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Cruiser
Posts: 74
Winston-Salem, NC | Any suggestions as to the best heated riding gear? What works best and is not a mess of wires? How do you hook up the heated gear to a Vision. Advice and recommendations are greatly appreciated!! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| I have the firstgear heated jacket liner. Very happy. Installed a powerlet below the seat on the left side and bought the powerlet adapter so easy hookup right there. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Good to hear about someone else not willing to park for the winter.
There are probably earlier discussions as well, but check out the recent thread @:
http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4586&pos... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
Winston-Salem, NC | Thanks!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | I have a Gerbing heated jacket, pants and gloves and they work awesome. Gerbing is the leader in this space in a big way. They have the best technology and their new MicroWire technology is really great. They also do a lot of business with the military. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| Check out Gerbing's (www.gerbing.com) products. They have the most size options. For every chest size, they have many sleeve sizes so you can get close to a custom fit. They usually have a booth at the International Motorcycle Show (IMS) so you can find out what size best fits you.
You don't want the garment loose, else it will bunch up creating 3 layers of heating elements at the wrinkle which is not a good thing. You also do not want to wear heavy/thick items under the heated garment, else it will negate the heat transfer efficiency. You do want to wear something over it, else the wind chill will defeat the heating elements.
Gerbing also has on/off inline controllers as well as inline or bike mounted variable controllers (single and dual zone controllers). The bike mounted variable controllers are great to handle temperature changes without having to stop to add/remove layers.
They have heated vests, jacket liners, pant liners, gloves and heated insoles for your boots. They make the OEM products for companies like Victory and Harley, but they do not use all of their best features (zippered glove connections, nicer linings, nicer colars, etc.) and size ranges (S/M/L versus individual chest/sleeve size combinations) in the OEM products. I have looked at most all of them out there. The wifey and I use the Gerbing jackets and gloves with permanent mounted controllers on the bike. Now, if the Victory would ever come out with the 65amp stator in thier 2008 & 2009 catalog to account for the extra electrical accessories, I would be a happy camper.
HTH, Tim
Edited by TimS 2009-11-27 3:22 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 550
Tacoma, WA | I don't know about Gerbing being the leader, but they are certainly the most expensive I have seen. And they don't even come with a controller, it is extra. I bought Tourmaster, who do not have "microwire" technology, whatever that is, but they utilize carbon fiber elements, which are strong, light, and work really well. And they come with a controller for each piece you buy, so they may be used separately, or can be plugged together, and utilize one controller for the whole ensamble. They are also affordable, and work well. I used just my pants today, as it was not too cold (40 degrees) and was toasty. ------Metalguy |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 669
Peachtree City, GA | Check out http://heatedclothingoutlet.com/index.shtml
They have some great deals - if your size is in stock. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| I've read the micorwire in the gerbings has been having issues. Either uneven heating or breaking. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I have, well... heated grips and seat....and long johns... 
Edited by varyder 2009-11-28 9:03 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| Here is inexpensive option. I have purchased these Wrangler jeans and found them to be very warm and comfortable. They are flannel lined jeans with an additional 100g Thinsulate lining between the jean and flannel layers. I have both these jeans and the Carhart flannel lined jeans (No thinsulate). The Wrangler Thinsulate/Flannel lined jeans are very warm meant for colder weather. The Carhart is a nice mid-temp jean.
http://www.denimexpress.com/wrangler-mens-152.html |
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Tourer
Posts: 423
northwest florida | Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing Gerbing |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | bless you... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | My riding buddy has the Gerbings and I have the Warm-N-Safe (FirstGear) heated liners. They both work very well. He spent considerably more than I did. I like the Warm-N-Safe better than the Gerbing because the Warm-N-Safe has spandex panels in the liner, which allows for a snug fit without restricting movement. A snug fit is important for proper heat transfer. The Gerbing has to be precisely measured for chest, waist, and sleeve fit. The W&S comes in several universal sizes, which fit many different body shapes well because of the spandex panels. Either of them will make cold weather riding enjoyable. Warm-N-safe is sold under the FirstGear brand in many different retailers, or you can order directly from the factory. If you register with the factory as a club member, such as the Victory Motorcycle Club, or HOG, or Goldwing Riders, etc, the factory will sell direct to the individual at a 20% discount. http://www.warmnsafe.com I started with the portable controllers, but ended up mounting the permanent controllers on my Vision. The control knobs for me are on the center console and the wife's are on the right armrest below the speaker. It all looks factory installed. The Vision's charging system has no trouble handling two full sets of heated gear (jacket, pants, and gloves).
Ronnie |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| rdbudd - 2009-11-30 9:33 PM
My riding buddy has the Gerbings and I have the Warm-N-Safe (FirstGear) heated liners. They both work very well. He spent considerably more than I did. I like the Warm-N-Safe better than the Gerbing because the Warm-N-Safe has spandex panels in the liner, which allows for a snug fit without restricting movement. A snug fit is important for proper heat transfer. The Gerbing has to be precisely measured for chest, waist, and sleeve fit. The W&S comes in several universal sizes, which fit many different body shapes well because of the spandex panels. Either of them will make cold weather riding enjoyable. Warm-N-safe is sold under the FirstGear brand in many different retailers, or you can order directly from the factory. If you register with the factory as a club member, such as the Victory Motorcycle Club, or HOG, or Goldwing Riders, etc, the factory will sell direct to the individual at a 20% discount. http://www.warmnsafe.com I started with the portable controllers, but ended up mounting the permanent controllers on my Vision. The control knobs for me are on the center console and the wife's are on the right armrest below the speaker. It all looks factory installed. The Vision's charging system has no trouble handling two full sets of heated gear (jacket, pants, and gloves).
Ronnie
Can you post pics of your setup? Also, what did you wire the controllers into?
thanks! |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | I have Wider,it works great but is no longer available, I have a buddy who uses Gerbing and says it works well too. We have ridden together at 9-12F and both of us were good. About an hour out your feet will get cold though............. |
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | I have ruined another pair of water proof pants by accidentally allowing them to touch the hot pipes for a split second. How does the heated gear hold up to this? Is it a little more forgiving?
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| I used the blank hole on the dash to put a switch in and it runs my heated jacket. There is no better way to ride then feeling like toast |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| john frey - 2011-09-06 11:02 AM
I used the blank hole on the dash to put a switch in and it runs my heated jacket. There is no better way to ride then feeling like toast
I don't have a blank hole in my dash. I had a blank switch cover that is now occupied with a momentary PTT switch that I use for my garage door opener.
What I'm looking for is place to locate a powered RCA receptacle for my gear, not a switch, and something to power it with.... If there are existing non used powered connectors under the dash, I sure haven't seen them. Again, the only unused plug I found was specifically for my Garmin GPS.
Edited by Turk 2011-09-06 12:58 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | Gerbing all the way! While they may be more expensive than some others, they are the best in my opinion. They have a great line of plug and play accessories, and I have never had a single problem with mine. I had mine wired to plug into the bike (both driver and passenger), and used their panel mounted port kit to keep the plugs small. For the front I mounted the temperature control knobs on the center console near the seat, and the plug ins off to the left. For the passenger I have the plug ins on the left side (to coincide with the location of the liner control wiring), and the temperature control knobs on the left. If anyone would like pics, just let me know and I will take and upload some.
There may indeed be cheaper heated clothing out there, but for me, none is better than Gerbing. I am toasty down to well within the 30's (haven't tried it colder than that), and can ride in most conditions very comfortably. And for what its worth, their liners without the heat on work better than my original jacket liners; they seem to block the wind much better.
Right now I only have the jacket liners and gloves, but will likely add the pants this year.
Anyway, that's just my opinion. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | deleted. Pictures didn't load.
Ronnie
Edited by rdbudd 2011-09-06 7:26 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 96
Princeton, IL | I too have Gerbing. I ride late into the season into work. It is 72 miles one way and I have ridden when it is 27 degrees F out and was warm all the way. It feels like you have clothes just out of the dryer packed around your body. I do ride a Visin so there is a lot of protection to start with. The hardest part is keeping your noggin warm inside the helmet, though I have finally solved that problem too. I have the XE Pants, jacket liner, and gloves. The only issue I am having right now is that sometime last year the controller developed a loose connection where it connects to the jacket and created a high esistance connection. It got very hot to the touch! I am calling tomorrow to see how good their warranty is. Other wise I really like their products. Oh one last thing, the velcro on the pants pocket pulled off the first time I tried to use the pockets. I had to sew it back on myself to make sure it stays.
Edited by SammyJ 2011-09-06 8:34 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
Tampa Bay, FL | I have an Eclipse, I believe was made by Gerbling under a different name at one time. Bought used on Ebay, works great. I do recommend whatever you get to add the Heat-Troller. Fabulous!
I am currently determining where to put the RCA plug. I have a 2012 XC Tour. Down to either tapping into the wire under seat running to my passenger backrest/storage which has a accessory plug, or coming off the battery and attaching it to bottom of fairing, lowers, or even rear of handlebars. Plan to add a USB charger to the other one anyway for my GPS. Then again the Heat-troller has an accessory plug so might just plug it into the plug on the fairing.
Edited by MTVic 2011-09-06 10:08 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| SammyJ - 2011-09-06 8:33 PM
I too have Gerbing. I ride late into the season into work. It is 72 miles one way and I have ridden when it is 27 degrees F out and was warm all the way. It feels like you have clothes just out of the dryer packed around your body. I do ride a Visin so there is a lot of protection to start with. The hardest part is keeping your noggin warm inside the helmet, though I have finally solved that problem too. I have the XE Pants, jacket liner, and gloves. The only issue I am having right now is that sometime last year the controller developed a loose connection where it connects to the jacket and created a high esistance connection. It got very hot to the touch! I am calling tomorrow to see how good their warranty is. Other wise I really like their products. Oh one last thing, the velcro on the pants pocket pulled off the first time I tried to use the pockets. I had to sew it back on myself to make sure it stays.
How do you connect your Gerbing controller(s) to power on the bike? Where did you locate the controller?
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Cruiser
Posts: 96
Princeton, IL | I have the connection cable routed directly from the battery and have it so I can untuck it from the left side of the bodywork when needed. I have a permanent dual controller that I have not mounted as I use a dual controller that I attach to my jacket and plug into the aforementioned cable on my bike. I have several ides to mount the permanent controllers but cannot make up my mind. My first thought has been to mount them on the panel directly on front of the seat with a quick disconnect so I can change the panel out in the summer and not have the controller knobs there. I have also looked at mounting them on the left side fairing next to the seat. That is kinda permanent though. As of now I am happy with the portable controller. If you need a pic of the installation I will take one and post it.
Edited by SammyJ 2011-09-09 10:39 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | +1 on Gerbing - If you have a jacket with a removable liner, you gan send it to them and they will wire it up for $150ish. The wife and I both roll this way and it is incredible. |
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heated riding gear