Heated clothing for those colder days out
Discussion
Thinking of getting something "like" this:- https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
I like the idea of plugging it into the bike and not relying purely on batteries as sometimes I won't/don't know how long I'll be out for. I venture out all year round (pleasure not business) and from October through to March have been relying on my heated grips, Bering goretex winter gloves and Rukka jacket and trousers wearing various layers underneath.
Although equally, I'd like something with batteries that would double up for known shorter rides and maybe for cold mornings walking the dog, pub visits, etc.
Earlier on in the year I popped into the bike clothing shop behind Loomies and was chatting to the guy there as I was thinking of getting some heated gloves. His idea or suggestion was to get a heated jacket as that should sort out my core temperature meaning less colder hands. Does that sound about right or a just a sales pitch?
With my heated grips and gloves on it does keep the inside of my hand warm but notably colder on the outer side. Anyone who uses the heated jackets care to comment and give me some feedback if it's worth venturing down this route?
I like the idea of plugging it into the bike and not relying purely on batteries as sometimes I won't/don't know how long I'll be out for. I venture out all year round (pleasure not business) and from October through to March have been relying on my heated grips, Bering goretex winter gloves and Rukka jacket and trousers wearing various layers underneath.
Although equally, I'd like something with batteries that would double up for known shorter rides and maybe for cold mornings walking the dog, pub visits, etc.
Earlier on in the year I popped into the bike clothing shop behind Loomies and was chatting to the guy there as I was thinking of getting some heated gloves. His idea or suggestion was to get a heated jacket as that should sort out my core temperature meaning less colder hands. Does that sound about right or a just a sales pitch?
With my heated grips and gloves on it does keep the inside of my hand warm but notably colder on the outer side. Anyone who uses the heated jackets care to comment and give me some feedback if it's worth venturing down this route?
Totally worth it. Not only warmer, but better freedom of movement as you are wearing less bulky clothing. Have used down to -5C or so.
Negatives:
- You still must carry warm clothes as if you have a heated vest failure or bike breakdown (so no electrical power) you will become excessively cold, which is dangerous.
- They break. I’ve had two, they both had heating element failures after a year. Make sure you get one with a long warranty.
Negatives:
- You still must carry warm clothes as if you have a heated vest failure or bike breakdown (so no electrical power) you will become excessively cold, which is dangerous.
- They break. I’ve had two, they both had heating element failures after a year. Make sure you get one with a long warranty.
And check the wattages of the garments before you buy.
I was a big Keis fan, had the lot. I lost alot of weight and rebought new stuff in the right size. New stuff was waaaay cooler than the old stuff, some of the wattages have been brought down i think, presumably so it can also be powered by batteries if needed.
I moved over to Gerbing last year as the stuff is hotter, but you can't get a body warmer with Gerbing at the moment.
I was a big Keis fan, had the lot. I lost alot of weight and rebought new stuff in the right size. New stuff was waaaay cooler than the old stuff, some of the wattages have been brought down i think, presumably so it can also be powered by batteries if needed.
I moved over to Gerbing last year as the stuff is hotter, but you can't get a body warmer with Gerbing at the moment.
Nath911t said:
With my heated grips and gloves on it does keep the inside of my hand warm but notably colder on the outer side. Anyone who uses the heated jackets care to comment and give me some feedback if it's worth venturing down this route?
get some bar muffs. With a set of those (mine are Givi, but i suspect they are all much of a muchness) and heated grips I have ridden in to work at -8C. Also help to stop windchill when your gloves get wet.I made my own heated jacket some years back when I was commuting all winter, cost about £25. I then had to modify it a bit as it was initially too hot 
Then I bought a £10 controller to allow me to run it at lower temperatures but never ended up fitting it as I was working somewhere else by the next winter.
Keeping your core temperature up makes a massive difference to the rest of your body and makes the ride so much more pleasant.
Then I bought a £10 controller to allow me to run it at lower temperatures but never ended up fitting it as I was working somewhere else by the next winter.Keeping your core temperature up makes a massive difference to the rest of your body and makes the ride so much more pleasant.
Keis stuff has a faily good rep, but that particular model is only suitable for powering from the 12v battery, doesn't support battery packs.
If I was spending that amount of money I'd want something that gave 'off bike' use as well via battery packs so you could get more general use out of it.
Something like this from the same manufacturer: https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
If I was spending that amount of money I'd want something that gave 'off bike' use as well via battery packs so you could get more general use out of it.
Something like this from the same manufacturer: https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
Ride everyday. Gerbing and Keis are my go to.
Get a Gerbing jacket and gloves and that's job jobbed. The gloves plug into the jacket which itself plugs into a lead fitted to the bike. So simple and makes all the difference.
As per the poster above with Keis , they don't tend to get as hot as the Gerbing stuff so better for the less severe cold.
I used to wear a million layers and look like the Michelin man but now it's a simple long sleeved undergarment, heated jacket and a weatherproof over jacket.
Heated grips AND heated gloves is just decadent and reserved for the very very frosty of mornings !!
Get a Gerbing jacket and gloves and that's job jobbed. The gloves plug into the jacket which itself plugs into a lead fitted to the bike. So simple and makes all the difference.
As per the poster above with Keis , they don't tend to get as hot as the Gerbing stuff so better for the less severe cold.
I used to wear a million layers and look like the Michelin man but now it's a simple long sleeved undergarment, heated jacket and a weatherproof over jacket.
Heated grips AND heated gloves is just decadent and reserved for the very very frosty of mornings !!
i have the long sleeved Keiss connected to the bike battery- best thing ive ever bought for the bike.
ride all year and remain toasty warm (never used the highest setting its too hot)
had mine for close to 3 years with no issues- when it breaks ill be buying a new one.
planning to buy a battery this year so i can wear it at sunday football games when my son plays.
ride all year and remain toasty warm (never used the highest setting its too hot)
had mine for close to 3 years with no issues- when it breaks ill be buying a new one.
planning to buy a battery this year so i can wear it at sunday football games when my son plays.
Far Cough said:
Ride everyday. Gerbing and Keis are my go to.
Get a Gerbing jacket and gloves and that's job jobbed. The gloves plug into the jacket which itself plugs into a lead fitted to the bike. So simple and makes all the difference.
As per the poster above with Keis , they don't tend to get as hot as the Gerbing stuff so better for the less severe cold.
I used to wear a million layers and look like the Michelin man but now it's a simple long sleeved undergarment, heated jacket and a weatherproof over jacket.
Heated grips AND heated gloves is just decadent and reserved for the very very frosty of mornings !!
I second all of that. The Gerbing heated jacket is toasty hot on 3 and it goes up to 9! Also doubles as a nice warm mid layer when not plugged in. Base layer, Gerbing jacket, armoured waterproof jacket, sorted.Get a Gerbing jacket and gloves and that's job jobbed. The gloves plug into the jacket which itself plugs into a lead fitted to the bike. So simple and makes all the difference.
As per the poster above with Keis , they don't tend to get as hot as the Gerbing stuff so better for the less severe cold.
I used to wear a million layers and look like the Michelin man but now it's a simple long sleeved undergarment, heated jacket and a weatherproof over jacket.
Heated grips AND heated gloves is just decadent and reserved for the very very frosty of mornings !!
The gloves, conversely, I leave on the hottest setting of three every time.
The gloves are big beasts though, full on gauntlets with thick palms. Not necessarily my ideal type of glove but far better than numb fingers. I would always keep a second pair of gloves on the bike in case it got warmer, I wouldn't use the Gerbings unless I needed the heat.
Dr Jekyll said:
The ore temperature theory doesn't work for me. I can have a heated vest uncomfortably warm, heated grips on, and my fingers are still cold.
Hand guards can make a big difference but really don't suit some types of bikes.In general heated gloves will keep your hands warmer than heated grips because they have elements on the back of your hand, where they're getting cold in the wind, rather than in the middle of your fist like heated grips.
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