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[Steve48]

Need some input about winter riding. Just bought a new Softail deluxe CVO. The Days Are nice but the temperature is really starting to drop, live in Washington state. Is my best investment in heated riding gear, or when I'm at Riches having my seat custom fitted he said he could put a heater in it along with the gel pack I guess I could also purchase heated grips anyways your input would be appreciated thank you Steve

[Skillet]

I ride in South Korea mostly year round. In the winter I use the Harley heated gloves and jacket. Also use Under Armour. My ride is 16 miles each way to work. Gerbing also makes really good heated gear in which they make for Harley also if I'm not mistaken.

[Twolanerider]

Need some input about winter riding. Just bought a new Softail deluxe CVO. The Days Are nice but the temperature is really starting to drop, live in Washington state. Is my best investment in heated riding gear, or when I'm at Riches having my seat custom fitted he said he could put a heater in it along with the gel pack I guess I could also purchase heated grips anyways your input would be appreciated thank you Steve

If I had to choose between a heated saddle and grips versus heated riding clothes would easily choose the clothes.  Will keep much much more of you warm, more evenly and keep you that way in colder temperatures.

Heated saddle and grips are nice.  But they only keep you going in intermediate cool/cold or lets you ride that weather in less layers of pants and thinner gloves.  They won't help you nearly enough when it actually gets cold.

[05Train]

If I had to choose between a heated saddle and grips versus heated riding clothes would easily choose the clothes.  Will keep much much more of you warm, more evenly and keep you that way in colder temperatures.

Heated saddle and grips are nice.  But they only keep you going in intermediate cool/cold or lets you ride that weather in less layers of pants and thinner gloves.  They won't help you nearly enough when it actually gets cold.

Agreed.  The grips and saddle are great for this time of year when you have cool mornings and evenings.  But for really cold weather you want heated gear, especially on a bike with no wind protection.  I've ridden for hours in the mid-teens in absolute comfort with my Gerbings stuff.

[2k]

Rode to work everyday unless rain/snow. Never had heated gear, but only a 10 mile trip. Started getting cold as I pulled into the lot! Heated grips & seat, coat, gloves, chaps, facemask.

[FLHTCUSE7]

it gets -40 below here at times 

[Buy early]

If you are going to be riding in the cold with any regularity or if you are going to be riding a long distance on a cold day, invest in some Gerbing heated gear. Gloves and vest or jacket at a minimum. They make all the difference in the world.

[2k]

it gets -40 below here at times 

Would have never left the barn!! +9 was the coldest. I don't think I have ever saw -40.

[Chains]

-40 I would not even think of riding.  Best I ever did was 18 degress in a snow storm and it took 3 days to warm up then. 

[porthole]

As with Don, I use heated seat and grips for the starting to get cold days.
After that is is full on heated gear.

Gloves, jacket liner, socks or boot liners and pants if needed.

The older you get the more you need it. I use the grips probably 9 months out of the year. Arthritis feels better with warmth.

Heated pants liners are about he only item I don't use on cold days (<the 35).
I have a pair of leather coveralls that I got at the NYC show that have the option of insulted liners. They really help and are good down to about 25. I use that number because for one 25 degree day I had the heated liners on and turned them off within 4 miles of the house.

If I had no heated gear and was starting the purchase route I would go in this order:

Gloves

heated grips - see "Heat Demons"

socks (or boot liners)
jacket or vest
pants

Alternator upgrade

Any with any of the heated gear, thermostats make the system work best for you.

[porthole]

-40 I would not even think of riding.  Best I ever did was 18 degress in a snow storm and it took 3 days to warm up then. 

I wouldn't leave the house 

[porthole]

put a heater in it along with the gel pack I guess I could also purchase heated grips anyways your input would be appreciated thank you Steve

BTW - gel packs are rock solid when cold and feel like you are sitting on ice cubes until they warm up.

[Fired00d]

Would have never left the barn!! +9 was the coldest. I don't think I have ever saw -40.

+40 is my cutoff. My arthritis and metal parts don't like getting cold.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[aclass]

I have many hundreds of dollars in my heated clothes and there are many times that I wouldnt take many thousands for them.

[porthole]

My arthritis and metal parts don't like getting cold.

That and you have more sail area then most of us