Author Topic: Cold weather and motorcycle helmets  (Read 676 times)

john grinsel

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1044
    • View Profile
Cold weather and motorcycle helmets
« on: January 08, 2021, 10:56:40 PM »
Went out for 75-80 miles ride this week, dull damp day, temps in the 30's F.   Noticed something with my new GMAX OF-17 helmet with  face shield......it was cold.   Spent some time today taping over the 2 front vents and the 4 rear exhaust vents.   I should have done this ahead of time.   My normal GMAX 3/4 helmet is much warmer.....only 2 vents on front top to tape over.----comment here, a lot of motocycle/scooter stuff is just not designed for use in cold/wet!

Stig / Major Tom

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14693
  • Rural Ohio
    • View Profile
Re: Cold weather and motorcycle helmets
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2021, 02:44:16 AM »
Rode in the 20's before sunrise.
My Nolan has a chin vent which can help clear the face shield of fog. And a 'roof' vent....both of which can be flipped closed on the fly. Exit vents on the rear only function if either of the other vents are open.
I used the chin vent this morning during the few times I closed the shield completely  - I  ride with the face shield cracked open always, in all temps.
Cold face yes, but balaclava keeps head wsrm.
Never ridden behind a wind blocking screen. Burgman had one, I took it off. Prefer air in my chest and in my face....and clear view ahead.
Stig

« Last Edit: January 09, 2021, 03:05:25 AM by Stig / Major Tom »
Boston Strong
Rural Ohio

And, I'm feeling a little peculiar.

john grinsel

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1044
    • View Profile
Re: Cold weather and motorcycle helmets
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2021, 05:22:36 PM »
Just under 40F this AM Ride with my GMAX OF-17....all holes/vents taped over with duct tape=melmet much warmer.

klaviator

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1713
  • Huntsville, Alabama
    • View Profile
Re: Cold weather and motorcycle helmets
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2021, 03:04:31 AM »
I used to get a cold head until I started wearing a balaclava in cold weather.  It makes a huge difference.
I Ride Therefore I Am

Rocket City, Al

mousejunks

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 587
    • View Profile
Re: Cold weather and motorcycle helmets
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2021, 06:32:41 AM »
In winter I wear extra gear that keeps the wind out. This includes gauntlets instead of gloves, a neck sock and a thermal jacket liner.
'09 Kymco Espresso 150i
'11 Kymco Downtown 300i ABS - 79,500km
'17 Kymco Downtown 350i ABS

Kansas kymco

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2044
  • Mcpherson KS or Ely MN
    • View Profile
Re: Cold weather and motorcycle helmets
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2021, 09:44:31 AM »
In winter I wear extra gear that keeps the wind out. This includes gauntlets instead of gloves, a neck sock and a thermal jacket liner.
My last ride I wore gauntlet gloves and a jacket thermally lined. I rode my Xicting with excellent wind protection and was comfortable. Of course one of my requirements is that it's over 50F degrees (10C). 8)
In parts 200S and Grand Vista and my motorcycles 2 CS BMW'S and one GS BMW.

Sold-32 Kymco scooters of various sizes this summer.

Iahawk

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2637
  • Eastern Iowa, USA
    • View Profile
Re: Cold weather and motorcycle helmets
« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2021, 06:35:59 PM »
I will swear by my pinlock visor insert. Without it cool/cold weather riding is a foggy mess...with it?  almost fog free. I still usually need to crack the visor at stop lights but have no issues when riding.
2010 People S200 - sold after 8 wonderful years!
2014 Ninja 300
1996 Honda Helix
1984 Honda Nighthawk 650

randyo

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1690
  • Farmington, Strafford County, New Hampshire, USA
    • View Profile
Re: Cold weather and motorcycle helmets
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2021, 01:36:30 AM »
don't be afraid to use duct tape, I found, riding my V-strom in subzero °f, @ 60mph, a pinhole draft, feels like an ice pick,  I have wrapped myself in duct tape more than once, my jacket to my pants, my pantlegs to my boots, and gloves to my sleeves

I like my WindStopper balaclava, and chin curtain is important on your helmet, open chin is noisey, and colder
RandyO
IBA#9560

An Error Has Occurred!

Call to undefined function split()