Almost from the very birth of the motorcycle as a mass vehicle, the cold became the main problem for the first users. At that time – the first and second decade of the 20th century – the development of the motorcycle ran parallel to that of aviation and both adopted the same solutions to combat the rigors of winter: huge leather jackets, long scarves, lined boots and thick gloves. In fact, if we look at any image from that time it is virtually impossible to distinguish an aviator from a biker.
As time went by, the paths of airplanes and motorcycles diverged. Aircraft no longer had open cockpits – just like cars – their pilots could begin to fly with lighter equipment and the motorcycle was left alone in its fight against the cold.
Since then, much progress has been made, although the truth is that, in essence, the solutions remain the same – jacket, gloves, boots… – although the arrival of modern insulating fabrics such as Thinsulate, Thermoball, Primaloft, etc. have achieved that technical garments are increasingly lighter and thinner but without losing heat protection.
In addition to personal equipment, the industry was also involved from the beginning in the fight against the cold through technology. The idea was simple: clothing prevented the loss of body heat but it was about generating it.
The first step was, logically, to take advantage of the heat from the engine to redirect it towards the driver’s body. The idea was not bad and in fact there are some modern Gran Turismo machines that still opt for this solution but the flow of hot air is difficult to regulate.
In 1956, the remembered NO-DO reported, with the characteristic locution of that newscast, on the invention of a Barcelona engineer who, in his own way, tried to provide a different solution in the use of engine heat. The idea was still to use engine heat to warm up the “human factor” although it provided a different point of view… and a pioneer.
It consisted of a plastic inner vest crossed by a rubber tube that was connected at one end to the exhaust. It is assumed that the gases circulated inside the vest, heating the subject and exiting through the other end of the rubber tube.
Obviously, and from today’s perspective, the gadget seems far-fetched, but the truth is that the protagonist of the video was right to focus on a solution that is currently increasingly successful: the heated vest. Obviously not by driving permanently surrounded by the harmful gases from the exhaust pipe but through the electricity generated by the motorcycle’s own battery and which heats resistances that run through the inside of the seat or the grips… or the vest. . In reality, currently a biker can carry “heating” on practically all of his personal equipment.
Today, many models – even mid-range – include heated grips and seat as standard or as an option, but if not, they can be found in the auxiliary industry for very little money, they are connected via USB and together with the personal equipment They are the “ultimate weapon” against low temperatures.
In any case, and beyond technology, experts continue to recommend the so-called “3 layer rule” as a priority habit to protect yourself from the cold. First of all, it is worth discarding the idea that accumulating layers and more layers of clothing is the best way to conserve body heat. In reality, it is quite the opposite and it is a serious error that causes, in addition to limited movement on the handlebars, excessive sweating. And when this sweat cools, the remedy ends up being worse than the disease.
The three-layer rule recalls the ideal formula recommended not only by motorcyclists but also by mountaineers, skiers, sailors and other professionals faced with bad weather: an undergarment that is close to the skin – a thermal shirt, for example – but it is It is essential that it is breathable.
The second layer is occupied by a thick garment that preserves heat – of the fleece type – and the always technical outer jacket is the one that prevents humidity. This well-resolved combination is more than enough to face the most extreme cold.
Another of the big mistakes that are made when facing low temperatures is to focus everything on the trunk and forget about the other parts of the body.
Because it is precisely the lower extremities – especially the feet -, hands and neck that are the areas through which body heat is lost the fastest. For the legs, some sports tights under the technical pants are more than enough and some thermal socks will be enough for the feet as long as they wear lined motorcycle boots.
As for the neck, cold air must be prevented from seeping into the helmet with a good tubular or a light scarf that does not penalize the mobility of the head. There are also heated neck gaiters.
As far as hands are concerned, the market is full of technical winter gloves, some even heated. In any case, experts advise, when it comes to keeping heat in your hands, wearing two layers of protection; a thin and breathable inner glove with a neoprene-type fabric and on top of it the technician with his protections and insulating fabric.
