[BigBadandPlaid]

I have the Tourmaster gloves and jacket. A bit of a pain to plug up but with a little planning, they work very well. I keep the gloves on HI and the jacket on Low. this is in 20's to low 30's weather. A fleece jacket over the heated jacket helps get rid of the cold spots around the elbow, upper arm and sides. Another thing I do is that I got rid of my chaps. Use leather pants w/ a fleecie type long underwear. no cold spots and are comfortable.
One cold dec morn, a drive from Birmingham to E. Tenn. at interstate speeds was comfortable with the starting temp of 27 F. to 33 F. at the trips end.
Carry an extra fuze just in case...........I like being in the cold, not being cold.


john

 

[Rowdy]

Sounds like you are set up for some cold weather... I use the Gerbing heated gear and it works well, but I am due for an upgrade. I have the old shool wiring in mine. The new stuff is much better. You are right about it taking some planning with the heated gear, I don't like getting plugged in unless we are gonna put some miles on. It is definitly a PITA to get plugged in.

 

[Gadgetech]

I am looking forward to trying some heated gear and have only heard of the Gerbring stuff. Either way, I plan on gloves and a vest which I'm hoping will take me down into the 30s. I have chaps but I might look into the leather pants deal.

 

[BigBadandPlaid]

I don't think the jacket is that more than the vest. Even w/ an armoured M/C wind and waterproof overcoat, you may get a bit uncomfortabls with just a vest and gloves. Heated sleeves do help a lot.

john

 

[slaterman5]

i have the H.D. ....fxrg leather coat and ,fxrg bib overpants insullated in cordura....use a Gerbing heated vest and gloves, and full face helmet. the vest works great if you can keep your core temp up seems to keep me warm all over....have rode in the mid teens and been fine.

 

[crusty]

Sounds like you are set up for some cold weather... I use the Gerbing heated gear and it works well, but I am due for an upgrade. I have the old shool wiring in mine. The new stuff is much better. You are right about it taking some planning with the heated gear, I don't like getting plugged in unless we are gonna put some miles on. It is definitly a PITA to get plugged in.

I'm with you... been dragging my old-school Gerbings jacket around for 100k miles or so... need to make the leap to the new stuff soon!

Can't beat riding with heated gear! When I lived in Eastern WA, I used to live 30 miles from work, and would ride year round, unless the roads were icy... loved the crazy looks when cars would roll by me, wondering WTF this crazy bastard on a bike was doing out in single digit temps!

 

[dklanecky]

I don't think the jacket is that more than the vest. Even w/ an armoured M/C wind and waterproof overcoat, you may get a bit uncomfortabls with just a vest and gloves. Heated sleeves do help a lot. john

Another Gerbings fan here. I have the newer thin wired outer pants, and the HD gloves (made by Gerbings). The wiring is a bitch initially, but once you get it set up it's pretty straightforward. I have the Gerbings dual controller, with once circuit covering the gloves, and the other the pants.

The wiring to your gloves (for me anyhow) will run through your jacket sleeves (if you have a jacket). I have my controller clipped on my jacket pocket, on the left side, so I can reach and change the settings easily. One wire connects me to the bike,

I don't know how the guys get the wires to the gloves if your just wearing a vest?

 

[nondairycreamer]

wire your own

I like and own Gerbing's gear, for 20 years now, but a recent ride with the Cascade Extreme suit reveals a cold spot on my waist just above the pants. The heated area on the jacket does not cover this area which is not the case with a liner I asked them to custom wire several years back. Other than this, I can't fault them and the company has good customer service.

If you have the patience or have a girlfriend that will help out, you can wire your own gear, perhaps liners from your leathers.

Also, I replaced all the crash padding with the latest from Cycleport. The Gerbing's was extremely heavy rubber like material. Cycleport sells the best and it is much lighter.

And consider a one piece suit, much more convenient for winter riding. Also look at the heated gear offered by Rider Wearhouse/ Aerostitch.

 

[razz]

The Gerbings jacket liner and gloves have kept me QUITE warm and toasty, under my 'Stich Roadcrafter, for many winters, now.

7F on I-40 through Flagstaff, AZ last year (actual temp), and I was perspiring.

My legs/feets never seem to feel the cold, even without heat.....must be those several decades of mountain biking in extreme cold.

 

[groupw]

......... i haven't gone to any electrical yet. Ski bibs, Sorels and a fleece neckwarmer under the FF has worked so far,......... but dam, some heated gloves would really be nice !

 

[DreamRider]

......... i haven't gone to any electrical yet. Ski bibs, Sorels and a fleece neckwarmer under the FF has worked so far,......... but dam, some heated gloves would really be nice !

X2...XMas 2010 suggestions to our families

 

[SafetyMan]

Snowmobile gear.

Im from Northern Michigan, and have worn my sled gear to -25 and been fine.

Nothing electric except the face shield on my helmet to keep it clear.

On the bike, without heated grips and a fairing to tuck feet into, I've ridden into the upper teens.

 

[DreamRider]

Snowmobile gear.

Im from Northern Michigan, and have worn my sled gear to -25 and been fine.

Nothing electric except the face shield on my helmet to keep it clear.

On the bike, without heated grips and a fairing to tuck feet into, I've ridden into the upper teens.

SafetyMan can you post a link to the helmet with your visor that your using in cold weather please, thanks.

 

[SafetyMan]

They're not DOT approved.

They are a snowmobile shield. I don't use them on the bike, maybe I wasn't clear there.

But most helmet mfgrs that make snowmobile helmets have them. HJC, Bell, Bieffe, just look up snowmobile helmets.

 

[GuyHD]

Question

What's better: heated grips or heated gloves?

 

[DreamRider]

What's better: heated grips or heated gloves?

My bet is on heated gloves in real cold weather. Lets see what the other members think.

 

[1BigGuy]

I've had both, but for real cold days there is no replacement for the gloves as they cover the back of your hands. Don't get me wrong, in the climate I'm in headed grips are more useful, it's just that they can only go so far.

 

[masonc]

has anybody tried using the disposable handwarmers in their gloves? i was going to give that a shot this year instead of buying the electric stuff.

 

[crusty]

has anybody tried using the disposable handwarmers in their gloves? i was going to give that a shot this year instead of buying the electric stuff.

Tried them a few times prior to heated grips/gloves... they work great where they contact your skin... but they do nothing for your fingers, where you really need the heat.

 

[masonc]

Tried them a few times prior to heated grips/gloves... they work great where they contact your skin... but they do nothing for your fingers, where you really need the heat.

well poop. was hoping to be able to go the cheaper route to extend the season a bit. that electric stuff is more than i am able to spend right now but sounds like it's worth it.