How to keep your hands warm on your motorcycle

[@MCrider]

If you are a new rider or a rider who wants to continue to grow (That should be all of us ;) ) and you are not a Member at MCrider you are missing out on the best part of MCrider. Go to www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the Forums and Field Guide. - The Forum is an active, friendly place where riders share riding tips, ideas, travel photos, and show off their new motorcycles. Riders and instructors from all over the world are active on the forums and ready to share in the adventure with you. - The Field Guide is a section of the forums that have very specific training exercises that you can work on in any open parking lot to develop your riding skills. In addition to these resources, you can discuss every MCrider video, suggest future training videos, read and share gear reviews, and more. By becoming a member you help support MCrider and keep the weekly videos coming but you also get access to a world of riders who share tips and techniques to help us all enjoy the ride and increase our skills. www.MCrider.com/Member

[@jamircoen649]

i guess Im asking randomly but does someone know a method to log back into an instagram account? I stupidly lost my password. I love any tips you can give me

[@ahmadzayn8776]

@Jamir Coen instablaster :)

[@jamircoen649]

@Ahmad Zayn thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and Im in the hacking process now. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@jamircoen649]

@Ahmad Zayn it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my account !

[@ahmadzayn8776]

@Jamir Coen no problem :D

[@QcChopper]

When you stop and have to remove your gloves for a few minutes, put them in your coat or sit on them. If you gloves get cold, it's very hard to get your hands warm again, your best bet is keeping your gloves warm.

[@redhotphoenix]

QcChopper find if you put gloves on heat shield of exhaust it can warm them up. Be careful it's not too hot as t can meltbthem😳

[@CentraliaUS]

Thank you Kevin. I have been watching your videos for 2 years now and you are providing an awesome service to the biker community! Thank you.

[@K9RickRet]

For Harley riders (as that’s what I’m familiar with) “soft lowers” that slip over your engine guards and block wind from your feet & legs helps tremendously as well! Also helps keep some of that engine heat around your legs...

[@pacopetepnw3434]

Rick, YEP!... I just added soft lowers to my Road King! They made a huge comfort improvement on a 500 mile (one day) R/T to Mt. St. Helen's. It gets cold and wet here. PNW.

[@WildBill33]

@@pacopetepnw3434 Pete, How much wind resistance did you get with the lowers on your RK? I drive at 75-80 often here in the South West. I have thought about getting a set, but had second thoughts.

[@pacopetepnw3434]

@@WildBill33 I do not notice that much resistance. I was at 75-85 for a lot of miles. I have noticed some different wind buffeting between my wind screen and lower helmet...not bad though. The soft lowers were about $110.00 out the door. I would say give them a shot...and if you do not like them take 'em back. I really like them up here in the Pacific N.W. . We get caught out in the rain and cold often.

[@pacopetepnw3434]

..one more BIG reason for the lowers... it stoppped the buffet gap Two Up! Happy wife!!!!!!!!!! lol

[@WildBill33]

@@pacopetepnw3434 Oh yeah! That is enough reason...When Mama's happy, everyone's happy, Thanx Bro!

[@John_Ridley]

50 degrees! That's summer glove weather!

[@robertphelps573]

I'm really absorbing your motorcycle wisdom sir I've been riding motorcycles year-round for 58 years I live in Tennessee now but started riding on Ohio and Pennsylvania Wal-Mart sells a mitten-glove that you can slip either 1 or 2 (Top and-or bottom) small chemical hand warmers into They cost $19.99 and i've never experienced weather too cold for them to keep my hands warm and comfortable Try em,,,,,,,,,, you'll like em!

[@EpicAdamMotovlogs]

I just want to thank you. I dropped the bike on my first mod 1 lesson (UK) I didn’t have another lesson for 3 months because I was too nervous. I’ve just taken my 2nd lesson & done great because you put my nerves at ease. Only need 2 more hours on the bike according to my instructor & I should pass the test.

[@MCrider]

Awesome, keep up the work and you will get there. 👍👍🏍️

[@EpicAdamMotovlogs]

MCrider I’m sure I will.

[@jimdean3133]

My bike has heated grips. With the addition of Bark Buster hand/wind protection, I've ridden for over a hundred miles in 28 degree weather and my hands stayed warm enough to not lose any dexterity. Hippo Hands do a great job of breaking the wind and keeping your hands warm. It's a good idea to install a stabilizing bracket in front of your brake and clutch levers, otherwise the wind could push the protectors back hard enough to disengage your cruise control or to apply your brakes. Also less expensive than electric heat.

[@ShawnMaceno]

I installed the factory Honda heated grips on my VTX years ago, along with some wind deflectors in front of my hands. I live in Pittsburgh, and commuted to work whenever it wasn’t raining and the temperature above freezing on my motorcycle, about 30-ish minutes each way. When the temp got into the 40s and below, the heated grips were enough to just keep my fingers from freezing by the time I made it to work. Any more time in the seat, and they were painfully cold. Didn’t seem to matter which pair of gloves I wore, it was just cold! Never laid out the money on heated gear, but that would have probably been the only way for me to stay warm any longer than I needed to. The bike never got “winterized”, I managed to ride at least one day every month through the winter, even if it was just around the block, lol.

[@jmyoung513]

Nitrile gloves inside your riding gloves. Dry hands are warmer hands. Also, no wind can get through the nitrile at all. I do the blue mechanic's gloves from auto zone. Down to about 40 degrees and 60 mph they make a big difference.

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

That's a great tip!

[@WildBill33]

John, I wear nitrile gloves at work every day and my hands are always wet when I take them off. I am going to try this trick, but are you saying your hands stay dry riding?

[@jmyoung513]

Short trips, they stay pretty dry. Longer trips, I'm told thin wool gloves, nitrile, then riding gloves is the ticket. My riding gloves aren't that big, but I'll try that at some point. I've also just put the nitrile over my smooth riding gloves in the rain. That helped a lot, and my gloves were already wet. The ones with the metal knuckles, and rough skidders on the heels of the hands shredded the nitrile before I could get them stretched over the gloves.

[@carlpeeples7057]

My hands sweet when I have the nitrile gloves directly on my skin under the motorcycle gloves

[@michaelsteal9128]

Really like your down to earth style. Good information presented in an honest conversation like way.

[@stoissdk]

Heated grips + hand guards to shield the wind.

[@jamesmcgrath1952]

I live in Pa. I'm 66 now and still ride most of the year but when I was in my 20's I'd just wear a ski suit, a baklava, long johns and winter gauntlet gloves. worked quite well for me. If there's no snow or ice, I'll ride. The big thing to worry about is the colder you get, the slower your reflexes get.

[@ttrguy9952]

I bought Highway 21's battey powered gloves last year and have never looked back! I get 8 hours of toasty warm on low at 30F. On high they are rated at 6 hours but even at 20F your hands get really hot. I bought 3 sets of extra batteries to keep in my pockets but have never needed them. I teach skiing here in the N.E. and used them on snow last season when it was -17F. On high I got a full day. Heated grips to me are useless because they only warm your palms. The battery gloves warm the outside and inside of your fingers. These gloves are EPIC!!!!!

[@agisler87]

So something that can help if you're just riding around town is to warm your hands on your engine. It's a technique I have used at traffic lights when it was a little colder than I thought and I was just driving 10 min through the city.

[@Johny40Se7en]

I second that big time. I've been doing this recently because here in the UK the temperature has changed so drastically the last couple of days and it's only gonna get colder now.

[@dougfenwick3300]

Kevin. Great video. In addition, what I teach riders is that the first step in keeping your hands and other extremities warm is to keep your core warm. Wearing a warm jacket and a heated vest will help keep your hands warm. Why? Because when your core temperature drops, your body responds by reducing blood flow to your extremities and the result is cold hands and feet.

[@TerrenBichard]

A friend and I left Toledo, Ohio 3/7/19 for Augusta, GA at 19 degrees and snowing. He purchased heated gear and was fine. I, being a tightwad, opted for silk long johns, jeans, insulated coveralls and similar jackets. Pretty much made it to fuel stops but not totally comfortable. Overall it was a great trip. After approximately 2000 miles I returned to 34 degre temps after experiencing 70s in GA and SC. Will probably invest in heated gear.

[@richardmourdock2719]

Kevin, as a Texan you'll be amused. The coldest I've ever been on a motorcycle was in Big Bend National Park in SW Texas three years ago. I convinced three Midwest buddies to join me down there and said, "Money back guarantee.. it will be 60-70 degrees and it is the Chihuahan desert and the dry season.. money back if it rains." It didn't rain, it snowed. Riding near Panther Junction we saw the Chisos Mountains turning white. Air temp was probably mid 40s, but with the wind chill.. brrrr. We gave up on camping and moteled it and spent a night in the Starlight Café.. A good time and great memory but a cold ride!

[@jeffmannes6079]

First thank for the great information and knowledge. I've never been able to afford heated gear and I have ridden in 30 and below weather save ice and snow commuting 2 hours each way back and forth to work when I lived in Jersey (now in Florida). The three defenses against the cold that finally worked were mittens with a hot hand packet in my palm inside the mitten and one in the zippered outside back of palm pouch, a down vest zippered all the way up "over the outside" of my leather motorcycle cycle jacket keeping heart, lungs and neck warm, and overall snowmobile pants. The mittens took a little getting used to. The only things that got cold in the mittens were my thumbs. Thanks again for great knowledge and information.

[@daviddaw999]

Kevin, I fitted some wind deflectors below the mirrors on my 1500 Goldwing and I am still wearing the thinnest of summer gloves here in temperatures in the low 50s. I realise it isn't an option for a lot of riders, but having your hands in still air can make a huge difference to how cold they feel.

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

I used to ride in fairly cold temperatures down as much as 32 degrees Fahrenheit is 0 Celsius. I had friends who used the the electrical garments and I never did. I did however install heated grips on my Goldwing and Honda VFR. Generic brand on the Goldwing which I can't remember but I did use the Oxford on the VFR and they are extremely effective. Also they are very useful on rainy days in cooler weather to keep your hands from shocking. I have a pair of gloves made of the rubber used in wetsuits that I switch over to when I get caught out in the rain on a long ride and the heated grips work well heating that rubber and keeping my hands warm and functional. I no longer ride in temperatures lower than 17 degrees Celsius roughly 62 degrees Fahrenheit. I ride exclusively for pleasure and anything down in that range of temperature now is no longer pleasurable. I envy folks who live in a climate where they can have access to riding their motorcycle year-round or almost year-round. Up here in the north it's a very short season typically between May and September and a couple of days in October Maybe. My bikes are already in storage since this week and the snow blower has taken their place at the mouth of the garage ready to go as the white stuff is not that far away from where I live. People all over the States and Canada have already had some snow falls. I dread the six months ahead up here. Another good bike topic

[@davidholm8625]

I can give unconditional approval of Gerbing heated gear. They have a wide range of heated clothing solutions. Riding all winter in Idaho has been a real test.

[@spanky522]

I just put a pair of grip heaters made for snowmobiles under my grips. They work just fine and have a high and low heat settings. I hardly ever needed to have them on high. Low is usually hot enough. They're cheap too. I only paid $21 for mine. The hardest part of the installation is finding a place to mount the switch on the handlebars.

[@norsefalconer]

I considered those, the ones that go inside the handlebars. But, a friend gave me a set of heated grips. If he hadn't, I definitely would have gone the snowmobile direction.

[@kevinjones1942]

I got myself a pair of Gortex gloves. They work wonders. My hands still get slightly cold after 45 minutes of riding in low 40 degree temperature. But it's tolerable.

[@TerrenBichard]

I got gortex gloves as well. Did good job even at 19 degrees for a couple hours.

[@John_Ridley]

I realize that people's warmth needs vary, but here's what's working for me. I have a pair of windproof/waterproof pants, goretex boots, a Cortech jacket with rain and thermal layers zipped in, and a pair of cheap < $30 winter armored gloves from Amazon. The only thing really getting cold were my fingers, so I added wind deflectors in front of the handgrips. Still a little chilly so I just grabbed some 5 watt USB hand warmers to slip into my gloves, they were < $10 on Amazon (probably won't last long, but hoping for half a season anyway). That's just wires on the gloves and plug in on the bar to the USB port, very little hassle. This has been working fine for me on a 25 mile one way commute at highway speeds (up to about 85 MPH) here in Michigan down to 22*F so far this year. The pants in particular are actually cozy warm. The jacket, a little cool but not really an issue so far. As Kevin points out, you don't need as much heat as you think you do. It's best to start out a bit cooler. I've ridden a bicycle down to -25*F including in heavy snow but that was with studded tires, and a much lower risk if I fell (though I only ever fell when I got caught short when it snowed when it wasn't supposed to and I hadn't mounted winter tires yet).

[@gregpearce]

I purchased a set of Mobil Warming brand battety powered textile waterproof riding gloves about 3 years ago and couldn't be happier. The NH winters get C-O-L-D!! But theses gloves keep my hands toasty warm. On the highest setting the batteries last about 3 hours, but I have never needed to use that setting. The medium (I use when the temps are below 20 degrees) setting lasts about 6.5 hours, and the low setting ( for any temps above 20 degrees) lasts a minimum of 10 hours. The batteries recharge in about an hour, maybe two if you drain them to empty.

[@theChestnutMtnTinman]

I live in Ga and our weather is very similar to yours. I bought a Harley Ultra Ltd and the grip warmers are fantastic.

[@nktwrk73]

19 degrees commute NYC...no problem. Battery glove liners, pants liner, jacket liner, proper head gear. Best time to ride.

[@kevinbernhardt1884]

Canadian here... in the spring I take advantage of the sales on snowmobile clothing. Great fit and damn that stuff is warm when you use it above freezing.

[@marekstawicki8811]

One more con against the heated grip: some of the membranes (and unfortunately the best for me - GORETEX) will NOT work properly with heated grips when in wet. GoreTex is designed to transport moisture with the heat (form body towards outside) so when you ride in rain, with the heated grips on they will convince these membranes to transport moisture inside the glove. I've been on the bikes fitted with some wind shields for the handlebar grips, and they worked really fine! Also the polyurethane foam covers for the grips and palms works extremely well - if you don't have blood circulation problems. Of course they look like a hell, but they do their job really well, and they are very easy to install and de-install, so you can use them just when needed, while keeping them stored other times. Lastly - there are some heating creams. I've been using them as a ski instructor myself, and also on my "students". They work well, but lasts only ca. half an hour or so. But these can be good as an survive gear - used in emergency situations. I always have a tube of this with me during the autumn to early spring season. Usually the tube doesn't last till the end of the season, as I give it to try to others, and they are amazed:) They are cheap, small (then handy) easy to apply and also (usually) good for your skin:) Last but not least - each and every rider has the source of heat always... between his or her legs:) - I mean the engine! if your bike is not too covered, then it is usually pretty easy to warm your hands form the engin, even on the traffic light, or with the minute or two of pulling over. Also - never remind, that if you are cold - you really should, or I would even say - MUST - do whatever it takes to stop and get warm. You can easily find a lot of films and other stuff on the internet about how "cold" interrupt logical thinking, focus, concentration, coordination, relex etc., etc., etc... . It's just as much dangerous as alcohol or fatigue! It drives hallucinations, impairs feeling of the balance, makes you sleepy and blind to many kind of information like: visual, audio and so on. Anyway Kevin - good point! very much worth of spotting! Regards form Poland and see you on the road! Marek

[@ianallso2541]

I rode right through last winter, and as you say it is about layering up to stay warm. I wear Marino undershirts and when it was below freezing I added long johns under my lined riding pants, and a fleece lined hi-vis vest over my riding jacket. I have five heated gloves, but also fitted mitts over the handlebars to keep the gloves dryer and out of the wind. I think the coldest morning was about -5°c (23°f) in June. I also wear a neck bluff and a Marino beanie inside my helmet. I am considering heated grips but may wait until I upgrade my motorcycle. Let's see what next winter brings.

[@dynamicjaethought7788]

I wear latex gloves, under my regular gloves...they are great for trapping heat.

[@RAF122s]

Wearing latex gloves, don't your hand sweat some causing them to cool your hands while riding at 65-70 mph? I know when I wear nitrile gloves (latex gives me a mild skin reaction) around the house doing anything I end up with sweaty hands in no time. But we are talking 50-55 and lower temps? What speed and what temps do you use the latex gloves before going to another solution?

[@CheapskateMotorsports]

@@RAF122s I've tried putting them on the outside of my gloves, which tends to work well too as it acts as an impenetrable water and wind cover. Your hands can still get cold if the temperature is low enough but at least you don't get frostbite.

[@RAF122s]

@@CheapskateMotorsports well, not going to find any latex or similar gloves to possibly fit over my riding gloves, 2xl glove size in MC gear. Plus I prefer to ride in armored gloves as I am an AGATT rider. So, guess it is heated grips for me...

[@arthurpendragon9079]

I used to use a product called Hippo Hands. It was a pair of large cuffs that enclosed the handlebar ends. I was able to ride in sub-freezing temperatures wearing light gloves. Don't know if they are still made, but they worked great, after you sealed the inner ends with old socks to keep the draft out!

[@stelladyer9457]

I used a similar item, Oxford Products handlebar muffs. Looked silly but worked a treat when I had to ride 15 miles to work every day in the early mornings with snow on the ground

[@TJRohyans]

I chose the base model Yamaha Eluder that does NOT come with heated grips, but DOES have a heated seat. IMO for where I live and ride, Alabama Gulf Coast and coastal states, the winter isn't long enough or cold enough for the added expense of heated gear. I'll just layer up with quality clothing and gloves. I rode a V-Star 1300 for 2.5 years straight with no other vehicle and I work in south Louisiana, so it was a 200 mile commute. Fingers and toes were the the hardest to keep warm. Adding a Batwing Fairing helped to keep direct 75 MPH wind off my hands. Foot warmers in my boots helped some for the toes. The Eluder is better designed to keep my feet warm if needed and I have yet to experience the cold on the handlebars. It's still fairly warm.

[@bobvandick2546]

Hand guards do a lot to keep the wind off the top of your hands. I find that the combination of them and heated grips work pretty well.

[@motomike71]

Just got heated gear this year. Heated jacket liner and gloves. I've found that I don't need the gloves as high as the vest because keep the core warm is the most important and that tends to flow to my extremities. Without the gloves on my fingertips would get cold, but the heated gloves help extend that heat all the way through my fingers. They just don't need to be on as high as the vest.

[@howardludwig9715]

I am a recent transplant to the DFW area. I came here from Nebraska. I rode nearly year round there also. Just watch out for too much snow or ice on the roads. I use a pair of plain old yellow leather farmers gloves on my heated grips down to about 35 degrees F. Below that I change to an old pair of leather insulated snowmobile mittens. That will get me down to about 0 degrees F. Below that is just plain insane to ride. My daily commute was about 30 minutes also.

[@jerryjb]

Just installed some Oxford heated grips on the dr650 yesterday! I had them on my previous bike, but the Dr has handguards as well :) Silk liner gloves are a cheap way to improve comfort in the cold. I had to use them a couple weeks ago on a two hour ride in 35-40F degree weather. They helped a lot in combination with handguards and cheap winter riding gloves!

[@MotoRickyRicardo]

This has been very helpful, Kevin idk if you got an inside look on my life but I was literally looking for new gloves yesterday when I got the notification that you'd be posting this lol.

[@randallstotts6030]

Battery operated gloves and jacket by Mobile Warming. Each glove has its own battery and the heating elements are on the back of the glove. The jacket has a single battery with the heating elements in the front and back but not in the sleeves. Each battery is adjustable in 25% increments. Since the gloves and jacket are battery operated, you can use them when not on the bike. I take the charger with me and when I stop for lunch I plug them in to top off the charge. At the end of last winter, I purchased glove and boot liners by Freeze-Out. I will try them this winter to see how effective they are.

[@GeneWeingarten1]

Just want you to know kevin on an unrelated side note, everyday I ride my bike I still hear you saying,"guys this is not a turf war".....I can't get it out of my head...LOL (It really helps me be safer on the road thanks)

[@kevinhilnbrand1373]

I made a set of dirt bike style hand guards for my v star. That with heated grips and winter riding gloves I was good for a 3 hour ride at 15 degrees last year.

[@tpbulle]

You're lucky in TX. I learned from my own experience in PA, gets in the 30's my trips are short. Starts freezing and I'm parked in the garage. I don't have any electric heated gear and even insulated gloves don't hold hold up too long when the temps get to the mid-low 30's.

[@Johny40Se7en]

Nice tips all the time. I like the keep the revs up on the bike as much as I can when it's up to temperature and then whenever you stop on the bike, put your hands on the engine and use it as a radiator ; )

[@jc26041]

I have a 2018 Goldwing. Heated grips and heated seat. Coming back from Bridge day in WV this year it was 28 degrees when we left. 200 warm miles wrapped in leather to cut the wind.

[@jc26041]

I posted before I saw the end of the video. Us northerner's don't even put on a jacket at fifty degrees LOL. Ride safe ya'll

[@peterlizmacpherson6497]

G'day Kevin and other subscribers, As far as I know no riders in Australia have to "Winterise their bike". There may be days from time to time in Winter where you might only see a couple of riders if you were out and about. I live near Newcastle in New South Wales Australia. Our temperatures here do get down to (6°C - 8°C) 46°F - 49°F for a couple of days in the depth of winter. I can't remember the last time I said "its to cold to ride today". There are days that the temperature is low and the wind makes winter-golved fingers cold & if nothing is done it does get painful. I have previously fitted Heated Grips to my Yamaha XVS650's and XVS950's. In April 2017 I purchased a 2009 Honda Goldwing with (3,957Km) 6,367 miles on it. Now I (and Elizabeth my Wife) have heated Grips and HEATED SEATs. I can hear many readers of this page saying all sorts of nasty things about Goldwings and their riders. For those readers ... There should be a Goldwing model with an Auto-Coffee Machine and a Auto-Boot Cleaning function. As I sit and type this my Goldwing has just over (40,000Km) 24,860 miles. Since buying the Goldwing I have had two periods of SIX WEEKS EACH of NO RIDING by command go my local Doctor. The latest still has three weeks to go and may be extended. I have had hand surgery for Dupuytren's Contracture Syndrome. There are "Bike Riders" all around the world that have it worse than I have it. To those suffering whatever sort of medical condition, I hope you are back in the saddle soon. For those that their physical or mental state has you as a "Past Bike Rider" rhone a couple of (mates) friends and have a chat over your favourite beverage. You will be surprised at the difference it will make in your life and in the life of your (mates) friends. Keep the rubber side down. Peter Macpherson.

[@giuseppe-accordion]

Like you said Heated Grips warm the inner hand. It helps to use wind deflectors on the handlebars combined with heat grips.

[@chigglywiggly]

Works for me!

[@ncjay08]

I ride almost all winter, nearly every day the weather permits. Lowest I've ridden in so far is around 25 degrees. Electric gloves help make it possible. So far I've only ever used the lowest setting. Shameless plug for my Fly Ignitor pro heated gloves. They do a great job and have their own rechargeable battery in each glove, so it's very user friendly.

[@lominion]

Gloves can be worn solo with a y harness to the temp controller, they also have a jr controller with the y harness built in. You can find that on the California heat site!

[@garya3056]

Good info, Kevin. So sorry I missed it live! 🏍👍🏻🏍

[@LexGrossmansDog]

I’ve never bought heated gloves. Heated grips, thick gloves and good handguards have done me well all the way through snowstorms in AK.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

Did you installed hippo hands as well? Seems to me that a combination of something like hippo hands to block some of the wind as well as a heated grip would be a pretty substantial improvement over just gloves.

[@LexGrossmansDog]

Chris L no, I had Storm Barkbusters to block wind, Klim waterproof gloves and heated grips. Never an issue.

[@drummerdavemax]

Great video man! Excellent information! I rode with a pair of the battery pack powered heated glove liners for 3 years & you are absolutely right about them not getting hot enough! If it was 40° or colder, it felt like they weren't even turned on! ...& on high power, they'd only last an hour or so! Next time I'm getting the 12v wired ones! Ride safe & thanks for the info!

[@jancoetzer9941]

Hey KevinGreat post again! Thanks so much for your channel - really love it.I'm from South Africa, and I see that your channel really is going international - congratulations! With this in mind, please consider your international audience when you post information like temperatures - we work in Metric down here in Africa, so the Fahrenheit numbers don't really make sense to us...Thanks again for your most valuable insights and trainings - I have learned so much from you!!God bless!Jan

[@ellobo1326]

My 2000 Goldwing had vents that blew warm engine air on your legs. It was nice. My 2021 at least has heated grips and seats and they work well also. Rabbit fur lined gloves are very warm.

[@johnallred3124]

In 1978, I bought a GS-400 in Northern Kansas and drove it home to Southern Mississippi. It was fall-40s to 60s. I knew it would be brisk, but having no experience, I didn't really understand what I was getting into. I bought lots of layers for warmth, but none for waterproofing or to cut wind. I had a light rain much of the way. I learned that the thickness doesn't matter. If air or water can penetrate the material, you are going to be cold. I have never been so miserable in my entire life. I had to stop frequently to warm up. Especially my hands. I don't yet have heated gear, but I do have leather and lined gloves, plus a neck warmer. I wish I'd known then what I know now, as they say.

[@vancemarin8022]

I live in Canada and in the winter and at minus 20 nothing beats snowmobile gear for riding your bike.!!

[@patrickcoleman3]

Oxford heated grips and bark busters to keep the wind blast off your hands is all I use in Australia which can get very cold in winter., cheers.

[@patrickcoleman3]

I found that the install on my 2015 650 Vstrom was easy and the control unit was positioned on the left mirror mount works great.

[@fvcostanzo]

Full fairing helps, too. Keeping the wind off your knuckles makes a big difference.

[@christopherking2012]

I have some gloves with that Thinsulate 150 gram. So far good at 35*f and I have no hand guards to cut the wind.

[@rckhalsa]

What brand are they?

[@littlet-rex8839]

I have "Sliders" with "Thinsolate " , good to upper 30's, for cooler I add military shooter canvas mittens, stayed warm at 6°

[@cliff8675]

I have a pair of textile gloves with lightweight leather palms The heated grips on my RT along with the fairing allow me to ride in the low 40s before I go to the high setting. I also have a pair of liners I picked up at an Army/Navy store, OD green knit. They go in my regular gloves and barely change the feel of the controls, but allow me to ride into the high 30s still on the low heat setting. A pair of (military) aviator gloves also do the trick without mucking up the feel. Other than holding the brake and clutch at a stop (aluminum gets cold in the wind), commuting with these glove pairings has worked for me. Last January I used the aviator gloves and the liners comfortably at my MSF class, the high was 27 that day, no heated grips, no fairings. But, I also never went more that 25-30 MPH. The only thing I'm missing currently (glove-wise) is waterproofing, Christmas should help correct that.

[@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff]

Barkbuster Blizzards - removing the wind chill without looking too dorky.

[@paulh6591]

Heated gloves, a one-piece snowmobile suit over usual armored gear, and balaclava solves 90% fr your Winter gear needs. Plug in the gloves indoors ten minutes before you leave so they are already warmed up. Heated grips are OK but they don't heat your fingers when covering the brakes. Barkbusters or equivalent lever/hand brush guards are great armatures for making your own homespun "Hippo Hands" (trademarked) out of heavy textile materials and Velcro fasteners,. Having a spare set of rims with knobbies mounted, and studs screwed into the knobbies, allows you to have fun in the snow.

[@Leifenguard]

Easiest way is to put your hand on the engine block and put your feet on your handlebar to control the motorcycle.

[@TJBarranger]

I'll admit I've warmed my hands on the exhaust manifold at stop lights.

[@PanditaP]

I’ve done this a lot on my air cooled.

[@fvcostanzo]

Yeah, that sounds safe...

[@cisium1184]

Dunking my hands in gasoline and lighting them on fire seems to work well.

[@orbitalair2103]

70-80mph at 0degF , thats what your early WW1 flying ace had to deal with. Later airspeeds climbed to 120-130mph.

[@karamlevi]

orbitalair ❄️ 😎 ✈️

[@andysparks7381]

Kevin, if you have a dual controller, you don't have to wire your gloves into a jacket liner. You can wear the gloves without wearing the jacket.

[@AussieAnnihilation]

Here in Queensland Australia it never gets too cold, however I do start work very early in the morning and I don't like having to mess around with too much extra gear. My solution was to buy dirt bike bash guards to block the wind chill.

[@robertweisskopf]

I live in Chicago and as long as the streets are dry and there is no snow on them I bundle up and go for a ride. Snow mobile riders have no issues with cold. Dress like them. Of course I ride a Goldwing and have heated seats and grips but you still have to keep the rest of yourself warm.

[@K9RickRet]

Most heated gloves can be wired with a separate cable from controller to gloves, so you don’t have to use the jacket liner or vest. First Gear makes excellent heated gear at good pricing. Heated grips work great...some better than others! For Harley owners, their grips are much better than available after market ones. Heated seats also help tremendously at keeping your core comfortable, but are pricey!

[@Silverwinger82]

I use Widder heated gear. They are no longer in business, but they had an optional cable to use just the gloves. I'm sure if the manufacturer of your gloves doesn't have such a cable, that one could easily be fabricated. Most of the heated gear these days uses coaxial power connectors, which are readily available. Add some 14 or 12 gauge speaker wire and you have a "Y" cable.

[@Bopha.11]

Hi Kevin from MCrider, yesterday I nailed the written test here in Costa Rica. Please wish me the best for the practical test, I must get that license asap.

[@MCrider]

Awesome Pablo, best of luck to you. 👍👍🏍️

[@Bopha.11]

@@MCrider Thank you, I really appreciate it!

[@CarolanIvey]

I'm with you - it does not take a lot of heat to keep your hands warm! I also went with a remote control mounted where I can easily reach it. My biggest problem is my hands are small and no one makes gloves or even glove liners in my size. I tried glove liners but by the time I got my regular gloves wrestled on over them, I couldn't bend my fingers! I went with the smallest pair of heated gloves I could find, with a set of silk glove liners underneath to protect my skin. I just have to put up with the extra length at the tips of my fingers.

[@bryantchandler2925]

Powerlet is no more but gerbing is still around and they fit great! Gerbing gloves heat on the outside of the hand and the palms too. Heated gloves can be worn without a heated liner if a wire harness is installed into the jacket and plugged into a controller. There are also heated gloves that have temp controllers built into the glove. Another option is handlebar muffs. Muffs block the wind and rain to help keep your hands warm and dry.

[@MCrider]

I thought Powerlet might be out, thanks for the info.

[@bryantchandler2925]

@@MCrider yeah I ordered an adapter from them a month ago and never got it plus Revzilla is having a closeout on thier stuff. I called Revzilla asked them about Powerlet. I was told that they have shut their doors but I can still get similar equipment from other sources such as Gerbing and First Gear.

[@tel1jla]

I have gloves that are heated by wire as well as gloves that are heated by battery. The wired gloves work best for long rides, but it does take time to get everything connected. For short rides, I use the battery-heated gloves. Just push a button, and they're ready to go.

[@charlescummings1484]

Good share. I researched grips, liners and gloves. Grips had reported uneven heating. The heated gloves available I didn't like. Eventually I went with Hotwired liners. No controller. They worked great, steady even heat when I tested it was 38 degrees f. Did 120 miles highway no cold hands.

[@MCrider]

Sorry guys. I didn't know chat would get cut off like that. I was mid-sentence and it turned off. I intended the chat session to go a lot longer. Anyway, thanks for those that showed up and said hello. I will post the video on the forums for Patrons and we can continue the conversation there. forum.mcrider.com/t/keep-your-hands-warm-this-winter/2247 If you don't have access to the forums you can become a "Member on KZbin" or support on Patreon. www.MCrider.com/support. It was nice chatting with everyone, I just wish it had been longer.

[@luck02]

How hard was the install on the grips? I have a set of oxfords for my vstrom but haven't tried to attach it yet.

[@FlySwann]

Got any tips for back pain and riding?

[@MCrider]

Install was easy if you have some basic skills

[@disabledvet6931]

The hands on the engine while at a light or riding on the freeway works great. Another trick if you are going on a long ride is to take a 10 hour handwarmer and wrap it around your chest(heart). This prevents extrematies (Hands) from getting cold. If your core is warm your hands are warm.

[@censorship_sucks]

I'm also a disabled vet. Thank you for your service! I agree. Having a hand warmer on your chest makes you a lot warmer than you'd think (I put mine in the center of my rib cage). It's kinda funny the way I figured this out. Years ago I was outside in the winter drinking a cup of coffee and for some reason it crossed my mind to put the cup up to my chest and try to warm up a spot. To my amazement it warmed up dang near my whole body.

[@karamlevi]

🇺🇸👍🏽

[@LuckyLuke79a]

I use just Gore-tex gloves. Don't have heated grips or hand guards - still, at 3°C (37°F) on the highway no problem whatsoever. The coldest is actually the head as the helmet doesn't block all the cold air.

[@mose717]

I've got heated grips and battery heated gloves. Combined with windproof pants and a heavy waterproof coat and I'm good. Even though I try to ride year round snow and ice is where I draw the line.

[@geckoboy49]

For temps below 35 F or so, heated gloves/vest can't be beat. I have a full set of electrics, but haven't used them in awhile because my KTM has heated grips which are a HUGE asset. I can ride wearing summer gloves with the heated grips in temps 45 or above and be very comfortable. Below that, winter gloves + grips. Haven't used the wired gloves in years, but would think in the teens or 20s, they'd be preferable.

[@STho205]

The grips do look well engineered. They appear a true part of the bike with elegant controls. I'll bet with dirtbike style hand guards in front of the grips they would be warm enough for most hour long rides where winter is kind to the roads. Cut the wind a bit and that heat should remain in the back draft.

[@RealDoubleDD99]

looking forward to comfortable winter riding in Iowa!

[@garychandler4296]

$30.00 "Polly" brand grip heaters from Fleabay going on 4 years now, still work both high and low settings. $70 glove liners for real cold days, insulated mittens to go over them for -20 to single digits, never needed ( or afforded) full heated gloves. I do have my own design diy Lexan hand shields that mount to the mirror bolts, and are practically invisible to the eye, but the protection is kind of negligible when it's really cold out.

[@rooster3019]

I purchased a bike with OE heated grips and seat this last spring and have not needed them yet, but they sure do get HOT. I have always gotten by with warm cloths and "Mechanics" gloves. Then again, I do not ride, intentionally, in ice or snow.

[@Mcv2023]

a heated seat is good too, i bought a used bike with a heated seat [corbin ] i am happy when riding in cold weather.

[@RAF122s]

My V-Strom 650XT has hand guards which are a "sturdy" plastic, not enough for hitting a branch of any size if you are riding off road, as there is no metal reinforcing component to them, but they are adequate to give your hands a bit of wind protection. Keeping your core warm is essential in cold weather or like Kevin said, your body will start restricting blood flow to your extremities to protect your body until you start down the road to hypothermia. Hopefully you will be smart and stop and warm yourself rather than push on and risk the side effects on your reaction times and loss of concentration to be aware of your surroundings.

[@wolfburgman]

I found a decent set of handlebar muffs was most effective. If you eliminate wind chill that's your main challenge dealt with. Saves all that faffing about with wires and batteries.

[@tel1jla]

By the way, another advantage of the battery-heated gloves is that they can also be used for just walking around outside in cold weather.

[@ricbarnett3475]

Thankfully, I live and do most of my riding in the mountains of SC, NC, and north GA. That said my heated gloves are the rechargeable battery pack type and they seem to work fine. Leather pants with layers underneath keep me comfortable. In a pinch, rain gear makes a great wind barrier. Hypothermia can be a real killer. What ever you do don't wait until you are chilled through to take action. By the way Kevin, I put together a safety poster you might like. Send me an email address and I'll send you a copy.

[@gizeright]

mechanic's or surgical gloves are great for keeping the cold air or water off you hands. I will buy extra large to fit over my gloves if it starts to get wet and I can also use them to work on my bike if I need to keep my hands clean!

[@ladytao6370]

Hi Kevin, I have heated grips and heated seat in both my bikes. I use Scorpion Temptest gloves, they are thinner on the grip, and thicker on the top. I can ride at 35• comfortably.

[@kennethreynolds8]

Thanks Kevin, I was just thinking about upgrading my riding gloves to something electric for this season. I usually just wear some Joe Rocket winter gloves and grin and bear it, not this year I'm investing in heated 👍

[@HighCoup333]

Hot Hands or other disposable $2/pair chemical heaters strapped to the bottom of the wrist. Some packs come with velcro/fleece pouches purpose-made for wrapping on the wrist. Cheap and easy to always have onboard!

[@larrymoy4955]

I have to assume most saying just heated grips or winter gloves does the trick aren't commuting in 27F at highway speeds. I think grip heaters and gloves are good to upper 30s but I've found the handlebar mitts really help when it gets cold. Had just them and could use a lighter glove down to freezing and still be relatively comfortable and keep great dexterity. With the handlebar mitts and heated grips, I'm good into the 20s.

[@scooterdaniel9781]

I use Hippo Hands for my motorcycle, and Google "scooter muffs" for my scooter. Those stop the wind. There are gaps between the fairing and the handlebars on the scooter that I fill with foam caulk saver/backer rod to keep cold air from sneaking in there I don't stop riding for cold weather and have ridden to 12 degrees F. It's not "toasty" but I can tolerate it.

[@billerker]

Heated gloves with no heated jacket/liner: I have a cable (early generation Gerbing) that is designed to thread through a regular jacket to the heated gloves. I used it with my heated gloves before I had a heated jacket liner.

[@MCrider]

Thanks for the tip Bill!

[@luc1ferblack]

For heated gloves i would go rst paragon they are £189 but come with slim batteries and are super warm. Gerbings dont have controls on the hands. Otherwise for great liners forcefield tornados wind block and are better than my merino wool ones. combined with a lobster claw glove would be warm. heated grips dont work in very cold weather nor do hand guards as the cold comes round them the only perfect and cheap option are muffs which keep your hands really warm and if it rains totally dry. I have tried tons of gloves but after many years went to muffs and they cant be beaten for the price £40 vs the rst gloves at £189

[@renevanoyen3817]

I usually stop riding when the temperature drops to the low 40's, by then it's already time for the bike's wintersleep anyway. But occasionally it can get pretty cold in the evening in spring or autumn, especially when it's a bit foggy. Therefor I always keep a set of mid-season gloves in my bike for those times. My former bike had heated grips but I hardly used them, also they underperformed as they got too hot or didn't heat up at all. To counteract cold hands/fingers, most of the time I put on a thick fleece collar and fleece sweater from an outdoor brand, which block the wind also and work very well to keep the body very warm. And if my body stays warm, my hands do too.

[@Silverwinger82]

I just remembered a trick I learned from a highway patrol motor officer: he sprays anti-persperant on his feet to keep them from sweating which, in turn, keeps them warmer.

[@kimdagnillo8246]

Wool socks keep your feet warm and dry, you want at least 50% or more of wool, read those labels.

[@homsuplo7757]

Kevin, I worked at ORD for Northwest airlines from 1979 to 1993... really cold on the tarmac...

[@frankcrawford416]

That's funny your hands got too hot. We have to be able to laugh in hindsight. Thanks for sharing I have done many boneheaded moves. And God is up there chuckling.

[@RKONeilJr]

I will try to check out the Premier!