how do you layer in the elements?

[bc_hombre]

i am chomping at the bit to leave off vancouver island and head across the country again. never done it in april though. northern ontario is showing 42 degrees right now, so i would be pulling thru there in about 3 weeks. i don't expect the temp to increase much above 50 by then. when it rains i put rain gear over my leather and take off the chaps to don my snowboarding pants. ok here's my question.....................i need new chaps as my vintage 1940's cowboy gear has rode it's last ride. i was thinking of wearing long john's and then jeans(carharts). would i put my boarding pants over my chaps or visa versa? nothing worse than soggy heavy cold leather. i imagine i will look like the michelin man. better yet, how would you tackle the rain and cold this time of year over 5000 miles?

[histy]

If xpecting cold/cool weather for most of trip:
HD FXRG suit over kevlar lined blue jeans n thermal top with thin thermal zip neck sweater. lectric jacket and gloves in reserve.
Have heated grips also.

Rest of time:
jeans as above but some times leather jeans. Tops as above, cept I wear technical T shirt in warmer weather.
Switchback jacket ( can b converted to mesh jacket), goretex rain gear over that.
Electric gear in reserve.
Also tote EDZ windblocker top -not sure can get them over there (I'm in Europe), and waterproof sealskinz socks in case my goretex boots give out.
Buffs for round neck. Dont ride too long in one hit, take on hot drink n small meals regulary if u can.
Check wear yr kit b4 setting off to ensure u have freedom of movement- specially head.
Consider Fface helmet for long cold rides.
Stay warm n safe

[uid100]

Hot coals, rocks, banana and ti leaves, pig, more leaves, loose dirt. Allow to cook 8 hours.

[strokerjlk]

Forget about the leather save it for the local poker runs and such.
get a good quality riding suit pants and jacket or one piece suit.Make sure to get one that is rain proof. then get the electric liners top ,bottom gloves and socks . where you live you deserve them all, and you have pleanty of cold weather to get your moneys worth out of them! If you get good quality riding gear that is waterproof then you can get the thin frog toggs (dont take up as much room as others) and either wear them under your suit or get one size bigger than you normaly wear and put them on over your suit when it's a real toad strangler! Heated grips really are not much use under 40 deg so with the heated gloves no need for grips.
Be safe and enjoy

[bc_hombre]

i'm pretty ok from the waist up. done lots of winter riding. my old chaps had the hair still on them and they repelled water excellent. i was thinking that other chaps would take the knock outta the wind, but i was wondering about wearing rain gear over them. yep, heated grips don't do much below whatever. good advice histy..........got most of that down pat, but gortex raingear sounds right.

[histy]

Originally Posted by bc_hombre

i'm pretty ok from the waist up. done lots of winter riding. my old chaps had the hair still on them and they repelled water excellent. i was thinking that other chaps would take the knock outta the wind, but i was wondering about wearing rain gear over them. yep, heated grips don't do much below whatever. good advice histy..........got most of that down pat, but gortex raingear sounds right.

Sorry on the heated grips guys- I shuda made it clear that they have limitations, the reason we use em over here is in wet weather or mornin or evenin chill.
Itsa bitch 4 me cos I live in the wooded twisties with wild boar runnin about ( true wild hogs!!) so ridin covering brake n clutch negates much of the effect, heated gloves good but less feel, so I ring the changes.
Guess the ideal thang is them handlebar muffs but I think they would spook me- havin 2 muffs on the bars
But the grips are good in the wet- strange but true.

[histy]

Originally Posted by strokerjlk

Forget about the leather save it for the local poker runs and such.
get a good quality riding suit pants and jacket or one piece suit.Make sure to get one that is rain proof. then get the electric liners top ,bottom gloves and socks . where you live you deserve them all, and you have pleanty of cold weather to get your moneys worth out of them! If you get good quality riding gear that is waterproof then you can get the thin frog toggs (dont take up as much room as others) and either wear them under your suit or get one size bigger than you normaly wear and put them on over your suit when it's a real toad strangler! Heated grips really are not much use under 40 deg so with the heated gloves no need for grips.
Be safe and enjoy

Good one- I checked out Frogg toggs ( we aint heard of em over here - in FRANCE!!!!). Look really packable and practical.
Thanks 4 that