[Hanko]

I bought a set of Gerbings heated gear at the Seattle International Motorcycle show. I've been waiting for the plugs that I can mount in the tupperware to arrive so I can test out my new gear. Well they are still not here and neither are my gloves but I just could not wait any longer.

It was 36 degrees out and somewhat sunny so I headed out to the garage to work on the bike.

I wired up the supplied fused connector and took a ride with the Jacket Liner and Pants liner under my normal gear. Here are some observations....not gripes, just observations because I am quite pleased with the gear.

1: No matter what the temptation do not turn the controllers up all the way!! Gets way to hot to quick!! 30 to 40% works just fine even at 36 degree's

2: There are colds spots that are not heated, behind the legs, around the waist, crotch (boys got cold!!), behind the arms, top of the shoulders, under the arms. With this in mind the two spots I noticed the most were the back side of the arms up near the arm pits got pretty cool and the boy's will need some better protection that just the textile pants and the heated liner. Maybe I'll have to invest in some thermal undies.

3: The controller wiring is somewhat stiff and that makes it difficult to put the controller in any kind of pockets etc. I'll probably get some velcro and attach the controller to the front upper left breast area of the liner on the outside. That way I can reach inside my jacket and adjust the controller. It probably would have been better to have gotten the bike mounted controller setup but I have more than 1 bike I want to use them on so the controllers have to go with the gear.

4: Plug the gear in after you start the bike. Starting the bike with the gear attached is no problem for the bike. The heat controller however will go into a fault condition if it is attached and the bike is started. It evidently is monitoring the voltage and when it drops below some level the unit stops the heating and flashes the led's at you in an error state. You can easily reset the unit by unplugging it and plugging it back in with the bike running. You may be able to do the same thing by turning the controller off and on but I had it adjusted the way I wanted so it was easier for me to just unplug it and plug it back in.

5: The arms get warmer than the body does. I assume (you know what that does) this is to compensate for the air usually blowing over the arms more than the body area. However on an 1800 the windshield blocks most of the wind off and the arms will get a bit warm. Not uncomfortable, but not the same temperature as the body section.

Overall I am quite satisfied with the gear. I was very comfortable riding in 36 degree weather even after the sun went down. Now if they would just send my body panel connectors and my gloves I'll be all set.

 

[Ogrebro]

Thanks for the review as I've been thinking of buying heated gear. Have you tried any of the others? Firstgear? Too many choices and not enough info. What convinced you to buy Gerbings?
Thanks
Bill

 

[papabee49]

Rode with all mine on this morning at 30* and was toasty. Did notice that the jacket got warmer than the gloves, have to keep it turned down to keep from burning the hands. Overall I love them.
Ogrebro, Gerbing is the number one manufacturer, I don't think that you can get any better and the little bit of price difference between the others doesn't compensate for the quality and service.

 

[newday777]

Are you wearing just a single layer,tight fit long sleeve shirt and long underwear, then the Gerbings? I think that is what you are to do to get the most efficient use of them to the body, long sleeve and underwear to keep the heat from being directly on the skin. That's what a couple long time Bmer riding buddies I met told me a year ago while riding through W VA in mid Nov 2011 and it was @ 32-35 deg days and spitting rain and snow, me, I had USAF issue sub zero long johns and top on so my body was warm enough, just the extremities were COLD! I found a Gerbing liner and gloves w/dual controller on craigslist for $180 shipped in great shape. I have only tried it at @ 40 deg set @ full to start and quickly down below 1/2.

Maybe set some Velcro on the gas door to put the controller on the bike for easy to swap bikes.

 

[Hanko]

Yes, a long sleeve t shirt and thin set of sweat pants underneath, then the gerbings pants liners and the jacket liner. Over that was my HTAir over pants and an insulated leather coat.

I stayed warm, but did notice the areas where there are no wires were much cooler.

I repeat..... Do not turn the controllers all the way up! You'll get hot way to quick.

 

[Bravo]

Thanks for the review as I've been thinking of buying heated gear. Have you tried any of the others? Firstgear? Too many choices and not enough info. What convinced you to buy Gerbings?
Thanks
Bill

Ogrebro, I've never used Gerbing so can't compare to what I have, but I run with Tour Master Synergy 2.0 heated gear. I've used the jacket liner and textile gloves down into the high 30's and, combined with a textile jacket and overpants I could have probably ridden all day in comfort (and I tend to get cold very quickly).

The jacket is pretty warm all around and, like mentioned with the Gerbing, gets too warm if turned all the way up. The gloves I run full heat and they don't so much feel warm, rather your hands just don't feel cold anymore. I experimented and shut the gloves off a mile from home and my hands got chilly pretty fast, so they do the job well but not to where you notice the heat. The new 2.0 controller also modulates so you don't have to keep adjusting it to keep a set comfort level.

Can't say they're better or worse than other brands but I like the fact that with Tour Master when you buy gloves, vest, liner or whatever the price includes all the necessary wiring, controller, etc so that you can run what you bought right out of the box without having to spend more to get controller and cables that are needed to actually make it work.

I did have issues with a jacket failing (the earlier version) but I contacted Tour Master and they sent me a new upgraded one even though I was well out of warranty, so I think pretty highly of the way they back their products. I've also noticed the 2.0 has some updates that resolve some of the first release's issues. Overall, very happy with the product and feel the price is reasonable as well.

 

[Kimswang]

Great review, thanks for posting.

 

[wingsam41]

Gerbings/Schmerbings!
Just kidding-Gerbings is good stuff but plus one on the Tourmaster Synergy stuff. In my 4th year using a Synergy heated vest purchased on sale for about $100 including the controller. Not a glitch so far...

 

[Hanko]

Still waiting to hear from Gerbings about the panel adapters and the gloves. It is the holidays so I'll give them some leeway and wait till the end of the week to hear from them.

So far so good. It was clear and in the upper 20's this morning so I took a short ride. Heated gear sure makes it nicer to get out without all the heavy bulk that I usually use when it is this cold. I always dress in layers so I can remove some as the day goes along. But this made it easy to just dial down the heat as it got into the low 40's. I could get very used to this!!

 

[Bravo]

Buying heated gear is one of the best things I've spent money on. I get cold SO quickly on a bike and the jacket liner and gloves really make a difference. To be able to comfortably ride in the 30's (and maybe lower, haven't tried yet) adds quite a few riding opportunities throughout the PA winter. I've never "winterized" my bikes and make a point of riding at least every other week or so (snow/ice permitting) but some of it was certainly a struggle. This has made all the difference for me and hope it helps some of you get more miles in during cold weather.

 

[4evermetric]

Gerbings are the BOMB!!!

 

[Ozarkryder]

I have the old style (Non-Microwire) jacket liner and gloves. Love the warmth, and they have the lifetime warranty. I got set of wired panel plug-ins from Aerostich that I installed under the lock for the right pocket. They are wired to an Electrical Connection power plate so there isn't any power to the sockets until the trike is running. Just slipped the protective plug under the panel for when the liner/gloves aren't plugged in.(Pics below) I also ordered 2 extension cables so I could mount the dual controller on the handlebar with a Velcro strap next to the brake clamp and run the cables to the jacket. That way I can see the lights and easily change the setting with no fumbling around. I don't have back speakers, so the "Admirals's" plug is mounted in the rear speaker grill, along with a cigarette lighter power outlet.

My wife The Admiral (I am the Captain, but the Admiral gives the orders to the fleet) has the Tourmaster Synergy jacket liner, and it works well, except we have gone through 2 of the Hi-Med-Lo controllers. Warm & Safe has an adapter that jumps the wiring where the Synergy box attaches and you use a Gerbings type infinitely adjustable controller. Works well, and she can dial in exactly the heat she wants.

And yes, that is a HD controller/pouch on the Wing. Harley heated gear is made by Gerbings, and I got the controller and pouch for the price of the controller alone anywhere else. FYI- Gerbings, Warm & Safe, Aerostich, Powerlet and most likely some others use the same kind of connectors, and the controllers all work with each other's gear. The manufacturers will protest, but I have mixed and matched for the last 7 or 8 years with no troubles.

 

[Bravo]

That's a nice, clean setup Ozark. The PO of my bike had a dual convenience plug wired in which worked great for me when I had only the jacket liner. But then I finally got the gloves and they with the liner were to much of a load on the circuit and I blew two fuses - turns out he wired the plug off the headlight circuit. Not being an electrical type that's the only way I discovered where it went to!:rollingeyes:

So now I just have it hardwired to the battery - at some point I'll have to pull some covers and try something like you did - really nice.

 

[exavid]

What's the deal? I thought there was a double post trap in this software. Also I know I deleted a post once before with this new format but can't seem to even though the edit botton shows "edit/delete".

 

[exavid]

I've been using my Gerbings (jacket liner and G3 gloves) for the past two years and have been using them already this year. I didn't ever feel the need for the pants liner on my goldwing just a pair of jeans was good enough for my legs down to 28F. I have the double controller so can adjust the heat on the gloves and jacket liner seperately. I mounted a clip on the left clutch perch bolts and ran the power wire socket out beside my headset cable just inboard of the left cubby lid. I used plastic wire harness tubing to house the two seperate cords that go to my double connecto under the jacket liner. When not in use the controller just goes in the trunk. I moved the system onto my Silverwing scooter and it works fine there too although I need waffle long john undepants with legs because my knees get a bit cold on the scooter which has a much narrower fairing.
One thing I like about Gerbings is they manufacture to MILSPEC because they sell a lot of their stuff to the Armed Forces. It is a bit weird to be riding at below freezing temperature and turn down the heat.
One problem I had with my controller was that the knobs turned too easily. Made it hard to adjust them with gloves on. I pulled off the knobs and put an O-ring under each knob (from my handy HF assortment) and pushed the knobs back on. Now they have enough stiffness to stay put but are easy to adjust.

 

[Hanko]

So far the knobs on mine stay where I put them Paul, but your idea of an o-ring is a very good idea. Since I'm going to Harbor Freight today to pick up a Drywall Panel Lift I think I'll just pick up an assortment.

 

[exavid]

I've always rented a drywall jack, didn't want one hanging around any longer than necessary reminding me about sheetrocking. I hate doing that! The only thing worse is insulation after which you itch even after taking three showers. Plumbing, electrical, painting, structural whatever but not sheet rock. I've done three houses and a 1200 sq. ft. shop. I hope never again to touch my screw gun.

 

[newday777]

i've always rented a drywall jack, didn't want one hanging around any longer than necessary reminding me about sheetrocking. I hate doing that! The only thing worse is insulation after which you itch even after taking three showers. Plumbing, electrical, painting, structural whatever but not sheet rock. I've done three houses and a 1200 sq. Ft. Shop. I hope never again to touch my screw gun.

i agreee!

 

[Hanko]

Well when I finish this one i'll loan the hoist to my granddaughter who is pretty good at rocking and taping. When she is done with it I will Craig's list it along with the dewalt drywall screw gun.

 

[exavid]

These pictures are of the controller on my Silverwing but I had the same thing on my GW. On the GW I ran a lead along side the audio cable and left the female connector lay alongside the the audio connector when not in use. One wire ran from the controller to the female power connector socket and two wires in a harness cover tube ran back to me and plugged into my jacket liner.