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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I have ridden every winter without heated gear since I got the Vision in 2008. I did not think I needed it. I kept seeing good reviews on heated jacket liners and gloves. Some of these reviews were on this site. It seems there was a common theme in the reviews. It was something to the effect of, "I did not think I needed heated gear until I tried it". I saw similar statements over and over again. I decided to give it a try myself.
I got a heated jacket liner and heated glove liners in Nov 2012. Wow! They really do make a difference. The heated liners are so much more comfortable than an extra sweatshirt, thick gloves, and other garments required to keep me warm. No more layers for me. I put the jacket liner over what I am wearing to work then my normal motorcycle jacket over that. I am very toasty the entire 30 minute ride to work. A couple of mornings have been below 15 degrees. I was quite comfortable and enjoying the ride very much. When the temp is in the 30's, I do not NEED the heat, but it makes the ride so much more enjoyable. I could literally be naked under the heated jacket and still feel like I'm in at the Cracker Barrel seated next to their huge fireplace. What I like best is the convenience of controlling my body temp with a knob instead of layers.
The heated liners work so well it got me wondering if heated outer wear would work even better for me. Between the jacket liner and glove liners that's 3 extra pieces of clothing I have to keep track of and put on and take off every day. You might not think putting on 3 extra pieces of clothing is a big deal. Well, if you only use it one time per week or less it would not matter at all. I ride to work EVERY DAY. I go home after work, then usually visit a friend or go somewhere. So, I put this stuff on/off 8 times per day (1. leave for work, 2. at work, 3. leave work, 4. at home, 5. leave home, 6. arrive at friend's place, 7. leave friend, 8. home.). If I have to run an errand during lunch time then the number increases to 10. This is a lot of dressing and undressing. This is the main reason I started reading reviews for heated gear. I wanted to simplify the getting-ready-to-ride process. So, now I am looking into a heated outer jacket, heated outer pants,and heated outer gloves in place of everything else. Outer pants, jacket, and gloves take about 10 seconds to put on or take off. All the other stuff increase the change time to about 5 minutes. The glove liners, though very warm, get monotonous when changing as often as I do. This is particularly aggravating when I am in a hurry. I will always wear an outer jacket, pants, and gloves when I ride. So my thinking is why not make these items heated and get rid of the "add on" items. Thus my consideration for heated outer gear.
-I would like to hear from those who have tried both the heated LINERS and the heated OUTER WEAR.
-Which do you prefer?
-What advantages have you found with one versus the other?
-Is the outer wear as affective as the liners as far as keeping you warm when the temp gets below freezing?...twenties?...teens?
-I am finding that there are very few choices for motorcycle specific heated outer wear. Gerbings seems to be the most popular. -Any other quality brands to consider?
-Any other info you can share would be greatly appreciated.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | Swing by your local MILWAUKEE power tools store (they make the ultimate rip saw) I see ads in the paper for their li/i powered self contained Detroit jacket that stays warm for up to 6 or 7 hours with out trying to unplug 245 cords to get off the bike- | |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 25
Walhalla, SC. USA | I go through the same routine that you describe, about the same number of times each and every day. The only difference that I see is that I wear heated gloves, not glove liners. I never want gloves to be loose, bulky and multi-layered, because it diminishes control, so I wear close-fitting gloves at all times, and that includes my heated gauntlets. I don't find all of this to be much of an inconvenience. My gloves come on and off of me at the left saddlebag each and every time I get on and off the bike -- heated or not, all seasons of the year -- so there is no added inconvenience there. The only decision is whether to wear the jacket liner inside or take it off at the bike and put it in the left saddlebag with the gloves. I usually take it with me.
The effectiveness of the heated gear is dependent on having close contact with the body. Loose heated gear does not work. Wearing a lot of layers between the heated gear and the body reduces its effectiveness. Since outer jackets are usually looser-fitting than the liners, I think they would be less effective. The purpose of the outer jacket is to block wind and rain and resist injury in case of a fall. The heat and insulation come from the close-fitting heated jacket liner. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 179
CARTAGENA Spain | I have the gloves and jacket and go perfectly gerbings all very hot and regulation, the electrical system is guaranteed for life | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| Sent you a pm | |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| A good jacket will hold the heated liner in better. Heated outer the heat has to penetrate what ever your wearing.
Your staying warm now why mess with a good thing | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 65
| I ride every day as you do to work, lunch, etc. I have a Gerbings jacket liner and heated gloves (not liners) that plug into the jacket sleeves and I have used them for years on several bikes but have not used them on the Vision yet. Although the gear is pretty easy to plug/unplug it is still too much hassle for a 30-45min commute, then lunch, then to the store and home, out to dinner, home again. The heated grips and seat plus the superior wind management on the Vision are all I need so far. I have a low tolerance for cold and I hate to be cold! I would use the heated gear if I was going out for a 2 hour plus ride at 40 degrees or less but for everyday I have streamlined as best as possible to 1 piece Aerostich Road Crafter suit with a fleece under for 10-45 degrees, sweatshirt under for 45-65 degrees and t-shirt after that. You can put the Roadcrafter on or off in 10 seconds. South Carolina is a lot warmer than Indiana however (the coldest ride to work this year has only been 18 degrees) so I can see why you would use your heated gear more. When I used to live in Minnesota I would ride "most" of the year but zero was my limit. I did use a heated vest then but my hands were always cold. I don't think they had heated grips or gloves then but it was 20 years ago. | |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| That Milwaukee tools jacket is a cool idea, wonder how well it works in the real world. I like the idea of not having to plug and unplug when you stop for gas, a bite to eat, or any time you might make multiple stops. My biggest questions would be 1)how well does it hold up to the wind 2)is the battery awkward in a riding position? I could consider one of these if it is comfortable riding with it on. | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| I have Tourmaster heated gloves, Tourmaster jacket liner, Powerlet jacket liner (Warm'N'Safe), and a Gerbing microwire liner. As an aside, I had an issue with the glove connector on the Gerbing, sent it back for repair, and 10 days later, it was returned (just this past weekend), replete with new matching (longer/thinner) glove connectors. I also have Tourmaster pants liners (yes, two different styles), along with Gerbing's full heated pants. Also, Gerbing's heated socks, and heated insoles (couldn't decide which would be more convenient to wear).
So.... I have my experiences on what works best. Personally, I think a heated jacket liner and heated gloves is the only way to go. With the connectors on the sleeves of the liner, there really isn't any extra time associated with putting on and connecting the gloves. As for a liner vs. the full heated jacket.... with a liner, you can wear it and ANY of your preferred jackets over it, weather it's a 'cool' leather jacket, or a touring 3/4 length all weather style. Also, this tends to get the liner closer to the body, which is the only real way heat is transferred. With a heated jacket, the liner is built into the jacket, and if you don't get a snug fit, you won't feel the heat. But, a jacket tight enough to get the liner close to your body, may not provide ample room to move freely enough.
Of the jacket liners, I think my Tourmaster Synergy is probably the best constructed, and heats up really evenly and fast, however mine is the first generation Synergy, which is only a single channel system, and does not have a heated collar. The Synergy 2 line is now available and is dual channel.
The Gerbing just does everything really well, but not exceptional, especially now that I have longer connectors for the gloves. I can tell that it has heated "areas".... but it works well. The Tourmaster just seemed to provide a more universal all over heat. It may just be perception. I wear the Gerbing now exclusively though.
As for the Powerlet, I wasn't impressed. While it worked well, I didn't like the construction of the jacket or material. Others may, but it wasn't for me. It was honestly too thin. But, their WIRELESS CONTROLLER is the SH$T !! I actually removed the wireless receiver from the liner, and installed it into my Gerbing jacket liner. The dual channel wireless controller is mounted on my left clutch perch. Look ma, no wires!
Just a single power plug to my console for EVERYTHING!
The Gerbing heated pants work really really well. It may be due to the heavy duty outer shell, but when it's cold, they just work. Maybe not as well as the separate Tourmaster liners and First Gear outer pants work, but much more convenient! With the liners, I wear them over Under Armor, then an outer shell. With the Gerbing pants, I still only have on the Under Armor (no jeans). Jeans would interfere with heat transference, and also would have forced me to buy a bulkier pair of pants than I wanted. Of course, this works well when I travel and arrive at a hotel, but for a daily work commute, it would require carrying a pair of trousers / jeans with you, and changing in a restroom. I don't ride to work, so it's not an issue for me. I guess if I did, I would suffer one size larger pants to wear over jeans.
Okay, I feel like I"m rambling.... you have my number, call me for more specific info.
Edited by Turk 2013-01-29 8:29 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 76
| If a heated outer jacket was better than a liner everyone would be selling one. They are not! Even on real cold days I ride with my Gerbing's liner with a T shirt under it. Comfy! | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| An additional point..... I learned the hard way that heated leather gloves are not impervious to all day rain! I invested in a pair of Aerostich glove COVERS! Not cheap, but work really really well. Nothing worse than riding in 35 degree rains, only to have your leather gloves get soaking wet and the heat quits working. Luckily, when they dried out, they still functioned, but it was miserably cold while they were wet. Good thing I always carry spare gloves.
My next pair of heated gloves will most likely be the Gerbing T5's or Tourmaster Synergy 2's.
Edited by Turk 2013-01-29 8:27 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | Thanks for all the info, guys. Turk, good point regarding a jacket liner can be used with ANY of your preferred outer jackets. My current outer jacket has a non-heated liner. Too bad the zippers are different or I would simply zip my heater liner in it's place.
Anyone have the Gerbings XE outer jacket? Pros? Cons? Comments? | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | victoryvisiontour - 2013-01-30 11:25 AM
Thanks for all the info, guys. Turk, good point regarding a jacket liner can be used with ANY of your preferred outer jackets. My current outer jacket has a non-heated liner. Too bad the zippers are different or I would simply zip my heater liner in it's place.
Anyone have the Gerbings XE outer jacket? Pros? Cons? Comments?
So take the jacket and liner to a shoe repair place or find a local seamstress in the yellow pages and get them swapped out-ain't rocket science  | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | SYNSTR - 2013-01-30 3:46 PM
victoryvisiontour - 2013-01-30 11:25 AM
Thanks for all the info, guys. Turk, good point regarding a jacket liner can be used with ANY of your preferred outer jackets. My current outer jacket has a non-heated liner. Too bad the zippers are different or I would simply zip my heater liner in it's place.
Anyone have the Gerbings XE outer jacket? Pros? Cons? Comments?
So take the jacket and liner to a shoe repair place or find a local seamstress in the yellow pages and get them swapped out-ain't rocket science
I really like my outer jacket. It's liner makes a really nice jacket itself. Good for those days when the ride starts at 60 deg and it's 80 by noon. My heated liner is not good to wear by itself. It would be nice if I swap the heated and non-heated liners as the seasons change.
Anyone have experience with the Gerbings XE outer jacket? If so, please let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
Edited by victoryvisiontour 2013-01-30 10:06 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | A good seamstress/tailor can swap zippers in one or both so both liners are compatible with each other (assuming they're approximately the same size). | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I opted for the Gerbings Extreme Element outer jacket. I just got back from a 2700 mile ride from Indiana to Florida and back. I started in freezing rain at 32F (0C) and arrived in Florida at 73F (23C). This was the only jacket I needed for the whole trip. Did not change what I had on underneath either.
The first 100 miles was freezing rain. The next 350 miles was pouring rain. Not a drop of moisure got through. I have owned many jackets that claim to be waterproof, but are really only water resisitant for approx 30 minutes. Even my rain pants started to seep through in about 6 hours. My torso was dry as popcorn thanks to the Gerbings XE jacket.
After I got south of Chattanooga the rain quit and the temps started to rise. No need to change jackets. I just turned it off. When I got to florida the temp was in the lower 70's (lower 20's C) and I unzipped partially. Since I only had a long sleeve t-shirt underneath I stayed cool. This jacket has no insulating value at all. So, when I turned it off it was like wearing a light windbreaker. BTW, when you turn it off the heat disappears instantly. Turn it on and I feel the heat instantly.
I think I could wear this jacket up to 80F (27C). I have not rode below freezing in this jacket yet. I'm guessing the lower limit would be around 20F (-7C). Lower than that I would probably need my heated liner.
I am very satisfied with the Gerbings Extreme Element outer jacket. I like it better than my heated liner because it is waterproof and can be worn in a wide temp range. I only have one complaint. There is a piece of velcro on the shoulder. Every time I turn my head the velcro on the collar sticks to it. Very annoying. Easy fix though. I stuck a piece of dummy velcro to the shoulder piece.
I am so happy with the jacket I am going to spring for the matching pants. Then I will have a rain suit, windbreaker, and heated gear all in one.
The streaks in the pic is the freezing rain. And yes, that is snow/ice on under my feet.
Edited by victoryvisiontour 2013-03-14 10:16 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| I was told recently by the local Gerbing dealer that Gerbing will no longer be making the XE outer jacket or pants. They apparently just don't sell enough of them. Glad I got my pants when I did.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | Talked to both customer service and a tech person today. They both said manufacturing was moved from overseas to US. They have not launched production for the outer wear yet, but will in the fall. The XE line will be slightly different from previous years. The question was whether or not they will continue to make custom sizes. The customer service lady was very pleasant and took my phone number. She said she will talk to the owners and get me definate answers within an hour. That's good customer service! | |
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Tourer
Posts: 430
| victoryvisiontour - that is a very good testimonial for the gerbing XE - thanks for sharing the details. | |
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Heated liners vs Heated outer wear - need advice.