Tourmaster heated gloves > heated grips (makes your hands sweat). Check for fit by making a fist--this will tell you if there's enough room for grasping the bars. My right glove's thumb was a bit short by that standard.
Tourmaster heated vest: Awesome. Keeps even determined windchill at bay. Bonus: the heat keeps the blood circulating, so your back is less stiff after a long ride.
Plugging in can be a nuisance, but cozy fingers and guts are well worth it. Boot soles can get super cold if you're riding a cruiser or maxi-scoot. Most of the socks/liners seem pretty dodgy at the moment, reliability-wise.
I currently have a Tourmaster Synergy heated full-sleeved jacket liner. I've never needed higher than its Medium setting, usually Low or sometimes not even turned on, especially in the last few weeks. Also have heated grips on the V-Strom which definitely help my hands -- fingertips occasionally get cold if it's really bitter out though.
If I felt the bike could handle the power output, I'd probably pick up the Tourmaster heated pant liner just for the added comfort. But instead I have thermal underarmor/wear that I picked up at Royal, think it was $35-40 for the set (underpants+shirt) which helps a bit. Also have Joe Rocket Alter Ego riding pants which really help with the cold/rain etc.
I'm pretty resistant to the cold, but I'd have to say I wouldn't be riding quite so much throughout the winter/colder months if it weren't for the liner.
There's a whole new set of lithium ion powered heated gear coming out right now that avoids the plugging in problems and can last anywhere from 1h up to 10h depending on item and manufacturer and power setting. There's some made more for hiking from Columbia Sports, I've been trying to find if they make a heated vest as this would interest me, and there's some bike specific gear (Mobiwarm or something like that it's called, the name escapes me) that looks really interesting and it's pretty reasonably priced too.
The battery powered stuff has pretty limited heat coverage, according to the reviews I've read. That, and the limited coverage is often in strange places--one vest had two small patches on the back. Not very useful on the highway.
It makes sense--heating is energy intensive and even the best batteries would drain trying to power 100w/8A worth of heaters. Some brands do seem to have decent reviews. Unfortunately, batteries are heavy, expensive AND you need to recharge/replace them.
My complaint with plug-ins has more to do with the cable harness. It seems marginally short in the wrong places and isn't sensibly integrated with the gloves. The controllers need to be plugged just like the power instead of hardwired. Still, you get used to it and the radiant heat is nicer than the forced air inside cars. Zipping along on those bright, crisp days without a shiver really proves their worth.
I rode from June to February 10th and only stopped due to insurance running out. Had already 2 weeks in total of no riding due to snow on the floor.
You don't need heated gear imo, took advice from ppl here to wear long johns, got some decent winter riding gloves and then used some thermal gear as an under-layer. Finger tips got cold sometimes but were fine after I threw my hands onto the engine/motor on red lights.
...then again, I'm one of those guys that go jog in -20 weather lol
Battery technology is getting better. Some of the items I've seen will run at 1/4 power for 10h for instance and the batteries are not hulking great monstrosities. I'm willing to try some gloves or a vest to see what they are like.
Battery technology is getting better. Some of the items I've seen will run at 1/4 power for 10h for instance and the batteries are not hulking great monstrosities. I'm willing to try some gloves or a vest to see what they are like.
If you wind up doing so, especially for the gloves or boot/insole type, please let us know how they work out. Would be interested in this myself, as an alternative to having too many things plugged into the bike.
Lost the connection cord a few years back (make sure you tether it if it detaches from both ends).
Ordered a new one, two weeks - no cord. Called Gerbring -express shipped me another one, and the first one showed up 2 days later. Told me to keep it for my troubles - no charge.
Never had a problem with the vest but it is pricey - it was 200 beans a decade ago.
Got to add that my 5-year old Gerbings heated jacket stopped working while we were riding in Iceland last year. Came home, filled out a warrantee repair form, mailed the jacket to Gerbings and in less than 3-weeks, got a brand-new heated jacket!
Got to add that my 5-year old Gerbings heated jacket stopped working while we were riding in Iceland last year. Came home, filled out a warrantee repair form, mailed the jacket to Gerbings and in less than 3-weeks, got a brand-new heated jacket!
Got to add that my 5-year old Gerbings heated jacket stopped working while we were riding in Iceland last year. Came home, filled out a warrantee repair form, mailed the jacket to Gerbings and in less than 3-weeks, got a brand-new heated jacket!
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How many of you extend the riding season by wearing heated clothing ?
