Cold Comfort
There are moments on the road when you realize your estimations of the day are wrong. What’s true in the driveway has become false in another place. As I stood in the middle of the road atop the Allegheny Plateau, it was apparent that the balmy mid-40s temperatures promised at home in the valley were not to come true here. Paul had expressed doubts about riding far when we left, he doesn’t have the winter gear I do and I can only guess he rides in the cold through grit and determination where I lean more towards the comfort of a riding spacesuit.
But even in the spacesuit, I could tell it was cold. Maybe it was the wind blowing in my face when I raised the visor to talk. The two motorcycles in the cold were stopped there because I wanted to record a piece for my next installment on my YouTube channel.
By the time we finished, we decided to turn back toward the valley and the warmth of someplace to get a snack. That’s what happens when you ride motorcycles in the cold.
Fellow Traveler
Paul is almost always up for a ride. There are a few times I recall him saying no, and those no’s were usually associated with the frigid weather I would ride through. And I suspect this would have been one of those days except he has had the bug to ride a newly acquired motorcycle much as I have with the Royal Enfield Himalayan.
He recently purchased a 2002 Triumph T100 Bonneville. At first glance, it appears rough, not well cared for, rusty and worn. And with just over 3000 miles on the odometer, you have to think someone just rode it a bit and then parked it in a barn to begin a slow decay.
That’s what you would think. But you would be wrong. It’s a movie star.
John Connor, Protagonist/Hero
This is the motorcycle John Connor (played by actor Nick Stahl) rode and crashed in the film Terminator 3. It’s also the prop motorcycle now owned by Paul. He came to own this motorcycle by way of our once local Triumph dealer. There’s a reason why the rust and grime vanish with water. It’s not real. It was applied by prop people to make a brand new motorcycle look old and beat up.
Himalayan Versus Triumph Bonneville
I’ve always loved the Bonneville. It was one of my favorite motorcycles to ride. And it looked like what I thought motorcycles should look like. But now that I’ve seen the Himalayan. Especially looking at the two motorcycles side by side, there’s now another motorcycle that I can say looks like what I imagine a motorcycle should look like.
I may be in love. I certainly have lost perspective. My silver Vespa is now green.
Orange and Crimson Sparks
It’s sad how few places remain where you can go inside and sit by a fire during a cold ride and warm yourself with a hot drink. The only place I can think of is the Inglebean Cafe in Millheim. I have been there a few times during a cold winter ride and sat by the fire in their huge fireplace.
Idyllic. Romantic.
On this ride, we had to make do with the warmth generated by the HVAC systems at Sheetz. But at my age, warmth is warmth.
By the time I returned home I had added another 50 miles to the Himalayan. I would like to say it was a relaxing ride but for a large part of it I was struggling with the GoPro cameras as I was shooting more footage for another video. Like all cameras, they take some time to master and become completely comfortable with. But these little demons are testing my patience.
Soon though, I’ll be able to ride the Vespa and Himalayan with the video cameras as seamlessly integrated into the ride and the little point-and-shoot camera in my pocket has been.
Soon…
If I had the right(the expensive type) winter one piece riding suit and could get dressed quickly I’d ride in the cold more. Like you said I have a new motorcycle and I wanted to ride it badly. The Bonneville is a really pleasant experience its smooth quiet peppy and comfortable. Although it looks beat up it has only 3600 miles on it and it runs like its new. I’m going to have fun researching and applying new Hollywood rust spray to get it back into original Terminator trim. The saddle bag mounts arrived last week. I see in the movie it had cheapo leather saddle bags…yard sales here I come!
I would think the Triumph would be somewhat compact for your height. The universal cure for cold weather riding seems to be either a complete heated gear suit, or handlebar muffs (Kemimoto is recommended – https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/kemimoto-handlbar-mitts.1540751/) with heated grips.
I recently purchased KemiMoto gloves and socks. Battery powered. Easy to use. I like them a lot. If you order them before March, the code RONIN will save you 30 percent off your purchase!
I think even with the “right” gear the cold has affected the way I think about riding in the winter. Comfort in the warmth of home has won out over the thrill of riding when it’s cold.
You’ll find the right bags for the bike. They’re out there and you love the search!
Hello my fellow moto-insane friends
I have a Canada Goose snowsuit. I have to add extra layers to keep warm when riding at -20F. I’m having new tires installed on my plastic rust resistant Yamaha BWS 50 cc scooter next week. The cold is my friend. I’m thinking that I have Arctic blood. I appreciate the plastic after watching you wash your Royal Enfield. The government here has gone crazy lately spreading potash tailings on the highway. Rust is good for the automobile businesses.
I’m enjoy watching your YouTube videos. It is like riding the highway while viewing the awesome scenery. I’m not a fan of videos where the motorcycist is narrating while riding. I’m a big fan of the YouTube motorcycle instructor McRider.
This is getting much too long of a reply. I’ll post photos on Instagram lamplakemick.
Please keep up the excellent work my introvert friend. Oh, try to begin your video in nature and not in the garage. Just a thought. Boy, I’m being bossy today. I’m feeling bush wacky shack happy and bed bound. Can’t wait to get two wheels on the ground.
A goose-down snowsuit! I haven’t seen one of those. I bet it’s nice at -20F.
I used to have Arctic blood but a heart attack and blood thinners have caused it to disappear. Now even the thought of cold can make me shiver.
I think the auto industry must lobby for more salt on the roads. In Pennsylvania, it’s not uncommon to see rather new vehicles rusting out.
I’m still trying to figure out how and what to make with video. I watch McRider sometimes because he has good stuff related to riding strategy and staying safe on the road. I probably watch Itchy Boots the most. Her adventures at times give me vertigo as she rides along the most dizzying roads and mountain passes.
Take care and hope you get two wheels on the ground soon!
When Bill and I ride he thinks 53 is the coldest temperature ever and hesitates to ride in anything below that. I did coaxes him out this week but only has he was desperate for a long ride. In the end we were both glad for the four day trip. I have ridden in your weather before but my Momma says you can’t make me do it anymore.
I had a brand new Bonneville that I did not like (the BSA was much better) in Europe in the early 70’s. Fortunately it was hit by a BMW doing about 80mph. Fortunately I was stationary and hit just in front of my knee and I just got knocked down with just some bruises. Fortunately the Bonneville was not as lucky and I kissed it goodbye.
53F would be a joy to me right now. But I understand the reluctance to cold. And we all have our unique limits. Mine is slowly climbing. Before long I may be just like Bill.
Momma is always right Ken.
Triumph in the 80s was a disaster. But the more modern ones — they shift and ride like butter. So smooth.
Hit at 80mph. Geez!
It all depends on your point of view as to whether a bike looks right. While the Himalayan is a good dual purpose machine. But,,,, Bud Eakins had no trouble jumping a wooden barrier in The Great Escape on a Triumph Trophy. Nor did they flinch back in On Any Sunday to race in the desert on bikes that were fairly similar in appearance to Paul’s or a Triumph Scrambler.
The Himalayan is the right machine for what you’re doing. The BMW was/is an excellent Sport Touring machine for trips to Gettysburg, Fort McHenry or Williamsburg not to mention many other sites. The Himalayan is a better machine for exploring the goat paths and dirt roads in your back yard. It should be a source of excellent prose in the future.
Bud Eakins was bringing more than a Triumph Trophy to the party. He could have jumped that fence in a whole lot of machines. Skill can overcome a lot of moto shortcomings. I think Bud also did the beach riding scenes in the opening to “Then Came Bronson.”
As I move forward with the Vespa and the Himalayan, it’s likely the Vespa will become the road bike. It’s just nice, smooth, and comfortable for long days on the road. I really want to use the Himalayan for long trips in the mountains. Just need the ice to clear on those No Maintenance roads.
I found the uninsulated Roadcrafter Light more than sufficient for all temperatures. If it’s cooler, add a fleece. Colder use a heated liner and lined jeans. If it’s really cold, use both a heated liner and a fleece jacket. This was sufficient down to about -30°F. A neck gaiter is used if needed along with heated gloves, grips, and Hippo Hands type of cover. With the grip covers and heated grips, light summer gloves are usually sufficient.
Below -30°F, I would use a different jacket instead of the fleece. Oh yeah, a winter helmet with a heated shield is a nice addition.
I’ve looked more than once at those Roadcrafter suits. My the prices make my eyes water.
I have heated gloves, grips, and bar muffs on the Vespa. It’s really the cold weather machine. I’m riding the Himalayan in the cold just because it’s new and I’m excited to ride!
-15F was about as cold as I would ride. Mostly because that was about as cold as it got here. A heated shield would have been really nice.