Gerbing's Heated Clothing

[storm 64]

I just received my new Gerbing's XE Jacket. I must say this is a top quality jacket. It is a 3/4 length jacket. It has removable padding in the elbows, shoulder and back. It has reflective piping down the arms and across the back. It has plugins in the sleeves for optional heated gloves. It. Is also water proof. The one I bought was a leftover from last years stock and not the new XE style. Jason Owens of Wings Products in Clinton Tennessee gave me a deal, saved me $100. The jacket I bought was $300. I mainly wanted a heated jacket for them cold mornings. When you want to be in Baltimore by noon and its 40 degrees in the morning. If your serious about cross country touring on a motorcycle Gerbing's Heated Clothing is a must.

[silverbullet132]

Does it plug into the bike or is it battery operated?

[storm 64]

The set up I have is 12 volts wired to the motorcycle's battery. It goes thru a temperature control then to the jacket. Now, Gerbing's sells a remote chargeable battery set up. They say it will last approximately 5 hours. That type of set up would be more suitable for like going to a football game or some other outdoor activities. Check out there website they make clothing for all kinds of uses.

[silverbullet132]

Would be a better idea to use the battery operated even on the bike, extra load on the bike is not too good of an idea.

[Steve]

Would be a better idea to use the battery operated even on the bike, extra load on the bike is not too good of an idea.

Depending on which R/R you have, "extra" load might actually be good.

If you are still using a shunt-style R/R, your stator is going to be putting out as much as it can, all the time. Rather than waste any excess by shunting it to ground, why not use some of it by powering accessories? Especially useful accessories like heated clothing.

Yes, there is a limit to how much your stator can put out, but at speed, it should handle a heated jacket just fine.

.

[850 Combat]

I have been using heated gear since the 70s. I own a bunch of heated gear, Gearz, Eclipse, Widder, and Tourmaster. They are all pretty good. I like the Gearz for the price, and because it uses the same SAE plug as a Battery Tender. I converted the others to that type of connector too. I've got all these mainly for the family tours i have hosted for years with my brothers, but partly because the ones from the 70s no longer fit.

Why is "Gerbing's heated clothing a must" as you say? What kind of plug does it use? Personally, I prefer a vest under my existing jacket over heated outer clothing. I also prefer the simplicity of an on off switch to a temperature controller. I've used heated gear on Nortons, RD400, Concours, GS, 650Seca, and more with no electrical problems on the bikes.

I agree with heated gear, but I'm not even slightly convinced that I need Gerbings,

[salty_monk]

Gerbings use a Coax plug same as warm and safe. On the other end they tend to use a BMW plug or direct to battery.

I have the older Gerbings not micro wire. I've heard they are more reliable. I've also heard that Gerbings warranty is fantastic.

They are not cheap. I got my vest (with neck piece) at the outlet for $80. Controllers are about the same cost but I've see people use heavy duty LEd pulse controllers of EBay for about $20...

The Gerbings is better than the tour master I had. Better made but that wouldn't necessarily put me off a Tourmaster.

[DanTheMan]

I've got a Widder heated vest. I use it whenever the temps get down around 36-38, at 40 and above the liner in my jacket is good enough. I also have heated grips and Cozy Winters heated socks with their own batteries. Around here, 40 degrees has been feeling like summertime.

[Mista M]

For you who have experience over the years traveling, what do you prefer. A heated vest or jacket liner.

[salty_monk]

I like the heated vest. It's adjustable heat so it saves a lot of time (stop to add a layer, stop to remove a layer etc).

[Steve]

For you who have experience over the years traveling, what do you prefer. A heated vest or jacket liner.

I prefer a liner ... because it has sleeves.

.

[salty_monk]

I wear mine with a long sleeved base layer. With the grips going as well I don't miss the sleeves much & appreciate it when temps jump 20 degrees.

Must say though.. the few times I've ridden in Chicago sleeves would have been nice!

[Mista M]

Good info, thanks. Time to go shopping. Had a few late night chilly rides this year.

[850 Combat]

My Tour Master came with a really stupid design with the lanyard from the battery being the long cable. So its on the bike dangling. It had a coax plug. I changed it out with a SAE connector (this is what a battery tender comes with). It fried its controller when it was new. Tourmaster did replace it on warranty. I have trouble using the controller, and would prefer a simple on-off switch like my Gears, Widder, and Eclipse have. I don't know how the other controllers are, but I don't want colored lights I can't easily see, etc. I have had a set of Widder electric gloves, but gave them away. The wiring harness was a pain. It like like Gears no longer uses a SAE connector. Bummer. I plug the Battery Tender SAE lanyard into a mini voltage converter to charge phones, etc. I like that it fits my heated gear too.