Staying warm at continuous high speed riding on coldest days

Anyone try the Yamaha Velocity Outlast Jacket / Bib or Yamaha X-Country Outlast Jacket ?
 
Motorhead said:
You aern’t kidding Steve. That medium height windshield(DX type) which actually looks like a tall makes a HUGE difference on those coldest days. It keeps that cold wind away, anything shorter is noticeably colder huh.

My helmet face shield does leak a very little bit, but behind that windshield none was felt during the coldest part of winter. Once that I trimmed inches off the top, my small leaks did become apparent on cold days. But it is still nothing compared to that short freakin stock windshield. One needs to trade off with his friends warmer set up sled, just to be able to ride on even not so cold days. With that stock windshield even the best helmets out there(Doo) are not enough, same with gloves. My buddy has better helmet and gloves then I, but after 15 minutes he is ready for his Apex, just brutal!

And I am not talking Canada cold. Much difference from Maine to Canada.

We tried riding in Canada( St George) first thing one morning quite a few years ago. It was -38F and nothing kept you warm while riding. Made it to the first club house, 12 miles away. Frost bite sets in too fast at that extreme. From that time on I need atleast 0 F to ride. Maybe that is where all the Klim garb and Doo helmets shine.

Good thing the windshields only take 10-15 minutes to change out.
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I'm in agreement with you, but not everybody has the same tolerances. One bud rides with Mechanix gloves & the other has 3 pairs on. I've seen a guy ride in shorts below zero! (he rides near Jackman, Maine) Dan sweats due to smaller trails where a lot off work is necessary making heat. The smaller shield allows him to cool down. I GET that. PERSONALLY, i've found it easier to cool down then to warm up. I also ride big trails & my nickname is "Throttle" so let's say there is some AIR-a-FLOWIN' on me. On smaller trails, i'll crack my visor & open a couple vents.

I wear the SAME exact gear from 0 to 35 degrees F. Under 0 i may add a thin layer. Over 35 i open vents. My windshield allows this option for me. I carry 3 different pairs of gloves mostly for my freezing friends. My low shield friends carry a lot of extra clothes while i carry tow rope, siphon, saw, MRE's, jumper cables, 2 belts & tools.

This thread was about how to stay warm on big fast trails all day when it's COLD. The windshield is the first line of defense. You can spend $2000 on the best clothes ever made, but you will still be colder than me with a $150 medium windshield & my $100 pants......which are ripped & i now need to replace.

BTW: I used to run low shield on my Apex for looks & to go "faster" until i proved the stock shield was 2mph faster on top. The Tall Apex shield was 10 mph slower on top. Imagine that....
 
BTW: 109 SW mid......113 stock low, consective passes.

Taller is better to a point only. If you know how to tuck behind a low(IE: helmet under brake lever is my trick) MPH is had.
 
Dan, thanks , didn't think there was that much aero drag from a mid. Also I'll remember to really tuck when racing and trying to conserve fuel over long runs.
 
LouTurbo said:
Dan, thanks , didn't think there was that much aero drag from a mid. Also I'll remember to really tuck when racing and trying to conserve fuel over long runs.
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We just happened to test them back to back, as we had the wrench and stock LE window there. But remember I can tuck good. LOL...If I sat up, likely would be same or maybe even slower.

It is true that many higher windows are faster, but these taller windows on this chassie are somewhat upright, and not very aerodynamic....IMO the SE window will likely be the best overall for speed, as its less upright then a TCAT window that many use at speed runs, but tall enough to tuck behind well, and I loved that SE window on demo day...easier access to the ignition key and windshield bag too.

The LE stock window is basically nothing, similar to my XRS window I ran in spring on my DOOS, but most days in winter ran the X window on doos, similar protection to the SE I would say.

Dan
 
The '07 GT Apex shield was the perfect combination of good protection, less drag & looks for me. My 'Winder shield is awfully steep. I know i lose a couple on top, but this thing is fast enough. I don't like GOING fast. I like GETTING fast...well going fast is fun also, but not at the cost of freezing my little tushy off.
 
Stevewithocd, you and I agree on this one 100%. Windshield selection must be the first line of defence.
Fastest slowest whatever. So I'll switch for the radar runs! Windshield comes off in 10mins. Whatever......

I've rode with both shields in the same day. Very different.

I guess I look at cost b4 fashion. But in the end. I'd do whatever it took. Then at some point, I just wouldn't ride.
If I didn't have gear that was capable I'd sit back and enjoy the fire.
 
When I was sitting on the Winders at the Novi show it seemed to me that the dash and plastic is much higher as it relates to the driver than my Doo's, either XS or XR plastic. I'm wondering if the mid height shield will be enough for the fast trails up in Quebec????? The medium height looked to be roughly even with my chin or maybe a hair below. I haven't sat on the m GSX since last winter but it seems like that shield was covered roughly the same area but the GT was way taller. I'm hoping that medium shield on the L-TX-SE will be enough. Anyone run one in a higher speed cold environment last year? I'm 5'11", I know rider height makes a difference too.
 
IMG_1689 (800x600).jpg
I'm running this shield. It's considered a med and its the same one that comes on the DX models. Some feel it's too tall but I like it because I like being warm.
 
I'm 5'9''. OK, maybe 5'8.5''. The medium is very large & yes i rode at around 0 degrees F hitting triple digits most of the ride. I did have to squat a little at high cold speeds, but just a little. The very top has a little curl that vents the air just to top of my helmet. I do NOT like looking through a windshield, so any taller would not be good for me. At 165 pounds fighting weight, i barely squish the seat down. If you weigh more & the seat is broken in, the air will hit top quarter of your helmet which is perfect for me.

The little flairs on the sides also vent air from your hands. Once i put this shield on, i never had my warmers above low. Of course this is compared to the stock LE windshield which protected my dash board & my dash board ONLY.
 
ronzx9 said:
When I was sitting on the Winders at the Novi show it seemed to me that the dash and plastic is much higher as it relates to the driver than my Doo's, either XS or XR plastic. I'm wondering if the mid height shield will be enough for the fast trails up in Quebec????? The medium height looked to be roughly even with my chin or maybe a hair below. I haven't sat on the m GSX since last winter but it seems like that shield was covered roughly the same area but the GT was way taller. I'm hoping that medium shield on the L-TX-SE will be enough. Anyone run one in a higher speed cold environment last year? I'm 5'11", I know rider height makes a difference too.
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I bought the Medium height as pictured by XP123. I am 5’10, 215 lbs and found that windshield to be all I needed for coverage on the coldest of days. I always run high speed trails, 60-90 mph average with more for short safe blasts. But I speak of Maine cold, not Quebec cold. You may need a cab for some of your coldest Quebec days! Lol
 
ronzx9 said:
I'm hoping that medium shield on the L-TX-SE will be enough. Anyone run one in a higher speed cold environment last year? I'm 5'11", I know rider height makes a difference too.
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IDK.....I have an se. I don't think the se shield is considered med. I could be wrong. I'm 5'11". The se shield will blow air directly into your chest. Which is awesome when railing the cornings and need to cool down.
I started the day with the se shield running 60+mph and about -10 give or take. Just didn't work for me. I'm glad I had the med shield (XP123 has on pic.) To block. Or a would have sat that ride out. Whatever.
 
ROCKERDAN said:
Yeah for those HI speed trails of Timmins/Cochrane where it gets VERY cold, you need a bigger window to start with for sure. I know my area is mostly opposite and I sweat bigtime working the sled, but then I hit the lakes and cool down. If I was always hi speed running I would have the bigger window for sure.

Layers in dressing...make sure its all modern materials that wick away moisture, as wetness is what makes you cold.

And ofcourse the BRP clear view muffs IMO are a must have for hands.

Dan
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Dan what are the BRP clear view muffs? Gauntlets? Do you have a picture.
 
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