It's pure bullying this spring. As a fan of classic motorcycles, it is now, in the middle of May, good key weather. But to drive it is… Moderate. Especially if you approach the world a bit old-fashioned. Because there is now motorcycle gear on the market that is so good that it is actually season-proof although I have given up riding in the snow and ice for a while. And that is not only out of respect for my classics. Because of course all the stories about the aging population within our playing field are nonsense. And cold? It used to be cold!
I myself have not been driving a motorcycle for fifty years
Only the first 40+ years I did that throughout the seasons. While we still had real winters then. But then my motorcycles were usually old, not classic. And then you come back to the clothes. In my early motorcycle years, the range of winter-resistant motorcycle clothing was minimal. And I didn't have the money for what was there. At the time, the approach was below the belt: underpants, long underpants, pajamas, jeans and PVC rain pants. Plus a set or three socks in a pair of dump military boots or rubber boots. A similar layering system was built up above the belt. The result was questionable. Many of you will recognize that.
And so I came once from Groningen
At home with my parents, near Utrecht, I leaned my motorcycle against the garage wall. When my father came to see where his troubled child was after about ten minutes, he found me completely numb on the motorbike. Too cold to get off. Looking back, my responsiveness on the way back must have been largely below zero as well. Those kinds of celebrations have ensured that my body is reprogrammed in the cold for stiffness and rheumatism 3.0. So I haven't been driving in the winter for two years now. Also because of the cost. With modern winter clothing from the top brand Rukka you can dress yourself for three grand. And that is an amount that makes me think of an extra motorcycle rather than some clothing.
Likewise: But now it's spring
And the distance between Dieren and Arnhem? You could walk it if you were open to non-motorized movement. There is a high gray cloud. And in the shelter of the garden it is reasonable to do in terms of temperature. Looks like it will stay dry. I grab the helmet, put on my Swedish slippers and get on the moped. There it blows. Already at the height of Ellecom, the flannel shirt (spring sale of the Welkoop, size 4XK, € 25, -) appears to be a bit over-demanded. I could also have put on gloves. But hey… Arnhem?
It is not only colder near Velp, but it is starting to drip. It is raining hard in Arnhem and when I arrive at my destination I am wet and cold. Water seeps through my buttock. A nostalgic feeling. I consider that the weather is going to take longer to get dry and warm than it would have taken at least to put on my motorcycle jacket and gloves. But yes: afterwards you look a cow under her tail and more of that kind of 'afterwards' wisdom.
Wearing motorcycle clothing is wise. However?
If I don't forget, I could dress better the next ride. I have nothing to do with the 'systems' that are sold as clothing these days. Just as with motorcycles that are sold as 'the ideal platform for your smartphone'. But basic motorcycle clothing is useful. If only because of some extra protection compared to well-established jeans. Ah,…. They say 'reason comes with age'. It will. But now first get some cigars. Can be done for a while. It's dry. My slippers are dry again.
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Simply: casual ...
Recognizable
But those Swedish slippers ???
Maat of mine got off his bike, without stopping first (wrong order, it turned out).
The denim held out 1 meter, then it was the turn of the sheet.
But his feet didn't look at all anymore.
He always wore those Swedish clogs (wooden sole, rubber construction)
Even quit his boss for not meeting them in the truck.
Even bought wedding clogs. . .
But after dismounting, his clogs had flown out immediately, and his socks held out 2 cm on the asphalt.
lost a lot of skin, and rehabilitate for a long time.
I always just wear work shoes.
Steel nose, putting laces in the shoe, don't cost you a shit at Aldi, etc.
But have many wear gauges.
During my service in the winter of 1967 and after, I drove home every weekend from moenchen gladbach to Almelo. Sunday evening back again, snow or rain did not, in the dark, with 6v lighting on my BMW, usually over cobblestones. Clothing consisted mostly of canvas more or less waterproof military trousers and jacket (no zipper, still with buttons!) And many layers of the newspaper Tubantia. Gloves were rough leather welding gloves, with woolen gloves underneath. And yet I loved it! Nowadays I live somewhere where you can just drive through the winter (New Zealand). Still on a BMW with 6v lighting.
We hear more good things about New Zealand. The newspaper story did work. My parents had the Telegraaf
Hi. When I bought my first own motator I received an order from my better (wiser) half for the purchase of a good helmet. Long live MP !!! Turned out to be with someone who had been ordered by his doctor to quit (and obeyed). He was very disappointed and sold his motorcycle clothing for not much extra.
Think that and there are more examples.
The helmet size can just be a good indication of the jacket, pants and boot size
Oh yes, UHU glue glues the sole of your boot securely for another two years of use.
Switching with clogs on a Russian is excellent, because you have such a super deluxe switch rocker instead of such a stupid mini pedal. On my BMW boxers from the late 70s it is also still just like my clogs once worn halfway through, then they fit exactly everywhere so that you can use the gearshift pedal. Incidentally, BMW had at that time as an extra also such a switch rocker as an extra, but I have never seen one. I think Guzzis often had a rocker switch, but Dolf probably knows that better than I do.
Nice piece, by the way. And recognizable for the time that I drove a moped. Survived the winters of 85, 86 after that, but don't ask how ...
It's survival that counts!
On my trusty BMW boxer Blauwtje I also drove through the winters to my boss in Germany, 40km one way. Without cockpit and without heated handles in the first year, at -12. Once arrived, I managed to get off just pulling on the box, ho but. And talk? …..never mind….
Once defrosted and changed clothes, I got the bike to park it behind the warm polyester presses. At the end of the day, he was nicely warmed up and ready to go.
I was invariably surprised with a triangle sign on the saddle on which was written: “Muhhhhh”. This refers to the nickname that those boxers had acquired by pushing up the stern when pulling up. 'Die Gummi Kuh'.
Before driving off I hung the sign on the nail again and got on.
The day after?…. wer all the same.
But the handle heating came quickly!
After 40km of biting cold I was almost afraid of my fingers 😬
Hi Dolf,
Very recognizable, except driving with clogs on, doesn't seem like anything to me.
Wonder how you can switch.
The times I went from Utrecht to Ermelo in the winter of 1980 are still etched in my memory.
Iso pants on, you know those Defense heat-insulating pants, and iso jacket of course, the green collared scarf also came in handy and a pair of mittens from the biker ordonnance and lined tank boots.
When I arrived in Ermelo I almost had to be knocked down, needed the whole day to warm up again and then go back to Utrecht.
Suffering, but hey, had just bought a new Suzuki GS 750E so let's drive.
By the way, it was the last year that I drove in the winter, because it was too cold for me and the brine did well that year.
I still have the bike and it drives well, here an upgrade and done.
Incidentally, in 1976 I taught in Bergen op Zoom and it could just be that you were there.
Who knows?
Keep writing fun and edgy bits about motorcycling and your experiences, tribute!
Cheers and smoke them.
Greetings Hans
Switching with clogs is done with a heel / toe pedal. Direction 76-5 greets you. And thanks for the compliments. We all just have to make the best of it. And with a grumpy face that won't work. We wish you many nice kilometers
Hello Dolf, by giving a summary of what I was wearing on the bike last winter and thus also giving you a warm heart so that you can continue to entertain us with your great texts. With the footwear I am lucky to have a son who is under arms and has the same shoe size. So that has been neatly resolved, my rain pants are good quality sailing pants, at least 20 years old with thick long sports pants underneath that I had on long ago while playing tennis outside and underneath jeans again. What to top an old green service jacket from the time of the military service, with rain a rain bicycle jacket goes over it, really tight. T shirt, t shirt, long sleeve t shirt, sweatshirt, thick sweatshirt, army turtleneck and then that service coat. Most of this is rejected but new corporate clothing that actually had to be destroyed because of the new company logo, yes. I am wearing a helmet with open visor and heated gloves from a key friend who sees me driving away every day, shaking my head. Wanted to seriously consider buying motorcycle gear this year but put the money into a new drivetrain for my Guzzi, another try next year.
Clear: Guzzies deserve attention. Our well-being will come later!