Cold weather tips
 

I am planning a trip around Newfoundland, Canada for November on a KLR. Anyone have any good cold weather riding tips. Do I need an electric heated jacket?

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/eek.gif Have you checked out the trip planning section? There is a whole article on cold weather camping.


uuh, that's a YES. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I needed an electric vest in July in Nova Scotia. Are you SURE you want to go to Newfoundland in November?
John

*Apparently* the electrics on a KLR won't run a heated vest. I've read stuff about people doing their own upgrades, so you might want to look into it before making a purchase.

Good luck!

Thanks for your replies.
Yes, I think I do want to go there in November just to test myself against the elements. Is that way too stupid or just stupid?

I'm not sure I want to answer that - it depends on YOU.

When I was 18 I rode in the snow all the time, including on a Norton 750 with bald tires and clipon bars - and that WAS STUPID! Today I wouldn't consider going to Newfoundland in November. But I'm not 18 anymore either, and I've proved how stupid I can be more than a few times - and feel little need to do it anymore. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

How experienced are YOU? I get a bad feeling not nearly experienced enough if you are asking whether or not you need an electric vest...

Have you checked the weather conditions for the area for that period? Temperature, snow, wind etc?

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Where are you from anyway? That helps us all - if you are from say Ontario you probably understand the climate you're facing - whereas if you're from Australia we know you haven't a clue!

click on profile to add the info in.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I am from New York city but I love the cold. I have checked the weather sites and the mean temperature is 38 degrees. It is not freezing cold and does not have tons of snow because it is on the ocean. I do not think I am really prepared for it but if I went I would have to get my shit together and I would learn quite a lot.

My 2002 KLR has heated grips which draw 35 watts, about what a vest would use. I haven't had any problems with the battery draining so a vest should be okay. The stator and R/R are stock. You can get upgraded ones from electrex USA; I intended to but they were on backorder until a month after I left for Sth. America - not worth it anyway, IMHO.

James.

This is my first year of winter riding so here's what I know so far.

The day that it was -12C I went out and bought a little windshield.

I have put dual sport tires on my GS400 so that I can ride in several inches of slush. I have since learned not to ride in several inches of slush because SUV drivers drive faster than their abilities and can't stop.

Snowmachine gloves that go over your jacket cuffs are a must.

You'll want to wear a Dicky to keep your neck out of the wind.

The heated vest is great but you need to get the tightest one you can find. I have to puff up my chest so that I can get the full heat it puts out.

Get a double layer visor so that it doesn't fog up as much. You will end up having to keep it up if it is snowing so you need the windshield.

Don't ride in the night if it has been really hot out or if it was raining...all of the salt will have been washed off the road and you will crash.

My mom is Newfie and she says she'd rather stick out the -40C winters in Ontario instead of going back to NFLD in the winter.

Good luck, Steve

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Obviously too late now, but mabybe for future reference.
You should always be ready for anything in Newfoundland. The only time of year when weather is kinda predictable is mid to end June to mid Aug.

In Newfoundland, your challenges in Nov would be many. Probable strong rain, strong winds, freezing rain, snow, fog. Sometimes several of these within a 4 hour period.

When I was there in June, temps varied from 39-50F with 5 days of rain.
Once in Newfoundland, you would need to plan a minimum of 7-10 days. At this, you would spend a lot of time just riding with no time to take in the essence of the place.

And so far, we haven't even considered the challenges you would have getting there to begin with. Weather in Nov is unpredictable in Nova Scotia.

hope this helps

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Because it is basically an island in the middle of the ocean, it gets battered by bad weather. It get TONS of snow. But because of the high winds, even moderate to light snow creates blizzard condtions. In fact, I've never heard the term blizzard used so much as when I was in St Johns's Nfld listening to the weather channel in the winter.

hope this helps

Hi Grant

Coming from Australia I could take offence at your post dated 23/10/2002, but I won't. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

John

Since I'm an Australian citizen - and have been skiing at Kosciusko - I'm glad to hear that!! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com