rocks
Registered user
Widder.. who is UK stockist??
Anyone know??
Would like to have a look at their gear.
Anyone know??
Would like to have a look at their gear.
How long have you had yours.. heated waist coat??
- Thread starter rocks
- Start date
Widder
Try Riderhouse, Market Hill, Royston, Herts SG8 9JL Tel. 01763 245000 - They were the sole UK importers a couple of years ago - from an old brochure at the NEC (found it with my collection of anoraks, just beside the suppositories
) but they could have gone under by now 
Just found an email address... [email protected] The website address is www.widder.com - but that'll be the States.
rocks said:
Try Riderhouse, Market Hill, Royston, Herts SG8 9JL Tel. 01763 245000 - They were the sole UK importers a couple of years ago - from an old brochure at the NEC (found it with my collection of anoraks, just beside the suppositories
) but they could have gone under by now Just found an email address... [email protected] The website address is www.widder.com - but that'll be the States.
ScottyKM
Registered user
Just sewn in one of the 'heated jacket' kits raved about on here, put into the quilted liner on my dainese jacket,
test ride to farnham (half hour or so) was nice and warm, especially round my lower back,
will post a better test after my weekend dash to germany and back (800ish miles) to see the family
test ride to farnham (half hour or so) was nice and warm, especially round my lower back,
will post a better test after my weekend dash to germany and back (800ish miles) to see the family
wildernessrob
Registered user
Ive have "Widder" waistcoat that I have had for about 9-10 years, i bought it at the bike show. I tend to use when it gets down to about 5-6 oC or below.
The one I bought has a coller on it, which is sometimes a pain, as with some jackets, it is difficult to get the top button/strap/velcro done up, without cutting off the blood supply to your head. Its virtually impossible to use a headover as well.
I ride all year, either on the GS or the "hack". Its been very reliable and very warm, but im careful how I treat it & fold it, IIRC it uses copper wire to conduct the heat, which I have always thought was susceptable to work hardening & braking.
I found it especially useful during a trip back from to Normandy earlier this year, when we ended up travelling later into the night than anticipated due to a ferry "cock-up". With little else in my tank bag, it was a nice moral booster to put the waistcoat on under leathers, especially when the sun went down and it turned damp & cold. A useful insurance policy for all year round riding.
Ive changed the 12v connectors at the bike end to "DIN" type ones, but only because I wanted a bit of commonality between my 2 bikes, Optimates, tyre inflator, waistcoat etc.
The only irritation that I find, is stepping off the bike whilst forgetting that you are still attached and snapping the wire connections. Ironically I found myself and the bike sliding up the road on our arses earlier this year, with all connections attached & intact.
If I was buying again I would be interested at looking at this EXO2 jacket, to see if it performs and lasts well, as the idea of the material of the jacket conducting the warmth appears interesting, for getting a uniform heat transfer.
Have a look here for the "Widder's";
http://www.riderhouse.co.uk/widder.htm
Ive only used them for a replacement power lead, but it arrived very quickly, following my order.
The one I bought has a coller on it, which is sometimes a pain, as with some jackets, it is difficult to get the top button/strap/velcro done up, without cutting off the blood supply to your head. Its virtually impossible to use a headover as well.
I ride all year, either on the GS or the "hack". Its been very reliable and very warm, but im careful how I treat it & fold it, IIRC it uses copper wire to conduct the heat, which I have always thought was susceptable to work hardening & braking.
I found it especially useful during a trip back from to Normandy earlier this year, when we ended up travelling later into the night than anticipated due to a ferry "cock-up". With little else in my tank bag, it was a nice moral booster to put the waistcoat on under leathers, especially when the sun went down and it turned damp & cold. A useful insurance policy for all year round riding.
Ive changed the 12v connectors at the bike end to "DIN" type ones, but only because I wanted a bit of commonality between my 2 bikes, Optimates, tyre inflator, waistcoat etc.
The only irritation that I find, is stepping off the bike whilst forgetting that you are still attached and snapping the wire connections. Ironically I found myself and the bike sliding up the road on our arses earlier this year, with all connections attached & intact.
If I was buying again I would be interested at looking at this EXO2 jacket, to see if it performs and lasts well, as the idea of the material of the jacket conducting the warmth appears interesting, for getting a uniform heat transfer.
Have a look here for the "Widder's";
http://www.riderhouse.co.uk/widder.htm
Ive only used them for a replacement power lead, but it arrived very quickly, following my order.
chapsworth
Registered user
Had my Chilli for about 10 years. Not used a great deal recently but all in working order. Great piece of kit.
My home made jobbie, minus 6 degrees, 200 miles. Very warm 
4 clock in the morning, Northern Spain. Still warm
4 clock in the morning, Northern Spain. Still warm
rdover
Registered user
Had a Chilli for 6 years or so, great but very cold arms, eventually started to heat in 1 place and burn whilst the rest of me got cold. the switches and plugs broke easily
Then bought a Klan one, had for 4 years but changed due to heating too much in 1 place and being the wrong shape for my fat belly. Switches are crap.
Just bought a Kanetsu one from Aerostitch to go with my roadcrafter suit, and although a bit baggy in the belly it has panels rather than wires and is windproof as well. Done 4k miles in it and although I seldom switched it on until October it is brill. Great illuminated switch on a stretchy cord complete with BMW compatible plug. It self packs (ie turn it inside out and stuff into the rear internal pocket.
I would not be without one. I left home this morning at 6am with a temp of 1degC. Fingers cold, toes like ice, body was nicely warm despite draught at my neck. I was wearing a cotton short sleeved shirt under it.
Then bought a Klan one, had for 4 years but changed due to heating too much in 1 place and being the wrong shape for my fat belly. Switches are crap.
Just bought a Kanetsu one from Aerostitch to go with my roadcrafter suit, and although a bit baggy in the belly it has panels rather than wires and is windproof as well. Done 4k miles in it and although I seldom switched it on until October it is brill. Great illuminated switch on a stretchy cord complete with BMW compatible plug. It self packs (ie turn it inside out and stuff into the rear internal pocket.
I would not be without one. I left home this morning at 6am with a temp of 1degC. Fingers cold, toes like ice, body was nicely warm despite draught at my neck. I was wearing a cotton short sleeved shirt under it.
Having been outbid on Gerbing jacket liners several times on Ebay, tonight I ordered a DIY kit from
heat4jackets.com Question is where's the best exit point from the jacket for the power lead ? I have sockets on the handlebars in addition to the normal one under the seat.
heat4jackets.com Question is where's the best exit point from the jacket for the power lead ? I have sockets on the handlebars in addition to the normal one under the seat.
Anyone got the Klan stuff? I bought mine last week & have yet to use it in the cold
yep, had a Klan heated waistcoat for the past 3 years and its been fantastic, changed the lead for a curly one, be carefull, your warm so forget its icy and slippy
was going to buy the diy kit, but can never find a lined fleece
Don't line the jacket, you won't feel any heat. Line an inner article of clothing, but not an item that's worn next to the skin.
I used a double skinned fleece with the heating element inbetween. Attached to a thermostat/heat control.
But almost two years ago (look at the start date of this thread) i bought a gerbing inner jacket and have used that ever since.
I've had the Widder (with collar) since 2001, during the first winter I found my arms were getting cold on extremely cold days so bought the arm chaps that are a press stud fit.
I didn't bother buying the thermostat, I just switch it on and off as required.
Brilliant bit of kit and have had no problems with it.
I tend to start using it once the temperature drops below 8 degrees C.
Bought mine from Riderhouse who were the sole importer, but i have a feeling they are no longer in business.
On bikes fitted with a can bus the Widder jacket (on its own) will run OK off the standard accessory socket providing the battery is fully charged. With the arm chaps fitted the accessory socket trips out so I've fitted a non-can bus socket.
If I was to buy another I would have a serious look at the EXO2.
Bob
I didn't bother buying the thermostat, I just switch it on and off as required.
Brilliant bit of kit and have had no problems with it.
I tend to start using it once the temperature drops below 8 degrees C.
Bought mine from Riderhouse who were the sole importer, but i have a feeling they are no longer in business.
On bikes fitted with a can bus the Widder jacket (on its own) will run OK off the standard accessory socket providing the battery is fully charged. With the arm chaps fitted the accessory socket trips out so I've fitted a non-can bus socket.
If I was to buy another I would have a serious look at the EXO2.
Bob
Mine is made by Chilli, had it for over 2 years and wear it whenever I'm cold. So nearly all the time 
Coming up to a third winter with my Gerbings heated waistcoat
Lovely toasty arms and neck as well as torso. Heat controller has failed twice and I think that is because I have left it on the bike, exposed in all weathers.
I would buy another Gerbings, if ever it fails.
Lovely toasty arms and neck as well as torso. Heat controller has failed twice and I think that is because I have left it on the bike, exposed in all weathers.
I would buy another Gerbings, if ever it fails.
yen_powell
Registered user
Had my Widder vest for 12 winters of long distance commuting now, still working well.
Shame the company have folded as the gloves (2nd pair) have stopped working and I would have bought a 3rd pair. They've kept frostbite at bay many many times.
Dellis
Registered user
I have a Klan and Sandra has an EXO2 both have done four winters, this will be the fifth, with no problems. They make winter riding much more of a pleasure than without them.
Dave
Dave
I have a Klan waistcoat with the heated neck this will be its 8th winter no probs so far. Absolutlely the best thing I've ever bought for the bike!!
Jackets
I've got a gerbing very good have the handle bar type controller as it's easy to get at rather than a belt control. Power lead broke once so fixed it myself save sebding it all back. Problem comes from geting off bike withoput unplugging it but it does work very well and saves wearing lots of layers underneath the jacket. Went to the rop of Alaska with it with a tee shirt underneath they do seem to warm the legs as well as your arms and trunk very good recommended. Fell off bike sumersalted courtsey of BMW adventure crash bars and broke the knob from the controller new one £50 thank you sir, just for a blob of resin with a knob on it!. So recommend these but don't fall off!.
I've got a gerbing very good have the handle bar type controller as it's easy to get at rather than a belt control. Power lead broke once so fixed it myself save sebding it all back. Problem comes from geting off bike withoput unplugging it but it does work very well and saves wearing lots of layers underneath the jacket. Went to the rop of Alaska with it with a tee shirt underneath they do seem to warm the legs as well as your arms and trunk very good recommended. Fell off bike sumersalted courtsey of BMW adventure crash bars and broke the knob from the controller new one £50 thank you sir, just for a blob of resin with a knob on it!. So recommend these but don't fall off!.
