My thoughts...
It would've been interesting to have skin temperature sensors inside Charlie and Hans' respective gloves to measure the temperature differences between you both.
My strategies for warm fingers...other than an RS fairing.
#1 Keeping dry. Waterproofing somehow. Good usual gloves are the cornerstone here. Gortex works, but crash protection also needs serious consideration. Once wet, the cold escalates.Those andystrapz things look the go. I have a pair of lined overgloves in the mitten design, both warm and waterproof that would work well to keep warm and dry, but as they're mittens the downside is a relative loss of feel at the controls. I couldn't give them away at Charlies 60th. I think they'd work a treat doing a Hume/Newell Hwy run...not too much clutch and brake actuation needed there. Yours if you want them. I don't need them, and have only ever used them once or twice.
On a cold and wet run, I'll take spare gloves.
#2 Keeping the wind off would be the next strategy, probably just as important as #1. Charlies "airbear" hands would've helped I guess. I see a local market there Charlie. We need to get the Gruen Transfer to knock up an advert for April/May 2011 in readiness for winter. You'll make enough to buy a spare bike! They'd go crazy at Advrider...mail order..that's the go.
#3 Inner glove insulation. I use silk gloves inside my gortex gloves and find it works well. I do have the RS fairing doing a sterling job to cover #2.
#4 Electric grips. Grant had these and despite the RS fairing he was still cold in the fingers. He tried my silk gloves as extra insulation and they helped. My bike doesn't have these.
#5 Jackets with inbuilt waterproof lining like the Voyage2 and Tourance2 jackets need the gloves inside the sleeve to allow the collected moisture that accumulates b/w the outer 2 layers to run outside the gloves. If the gloves are around the jacket, in the usual manner, the fingers fill with water. Not good on a cold mountain pass...damhik.
#6 Core temp. Keep the breeze out with good jackets, warm enough lining(s), thermals, scarves, electric vests. Keep the core temp up. At least the blood getting to the hands will be warm. A snug fit is warmer than a loose fit, as air circulation is minimised. Consider scalp insulation via whatever fits.
I'm guessing you blokes in the antipodes will have better experience at keeping warm, as your riding seasons are more defined than ours. We have one season, all year, we just choose where to ride.
I think we'd be interested in your strategies. Staying inside isn't an option for this discussion
. I know it might be in reality up there....
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