Heated Gear...

[The Anvil]

Who uses it and what are your recommendations? I expect to be riding into late November/early December this year in temps about 40 degrees, maybe a little lower. Should I go vest or full liner? I really like the Gerbings system of attachment for a pair of gloves, but I'm not even sure I'll need heated gloves. Will a full liner vs. vest be overkill for what I'll be doing?

[Valkahuna]

The HD full liner (like a vest with sleeves) has a zipper down the front. It has connections right in the sleeves for gloves. I use HD gloves with the vest, and have ridden at zero and below. 

When it is not as cold, I use just the HD gloves, and run the wires down the sleeves, down the front of whatever jacket I am wearing, and plug into a plug that comes up just under the front tip of the seat.

The gloves and vest both have their own fused protection. Honestly, even riding in New England winters, which fortunately I don't do often any more since spending winters in Florida, I typically found that if I dressed in layers, and kept my hands and fingers warm, I was good to go.

You could buy just the gloves first, and see how you make out. BTW, I do have a full faired HD Road Glide which gives very good wind protection.

YRMV

[Sodbuster]

After you purchase the heated gear you'll wonder why the h*ll you didn't buy them years ago - They work great 

[Willow]

  I expect to be riding into late November/early December this year in temps about 40 degrees, maybe a little lower.

If you're not riding much below forty, in fact if you're not riding below thirty, you really don't need to mess with electrics.  I wear a Joe Rocket Comet (old) jacket good to the twenties, Tourmaster winter gloves, and a good set of thermals.  Oh, and a zub.

You should be fine without having to plug in.   

[hager the horrible]

We being wife and I have heated vests from aerostich out of Duluth minnesota have ridden in 30 deg weather and found to do the job seems if you can keep your trunk warm the rest of the body does fine.Check aerostich warranty against others thats why I went with there they do know what customer service is all about !

[Sodbuster]

If you're not riding much below forty, in fact if you're not riding below thirty, you really don't need to mess with electrics.  I wear a Joe Rocket Comet (old) jacket good to the twenties, Tourmaster winter gloves, and a good set of thermals.  Oh, and a zub.

You should be fine without having to plug in.   

Everybody's tolerance level is different and I for one can't tolerate the cold so once it gets down into the 50's I'll put the electric vest on

[highcountry]

I picked up a Tour Master Synergy jacket liner last year.  I used it in temps down to the high 30s and it really is the "cat's meow".  It is designed to work with electric gloves also.  One advantage of the Tour Master Synergy is the controller comes with the jacket and is not an extra cost.  I found when my core is at a comfortable temperature then electric gloves were not necessary.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/461/694/1/0/232/DCLASS/Tour-Master-Street-Bike-Heated-Jackets-Heated-Gear-Mens-Riding-Gear.aspx

[schrambo]

I bought an old used xl mc jacket and wear a soft down jacket inside for a liner. I am sealed up, no air or cold anywhere. Been using that combo for many decades.

[Hoser]

I'm with Willow and Schrambo. I use a baclava on my face under my helmet and shield. Below 30 I'm not riding over 50 miles at a time. Oh, and no ice or snow unless I get caught out in it. That being said, I know a lot of guys around here that say a vest is enough. Might get one of those one of these days. One plug shouldn't be to much trouble.  Hoser

[PhredValk]

Leathers, hoodies and wool socks. I've ridden down to just below freezing and the only things to get cold are throat and hands. I will get a neck/face tube and maybe electric gloves. Any colder up here and thers's snow, and I have a car for that.
Fred.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I have gerbings gloves and jacket liner. I got mine from their clearance rack on their website. I've ridden down to 23 degrees and was very confortable. I bought all kinds of gloves before dropping the coins for the heated gloves. I should have just done it sooner.
 I ride year round to and from work so these were a good investment for the 50 mile round trips in the winter.

[scoot]

I picked up a Tour Master Synergy jacket liner last year.  I used it in temps down to the high 30s and it really is the "cat's meow".  It is designed to work with electric gloves also.  One advantage of the Tour Master Synergy is the controller comes with the jacket and is not an extra cost.  I found when my core is at a comfortable temperature then electric gloves were not necessary.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/461/694/1/0/232/DCLASS/Tour-Master-Street-Bike-Heated-Jackets-Heated-Gear-Mens-Riding-Gear.aspx

 

[The Anvil]

I have ridden in some pretty cold temps without heated gear and while I admit it's doable, I just didn't end up enjoying it all that much. See, what I'm hoping to do with the heated gear is avoid having to layer up too much to stay warm. I figure between the vest/jacket and my ginormous shield a vest alone might do the trick. I already have a good set of winter gloves that by themselves are pretty warm and some polypro thin thermal liners I picked up at EMS that will fit under those. Maybe I'll do heated grips if I have enough space to run the wires after doing the control electrical.

Vlakahuna my Hawaiian friend, that's good to know about the HD gear. It means I'll likely be able to go into any HD store and try it on. Then find out who it's made by and purchase it for 30% less. 

[MP]

Anvil,  try out Warm and Safe.  Vendor here.  Very good stuff,  the controller is the best feature.  Get one full jacket liner.  Try that out.  That will do you the most good.  Maybe some gloves too.

If you are like me, and not hoser and Willow!, you will like it!

I know some here who can take hours outside in -20 F  with just thin thigh cowboy boots on.  While I have on two inch thick Mucklucks!  And, my feet are STILL cold.  Everyones tolerance to cold is different.  Circulation varies too.

Get a double controller, and try out the liner and the gloves.  If you like it, then get more.

Also, you can just run with your regular mc jacket on, with the liner on underneath.  VS hoser and Willows bundling up.

Good Luck.

As Mikey says  " Try it, You'll like it"!   

MP

[The Anvil]

Anvil,  try out Warm and Safe.  Vendor here. 

Good to know. Thanks.

Yeah, I've grown to really dislike the cold. A lot of it has to do with my joint issues but I just don't have the tolerance for it I once did.

[Sodbuster]

I guess if it were me I and was looking to buy one item I would go with the jacket liner. The vest works pretty good but you reach a point in temperature where your core body is fairly warm but your arms and hands are cold and if your using a controller you can dial it in to what you want.

Another key factor not mentioned is to wear a size that is snug to a t-shirt to get the best bang for the buck and wear a sweatshirt over the electric vest/liner.

[The Anvil]

Another key factor not mentioned is to wear a size that is snug to a t-shirt to get the best bang for the buck and wear a sweatshirt over the electric vest/liner.

So I want it kinda tight so I can look like the fat kid who's parents sent him off to summer camp with t-shirts one size too small? I kinda thought that that would be best for heat transfer too.

[The Anvil]

I just pulled the trigger on a Warm and Safe full liner XXL tall with dual controller (in the event I add gloves or heated liners). Good prices and they're a supporter so why not?

[Gary]

Sounds like you're on the right track.

Jacket liner instead of vest is the way to go. Otherwise you will have to jack with the wire dangling down the arms for gloves. I had originally thought I would really only need to warm hands as everything else could man-up. That left having to distribute the wires down your back, down the arms, etc each and every time you put the jacket on and off. What a cluster... idea that was. 

The sad thing is that it starts to turn you into a cool weather sissy and you think you need it when there is a slight nip to the air.

Most of the time I can do without the heated gear and still be comfortable without it in the mid to upper 30's and low 40's. T-shirt rididng in the 50's. To each their own.

Dual controller if you plan to ever add gloves or anything else.

You will need a long sleeved shirt vs short sleeve under the jacket liner, at least with Gerbings, or you will feel the slow roast affect on the exposed skin areas.

[MP]

I just pulled the trigger on a Warm and Safe full liner XXL tall with dual controller (in the event I add gloves or heated liners). Good prices and they're a supporter so why not?

You will like it.  You want it snug, but NOT tight!

Let us know how it works out.

MP

[The Anvil]

It might be a month or more before I get to test it out but I'll keep you posted.

[czuch]

I have the Tour Master liner and gloves. Havent tried the gloves but the liner is where its at.
I have friends with the vest and they like it. I'm a cold coward so I go farther. I've been very cold.

[The Anvil]

I have the Tour Master liner and gloves. Havent tried the gloves but the liner is where its at.
I have friends with the vest and they like it. I'm a cold coward so I go farther. I've been very cold.

I swear to god but once you've been very cold (like hypothermia cold) it never leaves you. I fell through ice once (up to my chest) and had to wade 50 yards to shore then walk a mile home in near freezing conditions. Took all spring to warm up after that.

A few years back I took a polar plunge in February at Hampton beach for a charity event. It was a living hell. An even worse was jumping in the portable hot tub they set up. I thought I'd been dipped in lava.

[Dubsvalk]

I ride all winter and I wear Gerbing's jacket liner, gloves and socks.  No more hypothermia for me.  I have dual controllers, one for the jacket and the other for the gloves and socks.  I stay toasty warm even into the 20 degree zone.  And I love to ride in the winter; the roads are usually a lot less traveled!
Dubs

[bscrive]

Man, that is just crazy driving in temps that low.  There are a lot worst things than being a little chilly...like black ice.  As soon as the temp gets below 40 degrees F or 5 degrees C here in Canada, the bike stays in the garage.  Just not worth the damage that can happen to the bike and myself.

[The Anvil]

Man, that is just crazy driving in temps that low.  There are a lot worst things than being a little chilly...like black ice.  As soon as the temp gets below 40 degrees F or 5 degrees C here in Canada, the bike stays in the garage.  Just not worth the damage that can happen to the bike and myself.

That's my fear and why I won't personally ride when it's close to or below freezing. I've had a few run-ins with black ice on four wheels and it sucks.

[Moonshot_1]

I do ride in the cold rather often in the season. Don't use heated gear.
I know some that have heated gear and love it. But they ride alot in cold weather.

My opinion is that if you are riding just a few days in the cold the heated gear isn't a good investment. If you ride alot and long distances in the cold on a fairly regular basis then it would be.

One piece insulated cover-alls are great.
Gauntlet gloves
Insulated boots
Helmet with insulated ear flaps
Neoprene face shield

I use those heat pack hand warmers and foot warmers on long trips in the cold.
works pretty well for me. Just slide them in the gloves and boots.

Used to have heated grips. Came with the bike when I got it. Never really was impressed with them. It seemed like if you wore insulated gloves it insulated you from the heated grips. And they didn't put out a tremendous amount of heat. And given the amount of times I would use them, it wasn't worth replacing them with another set. (the old ones reacted negitively with the sun screen I was using and made the grips gooey.) The chem packs worked much better anyway.

The Snow and Ice are the things that get the bike put away for the season. Usually we have a short run of cold temps before that where one would have to really suit up for the ride. I'm good for an hour and a half at 25 degrees at highway speeds. Well, "good" may be exagerating it a bit. I can survive at that time and temp and speed.

If you gots the money for the gear, get it. I can think of a lot of worse things you can spend the money on.

[olddog1946]

I managed to pick up a Gerbing's Jacket, pants, and gloves in like new condition off of craigslist for $150, so just had to buy the plug and a dual controller...I love being comfortable..the older I get the less I like the cold (and although I am getting more insulation/fatter everyday I still can't handle cold well)..chiko and I ride almost everyday year round, sans ice and snow..so the Gerbing's was the cat's meow...still have to fork over the dough for a set of heated socks..but I'm sold on heated clothing..

[Valkahuna]

You could do that. HD does have pretty good quality in their clothing. What you buy were is entirely up to you.

Vlakahuna my Hawaiian friend, that's good to know about the HD gear. It means I'll likely be able to go into any HD store and try it on. Then find out who it's made by and purchase it for 30% less. 
[/quote]

[The Anvil]

You could do that. HD does have pretty good quality in their clothing. What you buy were is entirely up to you.

Vlakahuna my Hawaiian friend, that's good to know about the HD gear. It means I'll likely be able to go into any HD store and try it on. Then find out who it's made by and purchase it for 30% less. 

[/quote]

i'm in no rush because the real cold is't iminenet but on a chilly day just happened to be passing through, I might pull the trigger, overpriced or not.

[Walküre]

Little late for this dinner date, but I ride right down to 32° or so, with a pair of ski pants, snug around the ankles, and this Craftsman battery heated vest, and my lined leather jacket. Snug fit IS important, to keep the wind out entirely, and with the vest under the lined leather, it is just right. Down to about 28° is the lowest I've gone in recent memory. The only thing that gets me are my hands, and they get nippy at 40°! I have some serious snowmobile gloves, and they STILL get cold, at 35°. So I bought some of these:



And they are keeping the wind off the hands. Hoping that will take care of the hand problem. I really don't want to go to heated gloves, if I can help it.

Oh yeah, long gauntlet gloves are a MUST, in my book, to keep the wind out of the sleeves.

Let us know how you like the gear - I am going to try to ride down lower this year, so WILL be looking for some more serious gear.

EDIT Oh yeah....for the industrious:

DIY Heated Clothing

Homemade Electic Vest

I will make some eventually, I've already got the PWM controller design pretty well done in my head. and the savings should allow me to play with gloves, to decide if I DO like them.

Another option I've seen, is using a 12v automotive heating pad, like for a seat, and velcroing (hey, I made up a word!) it into a vest/liner, and using that. Heard it works great, but I've never found (or really looked) for a source - I'll bet JCWhitneys.

anada EDIT - found a couple of 12 volt heaters:

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Heated-12-volt-Pad-with-Safety-Timer/3693500/product.html?cid=123620

http://www.amazon.com/WarmSeats-Waterproof-Seat-Heater-Adapter/dp/B00355R1P4

Some have even opened them up, and sewn the wires into a vest/liner. Then, you need to figure out the current, and buy a 12 vdc PWM controller, to have variable temperatures. You can get them pretty darn cheap out of China, and I haven't found an American source, that DOESN'T get them from China - those that know me know I try to buy American when I can. It's VERY difficult! Even the American companies are buying over there - I tried to find a Stanley bastard file, and IT was made in China!! That oughta last a day or two...but, I digress. Here's a link to controllers on ebay:

Ebay PWM controllers, low cost to high

DISCLAIMER: I assume making your own electric gear is NOT for the faint of heart! But, if anyone has any questions, I'll try to answer them. I've built many a "process heater" in the past, so have a little experience with it.


No matter what, stay warm!!

R

[bg]

i bought the vest......took it back and got the full liner.
i also have socks and gloves.
left with the bmw group last year....22` when we left but no ice or snow and i was nice and toasty.

[X Ring]

You could do that. HD does have pretty good quality in their clothing. What you buy were is entirely up to you.

Vlakahuna my Hawaiian friend, that's good to know about the HD gear. It means I'll likely be able to go into any HD store and try it on. Then find out who it's made by and purchase it for 30% less. 

[/quote]

Harley's heated gear is made by Gerbing but there is a big difference in the pants liners.  Gerbing's has zippers on the side.  The Harley version doesn't.

Marty

[Tim H]

So it's Black Friday.  I almost had talked myself into buying a ASUS Transformer tablet at midnight.  On the way home from the in-laws I had some time to think.  I don't want to spend that much money and have something I really CAN wait for.  I should put the money towards my warmth.  I know Gerbing is a nice product and everyone seems to enjoy what they have.  I'm curious about the other brands I've found, and how they play together.

Milwaukee had a neat idea using their 12-volt power tool batteries to heat a jacket, but then I saw that it heated panels and figured that would fall short of real warmth at moving speeds.

On Amazon I made up groups of gear that I'm interested in: Harley vs FirstGear (jacket, gloves, controller) and priced them accordingly.  The Harley set came out to be $70 higher.  Since I read in an earlier post that the HD gear is actually Gerbing does that mean I can interchange the two brands?  The Gerbing pants have zippers so if I get those one day then I'd like to know if they plug into the HD jacket.  Can I mix TourMaster insoles with Gerbing Legs, on a HD Jacket...    It's all just voltage, but I can't tell from many of the pictures exactly what type of connector they all have.  I see FirstGear has a TourMaster adapter so that tells me it can happen with a few extra parts.

Just feeling around for some more opinions, to see if anyone has mixed gear, and help me get a better idea of what I'm dropping the cash on.

[wd40]

I started with a homemade jacket liner, worked beautifully!  Then I got a vest with heat in the neck.  If it's at all chilly, and or you ride long distances you WILL thank everything you can think of for that heated collar.  The collar is definately a feature to look for!

[FPG52]

Have Gerbings jacket liner (not vest) HD electric gloves.  I wear the jacket a lot!  It is correct that everybody's tolerance is different but I like NOT having to bundle up and look like the Michelin man.  The key is keep the heated clothing close to your body so I wear a long sleeve cotton shirt the heated jacket and another long sleeve shirt (tight not loose fitting to hold the jacket close to my body) and my jacket...at times when the weather is not real cold I wear my cloth jacket over the top.  When I wear my leather jacket I don't even put my liner in any more.  Lets me feel loose and not bundled up where I cant move... like someone else said... can't believe I rode without it.  O ya also I have dual rheostat controls and two sources so I have one for my passenger.  Definitely gave me more riding time with my lady... she hates the cold.  Whichever brand or style you decide on... you will be happy  Good luck and give Santa the hint!!!!

[Jess Tolbirt]

walls cover alls and cotton gloves are good down to 0 degrees

[olddog1946]

I bought a used Gerbing's set of pant and jacket liners and some gloves really cheap..had to buy a new controller and some socks..Got to tell ya, I love em..though I don't ride when it's in the 20's, too much black ice on the roads around here for that..but if it's above 32 and the sun is out I like to ride and usually get in 110-200 miles a day..

It's much more funner to be comfortable !!!! And NOT look like the Michelin man..

[maniscar]

Fellow NH'er here.  I have the Warm-n-Safe heated jacket liner, WnS dual controller and First Gear heated gloves.   I ride until the snow comes or chance of black ice.  Anyway, I commute 62 miles each way on rt101 (65+mph) and stay nice and comfortable. And no bulk!  Prior to the heated gear, I wore mc winter gloves (Olympia) but my fingers would be cold by the end of the commute, along with a slight body chill.  And I have the National Cycle hand guards and larger windshield. 

I'm using the older model of the heated gear, so I feel the wires.  But it's not uncomfortable for me.

   Rich

[The Anvil]

Fellow NH'er here.  I have the Warm-n-Safe heated jacket liner, WnS dual controller and First Gear heated gloves.   I ride until the snow comes or chance of black ice.  Anyway, I commute 62 miles each way on rt101 (65+mph) and stay nice and comfortable. And no bulk!  Prior to the heated gear, I wore mc winter gloves (Olympia) but my fingers would be cold by the end of the commute, along with a slight body chill.  And I have the National Cycle hand guards and larger windshield. 

I'm using the older model of the heated gear, so I feel the wires.  But it's not uncomfortable for me.

   Rich

You live out in southwestern NH?

I have the Warm and Safe gear too. Haven't needed it yet but expect to soon (assuming we don't go from fall to blizzard in 3.6 seconds again) but then I don't commute on the bike these days.