(I know it detracts from the ‘adventure’ of cold weather riding, but you can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it, Steve.)
Scooterist and fellow blogger Steve Williams of “Scooter in the Sticks” is a man of character… a man full of moxie. No, not the carbonated beverage, at least I don’t THINK he is, but if I hear an enormous belch from Pennsylvania, I’ll know who it came from… anyway, what I’m trying to say is that he doesn’t let a little thing like 50 MPH in 28 degree weather stop him for enjoying a brisk ride through the country side on his LX150 (nearly EVERYDAY… with NO windscreen mind you).
One thing Steve has going against him is a pair of genetically “frostbite prone” hands. It’s always recommended that you have a fully available and functional pair of hands when riding a scooter. Therein lies Steve’s conundrum. He needs his hands to work the gas and brakes, he needs an EXTREME pair of gloves to keep his hands warm AND he is not a fan of electrical doo-dads.
In Steve’s latest post he reviews a pair of Black Diamond Mercury Mitts to see how well they do the job. I’d let you know the outcome, but you really should browse “Scooter in the Sticks” and enjoy the prose for yourself. He makes for quite an entertaining read. (Love the image of sitting around the muffler!)
So, what’s the deal Steve? You thinkin’ about a decked out MP3 with the winter package?
1. December 2006 at 8:24 pm
Steve, I used to live in Colorado where I rode year round. Still do in Arizona, but it’s a little different. Anyway, I used to have a pair of what ere called “Hippo Hands”. They were made of snowmobile suit material and velcroed around the handlebars. They opened with a tube at right angles to the handlebar into which you thrust your gloved hands to grasp the bars. They kept the wind off so the gloves could keep your hands warm. Work fabulously. http://www.bagster.com carries some…they call them “muffs”. Although they make you state your bike’s models, etc., I don’t think it makes much difference with the muffs…I think they’re pretty interchangable.
1. December 2006 at 11:54 pm
They should just continue that funky windshield up-and-over for a roof on that thing!
John
2. December 2006 at 2:11 am
Wow Steve, I feel like a celebrity! I’ve looked at those MP3 or whatever Piaggio will eventually call them and the winter package, especially those agressive tires, look great. And a heated apron? That would just spoil me. I seem to have an ongoing mental battle between a desire to simplify my life and wanting every scooter, motorcycle, accessory, and book I can get my hands on.
Reading your blog and seeing all the new things doesn’t help. The Honda SH300i, MP3-400, Piaggio Beverly Cruiser, and lets not forget the Gilera 800. Add to that a desire for a Triumph Scrambler, 20 inch iMac, Leica M8, forty cubic yards of river stone, and more chocolate than is good for me and you see my dilema.
So for now I think I’ll stick with my mittens and LX150 despite what my brain is saying.
Thanks again for you kind words!
2. December 2006 at 7:43 am
An MP3 400 and a Triumph Scrambler? Both would be welcome in my garage and I must say that Mr. Williams has good taste.
I like the idea of a winterized MP3, but it would be more interesting to me to see how it works in reality.
2. December 2006 at 2:45 pm
That Steve Williams guy is one tough monkey. I try, but in Dallas we rarely get the chance BUT on Thursday we did have freezing rain, sleet, and a little snow. The roads were warm though so even though it got to the mid 20s there wasn’t much freezing on the streets (you just don’t really realize how many bridges there are until you start counting. I did a little picture thing at:
http://ntscooterclub.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=346
It’s called “Crashtest’s pictorial tips for commuting in freezing drizzle”.