Wired gloves typically require plugging into a jacket to get power as the jacket will have leads for them in the cuffs….. Not sure you can wire them direct to a controller that I’ve ever seen…..

 

Yeah, that's what I figured was the case and why I was leaning towards battery operated. One of my riding buddies said his brother uses battery operated and carries an extra set of batteries. That guy rides an Indian, so I don't know if I can trust his recommendation though. lol

 

They do make a longer "Y" connector so you can use heated gloves without having to plug them into the ends of a jacket. That would still be my vote over gloves with built in batteries. The wiring is as easy as fastening a helmet chin strap, no worries about power, and they will have higher wattage/be warmer than gloves that run off separate batteries.

 

Now you got me going back to wired setup. My thought process is that I get a dual zone controller and all the necessary connections for using gloves connected to the bike. I leave the long Y connector inside of my coat so I can use the heated gloves. Should I second think the need to have other heated gear, I will already have the necessary components for such.

Now for a follow on question. With the addition of a more powerful headlight, horn, amp, stereo, and potentially heated gear for a rider and passenger; do I need to look at going lithium and upgrading my stator?

Damnit man. Just when I thought I was done with mine and could focus on the wife's bike. lol

 

The whole battery thing would be my hesitation with your idea….. Like on a multi-day trip there’s no doubt I’d forget to charge the batteries day-to-day, I’d forget my backup batteries, it’s more shit to pack including chargers, they’d die half way through the day, etc. I’d definitely only want something powered from the bike, but that’s just me….. But then if you’re not also wearing an electric jacket you’d have to rig up your own wiring harness to connect the gloves to the controller under your shirt and up your arms….. That too would be a pain in the ass…..

They do make a longer "Y" connector so you can use heated gloves without having to plug them into the ends of a jacket. That would still be my vote over gloves with built in batteries. The wiring is as easy as fastening a helmet chin strap, no worries about power, and they will have higher wattage/be warmer than gloves that run off separate batteries.

Well there ya go Danny……

 

I had a pair of the battery ones and they were great going to work, but riding all day no. I ended up getting real ones, a Y cord that I left in my jacket between the liner and the outer layer, this was the best solution for me.

 

I've ran these at outside temp of 24F for about 15 min on High. Switched to Medium as things got to warm then Low for a 80 mile ride to the dealer.

 

Tried battery power gloves, they did get hot but since they weren't leather (fabric like the Klim above), the winter cold just ate through the gloves and heat.

I road in full heated gear (Gerbing; gloves, jacket, pants, socks) with a one piece insulated suit for 1000 miles, and I was sweating in high 20's and didn't reach 40's that day.

 

I'm a fan of Gerbing products. In fact I made a thread regarding one of their heated goodies a few weeks ago. My girlfriend is still using Gerbing gloves after 10 years. Just bought her some new batteries for them. They have 4 heat settings. Of course you'll get more run time on the lower settings but they do last for awhile before they need a recharge. I posted a discount code in thread that they sent me. They are definitely worth checking out

 

I've heard of people sending things to Gerbing that were 20-25 years old for warranty claims with no receipts and they still fixed it.

 

I put lobster claw glove covers on when riding in real cold temps.

They keep the wind off so the glove insulation can do its job.

Lobster claw so fingers can share the warmth but allow two fingers on the controls and two fingers on the grips.

 

Just an fyi, Gerbing sent me an email for 20% off, code is prime20

 

Between Rob L's Gerbing gear recommendations and 2k10fbio's 20% discount code, I now have a Gerbing Heated Liner, glove liners and dual controller to add to my heated gear collection.

Thanks men! I'll buy the beer if we ever cross paths.

L2

 

I have that jacket liner and like it a lot. So far anyway

 

As far as the legs go,
I have two pair of chaps, one just leather and the other pair has a heavy lining underneath them, I used to use these chaps all the time when riding in Colorado, you notice the difference, I've never had heated gloves, coats or a vest, as far as gloves go, I look for a high in pair of ski gloves, that are rated for 20° and are also wind and rainproof, with an extra cinch to keep water and snow out. As far as I go, I ought not be riding in 20° weather.....

 

People poo poo electric gear all the time…….. until they try it……..

 

My days playing Superman (or trying to be) are over. Been there, done that.

Anymore, I want to be comfortable. For the few days a year I want to be uncomfortable I'll go take my chopper out and raise some hell.

L2

 

Being that I'm not going to wear the other stuff, no need to be tethered with gloves alone. I'm looking for a pair of heated gloves that allows you to ride all day long. I know that would mean either recharging or additional batteries. Anyone have recommendations for this? Can I get a pair of gloves that connect directly to the bike? I would think that would be cumbersome as it would be two separate cords instead of the one plug in if I were wearing all the gear. Unless my logic is wrong.

Much like you I find my body temperature stays warm enough usually without the need for my heated liner. I do use it sometimes if it's in the 20's, but don't ride very much in that cold of temperature. The wired gloves alone are not cumbersome to me. I grab an end of the cord with each hand when I put my coat on, so it feeds into the sleeve with ease and the "Y" harness ends up about 6-inches below my waist. Sit on the bike and plug it into the pigtail that is located on the left side just below the front part of the seat. I don't have an adjustable temperature range, so it's always on high and quite comfortable. Never tried the battery powered ones so cannot help you there.

When I need the liner too is when it gets cumbersome for me. The controller in the liner is adjustable for the temperature and a pain in the ass to get right.

 

What I like the most about electric jackets, or in my case a vest now, is that it packs up very small and is super convenient to bring along even if you think you won’t need it……. I rode up to Wichita Falls this past spring to visit my mom and when I left San Antonio it was 75. When I was still over 100 miles from Wichita it began pouring rain and fell to 40 degrees which was below 32 with the wind chill……. I got super wet and had to stop at a gas station for 30 minutes because I was shaking uncontrollably and was pre-hypothermic I’m sure….. I remembered I had my vest in the saddlebag so put it on and cranked it to high for the first time ever and by the time I got to my sisters house I had turned it back down to low……. There is no way I would have made it without the vest and would have ended up in a motel for the night…….

 

Those that upgraded to plug in...did you upgrade your battery or stator? I've got a LP6 headlight setup that draws more power than the regular headlamp, an upgraded horn, heated seat, an amp and upgraded stereo. Just not sure if I needed to upgrade my bike's electrical system for the draw that could cover two people.

 

Simple answer for me is No. On my 09 I had an amp, but otherwise no other electric add on items of significance and never an issue with stock battery and stator. I suspect the same will be true for my 21 although I haven't used them yet.

 

Here's a screen shot where they reference amperage draw. Hopefully this helps

 

I went with a 50 amp stator on my pre-rush TC only because I had the primary apart and was changing out the OE compensator, so figured it was a no brainer insurance replacement……. Someone else may, but it is my understanding that Cycle Electric does not make a 50 amp for the M8….. I never had any charging issues before, but now it is cool checking the gauge and seeing 14 volts charging at idle…..

 

^^^^THIS for my old Ultra.
Would do the same for my new RG if Cycle offered the 50A stator. Not sure why the don't.
Maybe because the output for the newer bikes already falls pretty close to 50A at cruising speeds.
My concern has always been idling, not cruising. I know the bike can keep up with my current demands at cruising speeds but when I pull into a gas station or am stuck in traffic and we are on one of our cross country winter rides, that is a different story.
The typical amp can pull around 30A and with me and the wifey both plugged in, that is
another 12/15A. That, for me is not much of a cushion.
The charging systems for the newer bikes are significantly more robust than the older bikes but still.....Rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

2012 FLHTCU CHARGING SPECS:

2021 FLTRK CHARGING SPECS:

MUSWAY M8 AMP POWER SPECS:

 

In case you're interested in Gerbing attire here's another discount code I got today

 

Gee thanks guys...there went $1100 on heated gear for the wife and I last night.

• Two pairs of socks
• Two pairs of gloves
• Two pairs of pants
• One jacket
• Two 12V harness temp controller kits
• Two Y harnesses
• One 12V battery harness with fuses
• Two dual remote clip case w/mc mounts

I figured I didn't need anything on my torso just yet. I'll see how the rest of me stays warm and add a vest or jacket later as necessary. I could have used some of this gear on the ride in this morning. 50 degrees.

Just what I needed to do was spend that money. At least the coupon code saved me $297. lol

 

Man you are both going to love it. I look at it this way: we all spend lots of money for parts that when you really think about it, are totally over priced and worthless just for sound, Dyno sheet numbers, etc. Heated gear is pricey but actually helps add lots of fun miles to the season. Because if that, heated gear has been my favorite accessory ever.

As far as a jacket or vest, I've found that when my core stays warm, it helps make it feel like the rest of my body is warmer even if not using heated gear for those sections. If I only had to keep one heated garment, it would be my shirt. So definitely look into that later on if you feel it's needed. What you have already is still going to be great.

 

I've got rechargeable heated gloves I caught on sale a few years ago at Cabela's. I can't remember the brand off hand but they work well but sadly are only good for 4-6 hours. Then they take forever to recharge, like 8 hours! On a side note they are the most waterproof gloves I own!

 

I've NEVER heard ANYONE say, damn, wish I hadn't wasted that money on my heated gear.....

 

I have Gerbing 12v gloves that can be used with a Y-cable down the sleeves or connected to a heated jacket liner. They have a 12v hybrid model that can take batteries too. You would also need a single controller. I have a adapter to plug the controller into my Battery Tender battery cable.

I also have a pair of 7v rechargeable Gerbing gloves that I moved to dog ball tossing duty.

 

So I didn't like the bulk of the Gerbing midlayer stuff that showed up and have contacted them for a return. Warm and Safe base layers it is. Thanks @Scott7d for putting me in contact with Ken. He hooked me up.

 

At 65 with bad curculation I've found the best way to handle the cold was to turn up the heater in my truck.