Winter riding, better than Summer

[sanoke_imp]

Good discussion. Thanks all for contributing!

[CIP57_imp]

This is a general discussion thread so I thought I'd just throw out a thought and let's discuss. There seems to be a mindset amongst the Northern motorcycling community that at some point, you need to put your bike up for the Winter. I can see that for places like Canada or Alaska where you never see the bare road until late Spring but here in the Northern US, there are lots of places where you can continue to ride.

Personally, I prefer Winter to Summer. No bugs or thunderstorms to contend with. Any time I want to stop, I just pull over. Don't have to find some shade to keep from overheating. You can always add more layers to warm up but in the Summer, there is only so much you can take off. Sure you have icy spots you need to watch out for but is that really so different than an oil slick or some loose gravel on the roadway?

And the best part is I have all the good roads to myself. Maybe I don't want to push the issue too much. Others might figure it out too.

Happy Trails!
sanoke

I with you Sanoke, I never winterize my bikes, I'm in the lower Hudson Valley NY I will suit up with my Gerbing heated clothes anything above 32 degrees. We always get days Dec-Feb in the 40's if were lucky 50's. Now if we can only get these salt brine trucks off the road

[mininsx_imp]

A few years ago I bought a heated vest and an adapter wire so I could plug it into my Battery Tender plug-in, which is on all three bikes. That was the best money I'd ever spent on winter riding gear. I used to bundle up to ride in the winter (and still got cold), now it's just a long-sleeve T-shirt, the vest, and my jacket.

[HikerToo_imp]

A few years ago I bought a heated vest and an adapter wire so I could plug it into my Battery Tender plug-in, which is on all three bikes. That was the best money I'd ever spent on winter riding gear. I used to bundle up to ride in the winter (and still got cold), now it's just a long-sleeve T-shirt, the vest, and my jacket.

Any recommendations for that kind of setup?

[CB4ME_imp]

As long as it's dry, above freezing and I can get out my driveway I'm routinely on the bike.

[the Ferret]

A few years ago I bought a heated vest and an adapter wire so I could plug it into my Battery Tender plug-in, which is on all three bikes. That was the best money I'd ever spent on winter riding gear. I used to bundle up to ride in the winter (and still got cold), now it's just a long-sleeve T-shirt, the vest, and my jacket.

Any recommendations for that kind of setup?

Any recommendations for that kind of setup?

Hiker..I have been researching this exact thing. There are 2 brands I am considering at this point..Gerbings and Warm n Safe by First Gear. I still have to look at the new Tourmaster stuff though. Unfortunately, like everything in this sport the more you read the more confused you get lol. One guy says this brand is great..next guy says THAT gear is crap and THIS gear is great. Lol. Each brand has positive and negative reviews. Some guys swear by them, some swear at them.

You can get either jacket liner or vest, chaps or pants liners, gloves and socks if you so desire. I'm not sure how much output the CB has, but surely a jacket and gloves would not draw to much current.

If you get just a jacket or vest, you will need a single controller or rheostat for the gear. If you get a jacket and gloves you will likely want a dual controller, or a rheostat for each piece so you can vary the amt of heat to each item. Crank gloves up or crank vest down.

In addition if you plan on plugging in to your battery tender pigtail, you will need an adapter cable for that.

Electric gear is expensive..
$180-250 for jacket or vest
180-200. For gloves
180 250 for pants or chaps
100 for a controller either single or dual
10 for a pig tail adapter for battery tender

Personally I Think Im going to start with a jacket liner and a dual controller and a tender adapter... Thats over $ 350. Funny thing is I have gotten by for 46 years without elect gear, guess Im getting soft in my old age.

Keep in mind you will be tethered to the bike when plugged in. if you get off for anything, even to gas up, or go into a restaurant for lunch, or to stop and get off to take a picture, you must remember to unplug. There are battery powered alternatives, but my research has found very few who have been happy with that kind of gear.


http://www.thewarmingstore.com/gerbing-h...nFja-e9KSM

[CIP57_imp]

A few years ago I bought a heated vest and an adapter wire so I could plug it into my Battery Tender plug-in, which is on all three bikes. That was the best money I'd ever spent on winter riding gear. I used to bundle up to ride in the winter (and still got cold), now it's just a long-sleeve T-shirt, the vest, and my jacket.

Any recommendations for that kind of setup?

Any recommendations for that kind of setup?

Hiker,
I run Gerbing's Jacket, pants, gloves and insert sole's. You have to have an outer windproof shell to keep the heat in. I use a 3 season windproof jacket and ski pants.

I have powerlet outlets on all my bikes but can't find a good spot on the CB so i ran a 15amp fused coax ( comes with the gear when purchased )from the battery to the frame which tucks under the seat. As you can see in the pic it goes to a controller which is a must and then too my jacket. The jacket has outlets to the pants and gloves. You can also buy a coax to sae for battery charging from the same outlet.
http://www.powerlet.com/product/coax-mal...e-cable/54

[the Ferret]

CIP... How much draw for all 4 pieces, and does the CB put out enough amps or watts or? To cover them?

[CIP57_imp]

CIP... How much draw for all 4 pieces, and does the CB put out enough amps or watts or? To cover them?

Mickey, here you go

Jacket 6.5
Pants 4.0
glove 2.5
Inserts .5

About 13 amps
When i bought these a few years back my ST had no problem handling the draw. I should really look into the watt rating and convert.

Edit: just contacted my dealer who contacted Honda. Bike puts out 11 amps, better ride this mount without the pants.

[sanoke_imp]

Just a note on electrics, I've used heated vests, heated grips, and heated insoles in my boots over the years and when they work, it does help a lot. But the thing I found that works best overall and keeps me most confortable is to block the wind. A good full windshield with hand grip coverage and lowers to block the wind on your knees makes a huge differance. I've even fabricated deflectors that blocked the flow of air on my feet. Just remember that air is a great coolant and anything that reduces that airflow works best to keep you warm. There's nothing worse than being 100 miles from home on a cold day and your electric vest quits working. Give me a nice passive solution any day.