Did an oil change then rode the bike at 10C or 50F for over an hour. Wore electric jacket underliner, electric gloves and long johns, jeans with half chaps. The face and legs for the brunt of the windchill as the gloves and jacket did the job intended. By the end of the ride the temp was 8c or 46f.

Since the legs got cold, had to do the old hot water in the tub for 45 minutes and then lie down as I was physically tired. Getting cold has a draining effect.

Was it worth it, yup but the recovery getting warm again is tiring and draining. Was thinking heated chaps but may only have a few weeks of riding left since the temps are dropping. Leather chaps act as a fridge after they get cold regardless of whats underneath them.

Electric chaps seem like a good idea but with all the electric gear fearing my stator may not be up for the job. Figure recharge the batter before a ride and not worry about the recharging system to power the gear.

Just a few thoughts about cold fall riding.

The sun was out today and I thought about it...but with temps in the 20's and 30's my sense of self preservation kicked in and I found something else to do.

We did a couple hundred miles today the weather was good but not for long

The wind chill is the insidious element that seeks to get at the least protected areas. The face though covered and wind crawling up the back of the jacket chilling the kidneys along with hitting the knees sucking heat out of the body. I bought rubber knee protectors strapping them underneath the chaps but knees still get cold.

Wore cycling type of tight insulating leotards underpants. Want to ride right until it snows but my dog gone legs get the brunt of the wind. Electric chaps may work but have to special order them.

Heat getting sucked out of me via legs even with chaps. Walked into Mary Browns fried chicken with the gear on along with my wiring hook up dangling and got eyeballed by a few chicken eaters.

Have you tried soft lowers on the highway crash bars? As long as the roads are dry I ride down and around freezing thorough the winter. Not bad at all with the soft lowers - sucks badly without them. . . . .

I rode 4 hours to the Traverse City area a couple weeks ago. Mostly in 50°F rain. Hung out for the day and then rode home in 50°F rain and 30+mph sideways wind off Lake Michigan the very next morning. Not the most pleasant ride but it’s always worth a trip to northern Michigan. No rain gear at all.

So yep, I ride in cold and rain. Neither one bothers me even 50% as much as when I did it on the Roadstar. It still isn’t pleasant to ride 80+mph in driving rain where all you can see is the taillights in front of you, but this F6B is night and day difference in bad weather. Better protection and can actually cruise at higher speeds so I don’t get passed in the rain.

Having the power and still getting good MPG’s at higher speed is just great. I love the way those v-twins sound but I sure don’t miss the gutless turds they are on trips. They make great around town rip around bikes but that’s about it for me anymore. I’ve found something that just checks the boxes for me.

Well, it was 84 here today and rode 340 miles. I’ll get back to you in December when it cools down a little.

mbk wrote:
Have you tried soft lowers on the highway crash bars? As long as the roads are dry I ride down and around freezing thorough the winter. Not bad at all with the soft lowers - sucks badly without them. . . . .

I'll second this. I picked up a set of the regular Chillowee chaps for the Star Big Bar, and it made a world of difference. Between those and regular chaps, it should end the heat drain in your legs. The bike still gets plenty of air flow, when the temps get back into the 60's.
You're sitting on a big hot plate, take advantage of it.

I have ridden into the mid 20's and it sucked. Having said that I have a full set of Freeze out from Cycle gear and the only problem I had was with my fingers. I wear a leather coat and gloves when it gets under 55 and use the freeze out if its in the 40's. With that on if the sun comes out I actually sweat.

I ride if there isn't snow on the road. If it gets under 50 I'll wear flannel lined jeans and a windproof jacket. I dont have a windshield or shield on my helmet. I found leather lined mittens keep my hands nice and toasty.