Heated clothing---which brand is best?

Post by **towerworker** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:44 am

Been telling myself for several years now that I want either a heated vest or jacket. I see ads by Gerbing, Widder and a few others. Trying to decide between a vest liner or jacket. Don't really have much problem with my legs or feet getting cold--pretty much mainly my chest.

What experience do you guys have and what recommendations would you make?

Wayne
03 r

Post by **Hawk** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:11 am

Towerworker, some nice folks gave me some tips in my question on "electric jacket liners" a few days ago.

Post by **CycleRob** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:37 am

towerworker,

I have been an advocate of heated vests/jacket liners ever since I got my Widder Vest about 10 years ago. Repeating what I have said, heated clothing opens a whole new world of riding possibilities and amazing comfort. I nearly equate it to the revelation when you first "discovered" women.

With the all weather riding you do, with temps below freezing, you should get a Gerbings jacket liner so your sleeves are also warmed. The sooner the better.

Post by **ProductUser** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:06 am

If you get a heated jacket, be sure it's a snug fit and always wear a long sleeve shirt (helps with heat transfer) with the heated jacket liner.

I enjoy these threads; it means that my riding season is just beginning

BTW -- it was a chilly 64 dgress this morning.

Post by **taosports** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:29 am

Wayne,

If Widder made a jacket liner, I would recommend it over Gerbings but unfortunately they only make the vest.

I own both a Widder vest and a Gerbing jacket liner. Got the vest first and discovered the joys of winter riding...but quickly discovered that my arms were way too cold. So, I bought their arm chaps - they worked but were a hassle getting into and looked a bit silly. So, I finally got smart and got the Gerbing jacket liner - great decision - if I knew what I know now, I would never have bought the vest.

My only complaint with Gerbings is the material they use for the outer shell...a teflon coated nylon as compared to Widder's urethane coated 600 denier outer shell. The Widder vest looks good enough to wear off the bike - the Gerbing does not. If you get a chance, compare the two in a shop...you'll see what I mean. I think Gerbings uses the flimsy material to save on bulk which makes sense but I still feel like I'm wearing a cheap made-in-China garment which I probably am

- not cheap however!

Anyway, whatever you decide, make sure it fits snug - it must to work most efficiently. Also, you should only be wearing a thin base layer under it - not anything with bulk.

Happy shopping!

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:00 pm

Gerbings. Never had anything else, but they make a good jacket (I like having heated sleeves!) and seem to stand behind their products. I did have to replace the heat controller once though.

Post by **towerworker** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:21 pm

Thanks guys

Just the kind of info I am looking for. I had been leaning toward the vest but had questions as to whether I would end up wanting the jacket liner instead because of the arm issue. I rode all last winter except when the roads were slick (I may be crazy as I'm told here at work but I'm not foolish!)

But as I get older I get colder, hence the decision to invest in the right stuff. I have decided on the Gerbing jacket liner with the controller.

Thanks again!

Wayne
03 r

dragonmojo · Post by **dragonmojo** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:06 pm

taosports wrote:Wayne,

If Widder made a jacket liner, I would recommend it over Gerbings but unfortunately they only make the vest.

I own both a Widder vest and a Gerbing jacket liner. Got the vest first and discovered the joys of winter riding...but quickly discovered that my arms were way too cold. So, I bought their arm chaps - they worked but were a hassle getting into and looked a bit silly. So, I finally got smart and got the Gerbing jacket liner - great decision - if I knew what I know now, I would never have bought the vest.

My only complaint with Gerbings is the material they use for the outer shell...a teflon coated nylon as compared to Widder's urethane coated 600 denier outer shell. The Widder vest looks good enough to wear off the bike - the Gerbing does not. If you get a chance, compare the two in a shop...you'll see what I mean. I think Gerbings uses the flimsy material to save on bulk which makes sense but I still feel like I'm wearing a cheap made-in-China garment which I probably am - not cheap however!

Anyway, whatever you decide, make sure it fits snug - it must to work most efficiently. Also, you should only be wearing a thin base layer under it - not anything with bulk.

Happy shopping!

Wow... I did almost exactly the same thing. The arm chaps are a bit of a hassle and do look silly. The material on the Widder is more ballistic than the thin Gerbings nylon. Thin to minimize bulk. And I wear a long sleeve t-shirt underneath the liner. The Gerbings' long sleeve offers a more convenient connection for heated gloves (my fingers get cold easily). I had great customer support from both companies. For my needs I opt for the Gerbings... the Widder is relegated to emergency backup.

And believe me, it keeps you verrry toasty and extends your riding season (as long as you don't have icy roads, thick fog, buckets of rain, hurricanes, etc.)!!

frbank6 · Post by **frbank6** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:11 pm

I have the Widder and also wish I had the Gerbing. I also just received an email from Sierra BMW saying that FirstGear is now making heated clothing. I've always been happy with their other products and would like to see what they are offering.
I did have a problem of some kind with my Widder, and they were really helpful and fixed the problem and got it back to me in a hurry at no charge.

dgates · Post by **dgates** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:09 pm

http://www.warmnsafe.com

These guys make heated gear specifically for motocycles.
I just bought a heated jacket a few weeks ago.

Mike S · Post by **Mike S** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:20 am

I use the Gerbing jacket liner and glove liner. This and a pair of longjohns keep me riding all year.

dragonmojo · Post by **dragonmojo** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 6:47 pm

frbank6 wrote:I have the Widder and also wish I had the Gerbing. I also just received an email from Sierra BMW saying that FirstGear is now making heated clothing. I've always been happy with their other products and would like to see what they are offering.
I did have a problem of some kind with my Widder, and they were really helpful and fixed the problem and got it back to me in a hurry at no charge.

I noticed that Tour Master also sells a heated liner now. Seems there are a lot more vendors coming on board (Widder and Gerbings were the only two that I knew of dating to way back when). My concern is whether these newer choices will have the same support as I have received from both Widder and Gerbings. As far as I know, these two companies specialize in heated motorcycle apparel and have garnered my trust.

Because the newer offerings are, well, rather new... I would say "caveat emptor".

Post by **towerworker** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 8:34 pm

I did some checking online on Tour Master. Their jacket ends up being about $100 less than Gerbing but I can't find specific details on the Tour Master jacket.
The Gerbing uses about 77 watts of energy wide open which translates to alot of heat when you need it but don't see any numbers on the other. The Gerbing is $200 plus another $70 for the controller vs. $170 for the TourMaster which includes the controller. But saving $100 is not a good thing if it doesn't do the job.

I would like to hear personal experience with the Tour Master jacket liner if anyone has one.

wayne

dragonmojo · Post by **dragonmojo** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:47 am

My advice: save $70 on the controller and just switch it on/off manually. Instead of transferring the controller from one bike to the other, I got a regular on/off switchcord to use on my Cruiser (and the controller on my Rock). Believe me, if I were to do it all over again, I would not have spent the bucks on the controller.

The Gerbings are TOASTY WARM! I get cold easily, so I have no complaints about the heat. Came in handy this morning up the hill (near Auburn, CA), but I had to switch it off now and then as our weather is getting warmer.

I'd like to hear how Tour Master, FirstGear and all the other newcomers will fare 10 years from now. Maybe better, maybe worse... only time will tell.

Post by **towerworker** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:59 am

Dragonmojo--

Thanks for the insight on the jacket and controller. I think I will go ahead with the Gerbing and just try the on/off switch. I can always buy the controller later if I change my mind. I have checked many vendors for Gerbing and they all have the same price---I guess this is not the time of year to find a "hot deal" on heated clothing! Kinda like buying an AC unit in June.

Do you think it advisable to go straight to the battery and install a permanent power connection or just simply use the accessory socket on the R?

Wayne

dragonmojo · Post by **dragonmojo** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:46 pm

towerworker wrote: Do you think it advisable to go straight to the battery and install a permanent power connection or just simply use the accessory socket on the R?

Wayne

Wayne,
The nice thing about the Beemers is the accessory socket. I use mine for the heated apparel and putting on the Battery Tender. I am not sure if others will disagree, but I have not had problems since discovering BMW in '83. Heh, it got up to the mid-70s today, and should last thru most of this work week. We might even hit 80 by Tuesday!

Here's to keeping warm,
Alan

Post by **Biff's R** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:31 pm

I think that some of youse guys need to put those Widders on the Buy/Sell page.

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:28 pm

On the canbus bikes we have used a pigtail directly to the battery as the outlet won't handle the draw of the Gerbings jackets or other heated items. On the older bikes the BMW outlet has enough power to plug in there. we like the Gerbings jacket liners, just used mine yesterday under my leather jacket on a 40 mile sprint to Springfield with the temp at 45 degrees. Very nice.

geo

dgates · Post by **dgates** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:24 am

towerworker wrote:
I have checked many vendors for Gerbing and they all have the same price---I guess this is not the time of year to find a "hot deal" on heated clothing! Kinda like buying an AC unit in June.

Wayne

Gerbing markets its jackets at a fixed price. I am not sure how this works, but I believe retail vendors are NOT allowed to sell for less than retail ($199 for the jacket).
Several months back A+S Cycles put Gerbing on their "Hot Deal" ad and they were told immediately (within a couple of hours) to remove it.
Again, check out http://www.warmnsafe.com
Read their company history. Interesting read regarding their past relationship with Gerbing.
I have had great service with warmnsafe. They just came out with "generation 3" items using new material and wiring.
Doug

Post by **towerworker** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 4:03 pm

Okay-----after several hints that I should look over http://www.warmnsafe.com
I finally took the time and read over everything on their site. I have to say that I was impressed with all I read and just ordered their jacket liner and heat controller.

What they say on their website is impressive and on top of that they also offer a 20% discount if you are either a MSF instructor or have taken the course or are a member of a motorcycle club.

So.....dgates..........I appreciate the hints!

I will make a complete report after I receive the jacket and check it out.

Wayne
03r