My thoughts on a heated jacket liner - If you're on the fence, please read.

[sfalexi]

Where I'm coming from:  I'm an average Joe Schmoe.  I ride about 25 miles each way to/from work, mostly highway ~75 mph and including any extra trips ride bout 1500 miles a month.  I commute daily with a motorcycle rain or shine and only take the car in when there's a threat of ice or I need the extra trunk space.  I'm from NJ originally, but currently live in South Carolina.  Bought a jacket liner during the Black Friday sales.  

Current equipment:  I own a 2012 Vstrom 650 Adventure and a 2012 CBR250R.  Swap bikes about every other day as they're both fun as hell to ride.  Love the storage on the Adventure, but the little 250 is a blast to ride and is so light and flickable and still carries what I need most days.

Heated gear/thoughts:  Well, my thoughts, if you don't want to hear why, are to go out and buy it.  I should've done it sooner.  Just makes it more fun to ride and I don't care what the weather is anymore.  Cold?  no second guessing or mentally preparing to ride.  Just attach the heattroller and ride.  

I bought a 65 watt liner from Firstgear.  But my thoughts are on heated gear in general, not on this particular one as I have no other ones to compare it to.  In the past month, I've gotten the opportunity to test the gear with and without extra layers, with heated gloves, and in temps from 70 degrees to the best test I've had so far, a brisk 35 degree morning ride on the CBR while drizzling.  I've ridden in some heavy rain as well (both warm and colder).  I use a heattroller connected to this liner.

I was on the fence for a few years.  I'm a pretty new rider (got my motorcycle license in 2008, took a year off when I deployed, then started riding again).  I've ridden mostly in the south since I haven't been stationed up north in a while, but I did spend one winter in VA and I travel back home often and have hit some cold temps.  I've put off heated gear cause I figure I'm in the south.  How cold can it get?  And I layer religiously and carry all sorts of layers with my bikes.  At any given time, I've got a thermal jacket liner, three different types of gloves (varying thicknesses), some frogg toggs, two gatornecks of varying thicknesses, and a neoprene facemask.

Yup.  While I ride in cold weather, I don't believe that means I have to be cold to do so.  

I bought the 65 watt liner since both bikes only have about 100 extra watts to work with and I didn't want to have to worry.  For riding in colder temps (less than forty?) or with less wind protection (the CBR), the jacket liner itself is not enough.  But put the jacket liner under a thermal liner under the jacket (three layers), and it's great.  Keeps the warmth in wonderfully.  Plus, since the jacket liner is "waterproof" (one heavy rainstorm proved that it wasn't), and the thermal liner is "waterproof" (yeah right), you have two layers of protection agains rain.  Neither of them are truly waterproof, but the two together get you further down the road before water starts to hit the skin.  Plus, at least you'll be warm when the water DOES reach the skin.  

In "cooler" temps (50's and 60's), the jacket liner works fine without the thermal liner.  Blocks the wind and stays relatively warm.  Although I will agree with other things I read where they talk about wearing a compressing shirt OVER the liner to keep it against your skin.  

The only gripe I have about my current combination are the heated gloves.  The heated gloves are 14 watts, and work great when plugged in at maximum load (all 14 of those watts).  But if I plug them into the jacket liner, and the heattroller is NOT at full load, I barely feel any warmth in the gloves.  I may just get a splitter so the gloves are at full load all the time whenever I plug them in instead of depending on the heattroller.  

If you're on the fence, get it.  I got Firstgear brand because Gerbings seems to NEVER go on sale while the Firstgear brand I found at 20% off.  But the gloves I have are Gerbings and they plug right into the firstgear liner.  And a heatroller is great to have.  I bought the portable and switch between bikes.  65 watts is more than enough IF you don't mind layering.  If you just want to have the liner and that's all, maybe the 110 will work, or maybe look more at a heated jacket instead of a heated liner.  But I wanted a liner I can use year round so I wanted a thin liner I can wear in cooler temps without plugging it in and without overheated.

Hope I've been able to sway one or two people to give it a shot.  I figure if I'm going to ride year round ANYWAY, there's no reason I can't be comfortable while riding.

Alexi

 

[Carbonero]

Proper heated gear can be a true game changer.  

[bomber]

Proper heated gear can be a true game changer.  

Heated gear adds aout a month to each end of my regular riding season . . . . the ROI is outstanding!

To quote a friend, you can never be TOO comfortable.

[Carbonero]

The trick - in terms of safety - with heated gear is to not overuse its potential. You shouldn't feel HOT in the gear... you should just feel not cold. If you turn it up to the point where you sweat, you're begging hypothermia and diminishing returns. Start at the lowest setting, and only turn it up until you're not cold. If it feels actively warm (or worse, hot) while out in the wind, it's too hot and you'll end up sweating.

[Mr_Gone]

I finally pulled the trigger on heated gear — Christmas gift to myself. I can't believe I tried riding below freezing for any length of time without this stuff! I'm completely convinced I made the right decision.

Here in Arkansas, I can probably ride all year with heated gear. Temps rarely fall into the teens, and single digits are a once-a-decade event, but I have no doubts after a weekend ride with my heated gear that I'd be able to handle temps down to zero.

btw I went with Gerbing's. For me, the fit was better, and I like the lifetime warranty. YMMV.

[2RR2NV]

i agree on the heated gear aspect even though i have only used it twice (even living up in SD). i only use the gear to take the edge off of the cold. once comfy, shut it down. never have needed a ton of heat to feel fine. i just hooked up my electric gear to my 750, but haven't used it yet since 1) haven't had the time, and 2) it's a pain to commute to work with it since i have to take it off AT the bike before walking into work. that whole "gotta be in uniform" dealio. once i retire, i'll probably use the heck out of it since i won't have to worry about my uniform and we'll be back in SD. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT   FTMFW!!!

i have the Gerbing Jacket liner and gloves. i wasn't going to buy them for awhile since i haven't really needed them, but my wife wanted me to ride or at least have the option to ride if the temps dropped, so she bought me heated gear for X-mas 4 years ago. Bless her heart!!!  

[falcofred]

I had a Widder Electric Vest for years, I'd bet 20 years, it was good, but then it finally died  

Now I have a Gerbings Electric Liner, so rather than a vest, now my arms are heated also  

The liner, along with the heated grip on my Ducati make it comfortable to ride in cold weather.

[black hills]

bought a Kanatsu vest about 6 years ago and I have no idea why I didn't get one 30 years before that!! its great even when its not all that cold. all day in 50 deg. temps is nothing now  and the occasional short ride is fine down into the 20's

[bomber]

Also, if you decide to get some heated gear, learn form my mistake, and make sure it's a bit on the snug side . . . . . the heat transfer will be much more efficient if the fit is correct . . .

You CAN make up for a loose-fitting liner of vest by layering a tight shirt/fleece/corset over it, but properly fitting gear won't need it . . . . .

[jeepinbanditrider]

I picked up one of the Mobile Heat Lithium battery heated liners yesterday.  I'm going on a 600 mile ride today and tomorrow so I'll report back on how that worked out.  I think it's made by firstgear also, or maybe Tourmaster.

[dan88z]

I got a Gerbings heated liner for Christmas. My wife has had her setup for a few years, and while she's not one to ride when it gets real cold, the liner comes in handy for her on long trips where you might be in the mountains, etc.

I tested mine out Christmas day. 42 degrees which isn't so bad, a temp I wouldn't worry about even without the heated gear. I'd layer up- base layer, fleece, heavy lined jacket. Same for the pants- base layer, some kind of fleece, windproof layer, overpants. On this day, I used the jacket liner and my mesh summer jacket. Toasty warm. I'd still use my heavier jacket if I were going on an extended ride, but for the hour or so I was out, this was a fine combo of gear.

The trade off between layering up and the electric gear is about the same. Both are sort of a pain in the butt to deal with. It's either putting on all the layers or dealing with the wires. I did have some problems dealing with the knobs on the dual controller with the heated gloves, which are a little cumbersome. I also need to figure out a better system for tucking the glove wires in.

[M.Brane]

 I've had my Gerbings liner for a couple seasons now, and the gloves for 1. 34° this morning on the way to work. I just set the knob for "warm summer day". I've seen temps as low as 27°, and never have the liner much beyond 1/2. T-shirt under liner under perfed leathers on my 10 mile commute. If I know I'm gonna be out all day in the cold I'll wear my silk underwear. It evens out the heat, and doesn't get too hot if the temps warm up a bit. I find I don't need a separate controller for the gloves with my perfed leathers since the airflow keeps the liner from getting too hot when I crank it up. The VFR's charging system keeps up no problem with everything on high at anything above idle.

 I have had some minor issues with the connections, but nothing I haven't been able to fix on-the-fly.

 Heated gear rocks.

[auggius]

Good reminder. My electric vest died about 4 years ago. The usual suspects - Gerbing, Widder, Aerostich Kanetsu - have all been mentioned. Does anybody have experience with the Powerlet rapidFIRe ProForm heated liner? It's different in that it doesn't use wire for heating. The whole garment itself provides heat using infrared technology. Here's the link to the company's website: http://www.powerlet.com/product/rapidfire-heated-jacket-liner/475

[tbzep]

 I've had my Gerbings liner for a couple seasons now, and the gloves for 1. 34° this morning on the way to work. I just set the knob for "warm summer day". I've seen temps as low as 27°, and never have the liner much beyond 1/2. T-shirt under liner under perfed leathers on my 10 mile commute. If I know I'm gonna be out all day in the cold I'll wear my silk underwear. It evens out the heat, and doesn't get too hot if the temps warm up a bit. I find I don't need a separate controller for the gloves with my perfed leathers since the airflow keeps the liner from getting too hot when I crank it up. The VFR's charging system keeps up no problem with everything on high at anything above idle.

 I have had some minor issues with the connections, but nothing I haven't been able to fix on-the-fly.

 Heated gear rocks.

I just recently got a Firstgear Warm and Safe 90 watt liner.  I tried it out by wearing it under perforated leathers and like you, found that it kept me warm in pretty cool temps.  I just have to remember to turn it off or keep it on low when I'm putting around in a parking lot because it affects my VFR's idle when it's cranked up.

[expatbrit]

I've been really happy with my EXO2 storm rider vest. Low power draw, fits my skinny-arse frame well, warm without heat and better with. I /can/ ride in the cold without it -- I'd rather not.

The gerbings liner and gloves that I got my girl a couple of years ago have made a HUGE difference to here. She gets colder than I do, because she's skinnier than I ever will be...

[hexkopf]

Ok, so i am ready to pull the trigger here. Vest or jacket?

[tbzep]

Ok, so i am ready to pull the trigger here. Vest or jacket?

I'd go with the jacket unless you have Popeye arms and often deal with fitting issues.    If you decide later that you want heated gloves or glove liners, you won't be able to use them with a vest.  

[hexkopf]

Good point.

[Rincewind]

Ok, so i am ready to pull the trigger here. Vest or jacket?

I just made the upgrade from vest (Widder) to full jacket liner (Warm & Safe).  For South Central PA area, I would definitely go for the full jacket liner, and one that has a glove option for a future purchase as was said.

[Mr_Gone]

Ok, so i am ready to pull the trigger here. Vest or jacket?

Jacket. Why not have warm arms, too? Plus, it's easier to connect gloves.