Heated waistcoats: Chilli any good?

[Warthog]

I've had a look around:

My dad has a Klan that I bought him, but their website says Heated clothing is not available at the mo'


Gerbing: could not find a price list for the Waistcoat

Storm rider: have to sell a kidney

BMW: Probably too expensive as well.


Chilli looked like it might be well made and the package at £140 had cables and controller all inclusive.

Are they good? Do they keep you warm in cold weather, not just cool mornings? Do they lst or do they fall apart?

Cheers,

 

[Gecko]

Dunno about waistcoats but MiGSel has been talking about a range of jackets he has found . I think they are from Sweden as used by snowmobile riders. You can find out more on his website www.migsel.com

Sad state of affairs isn't it. We don't normally start the heated jackets thread until October and it's still only August. Global warming.... my Ar$e

 

[cookie]

bmw vest is ace, but falls apart (they all do).

got my money back & got one of these. had little chance to use it in the blistering summer, but it better than the beemer when i have needed it. the optional thermostat thing is essential though, i reckon.

 

[Mandylicious]

I've had a look around:

My dad has a Klan that I bought him, but their website says Heated clothing is not available at the mo'


Gerbing: could not find a price list for the Waistcoat

Storm rider: have to sell a kidney

BMW: Probably too expensive as well.


Chilli looked like it might be well made and the package at £140 had cables and controller all inclusive.

Are they good? Do they keep you warm in cold weather, not just cool mornings? Do they lst or do they fall apart?

Cheers,

Chilli, Aidan bought me the heated waistcoat earlier this year and I would not be without it. He doesn't have to listen to me complaining about being cold anymore There is no temp control but it does not get oppressively hot, as Goldilocks once said "just right"
I would recommend it.

 

[Wapping]

Chili top bit of kit.

Have had mine for at least six years.

The the only thing I have done is use a Gerber temperature control instead of Chili's own.

 

[chapsworth]

I was tidying my office yesterday and found the receipt for my Chilli - bought at the bike show in '97. OK, so I haven't used it every winter but it's had a fair bit of use especially when I was commuting.

It's been a good bit of kit and I seem to recall it was good value compared to others as it came with the thermostat as well.

Fantastic in winter or keeping the chill off on an autumnal evening. Keeps your hands warmer too!

Recommended

 

[STUBBS]

look on ebay for the heated cord and make your own

 

[Hew]

I've had a chilli waistcoat for a few years now and been very happy with it. I like the thermostat.

 

[Greg Masters]

I, too, have a Chilli which has seen several seasons of use.

The only weak point IMHO is the electrical plugs and sockets - the grub screws that secure the cable fail. The solution is to get a hot glue gun and cement the cables to the plug/sockets when new so that the glue takes the strain, not the grub screws.

The heat controller is great.

Greg

 

[Droopy Dick]

I have Gerbing. I had to use the warranty once for a glove issue, and they sent out new ones before I even posted the damaged one to them.

I know people are different, but I'd highly recommend a Gerbing heated jacket liner and NOT a waistcoat. Although we can run with colder arms that extremities, the heated arms increases the amount of heating by some 40% over a waistcoat.

And warm arms (remember on a GS your arms are very exposed) can help with warm hands (I'd also strongly recommend the heated gloves). Heated grips aren't the panacea they're claimed to be, most because your finger ends and thumb are still exposed (unless you have very small hands or grip the bars in a very odd way). But, heated grips (inside of hands), heated gloves (back of hands and digits) and heated jacket liner is a recipe for winter heaven.

 

[Wapping]

I, too, have a Chilli which has seen several seasons of use.

The only weak point IMHO is the electrical plugs and sockets - the grub screws that secure the cable fail. The solution is to get a hot glue gun and cement the cables to the plug/sockets when new so that the glue takes the strain, not the grub screws.

The heat controller is great.

Greg

He's right. Good tip about the screws. Will do just that before winter sets in (that'll be next week then as we seem to be in November already).

I found that the adjustment knob on the Chili heat controller filled up with road crud eventualy and became fidldy / stiff to turn. But that was after several thousands of miles, with it mounted 365/365 on the yoke of my Blackbird, where I had hard wired it in.

The Gerber heat controller seems much better made. I plug it into the forward aux socket on the beak of my 1200, velcro the controller to the side panel of the tank and plug my jacket in and out. Takes about 10 seconds to fit / remove.

 

[Wapping]

I But, heated grips (inside of hands), heated gloves (back of hands and digits) and heated jacket liner is a recipe for winter heaven.

Muffs....There's your answer...tropical....

 

[Egon]

I have a gerbing waistcoat and controller found it to be a great bit of kit.

 

[mondials]

I have a warm&safe heated liner and controller. You need the controller otherwise you'll fry! I got it from the USA but they do sell from sweden as well.

 

[Coolcarbon]

Mrs CC used a Chilli waistcoat and loved it...

Now on full Gerbing suit because they all connect together through a dual controller, but a deffo.. for Chilli too...

 

[L]

I've got a Chilli which I thought I lost so bought an Aerostich fleece, which I have to say is tops - heated arms and collars and excellent quality too. I believe Aerostich do a waistcoat aswell.

I can't find the Chilli controller but found the waistcoat in the loft! I was very happy with it when I had it, so let me know if you want to buy the Chilli from me! Its a large if I remember rightly (its back in the loft so will need to check!)

 

[ghiribizzo]

Have any of you Chilli owners bought anything recently? I was going to get one for SWMBO and I broke my controller, plus needed a fitting to go into the BM socket.
Calamander's site seems updated but not responding to emails and web-order says ok - but seems dead.
Obvious solution is to try phoning them but mobile phone got nicked a few days ago so at the moment I can't get try them 9-5.
Anyone nearby them? Still in business or what?