www.CVOHARLEY.com

CVO Technical => Riding Gear => Topic started by: JimsSEEG on October 02, 2005, 08:43:13 PM

Title: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: JimsSEEG on October 02, 2005, 08:43:13 PM
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
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: fxdjerry on October 02, 2005, 10:27:07 PM
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.
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: hdnut on October 02, 2005, 10:43:13 PM
When I think of cold weather it just means snowmobile season! [smiley=beerchug.gif]I need a cvo snowmobile! [smiley=drink.gif]
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: JCZ on October 03, 2005, 01:44:10 AM
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).
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: CVOandChop on October 03, 2005, 06:06:11 AM
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]
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: ccr on October 03, 2005, 06:25:27 AM
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]
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: JimsSEEG on October 03, 2005, 11:06:40 AM
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
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: JCZ on October 03, 2005, 11:16:25 AM
Quote
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.
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: porthole on October 03, 2005, 11:36:51 AM
The Harley stuff made by Gerbing, is it the same? Only a label change?
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: naitram on October 03, 2005, 11:38:49 AM
as far as i know its just a label, i have HD jacket liner gerbing gloves and HD thermostat
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: the O`Fender on October 27, 2005, 12:22:50 PM
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]
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: Twolanerider on October 27, 2005, 12:28:48 PM
Quote
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.
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: naitram on October 27, 2005, 12:45:29 PM
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"
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: JR on October 27, 2005, 07:35:33 PM
Quote
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]
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: spydglide on October 27, 2005, 08:25:01 PM
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
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: mr_magoo on October 27, 2005, 09:59:29 PM
All heated clothing should be worn over something, pants a long sleeve T shirt.  I live close enough to Gerbing that I have actually been there several times.  I am current wearing there Ultimate riding pants and jacket as well as there leather gloves w/silk liners.  The wife wears pants, jacket liner, socks and glove liners.  Upgraded the stator to 45 amp and have had no problem.  Coming home from Reno this year we left Diamond lake junction @ 6am it was 19 degrees and we where all toasty.
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: Twolanerider on October 27, 2005, 11:17:24 PM
Quote
All heated clothing should be worn over something, pants a long sleeve T shirt.
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: OTIS on October 27, 2005, 11:37:38 PM
Quote
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:
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: spydglide on October 28, 2005, 07:14:33 AM
Hey Otis, I heard that Hubbard was slimming down and was gonna 'back into' those leathers once again.  Where is kng, anyway?  Har!   [smiley=huepfenjump3.gif] [smiley=huepfenjump3.gif] [smiley=huepfenjump3.gif] spyder
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: mr_magoo on October 28, 2005, 08:32:04 AM
They start to warm up immediatly and depending how high you crank the thermostat they are toasty in a hurry.  I have my gloves split from my jacket and pants,  and use a dual thermostat that way I can control my hands seperate from my body (was suggested by Sarah at Gerbing.  They are great to talk with and can custom do a lot that is not mentioned on their web site.  Will see if I can post a few pics.
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: naitram on October 28, 2005, 10:05:40 AM
how do you connect the gloves to the seperate controller? i t owuld be nice to controll them seperatley but i dont want a rats nest of wires
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: mr_magoo on October 29, 2005, 09:10:52 AM
The wire for the gloves is with the wiring inside the liner (you don't notice them at all) and has about 6in hanging at the end of the sleeve to plug the glove into.
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: Twolanerider on October 29, 2005, 03:18:58 PM
Quote
how do you connect the gloves to the seperate controller? i t owuld be nice to controll them seperatley but i dont want a rats nest of wires


Neil, I saw the answer to that on their web site.  The circuits to the gloves are in the jacket or jacket liner.  But the jacket can be made so that those circuits are either serial or parallel to the jacket circuit.  You just tell them which way you want it made.
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: HUBBARD on October 30, 2005, 01:56:24 PM
Quote
Hey Otis, I heard that Hubbard was slimming down and was gonna 'back into' those leathers once again.
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: CVOJOE on October 30, 2005, 07:08:21 PM
Anyone out there in CVO land have experience with these guyz products ? They look reasonable, but not the big name brand or OEM for someone it seems.
http://www.warmnsafe.com/index.htm
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: naitram on October 31, 2005, 12:51:22 PM
Quote


Neil, I saw the answer to that on their web site.
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: donat20027 on November 16, 2005, 02:01:52 PM
I feel that all of the good has been said about the heated clothing it surely has made my last 10 plus years of riding more pleasurable. Being from the east I take an electric liner with me in the summer for those cool evening in the Rockies. My riding buddies laughed at me on a trip to Sturgis a few years back until it got in the high 40s one morning. At that point I was afraid one, of them was going to steal my bike for the electrical connection, & the liner off my back. Thank God they remembered I do not get mad I just get even, & time is on my side. You can guess what they do now.
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: spydglide on November 16, 2005, 05:18:42 PM
Now I'm confused........is the control for the gloves in the gloves or at the connection in the jacket or liner?  Is this whole heated clothing issue a personal preference deal or is there really a definitive way to go?  Brand/style/etc.  I'm thinking about making the plunge from 'bundling layers' to 'heated', but just not sure after reading the different opinions.   :-/   I know this crowd's not bashful  :-[ , so let's hear it.  Har!  spyder
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: Crawdaddy on November 16, 2005, 05:38:34 PM
I ordered the jacket liner and gloves Friday from the dealer.  It was Veterns Day and the discount for Vets was 20%.  When it comes in, I'll let you know.  I worry about getting off the bike and frogetting I'm plugged in to the bike.  That is why I didn't order the pant liner.  Afraid of getting a snuggy. ;D
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: spydglide on November 16, 2005, 05:47:18 PM
Hey CrawDaddy, that's neat that the dealer had a 20% off for Vets on VetDay.  Which dealer was it?    [smiley=nixweiss.gif] spyder
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: Crawdaddy on November 16, 2005, 06:44:31 PM
Myers Duran in T Town.  They even shook my hand and thanked me for my service.  (before I bought the merchandise.)
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: Twolanerider on November 16, 2005, 11:49:32 PM
CD,
With as much geographic area as the Tulsa metro area spreads over have you ever heard a good excuse why the two shops are so close to each other?  I guess the Myers Duren location has been there longest.  But they're almost in each other's back pocket.
Title: Re: Electric jackets and pants.
Post by: Crawdaddy on November 17, 2005, 11:26:17 AM
Quote
CD,