Question about heated gear

[Skeet7373]

I have never owned heated gear. Before cow hide was all I had riding a 93 FXLR. Now with the TG, I want to stay warm. Last Saturday started out at around 40 and didn't get any warmer (very cloudy, windy) than 50. I lost the feeling in my hands for over two hours. They sure did hurt when the feeling came back. So, my question is, I understand that a jacket liner, pants and gloves will all connect together with a dual thermostat. That means you can only control two things. Without heated grips, do your finger tips stay warm as to not go numb? Having warmer legs would be great. I need some 101 on how to hook it up and how to use it all. Plus is one name brand better than the other as in Gerbing (in business for 35 years) against HD, Tourmaster, etc. Any lessons on heated gear will be much appreciated. I do know this, I told my family I wanted heated gloves for xmas!! Karen

 

[Missouri Charley]

Skeet, those are some great questions. My wife and I ride year round and we use the Gerbing gear. Now the dual controler has 2 circuits we'll call left and right, our jacket liners plug into either the left or the right circut, doesn't matter. Our heated gloves plug into a factory installed wire in the jacket liner, 1 circuit but 2 articles of gear. The pants liner plugs into the other controller circut and the socks plug into the pants liner, 2 articles of gear on the other 1 circut. Hope this is not too confusing, but you can run 4 articles of clothing on 2 circuts. Charley

 

[mhgoldwing]

We just purchased new Gerbing jacket liners and gloves. Missouri Charley is correct on the hook-up. One note; our salesman recommended against the heated pants on a trike until we tried the jacket liner and gloves on their own because the core blood being heated actually keeps the legs warmer than you would think. Also, the wind protection on a trike (Wing with trike wings) is much better than most.

I have never had heated before and as yet have only been able to try it once. Was very impressed at how much difference just a little heat can make riding much more comfortable.

 

[Mick]

The Missus and I ride around here until the roads get salted for the 1st time. With the heated gear you can have a comfortable ride even if its 30 degrees out. And MHGoldwing is right with your core being warmer your legs wont be as cold. I have heated grips and without the heated gloves the tops of your hands and finger tips get cold and numb. For my legs I used to use leather chaps but the weight and not being really flexible finally go to me this year. My missus got me a set of fleece lined Colorado chaps and they are the cats pajamas for wearing over your pants.

 

[Skeet7373]

thanks guys, I do understand the hook up. My only issue is hands and tops of legs. I've looked at the Colorado Chaps and they look very nice.

 

[DakotaTG]

My wife and I have the heated jacket liners from HD which I believe are actually made by Gerbing. We do not wear heated pant liners and usually just have insulated underwear on under the jeans. We stay warm enough with just the liners. We have ridden in temps in the low 30's thru Yellowstone, mountains and on the highway and have stayed warm enough. I do have heated grips on the trike and it does help keep the hands warm but as mentioned the back of the hands will feel colder. A couple friends have the heated gloves and like them but also state they hate having to plug and unplug all the time. Said they feel like little kids with their gloves on strings. Another couple we know have heated fabric chaps and really like them. Easy on and off.

I would suggest starting out with the jacket liner and the gloves if you don't have heated grips. Go with the jacket liner verses the vest as it makes a difference having the arms warmed as well. After trying that for awhile then you will know if you need the pants or not.

2011 Merlot and Black TG, Dennis' lift kit and deflectors, LED headlights and taillights, LRS 9 in flattop windshield in light tint, stage 1 with CVO slipons and PCV tuner.

 

[Ozarkryder]

I have a Gerbings jacket liner and gloves, Gloria has a Tourmaster Synergy jacket liner. both liners heat well, but the Synergy controller seems to have problems. Warm & Safe (also carried through Firstgear) has an adapter to bypass the Hi-Med-Lo Synergy controller to use the infinately adjustable Warm & Safe, Gerbings, HD (made by Gerbings) Powerlet, Aerostich and the like controllers. all of last group use the same kind of plug for power and the controllers are pretty much interchangeable.

As to keeping the different zones of the body warm, a riding buddy has Gerbings jacket liner and powerlet glove liners on one HD (by gerbings) dual controller, and Warm & Safe heated pants liners and Gerbings heated insoles controlled by a Warm & safe dual Heat-Troller. 4 seperate control zones with 2 plug in points. a bit of a kludge, but that guy stays warm!

 

[Skeet7373]

I'll look into the Warm and Safe gear, never head of that brand before.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Here you go: Warm & Safe, the Home of the Warmest Clothing in the Universe

 

[Bikerbozo]

Do you ever see a shivering cow or buffalo? I just got a new heavy leather jacket and my first pair of leather pants. Rode in 27'F coming back from Quebec last week and was warm. I use rifle mitten covers over my snow mobile gloves for those kind of temps. Work great at cutting wind. I would consider ordering electric, but there is no chance I would remember to unplug.

 

[Ozarkryder]

LOL - As a matter of fact, growing up in Minnesota in farm country, I have seen cows shiver! Not unusual to hit -20° for at least a few days every winter, they try to keep then in at that temp but they are out regularly below freezing.

After 35 years of wearing leather, I am beginning to think the modern textile gear can be warmer in the cold, cooler in the warm and more wet resistant. Would have thought that was sacrilege 10 or 15 years ago, but times and technology changes.

 

[in2cjs]

LOL - As a matter of fact, growing up in Minnesota in farm country, I have seen cows shiver! Not unusual to hit -20° for at least a few days every winter, they try to keep then in at that temp but they are out regularly below freezing.

After 35 years of wearing leather, I am beginning to think the modern textile gear can be warmer in the cold, cooler in the warm and more wet resistant. Would have thought that was sacrilege 10 or 15 years ago, but times and technology changes.

Being from MN
I'll second that as I've seen many a cow shiver,, I took that as a cue and I own Gerbings and haven't shivered again

 

[Skeet7373]

LOL, I have to agree on the cold cow hide. Without layers, leather is cold to me. My issue with heated gloves would be to unplug and the thickness for small hands. How about these?

 

[in2cjs]

I use gerbings liners in my old Army cold weather shells.
no trouble gripping anything.

 

[GARYD]

I'm 68 years old and have been riding all winter in the Chicago area. This is what I wear when it really gets cold 30* and below for all day riding - not just a couple hours.
1. UnderArmour tops and bottoms
2. knee warmers when 0*
3. leather chaps
4. Long sleeve shirt
5. Jeans
6. Gerbing jacket liner/gloves
7. Balaclava
8. Fur hat with ear flaps (warmest head gear I've ever found)
9. Chemical heat toe pads (good for 8 hours)
10. Leather jacket(In January I bought a BMG textile riding jacket) almost too warm with the heated liner.

One word of caution. In my case I have a problem with the pads of my fingers(finger print area) not getting any heat since the wiring of the gloves go horizontally around the fingers. The heated grips also don't heat that area because I have long fingers. so I have to scrunch up my fingers when out for a long time. That is my one and only pet peeve. I wish Gerbing would run the wires from the top of the fingers around the tips to the bottom = problem would be solved.

Even though Gerbing has never responded to any of my e-mails on this problem, I would still recommend them as having the best product. They do make the H-D heated items....and a better price and warranty then H-D.

Years ago(1970's) there was a product called "Hippo Hands" that worked like a miracle. I think I read somewhere that they still sell them in snowmobile dealers. Kinda looked like picture in post #13

 

[geol]

My missus and I were on our way home to Texas that day from Alabama and understand your pain. This is my missus who bought almost all the stuff she is wearing... long johns included....

 

[Bikerbozo]

Now I just feel sorry for all those shivering cows in MN. Luckily I have a solution. Just got back from dinner at Five Guys Burger. No cold cows there.
Forgot to mention that with all my leather, I also have plenty of layers. I will be riding out to Tucson in less than a week and expect some cold, but not sub zero.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Here in SW Missouri and NW Arkansas are the cows to feel sorry for - they are destined to become that succulent steak, that juicy burger or, for those bovines that don't make the grade, the chunks of meat in that canned stew sitting in the back of the cupboard. Cattle in Minnesota or Wisconsin are dairy cattle. No need to feel sorry for them if they shiver - everyone knows milk is supposed to be kept cold.

Layers is the way to go, even with heated clothes. It is easier to regulate temperature with layers. The worst thing you can do is get too hot and perspire when it is cold.

 

[Skeet7373]

My missus and I were on our way home to Texas that day from Alabama and understand your pain. This is my missus who bought almost all the stuff she is wearing... long johns included....

I've ridden in temps colder than that day, but darn it was so cold for my hands. With a leather jacket, an under armour shirt, sweatshirt, scarf crossed over my chest, a BUFF to pull up over my nose, a helmet like your wife's, two layers for pants, two pairs of socks, and the only thing that got cold were my hands and tops of my legs. It was painful.

 

[ladyff1481]

I am enjoying reading all the posts. Very informative. I have been thinking about heated clothing as well.

 

[FRR]

My girl friend gave me a Tourmaster heated vest 3 yrs ago and I LOVE it. It has 3 adjustments and anything above low will run you out of it at 40 degrees.

 

[rhino 2]

Heated gear is the way i ride in the winter, Two things about it, You must remember to unplug when you dismount, And in case of a malfunction i.e. Blown fuse, bike stops running, Or forgetting to unplug [done that] you should have extra cloths with you!

 

[BinIdaho]

I have the HD heated jacket liner and gloves. So far, I haven't had to use them but after a ride from Caldwell to Boise in 28* weather yesterday, decided the heated gear has to be worn. Stopped at the local HD shop and ordered the heated pants today.

 

[Rick Kay]

I guess I'm getting to the age where cold is going to bother me more...very interested in heated gear, now, especially gloves-my hands seem to freeze to the bars!

Does anyone have a line on an American made product? I can't seem to find any...

 

[GARYD]

As I said earlier,

One word of caution. In my case I have a problem with the pads of my fingers(finger print area) not getting any heat since the wiring of the gloves go horizontally around the fingers. The heated grips also don't heat that area because I have long fingers. so I have to scrunch up my fingers when out for a long time. That is my one and only pet peeve. I wish Gerbing would run the wires from the top of the fingers around the tips to the bottom = problem would be solved.

I've contacted Gerbing 4 more times. At least someone finally replied back, but on all three times they couldn't answer that very simple question. I can't believe no one at Gerbing can give me a definative answer - probably because the gloves are not wired the way I need them, but at least tell me so I don't keep wasteing my time trying to get an answer.
If I had the knowledge, I'd take the gloves apart and rewire them myself. I guess I could try a tailor.