Summer gear/winter gear

Whealie

Wing Commander
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Last Saturday I was thinking it was definitely the end of the summer. I was zipping up vents in my summer gear and considering another layer. So this Saturday just gone when I woke up and it was raining, I thought it was pukka winter gear time. And I was warm and toasty, setting off at 8am down to Hampshire to visit my parents.

Coming back I was starting to overheat and by the time I was back in London I was like an overcooked boil-in-the-bag ready meal. I should have stopped and de-robed but I tried undoing velcro cuffs and the main zip in my jacket and rode with my visor open and still I got home like Terminator Two melted in the steel works.

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-XP-

Well-Known Member
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Ahh the struggles of a biker trying to get the perfect temperature... Never going to happen!

Cooling down is my biggest problem which is why I prefer it colder than warmer. Once it gets to a certain temperature there's not much you can do to cool down and it's horrible. Warming up is much easier. :thumbsup:
 

Rubberchicken

Well-Known Member
Yep, it does that.

Last couple of days it's been quite nippy when I set off at 8 am, definitely sweater time and then still a bit brisk if it's cloudy, but when I get to my destination at 9 am it's already warming up to the point of that sweater being too much. Afternoon it's definitely no sweater and all the vents open... (Which does very nearly nothing on the K, but every little bit helps.)

An electric vest would probably help with the temperature differences.
 

austin

Well-Known Member
I find electric vests/jackets very unpleasant when you don't really need them. Like wearing a nasty sweaty 70's nylon jumper. But when its cold enough to need one switched on then they are lovely.

I bought a 2nd hand Klim suit last year. Its very good for spring or autumn use. Plenty of vents to get air properly through the jacket and trousers for mild to warm conditions (as long as you are moving), yet with it all zipped up warm enough for use in cool or chilly temps. Layers up too for proper cold.

Like Craig though I find proper hot & humid weather almost unbearable on the bike unless I can keep moving.
 

Whealie

Wing Commander
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austin said:
Like Craig though I find proper hot & humid weather almost unbearable on the bike unless I can keep moving.
That was the problem. In London, getting through the traffic often just means getting to the next red traffic lights faster - and they seem to be timed so that if you catch one red light, you catch them all. You stop the bike and sit there with a rapidly heating engine adding to your discomfort.
 

DaveS

Administrator
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Totally agree with all of this. As I commute every day I know the feeling.
I bought some new Rukka gear back in the summer and as part of the deal secured a free vented jacket.
The vented jacket as ok between 21 - 26, made no difference to me over 26, and felt really cold at less than 21.
I can easily go to work and it be 15 and then come back home later and its 25.
Plus having a big barn of a screen doesn't help.
 
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