Reccomendations for chemical hand warmers?

[Fat Boy]

I live in Florida so I don't really want to buy heated gloves that I will only use a handful of times per year, but my hands go numb below 40 degrees on my daily commute.So I am looking for inexpensive, sort duration chemical hand warmers that I can slip into gloves or tape to my grips for a 30 minute commute.

Recommendations or alternate suggestions?

[Cablebandit]

Drop a few bucks on some Symtec heated grips.  I think you can find them for around $35 bucks.  Chemical heat packs rely on oxygen to work.  They wont work to well stuffed inside a glove.

[Fat Boy]

I see them for $50, where are the 35 dollar ones?

[Cablebandit]

Here's two vendors.  They seem to have gone up a few bucks since I used them last.

http://www.casporttouring.com/cst/motorcycle/SYMT/16011.html

http://www.cli-maxridinggear.com/servlet/the-163/Symtec-Heated-Grips-Motorcycle/Detail

Wearing thin gloves you can actually burn your hands. These will get that hot on high.  Especially if you're only getting down into the 40's

[jpaul]

I've used the Grabber hand warmers and toe warmers and they work OK. If you put thme into a ziploc bag after you use them, and get the air out, you can reuse them a few times. I did that for a couple of years before I got heated grips.

[Doug Just Doug]

At least some chemical warmers will work inside gloves or boots. Rode to work with Grabber-brand warmers in my glove liners this morning for instance @ ~36F (under Hein Gericke Pathan lobster-claw gloves). No, it's not like having electrics, but I find they help a lot, particularly for short rides/commutes. Rather than making your hands/fingers warm, they can just keep from not feeling cold.  I try to buy them by the case at Costco or Amazon to keep cost down.

[Cablebandit]

Wouldn't heated grips be cheaper, warmer, and more convenient?

[DangerMoney]

 Chemical heat packs rely on oxygen to work.  They wont work to well stuffed inside a glove.

The first statement is true but the second...  Ski shops sell chemical  warmers by the bucket load. I've used them inside ski boots. The more oxygen the warmers are exposed to the hotter they get. They work fine inside boots and gloves but will be bulky inside gloves; especially if they're worn against the palm.

I'd suggest getting heavier gloves or heated grips. The gloves you can use on any bike.

[Doug Just Doug]

Wouldn't heated grips be cheaper, warmer, and more convenient?

Heated grips: Probably. Absolutely. Yes.  
Heated gloves/liners: Maybe, depending upon life and cost of gloves/liners. Absolutely. Maybe, depending upon cording.

I've got nothing against electrics (I have Powerlet heated gloves liners waiting for me to install), I just have not used them before for various reasons, instead relying upon other methods to help a bit. I've been riding in winter for 20+ years, occasionally own to single digits, without electrics, but sadly, now that I'm 50 the ol' digits are getting too cold so I'll be joining the electrical-heat bandwagon very soon. I'm 100% sure I'll then wonder how I ever rode without it.

[Cablebandit]

H. I'm 100% sure I'll then wonder how I ever rode without it.

 

[sprint_st]

Look for something like Hippo Hands.  They cover the controls and you put your gloves inside them.  If you cheap out, just remember cold hands aren't just uncomfortable, they HURT!

[Cablebandit]

Cold fingers also don't like to straighten out to grab the brakes as well as warm fingers do.

[ConPilot1]

Man I don't know to each his own but I have a different take. Three years ago, I invested in a Gerbings liner, gloves, and controller. About $300 bucks total.
Bikers will spend $300 on a good riding jacket every few years or so, whether out of necessity or just to have the latest and greatest. Not to mention farkles, gloves, pants, etc. etc.

That Gerbings investment was some of the best cash I've ever spent. Even just a handful of times when needed is worth it to me.

Gerbings has a lifetime warranty/replacement policy. For the convenience and reliability and effectiveness of my heated gear it's WELL worth it in the long run.

[Cablebandit]

Meh, cold is relative.  I'm sure in FL 40° feels like the end of days.

I'm surprised you didn't point out the misuse of your/you're.  



...Get the heated grips, best small money you can spend on a bike.  

[Fat Boy]

Meh, cold is relative.  I'm sure in FL 40° feels like the end of days.

I'm surprised you didn't point out the misuse of your/you're.  

...Get the heated grips, best small money you can spend on a bike.  

Thanks for contributing to the discussion. I don't mind the cold so much as the fingers going numb and losing manual dexterity. I think the heated grips are probably a good fairly inexpensive way to go.

[Dan K]

I had frost bite in one finger and it goes numb in the slightest cold, including anything under 45 or so on long rides.

I'm thinking heated gloves this year, but haven't researched yet.

- Dan

[nevinfs327]

Here's an option if you don't want to fully commit to heated grips: Oxford Heaterz grip wraps.  I bought them primarily because it was a cheaper and easier solution to switch between my bikes than to buy and install multiple sets of heated grips.  They work well down to about freezing for me, then the heat dissipates to quickly at speed.  Also nice in the 40s and 50s when it is wet.  Feels like holding a cup of cocoa in each hand.  Only real downside is adjusting to what is an effectively larger diameter throttle with the wrap on.  Doesn't take too long to adjust to it though.  

Here's a decent review of the product and install (not my review): http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=429236

I used them in North Central Florida riding up 301 late at night in mid-March, and the following morning to warm my hands on and off as I broke camp in a state forest near the GA border, then again as I rode.  Temps were mostly in the 40s (relying on signs at banks, etc.) and possibly 30s when breaking camp and hitting the road, though not below freezing.

[ConPilot1]

I had my heated liner on last night and cranked up pretty good as it was 37° and blustery last night on the way home.
I figured I'd tough it out and just wear my leather gloves and glove liners.
Not.

4 miles down the road I stopped and had to dig up my Gerbings classic gloves out of the sidecase.

Lifesavers man, they don't just make your cold ride tolerable, they make it enjoyable.
I actually got HOT on the way home with it dialed up on high. Had to turn it down about 1/2 way and leave it there.

I was toasty warm!!!

[sprint_st]

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/5261/481/

[Fat Boy]

Does anyone know what the difference between the MT and the RR models are?

http://www.symtec-inc.com/External-Handlebar-Warmer-Kit-Motorcycle-MT_p_24.html

http://www.symtec-inc.com/External-Handlebar-Warmer-Kit-Motorcycle-RR_p_89.html

[Cablebandit]

The switch. Go with the round black one. It looks much better installed.