|
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'm starting my third winter on the Vision, and 5th one since riding again. I will say that riding in the winter time on the Vision is better than what the Wing could afford. I still don't own any heated gear, other than the grips and seat and really haven't found the need for it as yet. I see those kind of things as one more thing to worry about, plugging in, too hot, too cold, taking off and so on.
It's 23 this morning and is expected to be around 45 as a high and probably be that when I get off after 5pm. I wear regular pants with the lined chaps, I wear long-sleeve T's with a regular shirt and then I'll put on a sweatshirt over that while riding. Then it is just my leather jacket, gaunlets, durag, and then a bandana over the face with helmet. That's it and it is comfortable on my way to work. On the Wing I would have wore long-johns because the wind is sucked around the rider, but the Vision offers a great pocket, but you other riders already know that.
I'm getting more and more questions at work about riding in the winter and other folks are talking about getting a bike, I guess because I make it look so good. This is really a great way to go everyday and it is most certainly a stress reliever as I don't even know that I work when I'm riding, lost in my own little world, but I'm usually there anyway even when I am working. Occassionally a cager will bite my butt and I'll let them know they are a screw-off in hopes they'll quit acting stupid with their ride, but that is my wish.
For those that are still riding, throw your adventures out here once in a while to remind others why you really ride. Last time I checked everything still works on my bike after 59,900 miles and I still have stock everything.
Oh, this morning may be a real adventure being 23 and I noticed some wetspots on the way home yesterday, now if I can just remember where they are this morning....
Edited by varyder 2009-12-17 5:22 AM
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 284
mansfield, MA United States | I just can't stop riding. It's like a drug! It was 12 deg out at 5:30 am when I left for work today. It takes me a hour to get to work but I did hit one hairy moment. It was very windy today. I was riding on Rt44 just south of Plymouth Ma. On my way into work. It is very very windy today. They have flooded the cranberry bog's to keep the berries from freezing. As I was passing one of the bogs the wind was blowing a cloud of spray over the highway. I thought I would slide off from the ice but the Vision held the road fine. I had slowed down to about 60mph. I get a lot of thumbs up on days like today. The people at my office think I'm nuts but I only get cold when I get off the bike. This will be my 2nd winter riding with 22k on it now. I have no heated gear just lined under armer ski paints I pull over my jeans. But I do use a full face helmet this time of year! |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 153
Newnan, GA | Coming off a GL1800, that's good to know. My lowest temp that I've ridden in was 16 deg F. I got the same comments plus a few "Man you're crazy". Riding in the rain would yield similar comments too.
Some people would say that they wanted a motorcycle to save money. I would stop them and ask them to rethink that. If you’re going to ride, then ride because you love it, not to save money.
2 sets of tires a year and a fork flush once a year drastically reduces the savings in gas. Learning how to work on you’re bike helps reduce cost and gives a person a great feeling too.
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 284
mansfield, MA United States | Crazy "yes" Happy "Hell Ya" |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 301
Buffalo Grove,Ill | My work has been real slow lately and i decided instead of sittin on my ass today id go for a ride About 30 overcast ans a little windy.
Blue jeans and full leather pants 1 pr of socks , T shirt, sweat shirt and leather jacket. Full face helmet no head protection under the helmet yet. Not cold enough for that. And i use my cold weather Motocross gloves with the grips on. Calling for snow tomorrow so i dont know how many days of riding are left here in Chicago. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 85
| I was inspired by your tale so I got the snow blower out and cleared the driveway and a trail to the shed to get my Vision out. By that time I was just too tired to go for a ride. Dam, it's snowing again. Just as well it's getting to 22 below tonight anyway. I think I'll wait a bit. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | varyder - 2009-12-17 6:20 AM
Oh, this morning may be a real adventure being 23 and I noticed some wetspots on the way home yesterday, now if I can just remember where they are this morning....
Good advice watching for the wet spots on the way home. Works great other than when I change up routes. That put me in two unexpected patches last week.
Under Armour Cold Gear from fingers to ankles, 3/4 helmet, grips on, and seat goes on and off as needed. Don't even start to get chilled in the low 20's. Thinking about telling Santa to remove the heated jacket from the list. Biggest issue is the face shield fogging up - just have to learn not to get so excited when I ride.
No one at the office, nor the Mrs understands. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | i needs me some under armor cold gear rather quick, at least the gloves. is there a local type retailer I can buy this stuff, or is black market and internet only? |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Best selection and prices I've found is in their outlet stores. Have found some in sporting goods stores such as Dick's or Pro Bass. Bound to be one off of the highway as you head south to NC. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'll have to check around. we have a few Dick's in the area and a Pro Bass going north. Thanks...
aaahhh, Dance's hunting has them too.....that's the closest to me... Thanks again LB
Edited by varyder 2009-12-17 8:43 PM
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 284
mansfield, MA United States | Well the Vision wanted to tell me something today. I went out to go to work and the temp was 5 deg. I tried to turn her over but she wanted to stay in the garage because the battery was dead! I had to drive the car today ? Today is starting off bad!
I agree with the under armor. I love the stuff. I might go to the outlet store tonight to get glove liners. The only thing I worry about is if you ever go down the last thing you want to have on is under armor. My brother told me the military won't let there men use it because it can melt into wounds. On days like today I put the chaps on over the under armor ski paints.
Ill be shopping for a new battery tonight! The bike is just over a year old but it dose have over 22k on it.
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | Temps are dipping into the teens and I'm still riding 30 mins to work. I could't do it last winter before I had the lower air deflectors. Now all I need to stay warm is a sweatshirt over my work clothes, insulated jacket & pants, winter gloves, and a full face helmet. Haven't got cold yet. People hang out their car windows and give me the thumbs up. Everyday someone at work says, "I bet you didn't ride today". When I pull the Victory key out of my pocket they walk away shaking their heads. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Only one accident that I've seen where the bike went up in flames. It and the rider were under a cage driven by a DWI, unfortunately there was no need to worry about anything melting into the wounds.
I picked up the UA hood today to replace the fleece bacaclava which is too bulky to wear under the new Scorpion helmet. Very pleased with the way it covers and fits.
Do need some waterproof gloves for winter and summer that I don't think will come from UA. Any suggestions? |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
Reston, Virginia | Today was the first day this year I drove a car to work. We had 2 feet of snow over the weekend which is a lot for Virginia and the roads are still covered in snow and ice. I miss it already. What is great about the VV is the amount of wind protection you get. Grip and seat heaters allow you to wear comfortable gloves even when it's in the teens. The Harley boys have all tucked their toys away for the season and the only other nut out there still riding is another Victory owner of a Jackpot. I guess you can say there's a new breed of hardcore rider out there...Victory owners. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | check this out my Reston neighbor... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Slq23hRFbU |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 12
| So I?m retired and the wife suggests that I go pick up a couple of things that she needs before Friday?s festivities that she hadn?t managed to acquire yet. Though it is clear as can be and 42 degrees I figure the terrible itch I have been developing for the last couple of days can be cured by taking the Vision and sallying forth to appease my Queen.
My boots and jeans covered with my insulated chaps topped with the standard flannel shirt under my jacket which others have commented as being a light weight version and a full face helmet (first time I?ve worn it this winter) and a pair of handmade leather gauntlets which still retain their original rabbit fur lining that I have had for over 30 years, completed my attire.
So away I go to tackle the errands through wind and holiday traffic. On any other occasion you couldn?t get me out with the knuckleheads in their cars on their cell phones, making unexpected turns and lane changes into and out of parking lots while they race around shopping. But today as I ventured forth I enjoyed the calmness and happiness one experiences cruising on my Vision (yeah ? you know the feeling).
The errands completed in record time I find myself not turning back towards the warm abode I recently left, but instead continuing on. When I get back at dusk in order to make it before supper, I hit the trip switch (I always reset it to zero miles when putting it away) and find I took a mere 204 miles to go to the stores which are 10 miles from the front door.
So tonight when I read of your adventures riding during the winter, I could ?feel? what you were saying. This is my first winter on my Vision and it only confirms why I really enjoy this bike.
Merry Christmas to all you Visioneers.
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/45323112.html check out this guy in Wisconsin who loves to ride. He has a sidecar though... listen to the audio clip with the article. |
|
| |
3rd Winter on the Vision
