Heated Clothing

[SPG1200]

I've done a search and most of the threads are quite old. And a lot lead to dead links. So I thought I'd ask.
Ride most of the year round and all my previous jackets have been multi layer with various combinations of thermal and waterproof liners and on the whole have kept me warm and dry.
But as the outer shells where almost always drenched I went for the KLIM Badlands outfit that barely gets damp in the worst of weather. But has no insulation at all. Instead of donning base layers and fleeces and end up looking like Michelin man (not that far off anyway) Fancy giving some heated clothing ago. But what to go for ? and I'd like to actually like to try some on first but no where seems to stock it.

Cheers

Steve

 

[stubox]

I use an EXO2 waistcoat. You really need to try them on as I ended up with a different size to what I thought I ought to. Its also bulkier than you realise but does keep you toasty - and don't bother with the control unit, just unplug if you get to warm!

 

[Beemerman59]

I have a Badlands Pro jacket - when its really cold I will use a base layer and a Powerlet jacket liner for heat. This has sleeves and a remote controlled temperature control. Works really well and with the remote control there's minimal wires involved - just the one from bike to liner. This also has built in wiring for heated gloves which I have also - bit more fiddly but really nice to have.

 

[Giles]

Ahh well .... I'm afraid I'm going to disagree with Stubox

I have an EXO jacket that's used pretty much every day in the winter and is bloody marvelous - It most certainly is the way forward in all year riding and cuts out multiple layers to keep warm.

But I say the thermo control unit thing is a must. Why go to all the effort of buying a jacket and then not finishing off the whole experience. The control unit will allow you to get the perfect temperature and you can sit in all day. I've used it with and without the thermostat, and without you're forever too cold ... too hot ... to cold ...

Best addition to my biking gear for years ...

 

[Wapping]

OK, here goes:

Every motorcycle jacket / trousers / suit I have ever bought, the first thing I do is take out the secondary winter linings and never put them back.

My Chilli heated vest served me well for over 12 years. The controller is crap, so I used a Widder control, bought second-hand on UKGSer. I still use both the vest and the Widder controller from time to time.

Last year I invested in a Rapidfire heated jacket and its associated heated glove inners from Powerlet. Both are right out of the top drawer for quality, helped as Powerlet now have at least one UK importer.

http://www.powerlet.com/shop-by-product/heated-clothing/HEATCLTHNG

Their remote controller is similarly excellent.

A bit of good quality (Merino) base layer action underneath and you are good to go.

Buy with confidence.

 

[mr_magicfingers]

I'll add a nod for warm'n'safe, had the jacket for 3 years now. Last winter the controller stopped working and they replaced it for a new upgraded version. Warm and toasty with the remote controller, I think they make the ones that powerlet market too (though may be mistaken in that). Expensive but worth every penny.

 

[diplomaticdanny]

I use the Gerbings heated jacket which heats all the way down the arms and right up to the top of the collar, got the heated gloves for x mas last year, have a double controller so can have different settings for jacket and gloves. Simply superb!!!

 

[SPG1200]

Cheers

Thanks for the replies, Powerlet / warm and safe look the favourites at the moment. But there's a couple of localish dealers that claim to be stockist of the EXO gear so I'll give then a ring and see if they've actually got the stuff in stock so I can try it on.

Cheers Steve

 

[ymfb]

We bought Keis vests last year and was amazed at the difference, mine runs off the bike, the wife's of the battery. As we now have an RT with two power points the wife will be running off the bike as the battery life is about half a day.

This year will also be our first with heated seats, bring it on !

 

[Wapping]

Thanks for the replies, Powerlet / warm and safe look the favourites at the moment.

Adventure Spec are importers of Powerlet products, based in West Yorkshire, which I guess is not a million miles away from you. They are not a shop in the conventional sense, more a mail order outlet. However, you lose nothing by giving them a call to see if you can drop by to try something on.

http://www.adventure-spec.com/

The Rapidefire jackets are not cheap, so buying one on spec is a bit of a punt, not least as the sizing is reasonably important. I was happy enough that the quality was OK unseen but was unsure of which of two possible sizes I might be.

I called an importer down here in SE England who was kind enough to import two jackets, one of each size. I then drove down, tried them both on, buying the one that fitted me best. An all round good service from these bods:

http://www.bykebitz.co.uk/

If push came to shove and / or Adventure Spec won't or can't play ball, I would call bykebitz to see if they would do the same for you, maybe posting two out with one on a sale or return basis, providing it was returned in perfect condition. It costs nothing to ask them.

Have a look at this thread: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=320799

You will see that I have the heated glove liners too, along with my comment of having to go up two glove sizes to get the (very thin) glover liners in. That brought in the extra expense of buying the gloves. You may well have different sized hands and / or have gloves that are loose enough not to need changing. Either way, I was prepared to spend the extra, not least as my annual average mileage on the bike justifies the expense. The heated hand liners, used under thinish 'All season' gloves are excellent, topped off by the two channel remote controller. Worth the extra? Yes, for sure.

 

[Cogs]

Another plug for Gerbing, actually, make that two!

Lisa & I have both benefitted from their all-over comfort for nigh on ten years!

.

 

[busy builder]

Keis vest very good, had mine about 4 years with no problems.

 

[SPG1200]

Ahh FFS how hard can it be.

Ok
Decided on W & S as they do long versions XXL long was spot on and the wireless duel controller set looked a doodle to fit 2 connections on the battery and job done. Added the lot to my basket worked out a little bit cheaper than the powerlet stuff great, Went to checkout and the vat gets added now looking very expensive.
So phoned Adventure Spec for advice on powerlet according to size chart xxl fits chest and waist but to short in the arm xxxl OK for the arm length but to big else ware.
Only to be told they couldn't advise on sizing, So asked if anywhere I could go to try some on. Got asked where I was based (Manchester) sorry no one near you. But their only half an hour way in Halifax must be doing very well if they can't be arsed to secure the best part of £500 quid. Anyway after the pre sale experience no way are they get any of my hard earnt.

So next phone the EXO stockists 1st whats EXO ? 2nd We only stock vests ! Third Sorry we've only just started stocking and have got any jackets at the moment, But I can get some in just let me know what sizes you want to try and again sorry it may take a couple of weeks. At last a sign of customer service on the horizon (SINGLE TRACKER (CO) Crew).
So lets hope a bit better luck with the Gerbing and Kies kit

 

[stubox]

OP , good luck with the search ! But getting it sized right is worth the hassle.

Reading both Giles and Wappings post I think I will try mine again but a) without the thermal inner on the jacket....which will then I suspect lead me to b) needing the control unit

 

[Beemerman59]

You do need to get the sizing right. It needs to be snug as if its too roomy you won't get the most benefit. I always find US sizes slightly bigger than here in the UK when sizes are L, XL, XXL etc. I'm 6'3" and 16 stone and the XL Powerlet jacket is perhaps too big around the waist but the arms are just long enough. My jacket tends to help keep the liner where heat transfer is good so that counteracts the larger size but if your jacket is baggy you'll lose the heat unless the liner is snug.

The remote control unit from Powerlet I think fits other makes of liner i.e Gerbing and is really useful. I had (still have) the original wired dual controller and its a pain with all the additional wiring. I have the remote velcro'd on the top of the clutch reservoir where I can adjust easily and remove it when not on the bike.

 

[Wapping]

Ok
So phoned Adventure Spec for advice on powerlet .... Got asked where I was based (Manchester) sorry no one near you.....But their only half an hour way in Halifax

Do they not order them in for bods to try on, or hold some in stock? Given that they are only half an hour away from you was why I suggested them, in the hope that you might be able to troll over and get the fit right.

Certainly bykebitz helped me out.... they are well over an hour away from me, right across London.

 

[Wapping]

I have the remote velcro'd on the top of the clutch reservoir where I can adjust easily and remove it when not on the bike.

Snap.

It's still a good idea to add a safety loop, just in case it makes a bid for freedom at 95 mph.

 

[Steptoe]

Gerbing.
The jacket is well made and can be worn as a jacket without looking like an extra from star trek when off the bike.
I've never had to use mine at full power as it's a hot'un, all over. Now 6 years old and in perfect condition.

And the gerbing heated trousers plug into the jacket, and the gerbing heated gloves plug into the jacket, and the gerbing heated boot liners also plug into the jacket.

So if need be you can be heated all over with just one attachement to the bike.

 

[Green Boy]

OK, here goes:

Every motorcycle jacket / trousers / suit I have ever bought, the first thing I do is take out the secondary winter linings and never put them back.

My Chilli heated vest served me well for over 12 years. The controller is crap, so I used a Widder control, bought second-hand on UKGSer. I still use both the vest and the Widder controller from time to time.

Last year I invested in a Rapidfire heated jacket and its associated heated glove inners from Powerlet. Both are right out of the top drawer for quality, helped as Powerlet now have at least one UK importer.

http://www.powerlet.com/shop-by-product/heated-clothing/HEATCLTHNG

Their remote controller is similarly excellent.

A bit of good quality (Merino) base layer action underneath and you are good to go.

Buy with confidence.

Right, forgive my ignorance but does the dual wireless controller allow the Powerlet jacket and gloves to be independently controlled?

 

[Buz]

I'll probably invest in heated gloves for the winter, my commute is about 20-30 mins each way a couple of days a week and its really only my fingers/thumbs that get cold. What happens if the gloves you wear them under arent totally waterproof? are they likely to short circuit and become useless? Will they dry out and be ok?