I know what you mean about the weight of all the extra cold-weather gear. I had to layer up for my daily commutes to school, especially since I had to wear dress pants and shirt/tie under all that stuff. My top case was jammed full when I arrived and had to peel off all those layers. Since retirement, I wait for the temp to rise before heading out, and I can wear REAL riding clothes now, so the layers have been reduced significantly. I really enjoy the morning tea out on the patio, watching the sunrise, then take a mid-morning ride after the morning rush hour and school buses clear off the roads.