucks.. my Fleece gloves fit in them and mannn are they warm and the trigger finger helps to grip the brakes too!!!!!