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About to invest in heated clothing

9K views 45 replies 33 participants last post by  Bahpack 
#1 ·
Let me start by saying I have almost no experience riding in "cold" weather and understand that what we southerners call cold our more northern brothers and sisters find to be down right balmy.

Being in N GA we get pretty good temp swings. We can start at 30 in the AM and be to 70 by noon. We can also be in the low 20s and never get above freezing for the day. We want to continue riding right through winter and we want to be comfortable doing so.

We have ridden into the high 40s and get cold but that is wearing a jacket, thin gloves jeans and boots. The wife can layer up but still has a hard time staying warm due to a couple of medical conditions. For me, I can layer up and stay warm but absolutely hate having layers upon layers or real thick clothing on.



First off, with heated liners from toe to finger tip, will a jacket and pants suffice or does one still need a big jacket and chaps for the heated liners to be effective?


Second - Harley has a new liner system with bluetooth that allows everything to be controlled independently without rheostats hanging. Seems like a nice idea, is anyone else offering such a setup?

Third - Full tip to tail heated liners looks to be rather expensive. I can see it quickly being close to $2k, especially the Harley stuff. Is that normal?
 
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#2 · (Edited)
With liners you need an outer garment that blocks wind or the liners are less effective. I do not like the blue tooth setups for controlling temps, to much hassle JMO. I ride year round in Northern VA with Gerbings heated pants and jacket not liners they are great. More cost, yes but don't have to layer anything and can take temps down to zero. If I were you I would look at Gerbing before buying Harley, Gerbing makes Harley gear and you pay more for the HD label. Most Honda and BMW dealers carry Gerbing. Go there to try it on to get the correct sizes needed then order online for better prices. Again just my opinion.


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#3 · (Edited)
I got the Harley heated gloves, jacket liner, and pants liner about five years ago. I wear an unlined Joe Rocket outer jacket, sweatshirt, and jeans over thin bicycle pants even riding in 35 degree weather, but I have lowers. My jacket, pants and gloves are controlled separately. If you get the liners you'll definitely want something in between your skin and the heated gear.

My wife uses Cycle Gear brand heated gear and it works just as well as the Harley (Gerbing) stuff for a lot less money. She had a heated glove go out and Cycle Gear replaced it on the spot in the store without a receipt. A friend of mine had a Harley brand glove go out and Gerbing wanted him to send it to them for examination before they would warranty it, which meant no gloves for six weeks or so. Consequently when my Harley gear finally goes out I'll probably just buy the Cycle Gear stuff for half the price.
 
#4 ·
I too ride in Vigrinia unless its ice and snow. I have the cycle gear heated liner and gloves, lined chaps and matterhorn boots. I rode last year in the high teens no problem. will probably get the pant liner. Works well. I have a cycle gear store local so could switch out if needed picked up in november sale last year got the liner and controller for around 140. I wanted bike powered gear so i didnt have to recharge, etc or worry about battery running out..
 
#5 ·
Until it gets REAL cold I have 2 words for you... Under Armour The ColdGear base is unreal. It is thin and very warm when layered properly.

The base with a few thin layers on top of it will keep you amazingly warm and if you have the lowers on the Glide you should find yourself more than comfy until the wewather really gets too cold to ride comfortably anyway.


YMMV hope this helps,


Mike
 
#6 ·
I would recommend getting heated gloves rather than heated glove liners. You would probably need oversized gloves to fit over the liners so would most likely need a dedicated pair of gloves to wear with the liners anyway - may as well get one heated pair and call it quits.

I have First Gear heated gloves - made by Warm n Safe - and would recommend them.

On a related note, my local HD dealer told me they are moving towards carrying the battery pack heated gear (which I believe is 7V) rather than the 12V gear that hooks up to the bike's battery.
 
#7 ·
I prefer heated seat and grips because they are always there when you need them. If I am going to be riding all day in the cold, I add heated insoles, and heated Vest.

Hard to beat the cyclegear warranty if you have a store close by.

If starting from scratch and want to buy quality, and American, look at Gordon's heated gear. Gordon Gerbing is the originator of Gerbing heated gear before they went Chinese and he was forced out.

Gordon Gerbing Welcomes You!
 
#8 ·
I recently bought Gyde/Gerbing jacket liner and gloves from the warming store. I have used it in 45,40 and 30 degrees so far, has not been that cold yet. They have worked well, bought the bluetooth set up and have the phone app to set temp. Still not sure what I think about the blutooth, takes a couple minutes to get it all set up before you start moving but is cozy when your riding.
 
#9 ·
Thanks for all the input thus far. We are still researching, so many different options.

We do have a Cycle Gear Store relatively close and will go take a look at their stuff. So far I am still liking the HD One Touch series even though it looks to be the most expensive.
 
#10 ·
I've been riding year-round in CT for about 15 years now, and comfort depends on layers, the proper layers.
Never-ever wear Cotton as a base layer for it will retain moisture and lower your core temperature. Any good quality wicking material as a first layer is the most important part of your outfit. UnderArmour for sure is a good brand. Wool blend socks and good boots with thinsulate help. I keep some of those heat packs onboard to put under my toes if needed.

Here is what I wear: Toes to Head
Field & Stream hunting boots good to 10 below with Smartwool socks and possible heat packs if below 20
LL Bean Fleece lined jeans over UnderArmour long johns with First Gear insulated pants
UnderArmour cold weather long sleeve, with light sweater
Gerbings Jacket liner
First Gear Kilamanjaro Jacket
Gerbings heated gloves
Balaclava under a Schuberth C3Pro Modular Helmet

The Gerbings jacket liner has glove connectors on the sleeves and a dual controller is connected to the batter of my FLTRU. I've ridden over 300 miles in 9 degree weather and been comfortable. If you have lowers you shouldn't need heated pants, even without lowers, good over-pants will keep you warm enough with long johns and lined jeans.

TourMaster makes good heated gear also.

Ride often, have fun, repeat

Scoop
 
#11 ·
Thanks for the detailed response! I have just begun riding in cold weather, and found myself reasonably prepared, but definitely not comfortable on a recent 800 mile trip with 36-41 deg f temperatures.

Specifically, the sweating that accumulates with cotton base - I found this out the hard way. Also, the winter gear I was wearing was too thick. Not too bad on my body, but the extreme cold gloves really lowered my dexterity. Not cool!

Tourmaster and Gerbing are the brands that I am zeroing in on. Would love to hear more from those of you that use these brands.
 
#13 ·
See what kind of warranty the products you are looking at have. I tried the tourmaster synergy gloves and they left my thumbs freezing. They worked OK with heated grips going as well. Warranty sucks.

Most are probably made in the same Chinese factory. Unless you go with Gordons heated gear.

For me, warranty would be key to the purchase, and how easy it is to exercise the warranty.

Don't forget to look up reviews also.
 
#14 ·
I also have the First Gear Kilamanjaro Jacket, incredible..I wear the heated liner under it when its really cold, but it would be good as a stand alone in the 30s...its a heavy well made piece of gear...
 
#15 ·
My wife and I both have Gerbings jacket liners and gloves. Rode many years without this stuff and realized how foolish we had been. Great stuff and works great. I have yet to run the stuff at more than 1/2 of what it will do as I will find myself sweating and need to turn it down. I run a flannel lined cargo pant that works as good as I need on my legs (but then again, I have lowers on my bike also). As someone already stated, I am pretty sure Gerbings makes the Harley stuff. Best of luck with your choices.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Gerbings Heated!

I ride in Virginia until it snows and I also went with the Gordon's Heated gloves and they're fantastic! They use Churchill's Mavericks with (or without) the gauntlets, lined with both Thinsulate and the wind-/water-resistant Sympatex. I have ALWAYS worn the unlined Mavericks and these are just outstanding. I went up a size to make room for the lining and heating elements. They get SUPER hot and I'm running the Harley thermostat. I couldn't recommend these highly enough. I layer starting with Under Armour baselayer which someone else mentioned and then top it off with my Fox Creek leather jacket and chaps. Good luck!!
 
#17 ·
I have First Gear heated jacket liner, heated gloves, glove liners, and dual controller.

The first time you ride in heated hear when it's in the 30's, you won't believe it. You can ride all day.

I have the heated gloves for normal cold weather riding. However, the gloves are leather, and they're really not waterproof. So, when it's cold and raining, I use the glove liners under a pair of Gore-Tex lined ski gloves. Perfect!

I've found I really don't need heated pants or socks. I have a pair of windproof "real" motorcycling pants. I put them on over a pair of fleece lined jeans, and I'm good for any weather I'd actually ride in. My feet really don't get that cold, but if I make the jump to something for my feet, I think I'll try heated insoles. Just slip them into your boots and you're good to go.

The dual controller is really a good thing to get. It allows you to set the gloves a little warmer and the jacket liner a little less, and that's perfect. Plus, if you do jump for pant liners or socks, you can put your bottom on one channel and your top on the other! :D
 
#18 ·
I bought Gerbing gear about 7 years ago and have been happy with it. The retailer I used offered a law enforcement discount so it saved me a bit and I went with the entire setup of gloves, jacket liner, outer pants, socks and insoles (using one or the other). I have probably only used the outer pants 3 or 4 times. They're kinda bulky and really just not necessary in most weather.

I'm a bit concerned about the change in policy with Gerbing, who has been sold out now. My gloves are working intermittently and they used to repair them for free with the lifetime warranty (except wear and tear). Now they call you after you send the item in and let you know the cost, which they claim is 'minimal'.

Another thing I use, although not all the time, is the wireless controller (if I remember right it's a warm-n-safe item but they all work together). It can be expensive getting all the gear but in my opinion, it's a great investment. I'm close to you so I know what you mean about the weather here.
 
#19 ·
Thank you all for the detailed responses.

We are going to start with;

UnderArmor ColdGear for an initial layer
Normal clothes
Heated Jacket Liner
Heated Gloves
Leather Jackets
Leather Chaps

We'll ride like that to see how cold we can go comfortably and add additional clothes, heated equipment, etc as needed.

For the install - does anyone make a receiving bike side plug that can be mounted? Similar to a cigarette light plug or such? I'd love to mount an outlet on the side covers to plug into in for a clean install.
 
#21 ·
They make a plug port that you can mount on your bike where you like to direct plug into. I made a "L" bracket, had it powder coated to match the frame and mounted it under the seat area, then all the wires run to the battery and you never see anything but the cap that you flip open to plug into when wearing the gear. I have seen some that have mounted this into the heat shields where frame/seat meet up as well. My wife's I keep tucked into the battery compartment area and when she rides with me and needs the plug, I pull it up in the slot in the seat for the rider's backrest and she plugs in there.
 
#20 · (Edited)
Juat a note, with chaps you are subject to heat loss of your core and cold for areas not covered. If you have a heated seat, maybe no big deal..but on crazy cold days your crotch area, and rear end can get very frosty...I also have LL Bean fleece lined jeans..there are some nice one piece suits out there also..if I was touring in cold I'd go that route along with the heated gear. Also, Rider has benefit of engine heat, BSR does not. My commute is normally less than an hour...
 
#22 ·
Ok, we ended up going by a BMW shop and they were having a sale...and the salesman likes my wife

Gyde by Gerbing jacket liner for me
FirstGear liner for her (they didn't have XS in stock of the Gyde)
Gerbing T5 gloves
Dual Zone Controllers
the wife also got some Gerbing socks

We ended up out the door just over $600 which I believe to be a pretty good price.
 
#23 ·
Hope you post a follow up and let everyone know what you liked and what you found you didn't need. IT sounded like you got off to the right start (though I thought the heated socks were overkill) I found the 90W heated liner was really all that I've needed the past several years though I do have the heated gloves (never used them) and I've ridden in 20* temperatures with blowing snow (dry conditions) But I am curious how your wife like the socks. My usual cold weather set up is : Full face helmet with skull liner, heated liner with Tourmaster "Transition 3" jacket, chaps and long johns under jeans and Bates non insulated tactical boots and hiking socks. I've always been comfortable except for the one time I wish I had brought the heated gloves.
 
#25 ·
The socks probably are but they were in the 50% off bin. Coupled with the fact that my wife's medical conditions can cause her to have rapid weight loss I'd rather have them than not. At times she is 100 lbs soaking wet.


It's 41 here this morning and we are about to head so we'll give them a try
 
#28 ·
Ran home last night from Soo Foo last night up the super slab at 85 mph for 100 miles. Depart temp 49 degrees arrival 43 degrees. FXRG over Gerbing jacket and H-D gloves. Considering adding heat pad to seat but more for cold thunderstorms in summersitting in the bucket of water when ya won't stop to put on your rain gear. When gloves fail going to add Heat Demons, more heat and easier to use then H-D heated grips. We ride 12 months up here if roads are clear.

my 2 cents worth
 
#29 ·
For those who haven't made a decision on cold weather gear yet, I'd like to add my experience with Under Armor products. They make great purposeful gear but the key word is purposeful. Regular Coldgear is designed for those engaged in physical activity and it does the job for that. But sitting on a motorcycle seat is not physical activity. I found that Coldgear can actually make you feel cold when exposed to wind unless you wear a wind proof layer on top. By design it wicks perspiration to the outer portion of the material so when wind hits it, it has that cooling effect. However, Under Armor Baselayer is very different in that it has a thin layer of fleece next to the skin insulating you from the moisture that is wicked to the outer layer of material. I have Baselayer 2.0 which works very well without making you sweat too much. I wear jeans over that with a leather jacket. If it gets too cold for that combo, I put my Carhardt thin red lined overalls on top, for the windproof design of Carhardts. I like this set up because I can quickly and easily remove the Carhardts when I stop for breaks. I have the style that has zippers on the legs all the way to the hip making it so easy to remove even with heavier boots. Carhardt insulated bib overalls go for about $75.00 and come up to the chest and back area keeping the wind from coming up from under a jacket.
 
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