Heated Clothing

[Geordie Steve]

Fantastic Kit!!

Well, I tested the Gerbing jacket liner well and truly yesterday. Set off at about 6am up to Newcastle and then up into Northumberland around the Kielder Forest. Got back home at 9pm, did about 350 miles altogether. The weather was pretty horrible to say the least, but I was amazed at how cosy I felt! I never had to turn up the heat controller beyond about 10% - any more than that and I was starting to roast. My mates were all cold, wet and miserable after the first 30 minutes (the ones who actually turned out for the ride that is... the rest of them just stayed at home).

When I stopped for petrol there was steam rising from my jacket

My cheapo Akito jacket performed pretty well, but the rain found its way into the collar and down the back of my neck. I was so warm and comfy that I didn't even notice though.

I reckon the Gerbing jacket liner is probably the best bit of kit I have ever bought.

 

[Pukmeister]

Hi Gipsy!

And you may need to change a fuse, so locate the fusebox on your bike.

You do not need to know anything about electrisity!

Sorry to correct you Liv (not trying to be a smartarse), but the newer R1200GS models don't have a conventional fusebox as such. They use a CANBUS system instead (Controller-Area Network Bus) where the "local area controllers" provide protection for their relevant circuits through solid state switching. If you overload the power take-off on the R1200GS, the controller responsible for the power socket will simply switch the socket off when it senses the 'fault'. When the fault is removed and the bikes ignition switch 'cycled', the controller will power up the socket again. No fuses involved.

 

[Droopy Dick]

I reckon the Gerbing jacket liner is probably the best bit of kit I have ever bought.

Odd!!!!!!!!!!

I wondered how I'd managed to ride for 35 years without heated gear .............

 

[Ted]

Probably the same way I drove cars without power steering, servo assisted brakes, heated rear windows etc. remember tungston lights and ye olde dynamo's.
It just makes life that little bit more comfortable for us rufty tufty bikers.

 

[LivNorway]

Sorry to correct you Liv (not trying to be a smartarse), but the newer R1200GS models don't have a conventional fusebox as such. They use a CANBUS system instead (Controller-Area Network Bus) where the "local area controllers" provide protection for their relevant circuits through solid state switching. If you overload the power take-off on the R1200GS, the controller responsible for the power socket will simply switch the socket off when it senses the 'fault'. When the fault is removed and the bikes ignition switch 'cycled', the controller will power up the socket again. No fuses involved.

Thank you for the info!
New technology - amazing!

...now I feel my baby is old... but I love him!

Liv.

 

[Paul Newman]

Hi Gipsy - I have an Aerostich vest which comes with an optional BMW power socket connector. I have used it for 4 winters and it has never let me down.

See www.aerostich.com for details and do not be put off by the fact they are in the US - their service is superb.

Hi Mel,

I'm thinking quite seriously about one of the aerostich heated vests with sleeves but I'm a little concerned looking at the website as the 2 fleeces on offer look quite thick. Do you have one of those and if so can you describe the thickness (somehow?) and do you have the thermostat thingy, and what is the liner like with and without it?

No further questions!

Thanks in advance

 

[Gipsy]

Thanks everyone for your helpfull advice. The deed is now done. In the end I opted for the gerbing heated underjacket with sleeves, and the heated gloves. Bought them at the show on Sunday. Looked at Giali also but didn't like the look and feel of the cordura gloves. Did however like the fact that the Giali vest is machine washable.
The Dutch guy on the Gerbing stand was a biker who had experience of BM's and couldn't have been more helpful. His advice was to wire the lead directly to the battery, rather than use the accessory socket. In his experience he has seen corroded tips on the plugs that go into the accessory socket and this can result in impaired function. He seemed to know about the lack of fuses on my 1200Gs.
Fitted yesterday am, and tested pm. Wonderful bit of kit. Cooked myself for a few mo's until I adjusted the thermostat, and then sheer bliss. Future proofed myself a little by buying the dual controller, and now beginning a savings fund for the socks.
Last bit of good news, had the 10% discount as promised. Once again thanks all!!!.

 

[Cheesy Mike]

Heated jacket top tip no. #236

Now you have your heated jacket, unscrew the cover on the accessory plug and fill it with hot melt glue. Be sure to let some spill out at the top onto the top where the cable enters the plug. Then, while the glue is still liquid, reassemble the plug. What you now have is a plug with built in strain-relief so that the constant flexing of the cable caused by the wind and by you moving around will not cause the wires to come loose within the plug.

Trust me, it works!

Mike

 

[Rugged Path]

Just purchased the Kanetsu 'Air Vantage' from Aerostitch. Exactly the same as the new BMW one, but cheaper. Keeps me warm, even in Saudi Arabia.

 

[Paul Newman]

I've just ordered a heated fleece from aerostich. This morning was just far to cold ( ) for a big girl like me and with five layers on I was a proper michelin man.
Tomorrow morning is supposed to be colder again but at least my heated jacket is on the horizon.

Anyone know how long delivery is from aerostich?