It's all just a different set of compromises.

[burty]

Some of you will know that I have recently started back on the old commute. A new contract means I have to travel into town every day with an occasional trip down the M3. For the first few weeks I put up with public transport, which works reasonably well if you have very deep pockets, and don't really have a schedule to keep to. Anyway I got rather pissed off with being pissed about by a combination of Bus, Train and Underground, so having established the parking arrangements at my workplace decided to implement the master plan to get back on the bike.

Now having commuted 5 foot to my spare bedroom for the best part of the last 3 years I've been spoiled somewhat. I can't go out in the cold any more let alone ride a bike in it. So at great cost I invested in a pair of heated gloves. After trying various pairs at the show and reading a load of reviews, I opted for a pair of EXO2 heated gloves. They aint cheap (none of them are) at close to £130, but I convinced myself that I'd have to spend half that on a new pair of winter gloves for sub zero temperatures anyway, and probably would still lose a finger or two each day due to frost bite, so the cost is justified. Anyway when compared with the near £40 per day public transport cost I figured I can spend a bit and still be in profit. I have to say that they are absolutely fantastic, toasty warm, and despite it being 2 - 3 degrees on the morning commute and only 4 or 5 on the way home, coupled with the wind from siberia, I've not seen any fingers dropping off yet. But boy what a faff. I already faff about enough when getting ready to go, but adding a cable for each glove to plug into but that is determined to shoot up the sleeve of the jacket as soon as you move, is a pain. Then plugging in one wrist with one pre-gloved hand is tricky, but not quite as tricky as plugging into the bike when ready to move off. I've tried various routines but theres no getting away from it that fingers enveloped in gloves the size of a banana are not made to handle small electrical plugs. However, whilst on the move it seems a justifiable faff.

Now to another item of kit. The crash helmet. I bought a HJC helmet last year, and on the whole am very happy with it. However, to keep it demisted it needs to be used with the noseguard fitted. This works extremely well, but the result is a continuous blast of cold air straight into the eyes. This jet (I believe) enters in under the chinpiece and then up between the nose guard and the face. No matter what I do I don't seem able to reduce the impact. You get used to it, but it's not comfortable. I must say that my old Shoei was much nicer and with the pinlock visor misting was never an issue.

[RickyRock]

Why not try a Foggy insert mask, I used to use one with my old Shoei lid and it was excellent but took a bit of getting used to as it completely covered nose and mouth.

Alternatively can't you add pinlock to your current visor, my one came with additional pins for the visor? I must admit I wouldn't fancy drilling into the visor to insert the pins but I'm sure that it can't be that difficult

[TheStig]

...Or get a helmet skirt

[burty]

Why not try a Foggy insert mask, I used to use one with my old Shoei lid and it was excellent but took a bit of getting used to as it completely covered nose and mouth.

Alternatively can't you add pinlock to your current visor, my one came with additional pins for the visor? I must admit I wouldn't fancy drilling into the visor to insert the pins but I'm sure that it can't be that difficult

I used a foggy insert before and I must say that I really didn't get on with it - I think there is something about wearing a rubber face mask that I didn't like.

I can get a complete pinlock visor, which is what I will do I think.

[RickyRock]

Why not try a Foggy insert mask, I used to use one with my old Shoei lid and it was excellent but took a bit of getting used to as it completely covered nose and mouth.

Alternatively can't you add pinlock to your current visor, my one came with additional pins for the visor? I must admit I wouldn't fancy drilling into the visor to insert the pins but I'm sure that it can't be that difficult

I used a foggy insert before and I must say that I really didn't get on with it - I think there is something about wearing a rubber face mask that I didn't like.

Too much like your gimp mask burty

[TheStig]

Sad thing is RR probably had that in his Favourites

[RickyRock]

Sad thing is RR probably had that in his Favourites

Nowt sad about that Stiggy

[abssorb]

Now to another item of kit. The crash helmet. I bought a HJC helmet last year, and on the whole am very happy with it. However, to keep it demisted it needs to be used with the noseguard fitted.

I also have a HJC, and it's fine without the nosegaurd. No misting even in all that crap all the way back from Strassy. But then I can breathe through my ears

[burty]

I didn't have any problem returning from Strasbourg either, but it is much colder now. The other day I did the entire journey from home to work and the temp didn't rise above 1 degree, even in London.

I was running with the chin skirt fitted, which appeared to make it a lot worse. I have since fitted the chin spoiler which has made a huge difference, I now get no misting whatsoever, although I do still get quite a blast of air directly into my eyes. I've ordered a pinlock visor and hopefully when that has arrived I can dispense with the noseguard which helps with the misting but not with the airflow.