1600 km in 36 hours finding spring on the weekend. SLab and twists ( not riding them hard )
Here's the gear.
at 9 degrees leaving
Icon HiViz yellow jacket for warmth and visibility at 6 am.
Joe Rocket mesh jacket
JR liner ( warmth )
technical shirt with big pockets - camera etc - polyester
long sleeve technical shirt ( Nike etc - polyester as a base layer for warmth )
Boots
long socks
Light riding pants
Polyester long underwear
Knee armor over it the underwear - under the riding pants.
Convertible helmet up a lot of the time
Clear safety glasses for night and dim days and as a second rain layer if the visor gets too hard to see.
Armored gauntlets for warmth ( I have heated grips otherwise would be inadequate )
Heavy neck warmer - chest warmer - sort of a balaclava without the top but long bibs front and back
-33 db ear plugs...a critical bit as noise is super fatiguing.
At 33 degrees 6 hours later in Renovo PA
.. down to technical shirt and mesh jacket so cool enough.
Mesh offroad gloves with armored knuckles
Convertible helmet ( tho next time I take the 3/4 as it's quieter and cooler)
If you are going to ride distance in variable weather layering is important.
Dehydrating from heat is very dangerous.
It's one reason I choose mesh as the main gear. ( I have mesh riding pants as well but they were in getting a repair ).
The gear you choose early can extend your riding season out to 8-9 months with layering.
For warmth and visibility in rain get something very bright.
I find armored shirts and knee protection as separate pieces better than most jacket armor as it stays in place.
So even with that range of temps ( and some rain ) I was comfortable with decent armor.
Above 35 or so armored shirts alone are fine. Even the mesh is too hot then.
In case some of your are unaware of separate armor. This looks bulky and heavy - it's not.
there are tons of variations on knee armor.
Even if I wear lighter riding pants the knee armor is comfortable and invisible and saved my knee on off orad spills
For new riders.....if you can figure a way to come along on a PA ride....you'll really see what it's all about.
Motorcycle heaven is 4 hours away.