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[JimsSEEG]

I know, I know, it's a little early to be thinking about winter time...

Does anyone use the electric jackets / pants / gloves / etc? Any and all feedback appreciated....

Jim

[fxdjerry]

I bought Widder stuff (gloves,vest,thermostat) years ago and it all still works. I came accross a deal on some Harley stuff I could not refuse. The Harley stuff is made by Gerbing. Both those companies have been doing it a while. There are electronic and mechanical thermostats available or just a power switch. I like to set it and forget it. The heating elements can vary some manufacturers came out with using a carbon fiber type of element years ago. My fingers and toes are what get cold . I use the electric gloves and felt lined boots a good windproof jacket and high tech underwear. I tried battery powered socks once they worked but really had no temp control except to unplug the battery. Whatever you go with best to figure out the configuration ahead of time. Things like how many pieces you will want to power will dictate what cabling you will need.

[hdnut]

When I think of cold weather it just means snowmobile season! [smiley=beerchug.gif]I need a cvo snowmobile! [smiley=drink.gif]

[JCZ]

I've got the complete outfits (pants and jacket liners, sox, gloves, etc.).  Stopped by the BMW dealership and bought a couple of their recepticle sockets.......had a bracket custom made and powder coated and mounted on the frame right under the seat.  So we can both plug in very easily.

There are pictures here on this site, someplace.......you can do a search.  By the way, mine are the Gerbing for a much more uniform and consistant heating field (elements).

[CVOandChop]

I have the HD heated Jacket for  couple of years now.

Great stuff, extends the riding season in colder climates & makes it very comfortable.  Don't need 6 layers of clothes!

I have the thermostat, but have stopped using it.  Easier to click on & off as I ride, depeding on warmth level.  Now I just use the switch.  With the Jacket, I am toasty & would not need the pants, etc.  Have been contemplating the gloves, but with a warm core temp, my hands just aren't as  much of a problem as previous.

My $0.02 worth.

[smiley=drink.gif]

[ccr]

Mr We and I both have the pants, coats and gloves. Mr We really needs the socks too, we just have not got them. I had the electric hand grips installed on my bike, and if they would keep working - I prefer them to the gloves.  It takes a lot longer to get on and off the bike, but except for ice on road, we have ridden all months for the last five years because of the electric gear.  A full face helmet, body core kept warm.... when the sun is shining the roads are calling. And I don't think we even shortened our riding days. Our tendancy is to leave home 7 ish and get home 5 ish and we do that all year long on every weekend available.  I know we would reccomend them. It is easy to throw an electric coat in the saddle bag when you are just not sure, and if you want it only for extra insulation good you had it. If you plug it in, Wow!.  Now let me say that we had a friend who tried to ride from Worchester to Dumfries with a very light coat and electric gear and he blew a fuse, no backup and no shops open. He claims that you should pack extra cloths and fuses just in case. I went to Myrtle this spring counting on my electric grips to warm my hands and was sorry I did not have a second pair of gloves when my grips failed.  JMHO of course.

[smiley=cherry.gif]

[JimsSEEG]

All -

Thanks for the comments. I had looked at the Gerbing and Widder sites and a few others. Any pros / cons between Widder and Gerbing?

From what I understand, they are worn under the clothing - are they hot to wear when not riding - say when stopped and eating?

Jim

[JCZ]

All -

Thanks for the comments. I had looked at the Gerbing and Widder sites and a few others. Any pros / cons between Widder and Gerbing?

From what I understand, they are worn under the clothing - are they hot to wear when not riding - say when stopped and eating?

Jim

Jim......take a look at the amount of coils or loops in a Gerbing vs. a Widder......that's what made me choose the Gerbing.  Well, that and the fact that Gerbing is the original pioneer.....so I figured that they have more experience at it all........and the warranty.

[porthole]

The Harley stuff made by Gerbing, is it the same? Only a label change?

[naitram]

as far as i know its just a label, i have HD jacket liner gerbing gloves and HD thermostat

[the O`Fender]

When I was purchasing last winter the HD labeled items cost more, so I went to the local BMW dealer and bought the gerbing stuff. I bought pants $199, jacket liner $199, gloves $129 and socks $49 along with the dual control $79. By the end of the winter I felt like the pants (too bulkie) and the socks (i felt like I was walking on wires) were a waste of money and I don't use the controller because of all the wires (JC has the right idea of mounting this). The jacket liner is a must for below 40 degree weather, the gloves are a bit bulkie also (I would prefer heated liners). [smiley=pumpkin.gif]

[Twolanerider]

the gloves are a bit bulkie. [smiley=pumpkin.gif]

Just an FYI on the Gerbing gloves for anyone currently interested.  Check the company website.  They've got a new glove that looks to be and is described as being far less bulky that has a product release date of 1 November.

[naitram]

i found the gloves a bit bulky at first but now that they have been used for many many miles either i am used ot them or they are "broken in"

[JR]

The Harley stuff made by Gerbing, is it the same? Only a label change?

The HD stuff is the same as Gerbing and actually a little cheaper with 20% off at Chicago HD. But I'm going with Gerbing as JC did, mainly the lifetime warranty on elements. HD warranty is not lifetime.

                                                         JR [smiley=banana.gif]

[spydglide]

Just reading about all this electric warming stuff makes me feel good all over.........my question since I have NO experience with any of it is:  What do you have to do to the bike to handle the extra current draw?  Can you run all other lights and accessories at the same time with no problems?    [smiley=nixweiss.gif]  spyder