Winter Preparation

goalie · 07-24-2012, 11:53 AM

Well Winter's coming. Slowly, but surely. Inevitably.

Last year was a mild winter. I don't think I went more than a week without being able to have a decent ride.

I ride a naked cruiser style bike and, although I have decent (non-heated) gloves, I still deal with the frozen fingertips. I looked at some handguards online, but none really looked as if they were made for a cruiser -- specifically my HD 48.

Two questions for those with infinitely more knowledge than me:

1. Anyone know of easy to put on and off handguards? It would be great if they could be installed or removed easily. I'm not intersted in the guards that require you to put your hand "into" it. I like my hands to be free for obvious emergency purposes.

2. Anyone have experience with just heated gloves? I don't need anything else -- my jacket and pants keep me plenty warm to below freezing. But should I go with a battery operated glove requiring "AA" batteries? I've seen the harness-looking cables that allow you to connect to the bike's battery. Does this work well and do you run it through the sleeves and out the bottom of the jacket?

Thanks for the input.

goalie

Dodsfall · 07-24-2012, 01:00 PM

There are plastic hand guards made that can be removed easily. I don't think they are offered as OEM for that model, but there are surely aftermarket ones available.

Battery-powered gloves would eat up batteries pretty quickly. There are plug-in models, but dealing with connecting them to the motorcycle by running wires down the sleeves of your jacket might be a hassle.

There are also chemical hot packs that can be used inside of gloves. These are disposable and will last for quite a while. There is the constant cost of replacing them, however.

Heated grips are another alternative. They are probably the most expensive to install at the outset, but there isn't a continuing cost once they are purchased. The OEM models work well, but are pretty pricey from what I have seen. There are also several aftermarket solutions that may be a better bargain.

Keeping your core temperature up by layering will allow more blood circulation to the hands, keeping them warmer. As long as the gloves are weather-tight and don't let too much heat out, an extra layer or two around the body core may allow your hands to stay warmer. When the body core temperature starts to drop even a little, blood is drawn into the body from the extremities, causing them to get cold easier.

goalie · 07-24-2012, 01:39 PM

I'm good at doing the things you've suggested -- keep the core warm. I've priced out the heated grips and don't want to go that far.

I did a lot of internet searching and could not find anything specific to my bike as far as guards go.

I want something for those few days when its more than 45 minutes in the 40 degree or colder temps. I figure taking the wind off is a big thing. Then just being able to warm the fingertips when needed would make it perfect.

I generally like to keep the minimalist approach to things, my bike included.

FNA · 07-24-2012, 05:13 PM

"dealing with connecting them to the motorcycle by running wires down the sleeves of your jacket might be a hassle."

Yeah, if you actually do that. I keep my wires bundled up at the handlebar, they stay on bike.

If you wear heavy insulated gauntlets in winter, my experience is that the gloves insulate your hands from heated grips. IOW heated grips are good in the not quite cold, because you can feel them thru light gloves.

I ride all year in Jersey. About 3 years ago I dropped around $275 on thermostat controlled electric gloves that run off bike battery. I'm here to say, I got my money's worth the first week I used them and every frigid ride since.

I highly recommend heated gloves. Mine are gerbing (one of the few thingsd I own I know the brand)

spacejunkiehsv · 07-24-2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goalie

I'm good at doing the things you've suggested -- keep the core warm. I've priced out the heated grips and don't want to go that far.

I did a lot of internet searching and could not find anything specific to my bike as far as guards go.

I want something for those few days when its more than 45 minutes in the 40 degree or colder temps. I figure taking the wind off is a big thing. Then just being able to warm the fingertips when needed would make it perfect.

I generally like to keep the minimalist approach to things, my bike included.

Last year I bought some grip heaters at CycleGear for less than $35. I spent another $10 or $15 at RadioShack for connecting a relay and terminal strip. It took a few hours of my very unskilled labor to hook it up. I reused my stock grips over the grip heaters. So, for $50 and some of your time, you could have heated grips. They are still working. I turn them on even during cool mornings when it is "mesh glove" season.

I don't know of how many handguard products you've looked at, but there has to be something like the handguards on this link that you could use.
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productlist/671/

There might be some Dremmel tool action needed to tweak handguards to fit your bike though.

goalie · 07-24-2012, 05:28 PM

FNA:
I'm interested to learn how you run your wiring. You must give yourself plenty of slack between the handlebars and the gloves, but doesn't that ewver cause a problem?

goalie · 07-24-2012, 05:32 PM

I've been looking at that sort of thing, junkie, but I guess I have a hang up with trying to find someting that fits with the undermounted mirrors. The guards susually mount at that point or through some new collar. Since I don't know anyone who has done it, I am very interested to find out how everything fits on the bike.

jrw69 · 07-24-2012, 07:26 PM

Maybe this??

http://kemco-mfg.com/products/

DachshundUberAlles · 07-24-2012, 07:31 PM

I believe National Cycle (the windscreen manufacturer) has come out with a set of handguards for streetbikes. Heck, dirtbikes have had them for decades. What took street riders so long to figure out this simple solution?

goalie · 07-24-2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrw69

Maybe this??

http://kemco-mfg.com/products/

I was loving it, jrw! Until I read the final line ..."Fit most Harleys except Sportster, V-rod and 09-up FLH."

That's what I seem to be seeing most often.

goalie · 07-24-2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DachshundUberAlles

I believe National Cycle (the windscreen manufacturer) has come out with a set of handguards for streetbikes. Heck, dirtbikes have had them for decades. What took street riders so long to figure out this simple solution?

I'll check, thanks!

Eye_m_no_angel · 07-24-2012, 11:08 PM

I guess the ole trick of cutting a plastic quart milk jug down and attaching it with duct tape isn't pretty enough, eh?

goalie · 07-24-2012, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eye_m_no_angel

I guess the ole trick of cutting a plastic quart milk jug down and attaching it with duct tape isn't pretty enough, eh?

Haven't found any black milk jugs!

07-24-2012, 11:53 AM	#1
goalie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fairfax, Virginia -- near Fair Oaks Mall Posts: 1,596	Winter Preparation Well Winter's coming. Slowly, but surely. Inevitably. Last year was a mild winter. I don't think I went more than a week without being able to have a decent ride. I ride a naked cruiser style bike and, although I have decent (non-heated) gloves, I still deal with the frozen fingertips. I looked at some handguards online, but none really looked as if they were made for a cruiser -- specifically my HD 48. Two questions for those with infinitely more knowledge than me: 1. Anyone know of easy to put on and off handguards? It would be great if they could be installed or removed easily. I'm not intersted in the guards that require you to put your hand "into" it. I like my hands to be free for obvious emergency purposes. 2. Anyone have experience with just heated gloves? I don't need anything else -- my jacket and pants keep me plenty warm to below freezing. But should I go with a battery operated glove requiring "AA" batteries? I've seen the harness-looking cables that allow you to connect to the bike's battery. Does this work well and do you run it through the sleeves and out the bottom of the jacket? Thanks for the input. goalie

07-24-2012, 01:00 PM	#2
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,975	There are plastic hand guards made that can be removed easily. I don't think they are offered as OEM for that model, but there are surely aftermarket ones available. Battery-powered gloves would eat up batteries pretty quickly. There are plug-in models, but dealing with connecting them to the motorcycle by running wires down the sleeves of your jacket might be a hassle. There are also chemical hot packs that can be used inside of gloves. These are disposable and will last for quite a while. There is the constant cost of replacing them, however. Heated grips are another alternative. They are probably the most expensive to install at the outset, but there isn't a continuing cost once they are purchased. The OEM models work well, but are pretty pricey from what I have seen. There are also several aftermarket solutions that may be a better bargain. Keeping your core temperature up by layering will allow more blood circulation to the hands, keeping them warmer. As long as the gloves are weather-tight and don't let too much heat out, an extra layer or two around the body core may allow your hands to stay warmer. When the body core temperature starts to drop even a little, blood is drawn into the body from the extremities, causing them to get cold easier. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-24-2012, 07:31 PM	#9
DachshundUberAlles Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 849	I believe National Cycle (the windscreen manufacturer) has come out with a set of handguards for streetbikes. Heck, dirtbikes have had them for decades. What took street riders so long to figure out this simple solution? __________________ All we see hides something else we want to see.

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07-24-2012, 01:39 PM	#3
goalie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fairfax, Virginia -- near Fair Oaks Mall Posts: 1,596	I'm good at doing the things you've suggested -- keep the core warm. I've priced out the heated grips and don't want to go that far. I did a lot of internet searching and could not find anything specific to my bike as far as guards go. I want something for those few days when its more than 45 minutes in the 40 degree or colder temps. I figure taking the wind off is a big thing. Then just being able to warm the fingertips when needed would make it perfect. I generally like to keep the minimalist approach to things, my bike included.

07-24-2012, 05:13 PM	#4
FNA Master At Arms Join Date: May 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 121	"dealing with connecting them to the motorcycle by running wires down the sleeves of your jacket might be a hassle." Yeah, if you actually do that. I keep my wires bundled up at the handlebar, they stay on bike. If you wear heavy insulated gauntlets in winter, my experience is that the gloves insulate your hands from heated grips. IOW heated grips are good in the not quite cold, because you can feel them thru light gloves. I ride all year in Jersey. About 3 years ago I dropped around $275 on thermostat controlled electric gloves that run off bike battery. I'm here to say, I got my money's worth the first week I used them and every frigid ride since. I highly recommend heated gloves. Mine are gerbing (one of the few thingsd I own I know the brand)

07-24-2012, 05:28 PM	#6
goalie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fairfax, Virginia -- near Fair Oaks Mall Posts: 1,596	FNA: I'm interested to learn how you run your wiring. You must give yourself plenty of slack between the handlebars and the gloves, but doesn't that ewver cause a problem?

07-24-2012, 05:32 PM	#7
goalie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fairfax, Virginia -- near Fair Oaks Mall Posts: 1,596	I've been looking at that sort of thing, junkie, but I guess I have a hang up with trying to find someting that fits with the undermounted mirrors. The guards susually mount at that point or through some new collar. Since I don't know anyone who has done it, I am very interested to find out how everything fits on the bike.

07-24-2012, 07:26 PM	#8
jrw69 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 465	Maybe this?? http://kemco-mfg.com/products/

07-24-2012, 11:08 PM	#12
Eye_m_no_angel Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 4,286	I guess the ole trick of cutting a plastic quart milk jug down and attaching it with duct tape isn't pretty enough, eh?