Heated waistcoat help & advice please.

[simondippenhall]

Gerbing has my vote.

Quality kit.

Lifetime warranty (and very helpful people).

Good temperature control.

Can get plug that fits BMW socket (altho IMHO it's better to wire the harness permanently to the battery)

 

[longdog]

Thanks, and does the gebring allow for a switch over of power to 'AA' or the like battery when walking around off the bike?

I think Gerbing will sell you a seperate battery pack.

FYI, my Gerbing jacket has just stopped working after wearing it less than 20 times!!!!

 

[High-Tower]

+1 for Keis. Best value that I could find. Toasty warm too. The BMW adaptor cost me £7.48 at local dealer but i'm sure they can be had on here for less somewhere.

Mine's better than my beloved's Chilli which has wires running through the vest rather than heated panels if only 'cos it doesn't keep blowing fuses. She does reckon its toasty warm though, when its working.

 

[Mzokk]

I've had a Klan heated waistcoat for the last five years.....still going strong. Best bit of winter riding kit ever!!

 

[KeeF650]

You say though to wear a thinish long sleeved t-shirt but i see its just a body warmer so do your arms still get quite chilly with your long sleeved T and then your jacket?

I wear a 100 weight long sleeve fleece pullover under mine and with the thermal liner in my jacket my arms don't feel any less warm than the rest of my upper body.

Keef

 

[cookie]

i have an EXO which i'm very happy with after a couple of bmw jacket failures (they all do that sir).

get the optional heat controller, as i find it too hot "flat out".

they also do a rechargeable battery pack that goes in the pocket for off bike use, but i've no experience of it.

 

[Jockser]

Gerbing

Has heating in the sleeves & collar

I'd recommend the controller 'cos otherwise it gets too hot & the battery connection rather than the BM plug. Plus, they do a battery pack.

 

[Montrose Sun]

Thanks for all the help

Had delivered today a Keis heated waistcoat, temp controller, battery pack and spare too and bmw 12v socket lead.

One last question, after sitting on the bike and being plugged in i feel that it may be far better to have it hard wired to the battery using the fused lead provided.

If i were to do this -

Does the end of it that will stick up from the seat / battery need a cap on it or is it totally waterproof just like the open end of autocom?

Will it switch on and off with the ignition this way? I.e. when i turn the bike off, i'll need to disconnect myself asap at the jacket to prevent a drain - that right?

Is it as simple as that? leads over the terminals and off you go?

As for the jacket, its extremely good from what i can see and mighty warm even as a bodywarmer!

Thanks

 

[darkhorse]

I've had a Klan heated waistcoat for the last five years.....still going strong. Best bit of winter riding kit ever!!

I'll second that

 

[(RIP) Yamaha1]

"Will it switch on and off with the ignition this way? I.e. when i turn the bike off, i'll need to disconnect myself asap at the jacket to prevent a drain - that right?"

If you wire it directly to the battery, the socket will be live all the time - best way, I would think. So, yes, you will need to disconnect the jacket when you turn the engine off - but you'd normally get off the bike then, anyway - and you'd need to disconnect the jacket to be able to walk away!!

Mike

 

[Montrose Sun]

"Will it switch on and off with the ignition this way? I.e. when i turn the bike off, i'll need to disconnect myself asap at the jacket to prevent a drain - that right?"

If you wire it directly to the battery, the socket will be live all the time - best way, I would think. So, yes, you will need to disconnect the jacket when you turn the engine off - but you'd normally get off the bike then, anyway - and you'd need to disconnect the jacket to be able to walk away!!

Mike

Thanks. So with it being live all the time, do i need a cover for the end of it regarding moisture or can i leave it open like the end of my autocom?

 

[Russ-AFC]

One last question, after sitting on the bike and being plugged in i feel that it may be far better to have it hard wired to the battery using the fused lead provided.

Thanks

Are you thinking this would be better as the plug doesnt seem to locate firmly in accessory socket? If this is the only reason i can reassure you it stays in place just fine.
I operate two Keis vests, one for the pillion, through the optional 3-way adaptor lead and all plugged into the accessory socket under the seat.
Just trying to save you some work and worry.

 

[Montrose Sun]

Are you thinking this would be better as the plug doesnt seem to locate firmly in accessory socket? If this is the only reason i can reassure you it stays in place just fine.
I operate two Keis vests, one for the pillion, through the optional 3-way adaptor lead and all plugged into the accessory socket under the seat.
Just trying to save you some work and worry.

Thanks. Its a few reasons actually. There is a heap of cable provided which is currently tie-wrapped up that both looks unsightly and i wouldn't want it to come undone. Also, as it says the temp controller isn't water proof, id rather have it tucked under the base of my jacket at the front to keep it away from the elements and i also think that it'll just look a hell of a lot tidier.

My bike is always filthy and i wouldn't want all that crud getting into the 12v socket either.

Thanks though.

Can anyone else help?

 

[stonetown]

I've got the battery pack for my EXO, it lasts approx 3 hours and heats the kidney area pad only when off the bike, recharge time is around 2-3 hours I think. One thing I don't think has been mentioned about the EXO jackets is that the material of the jacket is made by Keela, they make outdoor clothing and the EXO jackets can also be worn as normal jackets, gilet in the case of the Stormrider.

i have an EXO which i'm very happy with after a couple of bmw jacket failures (they all do that sir).

get the optional heat controller, as i find it too hot "flat out".

they also do a rechargeable battery pack that goes in the pocket for off bike use, but i've no experience of it.