Frozen fingers phenomenon

[TD Max]

I have a cold sled and I realize that. The short windshield does not doo much. I added Hand guards to deflect a bit, but know how much they really do. So I started the season with my old Cat leather gauntlet gloves. They are a bit thin being 15+ yrs old they packed down quite a bit. I bought a pr of FXR leather Gauntlet gloves.

First ride out we hit the rail grade and I'm thinking man these gloves suck. My fingers got cold very quickly and remained cold until we stopped at a bar for lunch. Thankfully temps were not exceptionally cold and the run was only 10 or so miles. After that I never had an issue. Over the course of a few more outings it seems to have repeated a couple of times. Always the first leg of the run. I always start with my grips on high and then turn to low when they get too warm.

So at Tom's on Sunday I unloaded the sled and warmed it up. Temps were single digits below zero much of the day. I geared up and took a rip. My fingers got cold almost instantly again. Froze to a point that they hurt very bad. After this one time throughout the day I made more and longer runs. Never really had an issue. The sled was generally started from inside the warm shop, but I wouldn't think it made a whole ton of difference? The Cat grips of old were solid mass inside the bars. Slow to warm and slow to cool. The late models are now all apparently a wrap under the grip so the response is much quicker.

I figured it may be the grips and saw how some had foamed theirs inside the bars so I did mine. It did not make a difference in the first run freeze, but did seem to help overall.

So is it sled, gloves, or my hands? About all I can think is that there is something about the gloves that needs time/heat/sweat to get them ready. I know one night I walked the dogs with the same gloves in sub zero temps. Full riding gear. My fingers got very cold in the 1/2 hr that it took.


Of all the runs I made on Sunday I have to say it wasn't really bad. I could feel the cold wind on my chest a little, but I did not get cold. A slight bit of cold air always finds it's way into my helmet but again I did not get cold.

 

[Yamadog]

I am up in the up now it was -15 last night my bvs2 helmet breath box was froze shut and could barely breath I am on the new 15 xtx with no hand guards and low shield. My heaters were so hot that I had to turn them to low or risk burns. I have motor fist gloves and only my left pointer finger got a little cold cause I ride with it on the brake.

 

[InRBigness]

I would think that the fact that your fingers get cold only the first time out may be a physiological thing for you. I am sure that the heaters don't make so much more heat later on in the day that you would notice a huge difference. My son has the same issue with skating outside. Feet get cold right away then body adjusts and stays out all day.

 

[TD Max]

I would think that the fact that your fingers get cold only the first time out may be a physiological thing for you. I am sure that the heaters don't make so much more heat later on in the day that you would notice a huge difference. My son has the same issue with skating outside. Feet get cold right away then body adjusts and stays out all day.

I'm kind of thinking you may be right. I mean the leather blocks the wind and the thinsulate is plenty thick. The Motorfist gloves don't spec out any better with the Thinsulate. I could probably trade off some palm side insulation for increased flexibility and better transfer from the grips.

I won't go so far as to say that I have carpal issues, but I will say tat if I use a post pounder pound a lot I lose motor function and dexterity of my fingers. No issues riding sled for the most part

 

[buddah]

I notice the individual pairs of gloves can have a big effect on the outcome........I have 2 different pairs of Klims and my fingers get cold with both depending upon speed runs.......but I will admit I've only had the warmers on high maybe twice all winter.........my really old Yamaha gauntlet gloves are still the warmest I own but they are getting somewhat threadbare......can't find any replacements that I like.....

You don't mention your age but keep in mind that circulation to the extremities slows down naturally as people age......which really doesn't bode well for Old Farts like myownself............


Edit: that's is one thing I miss about the rear exhaust.......the built in hand warmer uppers.......

 

[STAIN]

I have the same problem. I may try to find some 3 finger gloves tommorrow. Oldness is creeping in........

 

[bigdog_mike]

Yeah same here as my fingers get cold easy so this year I purchased a set of Skidoo handle bar gauntlets with clear plastic windows to see the controls and they work pretty good blocking out the cold and it took only a short tme to get use to them as they only go up to the coat sleeves and are easy to do the trail hand signals to on coming sledders, as this last weekend temps were bitter cold with -33 degree wind chills...

 

[DranttelSS]

On my 14 XTX I cant run the grips on high or ill burn my hands. Have you compared your grips to another Viper to see if they feel the same?

 

[mtotguy]

Buddah mentioned age. I'm 58. I never had an issue with cold hands when I was younger. But I sure do now. And like you it seems like they sometimes warm up as the ride goes on. I use the Skinz hand guards and I sprinkle some baby powder into my gloves before getting started. I use it in my boots too. (An old motocross trick. It absorbs moisture). On really cold days I wear the very thin polypropylene glove liners inside my gloves. Though they reduce dexterity.

 

[Bob List]

I'm 108, well 64. And hate being cold. Riding Doos the last 10 years and some of them are cold too unless you add a bunch of stuff. I installed a set of Yamaha hand guards and then put a set of Yamaha wind guards over them (I think they are on the Nytro accessories site not the Viper site). They clear my Yamaha mid height windshield and provide way more protection than the hand guards alone. Lots of heat from thumb and bar warmers and I fire using light 5 finger gloves (FXR or Klim). I think the issue is mostly is mostly wind related. I do not like the enclosed muffs ..... too restrictive for aggressive riding and standing. I pack a pair of thin thermo glove sleeves (to fit into the main gloves) in my windshield bag, but haven't used them for years. I ride in cold weather regularly (-30C).

 

[AXR]

Try some glove liners. They work great for me. Actually I'm not even using true liners, rather I bought those really thin running gloves that have those goofy fingertip things so you can work your smart phone and they work just as well as regular liners. Got them at TJ Max for like $10 (not the ladies ones) Like these: http://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/jump/product/Coldgear-Running-Gloves/1000053130?colorId=NS1204945

Keep them on when you make stops and your hands don't freeze while taking off your regular gloves.

 

[happytrails]

i am 57 and have the same problem. Usually about the first 20 miles my finger get cold enough to feel like there burning. what works best for me is to make sure my hands are warm and put my gloves on before i go outside. but after the first stop i am good the rest of the day.

 

[TD Max]

Looks like I'm starting this about 10 or more yrs sooner than most of you guys. The grips get plenty hot.

 

[1tp]

I have a cold sled and I realize that. The short windshield does not doo much. I added Hand guards to deflect a bit, but know how much they really do. So I started the season with my old Cat leather gauntlet gloves. They are a bit thin being 15+ yrs old they packed down quite a bit. I bought a pr of FXR leather Gauntlet gloves.

First ride out we hit the rail grade and I'm thinking man these gloves suck. My fingers got cold very quickly and remained cold until we stopped at a bar for lunch. Thankfully temps were not exceptionally cold and the run was only 10 or so miles. After that I never had an issue. Over the course of a few more outings it seems to have repeated a couple of times. Always the first leg of the run. I always start with my grips on high and then turn to low when they get too warm.



So at Tom's on Sunday I unloaded the sled and warmed it up. Temps were single digits below zero much of the day. I geared up and took a rip. My fingers got cold almost instantly again. Froze to a point that they hurt very bad. After this one time throughout the day I made more and longer runs. Never really had an issue. The sled was generally started from inside the warm shop, but I wouldn't think it made a whole ton of difference? The Cat grips of old were solid mass inside the bars. Slow to warm and slow to cool. The late models are now all apparently a wrap under the grip so the response is much quicker.

I figured it may be the grips and saw how some had foamed theirs inside the bars so I did mine. It did not make a difference in the first run freeze, but did seem to help overall.

So is it sled, gloves, or my hands? About all I can think is that there is something about the gloves that needs time/heat/sweat to get them ready. I know one night I walked the dogs with the same gloves in sub zero temps. Full riding gear. My fingers got very cold in the 1/2 hr that it took.


Of all the runs I made on Sunday I have to say it wasn't really bad. I could feel the cold wind on my chest a little, but I did not get cold. A slight bit of cold air always finds it's way into my helmet but again I did not get cold.

I have had that problem for years. Doesn't really matter the temperature. My fingers freeze in the first few miles then I am good to go the rest of the day.

 

[weasel33]

Td, didn't you buy the cat shield with mirrors? Try them, while riding in maine, several mornings were -23f your hands and body stay much warmer than using the stock shield. It may not look as cool but I'd rather be hot than cool.