how do they do it!!?

[26667]

p.s. It's Chicago.
So I'm driving home on the Kennedy tonight about 5p and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature brain without any reindeer. A guy on a Harley, what else? with no helmet. Then a would-be squid on some Japanese sport bike ...no helmet( almost goes withou saying). But here's the kicker...NO GLOVES. AT ALL. The harley guy had those little cloth jobs with the fingers cut off.

Blah blah what else is new? Who cares ? Their biz, not mine so much. BUT it's 32 effing degrees outside!!! Then, of course as I come up Elston there's a harley parked in front of a tavern. You know he's not wearing a helmet AND he's having a few brewskis. And it's gonna be colder when he comes out tonight.

I'm really just curious. They can mostly do as they please as far as I'm concerned , but jiminy xmaz! It's 32 degrees outside! If you factor in the speed, say 60 mph, multiply by the coefficient of the hypotnuse and the wind-chill factor is ...ummm..."well-digger's bunger in the Siberian swamp."

How in the world do they do it??

[jdmetzger]

I managed to get out for a ride today. I finally chased down a problem I was having with my GSPD which made it run terribly in the cold, and now it's actually fun to ride! :D

Anyhow, back on topic. It got up to 35 or so, today. I was wearing a full-face helmet, a full baclava (only opening for my eyes), heavy winter riding gloves (Olympia) my Olympia AST with the liner in, my Firstgear pants with the liner in, and Sidi boots. I was actually pretty comfortable, and my 15 minute ride turned into something longer. That being said, I think I would have been mighty uncomfortable with less gear. It's possible those guys were just on a VERY short ride, or it's possible they were trying to look "cool"... in this case, REALLY cool! :laugh

[sachiwilson]

Geeze Louise. 32 degrees isn't that big a deal.

[ghostridery2k]

i just did 270 miles today starting in mundelein,il making stop in woodfield aera for brekfast and meteeng up with friend then all back roads to cherry valley,il then to dixon,il for lunch then narperville,il drop him off and back to mundelein,il.but i got heated gear and helmet.
btw i did it on jap bike:laugh

[Rapid_Roy]

Geeze Louise. 32 degrees isn't that big a deal.
That depends what you are wearing and how far you are riding.

[GlennB]

Image trumps discomfort.

[PAULBACH]

Sounds like a severe case of cabin fever. I'll give them credit - they are out there riding!

[sachiwilson]

That depends what you are wearing and how far you are riding.
True. I use electrics to expand my temp range. The lowest I've ridden in has been about 26º. It rarely got much colder up in Seattle without laying a sheet of ice down too.

[r11rs94]

I guess its a simple case of No Brain / No Pain :whistle

[26667]

I guess its a simple case of No Brain / No Pain :whistle


That explains an awful lot of what we see on the hiways and byways, don't it?

Who reminds them to open their mouths and breathe?

[SheRidesABeemer]

How in the world do they do it??

I don't think "they" are here. So next time, do stop at the tavern and ask "them". :whistle

[kreinke]

True. I use electrics to expand my temp range. The lowest I've ridden in has been about 26º. It rarely got much colder up in Seattle without laying a sheet of ice down too.

I got you beat. The lowest temp I've ridden in was 17 F. Heated vest and hand grips cranked.

[Rapid_Roy]

So.........they are full of anti-freeze? :laugh

That explains why we have so many taverns here in Milwaukee.

On our way to the Crud run one year, our HD buddy was riding with no helmet, smoking a cigarette, his big beard blowing in the cold wind. I remember looking at him and thinking "How can he not be cold?"

[sachiwilson]

I got you beat. The lowest temp I've ridden in was 17 F. Heated vest and hand grips cranked.
:laugh

Good for you!

[Rapid_Roy]

I got you beat. The lowest temp I've ridden in was 17 F. Heated vest and hand grips cranked.

You're so cold
-Mick Jagger

:laugh BTW, I am not so hot for you, but I love you like a brudda!:wave

[bigdelta]

and I was out riding.
Near-record temps this weekend (high 80s) and I rode down to the Keys with my full face helmet and mesh jacket-ON MY HARLEY!:violin
But of course I had my flip flops and cargo shorts on like all the other Harley riders.Oh,and I forgot my ballcap on backwards too-since we're on stereotypes this thread.

[Rapid_Roy]

and I was out riding.
Near-record temps this weekend (high 80s) and I rode down to the Keys with my full face helmet and mesh jacket-ON MY HARLEY!:violin
But of course I had my flip flops and cargo shorts on like all the other Harley riders.Oh,and I forgot my ballcap on backwards too-since we're on stereotypes this thread.

THe OP was , but all the HD guys I ride with wear leathers, jeans and no helmet.
I wouldn't presume to judge or lecture them, it's their choice.
I have seen Willie G and Nancy riding, and they do wear ATG.

[RJM2096]

I have heated gloves and if the roads are clear of Snow, Ice, and salt. Ican be out riding. I prefer it warmer than freezing. I cant imagine it witout gloves and jackets, much less long johns.

[jaherbst]

Harley guys are just tougher, last longer, and proceed their own way with very little whining. God forbid you ever see one with heated grips, seat or vest. They also do not put down other bikers regardless what they ride. Different strokes for different folks. :german :german

[Rapid_Roy]

Harley guys are just tougher, last longer, and proceed their own way with very little whining. God forbid you ever see one with heated grips, seat or vest. They also do not put down other bikers regardless what they ride. Different strokes for different folks. :german :german
You have obviously never been to Milwaukee to Bubba's Honda drop, or had your Beemer spit on.
I got nothing but crap at the 95th for coming on my Beemer and wearing an Excelsior henderson t shirt (it was the only black one I had).
I call BS on your statement, at least in Wisconsin.

[tourunigo]

........ "death is a small price for lookin' ****-hot". -Bob

[jaherbst]

Shame on those guys Rapid Roy! Remember there is always that one percent even in the Beemer Crowd that we all have to put up with. It does not mean the other ninety nine percent are that way nor should you judge them by their one percent. :usa :usa

[Holly]

You have obviously never been to Milwaukee to Bubba's Honda drop, or had your Beemer spit on.
I got nothing but crap at the 95th for coming on my Beemer and wearing an Excelsior henderson t shirt (it was the only black one I had).
I call BS on your statement, at least in Wisconsin.

They admired my BMW at the 90th. Maybe I'm just cuter than you.:laugh

Holly

[BradfordBenn]

As a Rounder I can say that the lower the temperature ain't the point it is about having fun! And being SAFE!

Now as to my personal low riding temperature... well it was about 12F.

[jaherbst]

I would like to one up you but my fingers get stiff and I can't operate the keyboard just thinking about riding in temperatures below 12 degrees. My years in Minnesota were spent snowmobilling in those temperatures. We drank a lot of snowshoe then. (half peppermint schnapps and half brandy) An old Norwegian medicinal for cold weather.:thumb

[johnnyb]

Maybe I'm just cuter than you.:laugh

Holly[/QUOTE]

I've never seen you Holly, but I bet you're cuter than him too.

[kreinke]

Hell I'm cuter than Roy and I'm ugly!:bolt

[Rapid_Roy]

They admired my BMW at the 90th. Maybe I'm just cuter than you.:laugh

Holly
I am sure you are,:wave, and it wasn't my Beemer. :dance

JohnnyB is a musician, and you know how they are.:whistle
Karl, however........:nyah
My wife is so gonna get you guys.

[bigdelta]

THe OP was , but all the HD guys I ride with wear leathers, jeans and no helmet.
I wouldn't presume to judge or lecture them, it's their choice.
I have seen Willie G and Nancy riding, and they do wear ATG.

I will never understand the no helmet thing.If I had to choose just 1 item,it would be a helmet.Did I mention I stayed in Waukesha during the 95th shebang?

[kreinke]

I ride with a helmet for no other reason than bug and dirt protection. I could understand some being claustrophobic and using a half shell but I like the fact that I have my own little environment free of bugs, dust, etc.

[Rapid_Roy]

Maybe I'm just cuter than you.:laugh

Holly

I've never seen you Holly, but I bet you're cuter than him too.[/QUOTE]

I would also bet she knows how to use the quote function too, you Canadian without a microphone.:stick :laugh

[Rapid_Roy]

I will never understand the no helmet thing.If I had to choose just 1 item,it would be a helmet.Did I mention I stayed in Waukesha during the 95th shebang?
No, that would be Nancy Davidson (I think).
Name sound familiar? :stick

I think you had mentioned it, we won't spit on any bike in Waukesha.

I forgot to mention the story about the girl pouring a can of Harley beer all over a guys crotch rocket at the Honda drop. He looked like he was about to cry, and there was a big crowd around them cheering her on. People are people, no difference in what they ride. I would definitely say there are more 1% 'ers in the HD crowd though, at least around here. There is only one Beemer rider that scares me, and that is only riding with him.:laugh

[26667]

I didn't really mean to get into a rant about otherbrands and rudeness and such.
Sorry....or not. whatever.

I suppose statistically, more guys ride HD's and Jap bikes and since there's no helmet or glove law in Illinois, you're gonna get a lot of guys w/o helmets or gloves.

but my real Q is how the eff do they do it?!? I just looked up the wind-chill factor chart and 32 degrees coupled with a 60 mph wind is the equivalent of 10 degrees. I about cried just walking the 100 yards to my car w/o a hat that nite. And I know what it feels like grabbing those bars and levers in "cold' weather with gloves on.

Maybe I'm just a (another name for a kitty-cat goes here)...

[kreinke]

Maybe I'm just a (another name for a kitty-cat goes here)...
I was just going to say.....you're probably just a wuss. Just sayin'

[26667]

you're probably just a wuss.

What a relief! I think wuss is better than...well, you know, that thing.


...but then again, wouldn't that make me feel all warm inside?:whistle

[Rapid_Roy]

I am fairly certain that this part was what might have set some off......
So I'm driving home on the Kennedy tonight about 5p and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature brain without any reindeer. A guy on a Harley, what else? with no helmet. ......
I wasn't ranting, HD people are no better or worse than others, people are people.
I have seen all kinds of behavior here in Wisconsin, so I am aware of the generalized statements when I read them.

[Rapid_Roy]

.......
Maybe I'm just a (another name for a kitty-cat goes here)...
Tom, feline, Calico, kitten......?:laugh
You may just have less circulation, or ride further, who knows?

[26667]

I am fairly certain that this part was what might have set some off
I wasn't ranting, HD people are no better or worse than others, people are people.
I have seen all kinds of behavior here in Wisconsin, so I am aware of the generalized statements when I read them.


Oh you're right. Meant to be funny. Obviously should've worn my thinking cap, too

[Rapid_Roy]

Oh you're right. Meant to be funny. Obviously should've worn my thinking cap, too
I am right? Hold on, I am writing down the date, and I am wondering if you would tell my wife I was right about something.
If no, I'll understand.:laugh

[26667]

Today, Double R was right. He pointed out my error, but did it in a nice polite way, which to my way of thinking ought to count for two. Of course, I could be wrong. Please check with my wife.
Sincerely,
Gene

[Rapid_Roy]

Today, Double R was right. He pointed out my error, but did it in a nice polite way, which to my way of thinking ought to count for two. Of course, I could be wrong. Please check with my wife.
Sincerely,
Gene
Your wife called my wife, and they both agreed. We are both wrong.........always.
:laugh

[kreinke]

My wife has this sign on her file cabinet at work....
http://www.laboroflovecreations.com/images/If_a_man_says.gif

[bigdelta]

I didn't really mean to get into a rant about otherbrands and rudeness and such.
Sorry....or not. whatever.

I suppose statistically, more guys ride HD's and Jap bikes and since there's no helmet or glove law in Illinois, you're gonna get a lot of guys w/o helmets or gloves.

but my real Q is how the eff do they do it?!? I just looked up the wind-chill factor chart and 32 degrees coupled with a 60 mph wind is the equivalent of 10 degrees. I about cried just walking the 100 yards to my car w/o a hat that nite. And I know what it feels like grabbing those bars and levers in "cold' weather with gloves on.

Maybe I'm just a (another name for a kitty-cat goes here)...

and tonight,it'll be in the 30s w/the wind chill.No,I won't be riding tonight.
It's so relative,but that's obvious.:scratch

[The_Veg]

I like the fact that I have my own little environment free of bugs, dust, etc.

+1!!!

I have yet to hit my head in a crash, but my helmet has protected me from SO many things from cold to a bird.

[ghostridery2k]

i just did 270 miles today starting in mundelein,il making stop in woodfield aera for brekfast and meteeng up with friend then all back roads to cherry valley,il then to dixon,il for lunch then narperville,il drop him off and back to mundelein,il.but i got heated gear and helmet.
btw i did it on jap bike:laugh

here you go,last sunday ride,this is uncut on his f 650 in full gear and my Z750s,i run heated glowes and vest under my gear
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc118/ghostridery2k/zimowajazda.jpg