Billy Lane Choppers Inc How To Ride Your Harley Motorcycle 365 Days All Year Any Weather Winter
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- After years of self imposed separation from motorcycles, I make it a point to ride every day. Here’s some tips to stay warm & safe through the coldest months. I’ve ridden through temps in the 20’s hundreds of times, temps in the teens dozens of times, and single digit temps several times. This 7-degree 39-mile ride was, by far, the coldest ride I’ve ever made.
There was a time I didn't have a car, lived 35 mile from work, rode every day. Layered up like this and prayed for a semitruck to follow into town! Good stuff, Billy
Same when I got out of the service all I had was my motorcycle rode yr round as long as there wasn't snow and ice on the roads ( N E PA ) even when I got a truck I rode my motorcycle 90 % of the time and still do 40+ yrs
Been there myself. My former supervisor hired me he said because I showed up for the interview on my bike and it was snowing. He figured I'd show up to work if I went to the interview in snow. 😅 to
Layers are KEY! As long as my feet and hands don't get too cold I'm good. As always great video! Stay safe Billy❤
Billy you are one of my heroes ( you just earned even more points legend) ! Man I have rode my haley through 15 winters every day too: once road my 883 Shirley from Philly to L A in a blizzard ....
Pretty much the same thing with an electric vest, all year around rocking the 5 boros in New York and man it gets cold, hats off to anyone who can hang.
Another typical Billy Lane video, nothing but the best information possible on what ever he’s into! Thank you again Mr. Lane ! Be safe and watch out the deer and that pesky black ice!
All great tips. A plug-in heated jacket liner and gloves, connected to an SAE pigtail to the battery with an appropriate fuse, is a godsend when it's in the 40s or below. I've ridden down to as low as 6f without issue as long as the roads are free from ice. Heated grips should be mandatory on every bike... it's a safety issue. If you can't feel/move your fingers, you can't use the controls quickly and safely. Rock on
Great content once again Billy. I’ve been a fan forever. I know that your channel is a motorcycle channel, but I love your snippets of guitar content, or I notice stuff in the background. You should do a video with your equipment and rigs. I’d eat that stuff up. 🤘🏽🎸
I’ve also noticed his guitars in the background I play guitar myself, but also been riding Harleys since I was old enough to walk. I would like to see some of his guitars..
@@mikeanderson1316 there are some old videos of him hanging out with a couple of the guys from Buckcherry on UA-cam. There is a little picking on it too. It’s good stuff, if you haven’t seen it.
Very hardcore riding in that weather.
Damn Billy you put me to shame !! lol I rode the 395 out of Carson City one night and by the time I got to Placerville I was hypothermic. I sat in a coffee shop for about three hours and then headed home. Full helmet with full leathers didn't quite get it. Good advice for staying warm. Thanks for the post
DUDE !!!! You are indeed tougher than a lighter knot. I have had to ride year around in the past, but it wasn't by choice.
I've got a lot of respect for you.
As a new rider to motorcycles and a Harley owner, I very much appreciate this billy. i live in salt lake city Utah and its pretty cold this time of year and i feel bad to not ride my bike because its too cold. You have inspired me to ride in the winter as well. Thank You, your a legend bro! P.S. NICE BLACK LES PAUL!!!!
Great to read. It’s not easy, & it’s not for everyone. Please be safe. But, riding every day is my trip.
Thanks for another great video. I've ridden 365 most of my life. But a couple of years ago I was riding to work in the mid 20s with snow hitting my face. Something snapped in me and I thought to myself, "This really isn't much fun." That along with sitting in afternoon traffic when it's 110 out. Now I don't ride to commute. I only ride for fun.
Yeah I swear by those Carhartt bib overalls and those electric gloves can't survive an Ohio winter without them. I know for a fact they've saved my fingers from frostbite. And keep the spare batteries on an inside pocket someplace warm. Good info Billy!
Thanks for the insight. I always freeze my butt off! Oh, loving the gretsch with the bigsby, and of course the little jubilee!!
Some recommendations from a Michigan guy who also rides winters in Tennessee, Billy: Carhartt arctic bibs are worth a couple of those layers, and really are that much better than their regular ones in lower temps if you don't mind the price tag. Fog X on both sides of your lid visor is a game changer if you go though as many hollers and hills in the morning as I do. A well wrapped scarf does wonders for the air gap at neck that's exposed between jacket and lid. Lastly, I strongly recommend Oxford heated grips. No batteries to die in freezing temps, just years of on demand comfort.
Side note, if your carb tune is producing any coughing or giving trouble with icing up, a trick we used up north is robbing old 2 stroke bikes of their carb heaters and temp sensor and modifying our carbs to accept. I'm told there are carb mount adapters that do this without needing to modify the carb and work off induction.
I live close to that area, and I also ride year round. Less layers this week. Keep on rocking, Mr. Lane, we love seeing your content!
Bravo. I don’t wave back to anyone first nice riding day of spring. Year round is a commitment, maybe I’ll see you at our Hohenwald Tennessee races in May
@BillyLaneChoppers Good to know that an event will be close, I was kicking myself in the ass for not making New Smynra back October when I started my channel and I have trying to line things up for next month. Eventually, I'll make one.
Just road yesterday in Iowa, but was almost 50. Got me thinking of riding more. Thanks for the vid.
Great video! Layers really work. I use Hotwired jacket & pant liners and gloves. It all plugs together and into your bike; no battery to worry about.
I remember when I was 18 my buddys truck broke down 45min outside Toronto. He called me to come get him, only problem was I had sold my truck to buy my first bike. So I told him to put on all the clothes he had and I rode out there. Took a coffee break with him and brought him back. That was sketchy AF! We were both frozen solid.
So glad watching this brought up that memory. Thank you for sharing
Motorcycles and guitars! My favorite. Love the custom pipe. Bike sounds good. Thanks for showing us what you recommend on extremely cold rides 👍
My two passions (besides the fam)
@ same here man! I’m a drummer at heart but love guitars especially Gibsons 😎
Hi Billy,
Thanks for the cold weather riding tips! They are really helpful.
Best,
Marty The Rebel.
John 3:16-17.
Living out in Rapid City area 2021 & 22, I met and often saw what my friend LD would call “real riders” stud tires on the ice covered roads of the Black Hills.
Much respect.
Riding in cold isn't the problem here in PA. Riding after the roads have been salted and a heavy rain hasn't washed it away IS a major problem for our chrome and aluminum parts.
jejeje basically, you put layers like a first born child 😅... but nonetheless, it is amazing that you still ride through the winter on your bike, just like Larry used to do it... Cheers from Chile Master Lane
Yes brother layers are the way to go helps keep the cold out. I always use a cevlar layer just in case 👍 Ride safe stay in the wind
that metel tear drop box is just insync w/ your bike . Thanks Billy Great Video !!!
It’s great, love having it on the bike
Great stuff Billy! Your UA-cam stuff is the 'realist' by a mile. Unfortunately I am getting kinda old for riding in sub-40's weather but your advice is spot-on
I wear snowmobile bibs, heated jacket liner with a single jacket over it and a denim vest,heated gloves and grips. Wired is the way to go over the batteries. I regularly tour and commute through the winter. I’ve tried everything over the years and at this point I feel I have cold riding figured out. It is especially important to have fewer layers for commuting because it’s such a pain in the ass to get ready. Love the hardcore attitude. I don’t see many bikes on the road in the winter. Keep it up bro.
Snowmobile gear is absolutely the best way to go. Wind proof,water proof and extremely warm. I also have heated socks,pants,vest and gloves that plug into my battery tender port.
My preferred winter attire is....a house, with a fireplace....I layer that with hot food and beverages...😎
Nice fat boy Billy!!
Love it. Had one in my collection but let it go. I miss it. Gotta get me one like yours
You are the man!
Excellent video Billy, thanks for taking the time to share. Cheers
That's hardcore brother...coldest for me was 23 degrees and started snowing....gotta love a windshield
Ive got my 2001 roadking classic for over 21 years, and I bought a brand new in 2022 klr 650 ive been tricking out ,lots of great after market accessories available, its great for bad weather days and cheap transportation, plus hitting a dirt road to go explore, they are the Swiss army knife of motorcycle and available all over .
I used to ride like that when I lived in Canada. Then I moved south to Florida lol Stay safe out there brother!
I live in Barren County and ride year around to brother. These are great tips for those single digit days. Ride on ride safe and keep the rubber side down and shiny side up!
👍 Definitely going to look into getting some Kevlar pants and heated gloves, appreciate the content Billy!
Good on ya, feed the soul!
In the Yukon and winter is just too winter for riding but I’m working on some custom fabricated handlebars and thinking about some woods 222 cams on a 15 Farboy. If I can’t ride gotta at least do some upgrades.
Your videos are awesome
Adidas parachute pants under your jeans, neoprene death mask and turtleneck sweater under your leather are a must
You're making me feel bad. I live in Lititz PA and I'll admit it bro my bike is parked. You inspired me to ride. Thanks man
Too many stories to tell at 65. I have been caught in the snow riding up over Tahoe Donner on my shovel head. my buddy lost his headlight. so we stayed in an old school bus up out of Nyack. My buddy woke up as I had his bike, leaning over a pile of wood, splashing gas out of his tank so I can start a fire.great memories..1983..these days, these old bones are too old for that, it takes me too many days to unthaw. Love your videos though.keep them coming and let’s talk about your Guitars 👊😎👊
Thank you for sharing. Glad this stirred up those memories for you.
That Evo sounds so good 😍. Panheads and Evo’s have the best sound to me, as far as Harley goes. A Norton Commando 750 with a milled head and high lift cam at wide open throttle cranking 6500-7000rpm has the best sound of any motorcycle, in my opinion.
Man in the 80’s I was young and poor living in Tulsa , my Sporter was my daily driver , rain, snow, sun, day and night! Good times 🔥🔥🤣🤣🤣
As a Texan I ride almost every day, icy conditions and rain I avoid if possible. I have found that too many layers restrict movement. Thermals as base layer followed by work pants, t-shirt, work shirt, and top layer of leather chaps and jacket, fur lined gloves. Heated gloves are a great idea, and I will look into getting a pair. Love the Fat Boy and I am not a Fat Boy fan.
Riding year round, even through cold like that to go to open house at the York final assembly plant ruined my fingers ability to withstand any cold... but so many good memories!!!
That's very much what I do in Scotland. Layers upon layers 9ver thermals is the name of the game. Never thought about a paddee bib though, will definitely try! And heated gloves and grips are on the wishlist 😂
I ride Colorado year a round and have the same gear , you are a true biker bro !!! ride free
Your winter is harsher than mine, but nothing stops me from riding
Heated grips and gloves are a game changer I ride year around myself can’t imagine riding a bike with no fairing on 7 degree day.
I have those overalls, they are great!
I worked outside every day for 19 years, and I'm pretty good at staying at least warm enough to function, but below freezing on a bike at highway speed is a whole different kind of cold.
Great video brother 👍👍
I get it, been there and done it.., but it’s still hilarious watching you suit up,lmao. Cheers, G.
I guess this is a big change for you originally coming from Florida. I use to do this all the time when I was younger when all I had to do was just go from place to place. But when I became a commercial Plumber it started getting hard to ride everyday because I did not know where they were going to send me and I had to take a bunch of hand tools with me. I knew a guy once that was a appliance repair man and he road his Harley everywhere with his tools in a little trailer he pulled around, cool as hell seeing that guy do that. I am glad you are enjoying your life like this great video it put a smile on my face, Thanks
You're layered-up like Kenny. I've only taken mine out in the 40s. I need to get some cover-alls. Keep the wheels down. I need to go ride.
Now that’s funny. The way I layer up really works, it’s a 35 minute ride to work in this cold
Rode all winter myself.Coldest I rode was 12F* Layer upon layer and 2 leather jackets and 3 layers of gloves with chaps over leather pants. Thermal undies and wool shirt, vest and 2 jackets. A full face helmet and 6 ft scarf. Feet are hardest to keep warm imo
I started using my rain suit to keep heat in and cold from gettin in. I like the side zip boots. I gotta look into em.
A Gretsch man….Nice! I thought you might get into tread pattern. I’m wiring up my Speed Twin for heat here in ND. Leaving the Harleys be. But I gotta think through the tread. It all doesn’t matter with the ice, man. Two points of contact on ice and you’re done. Then you start losing body parts. Believe me, I’ve had to cut off people’s fingers that were mummified from frostbite. And then there’s the damn sand they put down that makes corners dangerous. 🙄
You are a man after my own heart sir a man not afraid to ride no matter the weather .. he'll yeah
I’m from Florida, so really enjoying the true change of seasons
that 2-1 Exhaust is sick!
That's some layering my man! Don't know if I'd be able to reach the bars with all that on, but whatever works for you. Rubber side down.
I’ve done this in the past. Being layered up that much, I felt like I could hardly move. I stayed warm, but still not comfortable. Now, it’s all about comfort. Below 50°, the bike is parked. That gives me about eight months out of the year.
I ride all year in Texas too. Pretty much the same setup although I have a full face helmet with a heated double pain shield. I don't ride on packed snow and/or ice though. That's pretty rare in this area, but happens maybe a week out of the year. Starting the bike in that cold of weather has been impossible at least until sunrise as the sunshine will warm the bike. Thirteen degrees is the coldest I've ridden in and you don't want any air gaps in your gear,
I uses walmart thick pajama pants under my jeans, t shirt then hoodie then heated vest under my first mfg insulated leather coat. Full face helmet and heated gloves.balaclava and full face helmet Im with you i was born n raised in florida and moved to wisconsin and ride year round
That's one badass bike, be safe out there man
I ride in temps from well below freezing to up 118°F in FarNorCal. I've have my own set of riding clothes also depending on weather... but a MUST have is a windshield when temps get low. I have a FLSTSCI, I don't know if they make a windshield for your Fatboy... but if they do you might want to try one. The windchill gets cut way down when you use it.
Oh also, for the rain put RainX on the outside of your helmet face sheild, and in the inside use JAW QuickSpit... no more fogged up vision or raindrops to block vision in sketchy conditions.
Stay warm brother 👍🏼💪
I ride in the winter in Colorado. Full face helmet and heated gloves are a must.
You’re a beast. Colorado winter trumps Tennessee winter year after year
Billy, when you tell what kind of heated gloves or other riding gear you have, other UA-camrs will add a link for those items. That way its quick and easy to hook up with them... From the DAWG in MO.
Good information. I rode in 22F to 119F, try to dress for the weather.
Waiting 4 content of yours in OutlawTv 😎
Carhart is the Alaska uniform and they work excellent on the north slope, the black liners are for the extreme insulation, I always enjoy your videos
I think I lost track of how many layers you put on! The Fatty sounds good. Real good. 😍
hahahah....dude you lost me when you put on the CARHARTT.....i would never be able to get the strap over my shoulder....not even to mention putting any kind of shoes on.....i still ride and love it....but the down side is...im flippn 80 years old and and the old body just don't wanna do as much stuff anymore.....50 years ago...i would be right there with ya....ride safe my man.....enjoyed watching....
Hell yea. I live in NY and ride all year every day as well. We're like the post office
Billy I’m just south of you in the mountains of Pickens SC and I found the Carhartt Yukon Extreme overalls and jacket works so well, I don’t need all the layers anymore. I hope you get the opportunity to try them.
Nope, I'm too old, snow on the ground I take my truck. Have a blessed week my friend
-44 at my place in Saskatchewan today! Your a brave man for riding in that cold! 💜
Eskimo brand ice fishing coat and bib overalls. Why? Wind proof. Sealing zippers. Has an inner liner. Has knee protection. Long legs that have a "pullup" in the front to work perfect to adjust the leg cuff, but keep lenght in the back when the knee is bent. Most of all? The hood expands and will fit OVER a helmet and cinch down with the full face and neck cover built in. It's relatively cheap compared to cycle gear and works awesome for motorcycle and snow bike. Vents well to keep the sweat down. Remember, they're designed to be hunched over, kneeling and crouching, so they fit perfect on a bike.
I live in Shelbyville, TN. I saw someone out on that 7 degree morning on a Street Glide. My first thought was "what a FN idiot". Then immediately afterwards I was totally jealous haha.
Dang that fb is nice, I love the exhaust too
"Tennessee winter!" I laughed so hard I almost shit myself! Lucky for me it's so fucking cold here in North Dakota where we actually do get winter that my ass is froze so I couldn't shit myself if I wanted too.
Layers, baby. Billy is right, as usual.
I use to ride every chance I got during the winters in NY and VT. I remember riding into work one morning and it was -9. Layers is key
You guys get extended weather like that up there. We get it this cold for a day or two, then it creeps back up to the 30s & 40s.
I wear my snowboarding pants sometimes.. I can pull them right over my jeans. I wear long johns under jeans and top. Of course leather jacket with liner. I'll even duct tape any holes and cracks on helmet. Hoodie or scarf too. I wear leather gloves all year round, road rash sucks!!
I dress like that to go ice fishing here in CT. It's cold AF typically all winter, and the state throws snow melt chemicals all over the place, which will rust the shit out of any metal in it's path. Therefore, my bike is on my Handy motorcycle lift, all clean waiting for spring. Also, if you let one rip in all those layers, it lingers for like 10 minutes in your grab bag, you'll smell every nuance.
Just put my badboy back in the back of the shed just cooked my fourth ecm. Over it this one lasted 20 seconds.But the springer has just been rebuilt lol and when I went to take it for a test ride the new ecm I put in in the morning and tested died. So thats it for that bike it can rot into the ground.
🏁🇳🇿😁🤘
70* here in Georgia.
Love my carharts
It's that black ice you guys watch out for
Silk long johns are amazing at keeping a guy warm.
Yyyeah man, I ride all year, but when it hits the singles and it’s 6 in the morning before work, I bitch out and take the heated truck lol. Dainese makes a balaclava that is really good fit a nothing gets through. Also fxr snowboarding brand 👊🏻✌🏻
Quite a collection of guitars and amps there B. Did not know you played
1961 Les Paul/SG Custom, 1970 Les Paul Custom, 1968 Les Paul Custom RI, 1990 Gretsch Falcon. Love my guitars
Riding in below freezing weather - that’s tough 💪
👌👍✌️
Wearing/layering warm clothes isnt revolutionary! Cold isnt my concern, ICE IS ! LIVE to ride another day, by picking a different day...
I see you're riding the 20W-50 motorcycle😁.
My shovelhead would laugh at me if I tried to start it at 8 degrees even if I ran 50 weight.
I don't think the evo with 20-50 would like it either.
My bikes stay around 50 degrees at home so no real problem leaving the house.
Gettting it to fired up later, if I left it ouside a while would be a crap shoot.
I'm in my later 60's now so I prefer my warm wife to that single digit stuff.
Come on springtime!!
Yeah I stick to my suv for winter months, -30°c right now with roads covered in ice, I keep my Aprilia's in the house, i have a garage but its not heated.
Back in the day a few of us rode up to Boston from Long Island New York in February my hands are still cold!
It’s hard to get that cold out of your bones.
I do a pair of bilt cold weather pants instead of the overalls and i cut a couple of layers by wearing a battery heated vest under a leather jacket that has a decent zip in liner. I know how it sounds but really, get a heated fleece vest, it makes all the difference. I actually bought the vest because i work in a warehouse without any heat but found that between it and my jaket i can ride in any temps, (oh, heated gloves are of course a must). I'm not sure why the big name jacket makers haven't started to sell battery heated zip in liners for their jackets yet but they will at some point.
I should add though, the heated fleece vest is not stylish unless you are going for that i work middle management and I'm completely useless kinda look. I would just rather be warm then cool 😎 though.
man that bike sounds good
I have to do all that just to ride in 40 degree weather in FL. 😅
I had a buddy ride to work ( about 15 miles ) in -21 degree weather . He sent us all pictures of it . NUTBAG !!
Dang it! I was hoping you'd give some tips about what to do for the salt on the roads and where the salt collection spots usually are on the frame.
I try to ride 365 a year as well. Unfortunately, Maryland threw a boatload of salt on the roads this winter to the point even a couple of weeks after the initial salting, there was still rock salt on some turns and on/off ramps. :(
When it doesn't snow and just gets cold around here, I've ridden down to about 2 degrees. My trick on the upper body is a windproof fleece with heated vest underneath and I also wear bibs. Staving off hypothermia is a must.
A heated garage where you can rinse your bike off, without that it's a no-go....Michigander here, no garage 😢