Anyone wanna rehash the winter gear discussion?

This is great advice. I am always looking for ways to keep dry(er) in driving rain. I hate being soaked and the cold makes it dangerous rather than uncomfortable. I have been considering an electric jacket but so far, due to a number of personal issues, I have not been riding much during the cooler weather. I still have my old heated vest from the late 70s but I am not sure how safe it is and at present I can't get it around my midsection.

 

I find that my arms don't really get cold enough to warrant a heated sleeves, my feet would be my next priority for heating if I was going to do some serious riding in the cold.

As for my bike's electrical system, over the past 4 years I've run with my heated gear (vest, glove liners, pants) on 3 different bikes (CBR600F2, KL250G, 6th Gen VFR800) and I've never modified the electrical systems besides mounting the Gerbing's battery harness. The only bike I've had electrical trouble with is the CBR, two failed RRs, but both failed in the heat of summer.

I'll also add my recommendation to Gerbing's. They've honored their warranty on both my vest and glove liners when I've had issues, years after I first got the product.

 

Yep ^ my arms never got cold as I had a wool sweater on over the vest. Would thing that full sleaves under a riding suit/jacket would be confining.

 

Rechargable is the way to go honestly. I wouldn't go with wired because its just too much hassle. I don't want to have to deal with installing stuff too. Right now its pretty much too cold to ride anymore.. but if I had to ride. I'd have my heated gloves and just a jacket... no problem that way.

 

You and I "were" roughly the same size a couple years ago Reg. This spring you can try out mine and see if you think the jacket liner is too much. You can even plug it in to see hot hot you can get in these things. They actually recommend that diabetics not wear these things. I guess they worry about the rider getting burns if he has reduced feelings or something. I dunno.

 

Wwll I just went a 200miles each way trip with just goretex gear on in temps below 5ºc the whole ime and wasn't cold once. Go team goretex!

 

Would you have a specific web addy for your gear? Goretex is a patented fabric with many uses.

 

I live in South Carolina so our winters are mild compared to a lot of you, but it still gets down into high 20's, low 30's a good bit. I have a 45 minute commute one way to work, and for a long time I rode with multiple shirts, summer jacket with liner and summer gloves. But I was always miserably cold 15 minutes into my commute and it just plain sucked. Like some have said, it's very dangerous because you start getting numb, and your brain seems like it's working in slow motion when you get that cold. All you can think about is "Will I ever F$%ing get there?!?! I'm freezing!!" Now I use a FirstGear one piece winter suit that is water and wind resistant. The cons are that it is a little bulky and it takes me about 3 or 4 minutes to put it on/take it off. But the Pros are that I am NEVER cold or wet any more which is well worth it to me. I wouldn't want to ride hard thru the twisties wearing it, but for just my boring commute to and from work, it's great. I have some winter gloves that are also water resistant....I forget the brand but they look like tour masters. I also wear my rockport insulated boots which keep my feet toasty. Oh....another con of the suit is that I look kinda goofy in it, but I stay so warm I don't care. I may go with heated gear down the road, but for now my setup works just fine. I'm attaching a picture for everyone's amusement....please be kind. :cower: