I love my UnderArmor polypropylene (I think) shirts for skiing. Warm, and wicking. Also my Helly Hansen long underwear, same sort of material. Cold weather motorcycling I could probably get away with something less wicking since I'm not as active on the bike.

Stopping cold air penetration is really the key, though. Cold air penetrating and moving through your inner layers will suck away all the nice heat you're trying to keep in. Just about any Cordura (or similar) riding pants will do the trick.

You might look in Costco. They have some base layers there made out of Merino wool/synthetic mix. They work very well and are inexpensive.
Rod

Got some goodys on the way....

Terramar Merino wool top and bottom and Goodhew Merino wool hiking socks from Sierra Trading Post.
Also a fleece Shoremans jacket and fleece lined fire hose work pants from Duluth Trading Co.

Guess we will see how it all works out.Now,back to hunting me a better windshield

Any base layer should not be a natural fiber. Natural fiber will not breath the way synthetics do and will hold moisture, causing damp, sticky and very uncomfortable undergarments. My personal preference is Under Armor and Arc'teryx. I also have a pair of FirstGear TPG Thermo-Gear pants that are awesome.

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Requires ability to effectively deal with the morbid, the macabre, the repugnant, the abnormal, the morose, the psychotic, the neurotic and the otherwise unpleasant or unusual facets or results of human behavior.

2007 DL650 Blue (regretably gone)
2011 DL650A Black

Cotton certainly gets soaked and stays that way and can chill you. The Merino wool does, to my satisfaction, what it needs to do. It gets wet, but that does not affect it that much. It dries fast and naturally on the body. It breathes very well. I quite like the natural feel of it. It works for me on the bike, on my bicycle, walking and just hanging around. I find you can wear it as well when it's not that cold.

Oh, sorry for the proselytizing - it was on the way to getting worse. Do excuse me.

Over the merino wool, I wear fleece when needed. And, like others are emphasizing, some layer or layers that cut the wind (and rain).

Ratster seems to have made up his mind anyway, fwiw.

And, quite true Tom wearing tights instead of pants is not for the shy man, once the overpants are off.

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Black 2009 V-Strom 650A ABS

Fear and Loathing. On a Wee?

Sorry, if I came of as a bit of a douche in my reply. It was early and I wasn't quite right yet. Although, come to think of it, I'm still not there yet.

I forgot about the new wool fabrics. They are excellent choices. I was thinking cotton in my mind and just couldn't quite get the wording correct.

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Requires ability to effectively deal with the morbid, the macabre, the repugnant, the abnormal, the morose, the psychotic, the neurotic and the otherwise unpleasant or unusual facets or results of human behavior.

2007 DL650 Blue (regretably gone)
2011 DL650A Black

Was sure I was sucker for paying the Under Armour price, but after 5+ yrs of hunting, working, and now riding in it, I'm sold. Great stuff.

True, true and true. A good rainsuit of coated, windproof material over your other gear is the most important part of a cold-weather ensemble.

Denim jeans, IMHO, make the very worst riding apparel. They are too hot in summer, provide no insulation in winter, take hours to dry out if wet and will protect you from road rash for about 1/10th second if you go down.

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2007 DL650
"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" -- Harry M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927

No problem. Here, mostly, there is acceptance of alternate viewpoints and the occasional gaffe.

Hey, it's nice out right now - not too many days before the snow falls. Out for a ride, in my woolly undies and multiple layers. Cheerio.

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Black 2009 V-Strom 650A ABS

Fear and Loathing. On a Wee?

No douchiness noticed I checked out your Teryx suggestion, Nice stuff and I may give it a try if my current choices don't work out. Maybe wear my Merino stuff over it?