The Paulcb Memorial Coldest Ride, Winter 2024-2025

I can handle the cold...but ... :oops:

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going to go to lunch in the cage and will check out the roads for today's ride. It's not that cold...going up to 38 by 3 pm. Roads are likely to be fine
 
Terrible weather here too. I was sweating working in the garage yesterday stringing new wires for the new door opener. And the mosquito's were even out and biting from the light rain. 76 degrees, can't win no cold rides with that.

TERRIBLE!!
 
I'll take a -6⁰F, Thanks.

Yesterday's commute started at -7⁰F when I left at 8am and the time/temp sign at UofM's Bank Stadium still said -6⁰F when I went past.
I tried to stop for a picture but I left my cell phone in the outer pocket of my Klin overcoat and the cold had drained the battery dead. I took this after parking my winter rider at the office:
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I was comfortable enough with my Klin snowmobile bibs, boots, gloves and topcoat over two layers of sit-at-desk clothing. I was going to use my battery heated gloves but my son last used them and didn't charge up the batteries. They are normally good for about 2 hours of highest-heat setting. I use them when below zero but was fine for the 1/2 hour commute without them. Pinky fingers got a bit achy but tolerable. The windbreak from the bark-busters and heated grips were required.

I only commute on Tuesdays and Thursdays so odds are that will be my lowest temp ride this year unless the conditions all line up again with cold and dry roads on a weekday starting with 'T'.

Oh! If anyone sees a good deal on a jump-pack battery, let me know. I should carry one on really cold days. The bike started ok in the morning, in the garage but wouldn't start without a jump after sitting outside all day. Next time it's below zero, I'll park it inside at work.

Later,
Kent Larson in Minnesota
 
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Good job on the -6. It's many years between before it gets that cold here. My brother and I did ride on Jan 10, 1982 when we got down to -9, but I don't think we've been near that cold since

Since my NC 750 is a DCT and can't be bump started, nor can my wife's X Max 300 scooter CVT, I bought this set up:

a Norco GB 20 jumper, (2) GBC 007 cables that go from battery to the jumper (reg battery tender jr plugs aren't heavy duty enough) and (2) Genius 1 battery maintainers which also use the GBC007 cables to the battery

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I carry the jumper on every ride and now during the winter I bring it in every night so the battery inside of it stays warm and doesn't drain in the cold. Don't know if that would be an issue but I'm not taking any chances lol

If you can easily get to the posts on your batteries, you could just use the jumper .... unfortunately the batteries on the NC and X Max are deeply buried under plastic, hence the extended cables

There are many jumpers on the market, this is a good time of the year to buy one, it's probably on sale

here's one that Daboo recommended to me, that's very small

 
Review of the heated gloves...

In case you were wondering about the heated gloves, here's a picture of what I bought a few years ago. They are good for -20⁰F, even at highway speeds (if you have a wind block like my bark-busters). Battery lasts for a few hours at highest setting. Insulation is a little too thin, IMHO. I use a set of glove liners from Klim with them. Looks like Savior is running a "limited time deal" but I remember them being discounted the same amount back when I bought them. Probably just like the "going out of business, limited time huge discounts" advertised at the furniture store I'd pass by that lasted for years and years.

I've no ties to Savior Heat or Klim and don't get anything for recommending them. Just sharing my experience.

Later,
Kent Larson in Minneapolis

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mudduc said:
Review of the heated gloves...

In case you were wondering about the heated gloves, here's a picture of what I bought a few years ago. They are good for -20⁰F, even at highway speeds (if you have a wind block like my bark-busters). Battery lasts for a few hours at highest setting. Insulation is a little too thin, IMHO. I use a set of glove liners from Klim with them. Looks like Savior is running a "limited time deal" but I remember them being discounted the same amount back when I bought them. Probably just like the "going out of business, limited time huge discounts" advertised at the furniture store I'd pass by that lasted for years and years.

I've no ties to Savior Heat or Klim and don't get anything for recommending them. Just sharing my experience.

Later,
Kent Larson in Minneapolis
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Here's my cold weather gear dilemma. I can get lots of stuff that keeps me warm (I downhill ski), but it offers little protection value. Given the fact riding in poor conditions likely puts you more at risk of an incident, that makes protection all the more important.
 
Norco GB 20 jumper, (2) GBC 007 cables that go from battery to the jumper (reg battery tender jr plugs aren't heavy duty enough) and (2) Genius 1 battery maintainers which also use the GBC007 cables to the battery
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Thanks for that, exactly the setup I've been thinking about. I'll also make an adapter to allow plugging in my other set of heated gloves. I had a plug for them on my previous winter ride (2007 Yamaha WR250R) but hardly ever used them as I don't like being wired to the bike. But now, with my son riding and sharing the Savior gloves, I should plan for times when I'll need a backup setup.

Later,
Kent Larson in Minnesota
 
Obo said:
Here's my cold weather gear dilemma. I can get lots of stuff that keeps me warm (I downhill ski), but it offers little protection value. Given the fact riding in poor conditions likely puts you more at risk of an incident, that makes protection all the more important.
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That's a good point, Obo.

I'm pretty well protected with the Klim heavy winter boots, bib and coat but don't have the knee, shoulder, and elbow hard-armor of my race track setup. And the Savior gloves definitely don't have the knuckle covers or pavement abrasion resistance of my warmer weather motorcycle gloves.

That said, I've been crashing motorcycles for fun and profit for many decades now and I guess I just don't care. I've got a much more reckless attitude than many when it comes to crash protection. Example: On the street, I forgo better protective pants and just ride with jeans in warmer weather. During winter, I'm ok with warm gloves vs. protective gloves.

That said, I never ride without a full-face helmet, or in shorts, or without a good jacket.

I've had far too many wrecks on the track, in the woods and on the street. Not a brag or a point of embarrassment, just a result of the high percentage of my life spent in the saddle. My accumulated experience of wreck results has set my risk/reward calculations to comfort over safety in many cases. I'll risk crashing in jeans over the hassle of changing pants at work. I'll accept a higher risk of hand abrasion during winter riding.

I've frequently said that Levi does me just fine in a crash. Most of the time, just have to buy new Levi. Some of the time, I need to grow back some skin. Zubaz, on the other hand...

My next crash may have me regretting choices and receiving "I told you so"s but, shrug, don't care. Not going to worry about it. If it was really a worry, I'd just not ride.

Later,
Kent Larson in Minnesota
 
mudduc said:
Oh! If anyone sees a good deal on a jump-pack battery, let me know. I should carry one on really cold days. The bike started ok in the morning, in the garage but wouldn't start without a jump after sitting outside all day. Next time it's below zero, I'll park it inside at work.
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Kent demonstrates the very reason I invented the (smart-alec-but-true) phrase, ..."There's a reason I don't live in Minnesota."

Might be sketchy towing a trailer for my pup in the snow, regardless of the 2-wheeled brand or style. I've heard your state has 9 months of winter, and 3 months of poor sledding / skiing. Takes too many clothes, too, to live there full time. But I'm glad somebody wants to live there.

Last night I ran some errands and went to a seminar, it was 39 degrees. I am NOT a contender for the winter riding award. But I can accept that. Nay, I can EMBRACE that. Come on, April!
 
Sadlsor said:
Kent demonstrates the very reason I invented the (smart-alec-but-true) phrase, ..."There's a reason I don't live in Minnesota."

Might be sketchy towing a trailer for my pup in the snow, regardless of the 2-wheeled brand or style. I've heard your state has 9 months of winter, and 3 months of poor sledding / skiing. Takes too many clothes, too, to live there full time. But I'm glad somebody wants to live there.

Last night I ran some errands and went to a seminar, it was 39 degrees. I am NOT a contender for the winter riding award. But I can accept that. Nay, I can EMBRACE that. Come on, April!
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Well, I always say "I like Minnesota weather. Keeps the riffraff out." :wink-2x:

I encourage the overblown, it's-brutely-cold reputation but it really isn't as bad as all that. If I were an avid skier or snowmobile rider, I'd want more winter than we get around here. I think the 8-10 weekends of worthy good snow conditions per year are too few to make a snowmobile investment. If I needed that activity, I'd just rent sleds a few times and do it where it's peak enjoyment. Colorado? Wyoming?

I find April to September ideal motorcycle weather up here. March and October are fine with some added clothing. Yes, November and February are sometimes iffy for road conditions but only December and January are troubled times where safe roads and tolerable temperatures are a problem.

Still, I'd estimate there are only about 30 days a year (10% of the time) where I wouldn't ride motorcycle. Most of the time, those days don't land on a day I need to be somewhere. That's why 1 car and 5 bikes are enough to support our 4 person household.

There are also a few days a year where cold and snow makes it where I wouldn't go outside at all, if avoidable.
Sure there are probably 7 days a year where it's so cold or so snowy that outside activities would be torturous but big-deal, so-what, a day by the fire with a good book is something I'd frequently choose even if the weather were better.

I like it here, I'm glad many others (most others?) don't. The cold never bothered me anyway.

I reflected on the above for a bit and sincerely don't think it's over-rationalization or trying to talk myself into anything. It's honest.

Anyway, back to the contest. Get out there and ride, ya-all.

Later,
Kent Larson in Minnesota

p.s. I don't really consider this a contest. Just happens that I'll be out anyway so why not share results. Well, maybe it does help motivate me on days when it would be easier to borrow the wife's car instead of adding bibs, heavy boots and layers to outfit for a commute. Thanks for the motivation and friendly community to share things with.
 
mudduc said:
Well, I always say "I like Minnesota weather. Keeps the riffraff out." :wink-2x:
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Interesting strategy.
It works for me, anyway.
I understand some people like the cold; just look at this forum where some of my friends were complaining, "It's too hot! Come on fall!"
Some like it hot.
I keep thinking Colorado might be a decent compromise, if I could afford a season lift pass and still afford to live there. Trail riding in the Rockies on big adventure bikes has got to be awesome! And that scenery is like a postcard, up in the high passes.
 
I had a riding buddy that lived in Denver. Complained about only having 4 months of decent riding weather a year. His name was Eric, went by LongRanger online. Was into distance riding and BMWs., and had a CB 1100. We were on that forum together. I went out and rode with him one year. Great guy. Sadly passed away from cancer a couple years ago

RIP LongRanger (tall guy in silver helmet)

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the Ferret said:
I had a riding buddy that lived in Denver. Complained about only having 4 months of decent riding weather a year.
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Sorry for your loss.
But, if he said he could only ride 4 months of the year in Denver, that depends on his definition of "decent riding weather". Except for the mountainous areas, you can ride about 10 to 11 months of the year. BTDT for the last 50 years.
 
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