Can A Gerbing Liner Be Repaired
Gerbings Heated Jacket Liner
This review has been updated since information technology was originally posted.
We tried the liner again with motorcycles having higher-chapters alternators and found that information technology works much ameliorate.
Read the article for more data.
Back in the old days, when men were iron and motorcycles burned castor oil, there was no such thing equally Cordura, Gore-Tex, Lorica and Scotchlite.
Riding during wintertime meant throwing on a pair of long johns underneath your jeans, a visor on your open-face helmet and perhaps a hooded sweatshirt under your leather surplus jacket.
I rode through winters in upper New York state, in an area where, it was claimed, there were only two seasons: winter and the Quaternary of July.
Kick-starting the bike in winter made you hot and sweaty, only the air at 40 mph froze it off and literally took your breath away.
OK, OK. We get information technology. Then it was a lot tougher dorsum so…
But in that location really wasn't much in the mode of purpose-built riding gear.
My get-go slice of winter riding gear was discovered by blow – an sometime nylon insulated snowmobile riding adjust I found hanging in the garage where I parked the bicycle during the long winter months.
I'd never seen one before, and I hesitated to endeavor it on as I considered the implications of riding a motorcycle wearing something as goofy-looking as that.
Somehow, I got up plenty nerve to sideslip it on over my clothes and I took the cycle out for a spin. Information technology was bang-up!
The arrange blocked the wind and kept in the heat. Who cares what they think? I'm riding, it's 25 degrees F and I'thousand having fun!
In the 30-odd years since, we've seen the evolution of many different high-tech fabrics, merely not much has actually changed when you think about it.
Keeping warm on a motorcycle involves two basic concepts: blocking the wind and retaining as much body oestrus as possible.
Sure, modern fabrics do that a heck of a lot amend with somewhat less bulk, simply the idea is the same.
But as you lot've probably found, there's an interesting correlation between cost and effectiveness.
You lot can buy some cheap cotton wool waffle-knit undies and get a little flake of extra warmth, or you can drop a couple of C's on neoprene Gore-Tex windproof underwear and become warmer nonetheless.
But somewhere between the two you will reach a point of diminishing returns, where pouring in a lot more than money doesn't really make you that much warmer. The more than expensive solutions usually get you less bulk, but layering is still necessary.
My middle-anile basic tin't take the ultra-low riding temperatures that I endured in the by. Even layering on a selection of windproof underwear, fleece jackets, pants liners, down vests and more doesn't seem to do it for me.
And I stop upward looking (and feeling) similar One thousand. Bibendum.
So during a recent shopping trip whilst looking for some interesting review subjects for webBikeWorld, I decided to try this Gerbing's heated jacket liner.
Y'all'd retrieve after all my adventures in wintertime riding that I'd have been wearing heated clothing for years. Only old habits die hard, I guess.
I knew well-nigh heated jackets, vests, gloves and other types of heated garments, but just never had the opportunity to try one.
I estimate I somehow equated them with big, overstuffed touring bikes and the matching his/hers jackets and helmets crowd. So I actually didn't know what to expect, simply I envisioned myself "laughing at the common cold", equally the old Damark underwear ads used to say.
Gerbings Heated Jacket Liner
The Gerbings Heated Jacket Liner is a very utilitarian-looking slice of habiliment. The black cloth is very like to what might be found in a coat liner.
It's a type of nylon taffeta, sparse and light weight, and although at that place's a Gerbing logo on the front, at that place's no way it looks like anything other than a jacket liner, although I judge this is fine, considering that it is a liner!
Just understand that the garment is apparently not meant to exist used as a regular jacket.
Gerbing also makes a heated jacket (not simply a liner), and I tin merely assume that its outer material is thicker than the fabric on the liner.
I can understand why the inner fabric on the liner must be thin to transfer the oestrus, simply I don't understand why the outside of the liner can't use a better quality fabric.
Pockets and Zippers
The liner has two internal chest pockets without zipper or Velcro closures. Each pocket is about 20cm (eight″) deep and 15cm (6″) wide.
They're handy for storing the assorted wires and connectors that are necessary to ability the jacket (more than on that later), but information technology would have been nice to add a strip of Velcro or a button or something to keep them closed.
The jacket liner as well has two front slash hand pockets, again without closures of whatever type. They're about 15cm (vii″) deep with a 15cm (6″) wide opening.
They're not very useful – the electrical connectors are also bulky to fit and the lack of a zipper or other type of closure makes them much less useful than they could be.
The jacket liner has a adequately hefty zipper up the front, and the neck of the jacket extends up about 80mm (3″) from the body.
At that place's no way to adjust the neck diameter when the jacket is zipped up, so if your neck doesn't fit, you're out of luck.
I take a size 43/44 men'southward street jacket and I have a 17″ neck. The neck on the liner fits, but just barely. It would be better if the neck had some adjustability.
The jacket also has rubberband cuffs, which assist keep the sleeves from bunching up when the liner is used nether a motorbike jacket.
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Wiring and Connectors
Gerbing includes wires at the terminate of the sleeves with connectors that can be plugged into a pair of heated gloves (Gerbing'due south, naturally!). The connector ends fit into a tiny pocket that keeps them from hanging loose.
The liner besides has two principal connecting wires; one plugs into the controller (and the controller and then connects to the bike'southward ability) and the other tin can be used to connect a pair of heated pants.
The wires are held inside the jacket with a couple of strips of Velcro.
Gerbing likewise includes a harness that can be fastened straight to a battery. The harness has a twenty-amp fuse and about ii feet of wire.
We eventually figured out that it's probably easier in the long run to install this harness to the bike, even if the cycle has a Euro-style adapter.
Gerbing'south harness has a special finish that looks similar the blazon of plug used on a stereo arrangement. The actress length of wire allows the harness to exist threaded upwards under the fuel tank or to some other location that makes information technology more convenient for connecting the jacket.
Heated clothing requires a heat controller of some type.
The near bones controller is an on/off switch, but a variable controller is a much meliorate solution that allows the temperature to be adapted.
Gerbing Regular Temp-Controller costs $69.00 and has a rheostat-like knob to turn the jacket on and off and as well to adjust the oestrus.
Gerbing has several other controllers, one of which has a dual circuit which allows the divide control of two garments, such as a pair of gloves and the liner.
Gerbing uses a non-standard sizing method for their jacket liners. The clerk in the shop warned me non to pay attention to the sizes, but to attempt different sizes until I establish one that fits.
The jackets are labeled in a trunk and sleeve size, like "44/34 or 48/38", merely the numbers seem to take no relation to any other type of standard clothes sizing system. Gerbing will as well brand custom sizes on asking.
It's important to make certain that heated motorcycle article of clothing is snug, to ensure that the heat volition transfer to your body. I tried on most a half-dozen different breast/sleeve combinations in the store before settling on a "46/36″ size equally only about right.
I ordinarily take a men's size 44 street jacket and a 34″ sleeve length on a wearing apparel shirt, and then I'grand guessing that the Gerbing's sizes run ii sizes larger?
I tried on a size 44/34, but it was tight – too tight to close the zipper in the front, and the sleeves were as well curt. I have a 17" neck, and the neck on the 46/36 jacket fits, only simply barely.
Some heated motorcycle clothing is available sans collar, and I at present think that'due south a better solution because if the collar is too tight, the jacket or vest can't exist completely closed and and then the neckband ends up just adding more bulk under the neck of the motorcycle jacket in an area that ordinarily is also tight anyway.
Performance
I had never tried motorbike heated clothing, but I had sure expectations that I don't think are unreasonable.
I expected that after a cursory warm-upwards period that I'd feel the warmth radiating throughout the entire jacket and into my dorsum, artillery and legs.
I pictured myself having to turn down the controller to limit the corporeality of heat, while I gleefully rode off into the frigid winter air.
Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be the case at all when nosotros first tried the liner.
We eventually plant out, through a tip from a webBikeWorld visitor, that the liner draws a lot of power at 77 Watts, and then the liner really just works all-time with an alternator of over 250 Watts (or so) output.
The first two motorcycles we tried had a 200 and 250 Watt output and, combined with the lights and other electrical draw on those bikes, the liner barely threw out enough oestrus to find.
Afterward howls of protest from webBikeWorld visitors (and Gerbing fans – at that place are many of them for sure!) nosotros borrowed some other couple of motorcycles and tried once more.
Our opinion is that at least 300 Watts of output is needed to ability the liner while still having enough electrical chapters for the balance of the bike. At 300 Watts, we could definitely experience the estrus and on a bike with a 400 Watt alternator, it was no trouble at all.
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Performance Update
We put a Voltmeter on the bikes and found that when the controller was turned upwardly to maximum, the 200 Watt alternator was in a negative state (discharging the bombardment) at anything under iii,000 RPM.
The meter barely registered in the positive (i.e., charging the bombardment) when the engine was running over 3,000 RPM. The bicycle with the 250 Watt alternator was even at anything under 3,000 RPM and in the positive side over that.
We take only used the liner on bikes with no fairings.
Owners of touring bikes or those with big windscreens will probable feel much warmer at any given setting. Gerbing advises owners to wear clothing that blocks the wind for best results.
It is interesting to note that nosotros could find no mention on Gerbing website of the minimum electric chapters of a motorcycle that is required to ability the heated clothing.
But our feeling is that if you accept a motorcycle with less than a 250 Watt alternator, you may exist disappointed.
Past the fashion, the number of Watts that a motorcycle'south alternator produces isn't always readily available. None of the 4 motorcycles we used had this information listed in the owner's manual.
The formula is Watts = Volts ten Amps.
So if a motorbike is 12 Volts and the possessor's manual says the alternator puts out twenty Amps, the bike has a nominal 240 Watt alternator. Note that the alternator output and load tin vary.
For example, over 3,000 RPM or and then, the motorbike's charging organization may be 13.5 Volts or more. The flip side is that some systems will really become into a charging deficit when the engine is and under 2-iii,000 RPM.
Ability output will, of course, vary, depending upon things like headlights, turn signals, brake lights and other powered devices.
A rough estimate of your bicycle'south electric current draw can be developed by adding upwards the number of Watts of the headlight (commonly 55W), plough signals or restriction lights (usually 20-30W), etc. and subtracting that from the total.
Some motorcycles have very weak alternators and as a issue, if the engine RPM'south are kept nether ii,000 or so, the battery will not be recharged and will, in fact exist slowly drained. So if you lot're in a lot of cease and go traffic, yous may desire to turn off the heated clothing.
At 300 Watts, the liner performed well, except that we noticed that the oestrus is not uniform.
It seems much hotter where the liner is snug effectually the trunk. The front of my arms and a couple of sections down my back were much warmer than anywhere else. If I moved around, I could feel the warmth. This is why it's crucial to find the correct fitting liner.
Information technology needs to be snug plenty for the heat to transfer, without being too constricting. Our advice is to exist very careful when purchasing a liner over the Internet. Gerbing'south strange sizing conventions don't assistance matters.
It definitely pays to try several dissimilar chest/sleeve sizes on at your local dealer.
Here's the hot tip (sorry near the pun!): buy a cotton fiber turtleneck or long-sleeved T-shirt that's one or 2 sizes bigger than you commonly take. Put this on over the liner.
It helps the liner to stay closer to your body and information technology seems to brand the liner work much more effectively. In fact, information technology can get very hot with the controller on maximum (when using a bike with a powerful plenty alternator).
There seems to be a dramatic difference in the level of oestrus when the liner is close to the body, which is some other reason why it'due south important to make certain you buy the right size liner.
Back to the liner: The thinness of the liner'south outer fabric doesn't assistance matters much, considering it doesn't perform well equally a windbreaker. I think the product would benefit from a heavier outer cloth that non only looked better merely helped concord in the rut, whilst acting every bit a windbreaker.
I see no reason why the outer crush couldn't be made of some nice, heavier weight colored nylon fabrics, like to those found in other relatively inexpensive windbreaker-blazon outerwear.
My lack of experience with heated vesture meant that I likewise hadn't actually thought well-nigh the implications of wiring the jacket to the wheel.
My motorcycle has a European-blazon accessory outlet, similar to the type establish on a BMW motorcycle.
I purchased the separate harness that converts from the BMW-style accompaniment plug to the Gerbing'southward connector, which was some other $15.00.
The wires that atomic number 82 out of the heated liner have to be plugged in to the controller, then the controller plugs in to the accessory plug.
My opinion is that all this wiring is a real hurting, and unless it'south permanently mounted (which definitely can exist washed), information technology's hard to observe a convenient identify to locate it.
The clerk at the shop warned me against holding the controller in my pocket, (he said it would "melt the liner"), merely where else can one store a couple of feet of wire?
I ended up using an Aerostich Darien jacket, which allows me to run the controller out of the armpit vent, and although we got some chuckles, this really works very well, because information technology'southward easy to reach over and adapt it without having to fumble effectually in a pocket.
The adjustment knob on the controller is hard to feel with heavy wintertime gloves. It also would be better if it had some blazon of click machinery then that it could exist adjusted by feel.
The rest of the wires hang down out the left-mitt side of the liner and and so into the bike'south accessory outlet. If your bike has an outlet on the right-paw side, this could be a problem.
Ideally, the controller would exist located where it'south piece of cake to access.
Some owners attach the controller to the motorcycle itself, but this doesn't eliminate the problem of multiple wires. Having to mess with the wires kind of takes the spontaneity out of riding a motorcycle.
Information technology seems to have forever to get everything adapted simply right.
Although according to the comments we've received, it apparently it becomes 2nd nature after you get used to it.
The downside of all these wires is that it's very hard to remember that yous're plugged in to the bicycle. No affair how many times I reminded myself, each time I dismounted I ended upwardly pulling out one plug or some other.
This tin can exist unsafe and I'1000 certain it's non very good for the connectors either.
If you program on using the liner frequently, it would probably be a better idea to mount the wiring and controller to the bike in a location that would make it easier to utilise and where the plug and controller are attainable.
Gerbing offers a lifetime warranty on the electrical components in the jacket and a 1-year warranty on the not-electrical components.
Determination
The Gerbing Heated Jacket Liner did not perform well at all with alternators of less than 250 Watts output. With alternators of 300 Watts and above, it works well and provides lots of estrus, just it's not equally uniform every bit nosotros'd like.
The work involved in getting the wiring and controller set and adjusted prior to each ride is the price to pay for warmth.
Our suggestion would exist for Gerbing to try and develop a liner using rubberband fabrics that would allow it to fit closer to the wearer'due south body, which provides the best potential for estrus transfer.
This is peculiarly true in the neck, which may be as well tight for many owners when the liner is purchased in the correct chest/sleeve size.
Information technology would also be nice if the liner had an outer fabric that didn't look — or perform — like a cheap taffeta jacket liner.
This would as well have the potential of making the jacket look acceptable for employ every bit outerwear.
1 more than note: Our liner is clearly labeled "Made in Prc", even though the Gerbingwebsite indicates that the liners are fabricated in the U.Southward.A.
More thanw BW Heated Clothing Reviews | Motorcycle Glove Reviews
| due west BW Review: Gerbing'south Heated Motorbike Jacket Liner | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: Gerbing'due south Heated Clothing | List Price (2004): $199.99; Controller $69.00; BMW Accompaniment Plug $fifteen.00 |
| Colors: Black.Weight:907 one thousand (2 lbs.) | Made In:Gerbing's website claims U.South.A., but jacket is labeled "Fabricated in China". |
| Review Date: Dec 2004 | |
Notation: For informational use only. All fabric and photographs are Copyright © webWorld International, LLC since 2000. All rights reserved. Come across the webBikeWorld® Site Info page. Product specifications, features and details may change or differ from our descriptions. Always check before purchasing. Read the Terms and Atmospheric condition!
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Possessor Comments and Feedback
From "R.A.Y." (Feb 2012): "I just finished selling all my Gerbing heated clothing pieces after two winters of experience. That may come as a surprise (me too, as a Harley rider, as that's who Harley heated vesture is made by!).
But I found the jacket got to hot, though I could plough information technology down, almost off.
But the gloves didn't get warm enough, even when Full ON. With the gloves Full ON, the boot insoles burned my heels but did not proceed my toes warm!
Turning that control down left my hands common cold every bit the warmth seems to exist on top of the hands where the wind blows it abroad, and my palms got cold from the handlebars.
My biggest pain was all the hanging cords! I didn't like the dual controller which has to be clipped somewhere. The only location was the left waist strap of my Tourmaster jacket, only and so I couldn't see it there while riding and helmet on.
And there are three (3) cables hanging from information technology which are kludgey when off the bike, going into a shop, etc.
On top of that, the two controls didn't stay put!
There are no detents in the control knobs and they modify as I rode–either wind or move against my jacket. I learned to adjust them by experience but it is just not good technology.
The Tourmaster dual controller has detents and a Velcro strap that goes effectually your thigh which is a little better location and stays adjusted, but the strap is besides big and drops to my knees when off the bike. Over again, as well may cables hanging — but not clean.
I was advised by several big online sellers that Firstgear has better quality and functionality than anybody else and constitute they are right.
Tucker-Rocky only brings what they feel are the finest products to represent in their lines and they chose Firstgear.
Heated vesture is actually made by "Warm and Safe", a leader in this field. They offer a dozen different controller options that are portable, semi-stock-still to the bike, and remote, with minimum wire between jacket and bike.
I got the Remote Dual with a controller that is mounted in view up front where y'all tin can see it, no wires, and simply ane wire to unplug when you get off and nothing else showing!
Additionally, their configuration allows you lot to combine jacket, pants, gloves and socks into whatsoever configuration you like, vis-à-vis gloves with pants — nobody else does this."
From "G.P." (12/09): "I purchased a Gerbing jacket liner, gloves and dual controller this jump 2009 before a May trip to Alaska.
I was a bit late in ordering then they shipped my gild immediately and the articles arrived in 2 days. I found their sizing chart to be exact. My jacket liner and gloves fit like they were made for me.
My jacket liner is wind and water resistant and looks like a regular jacket.
Looking at it, a person would not know it is heated clothing. My liner inner pocket holds the dual controller and wires out of sight perfectly when not in use.
The outer pockets have zippers to go on things in them.
The plugs work well and do not come apart unexpectedly. My leather jacket has a belt and so the dual controller fits nicely on it with the belt clip (extra). I ride a Suzuki C90 with a stock windshield so I withal get a fair bit of wind while riding.
All I habiliment now all year is a long sleeved turtle cervix T-shirt, the Gerbing jacket liner and my leather biker jacket that does not close up well at the neck.
Gone are all my bulky vests that never worked nether or over my leather and my other wintertime style jackets for the cold days.
I habiliment the Gerbing jacket liner to replace my leather jacket liner. On warmer cool days the jacket liner under my leather jacket keeps me warm without turning on the heat.
I accept never turned the controller by ½ style for either gloves nor jacket liner and have been toasty down to -v C (approx. 22 F) riding at 100 K/hr (60 g/hr).
I get weird looks riding to work when information technology is -5 C when everyone has put their bikes away here in Calgary, but I am comfortable and loving it.
I have found the Gerbing jacket liner does non need to exist tight to the body as it is air tight at the neck and sleeves and too, insulated. The liner creates its own pocket of warm air around y'all as the common cold does not get in.
If there are any common cold spots in the liner, the air pocket effect nullifies it as I have never felt whatever. Where the liner touches you it feels warm and where it does not, I am certainly non cold.
The first time I put it on, I did not know which line worked the liner or the gloves so I cranked it upward all the way on i line and only about burned my neck as it is snug there. Lesson learned is to start effectually 25% and conform from there. Information technology would be impossible to plough it on and off all 24-hour interval long without a controller.
I have had no issues with voltage either.
Subsequently one year of riding in rain, snow, sleet, hail, sunday and wind across prairies and over mountains, I can certainly say that I take been very comfortable for the first fourth dimension in all my riding years. I wish I would not take waited and then long.
Side by side purchase will be the pants as my thighs get a bit chilly on longer trips at -5C. Leather engine guard chaps go along my feet and shins warm but the warm air off the engine misses my thighs.
From reading some of the other comments on your web site information technology sounds similar some of the comments are nearly older products. My liner is also soft and supple and then I roll information technology into a small ball to put into the saddlebags as they say you lot can.
I like the life time warranty on the wiring components and have only heard skilful comments on customer care. All I tin say so far is "Simply the all-time buy always"."
From "J.L.": "Subsequently much deliberation and research, I purchased a Gerbing jacket liner and glove liners. I likewise purchased a dual temperature controller.
On today's shake downward ride the weather was in the low to mid 40 degree range.
Not very cold, so I compensated with several miles over fourscore mph to go a air current chill. I wore a Joe Rocket Ballistic jacket and Olympic cold weather gloves.
My motorcycle is a Triumph Speed Triple with no fairing or any other sort of wind protection. Not just was I warm, just I establish myself turning the estrus down because I became uncomfortably hot.
I do not know what the output of the Triumph'southward alternator is, merely that does not appear to exist a factor. I precaution I took was turn the gloves and jacket off for the last couple of miles to insure the battery had a good charge.
I practice agree that the wire harness is a little messy, merely I do non discover it to be too much of a hassle. I blimp the controller nether a belt built into the jacket. I had no trouble working the temperature knobs with my gloves.
I have the battery atomic number 82 coming out betwixt the seat and the rear of the gas tank.
One of the factors leading to my decision is the almost fanatic loyalty displayed past owners of Gerbing clothing. I stopped past a local BMW store figuring that is where I would detect the most die hard cold weather riders.
The people there swore past Gerbing clothing. I besides piece of work with several people who ride all winter in wet Seattle. All of them wear Gerbing clothing. Loyalty similar that doesn't come up easily, and then they must be doing something correct."
From "E.Due south.": "I don't accept this specific product and tin't annotate on information technology directly, BUT I offering the following two additional pieces of information: Gerbing will stand behind the electric connections for every bit long as you own the production.
If a wire breaks, etc. you ship the item back to them, and they will repair and ship information technology back to you free! Your only cost is to send the item to them.
For something as light equally a jacket liner, or a pair of gloves, it comes to a few bucks. If you already have a removable liner for your jacket, Gerbing will wire it up for y'all!
I have a Starting time Gear Scout jacket, which came with a removable fully-sleeved Thinsulate liner. Gerbing wired it for me for $160. I commute past motorcycle every weekday through grey, moisture, and common cold Seattle winters, and I'chiliad still toasty."
From "C.B.": "Just wanted to let you know that later on dressing up as Mr. Bidendum myself & barely able to bend my legs, I took the plunge 4 years agone & bought Gerbing'southward "Ultimate Suit".
Information technology comes with the quilted liners which are much thicker than the standard ones like yous reviewed. I likewise had information technology wired so the gloves are on 1 excursion & the residuum of the suit on the other.
The "Rut Troller", which is what they were using then, I fastened with Velcro to an old "Alpha-numeric" type pager belt prune I had modified & just clip it onto the chugalug of my jacket.
I don't need to see the knobs or the lights unless there's a trouble in which example I'll be pulling over anyway.
I merely reach down & turn it upward or down a pinch as needed. I usually article of clothing a tee shirt and a thin sweater but underneath the jacket & thin tight like leggings.
I've got the whole setup, Conform, gloves, & socks & love the looks I get when it's really common cold and I ride by at 80mph.
Yep, the gloves & the wires are a hassle, but it keeps me warm, extends the riding flavour dramatically and so it'due south worth information technology. Gerbing was nifty to deal with even when I sent the jacket back for some alterations.
Smashing service, specially from Mike Vlahos, the salesman I dealt with here in central MD. BTW, I ride a '99 BMW K1200LT with LOTS of watts and miles. Really enjoy your site."
From "B.B.": "Hi Rick, Just read through the reviews of the Gerbing'south heated gear and wanted to comment on mounting the Heat-Troller.
I fastened the Rut-Troller to my tank bag using goose egg-ties, running the power wire to the connector that sneaks out from nether the saddle of my Five-Strom.
The majority of the wiring is within my tank pocketbook, so the ready-up is fairly complimentary of dangling wires. Access to the Estrus-Troller is unproblematic and it tin can exist adapted easily "on the fly." I've attached a picture of the set-up (below).
Cheers for the bang-up web resource."
From "T.H.": "I alive in southwest Michigan and bought a liner and gloves two years ago.
I don't use them oftentimes considering I ride a Kawasaki Concours while wearing an Aerostitch Roadcrafter suit and with a long sleeve t-shirt and a fleece jacket I am comfortable to about xxx degrees Fahrenheit behind the fairing.
Colder than that and out comes the electrics.
I used a Widder vest and gloves for about twelve years and got tired of my arms always being cold because my shoulders were wider than the wind screen and then I bought the Gerbing liner with the sleeves.
This helps just I take cold spots on my back, one most the left shoulder blade and the other near my right kidney area, and under my left bicep. I've started using my fleece jacket but the Roadcrafter sleeves get a footling snug.
I've asked for a fleece belong for Christmas to at to the lowest degree proceed my back warmer and so we'll encounter if that helps in the jump (late winter?). I practise think the Widder gives a better more even heat.
I attached Gerbings connector to the bombardment and run it under the left edge of the seat when needed.
I can slide the wire in under the seat so but the plug is showing when I'm off the bike or if the temperature goes up instead of fumbling with the seat each fourth dimension I want or don't need it.
When the warmer temps are here to stay I put the whole harness nether the seat. I put a small patch of Velcro on the back of the controller and stick it to the Velcro on my left thigh where the Aerostitch map holder attaches.
I haven't experienced trouble operating it but the knob is a trivial small for the heated gloves.
The knob is unremarkably pointed away from the gas tank so I tin can pinch it between my thumb and index finger more easily for adjustments. I normally ready it about one-half way to max and get out it till I get too warm or too common cold.
My only major gripe is trying to plug in the gloves.
The pigtail from the sleeve is simply nearly long plenty to concur betwixt the heel of my manus and my pinky finger.
Needless to say, once they are continued I don't unplug them till I am prepare to take everything off. I just joke about my mommy putting the wires on so I won't loose my gloves on the play footing.
Similar you, the neck is besides tight when zipped fully and so I zip information technology to a comfortable height and zip my jacket fully. I wear a full face helmet.
Behind the Connie faring this seems to be plenty. No cold spots on my throat otherwise, my neck and base of my head gets actually, actually cold.
A nicer outer textile would be a benefit, particularly when I accept the riding accommodate off and would similar to leave the liner on walking from the wheel to the eatery or a store. Something like the Widder outer beat out.
I don't recall it needs to be air current or h2o proof. But cosmetically nicer."
From "C.A.": "Rick, great site! I particularly similar how you review items in detail. Just a couple comments on your Gerbings article. Your electric formula "volts = watt x amps" is wrong .. it should exist "volts = watts / amps".
I've also got a Gerbing liner and it is plenty warm. I vesture it under a Joe Rocket Phoenix with the DryTech liner, on a minimally faired VFR (which has a 430 watt alternator). I'd like to counter some of your criticisms:
1. The sparse shell: I don't remember this production was e'er designed to be worn without a normal motorcycle jacket over it.
Note the complete lack of bear on and abrasion protection, and information technology is sold as a 'liner'.
I think it is unfair to criticize the liner for lack of current of air and waterproofing when it is the responsibleness of the outer garment to provide that. Personally I appreciate that I'm non spending money or packing infinite on functions which my outer garments already provide.
22. The controller is difficult to use with gloves. Get a real Heat-troller which has a improve knob.
I've also gone the actress length of installing a permanently-mounted controller in my fairing. It controls the output of a Powerlet, which my liner plugs directly into.
I can run across the controller, easily adjust it, and don't accept lots of extra wiring hanging about.
iii. Your statement "The liner too has 2 principal connecting wires; one plugs into the harness from the bike'due south power and the other plugs into the controller." seems incorrect or at to the lowest degree unclear.
On my jacket ane is for the pants (i.e. an accessory) and the other is to ability the jacket (either for the controller or to the bombardment harness). I hope you're not wiring both to the battery, or trying to run the liner on the accessory connector.
I'm not an electric engineer, but I wonder if such a configuration would cause a short or reduced output?
(Editor's Annotation: Pitiful for the confusion – information technology's the controller that has the two wires, one for the jacket and one plugs in to the bike'due south ability).
4. As a terminal notation, Gerbing offers the liner in a quilted version which has more than insulation than the standard liner.
However, I have regular liner and underneath an unlined DryTech wind/waterproof liner it is more than than adequate downwardly to 30F (and colder than that I don't ride due to ice).
5. I've had an Aerostich vest which draws less juice (45W) but found I needed to add a fleece layer over it, negating much of the majority-saving benefits. It merely wasn't very warm.
However, what they did right was to utilise thinner but more heating elements than Gerbing, so the heat was more evenly distributed throughout the torso.
Proceed upwards the neat reviews!"
From "RGB": "Good review of the Gerbings jacket liner — except for the performance conclusion. Wires are a nuisance to arrange especially with a 3-quarter length textile jacket and high-riding cloth pants.
But I have used the jacket (and $79 glove liners) when frost was thick on the road, and "toasty" is exactly how I felt. I keep the thermostat in the optional leather pouch and clip it to a Velcro strap on my left thigh.
The knob does need to be bigger, though I tin rotate it — sort of — with my gloves. Important to wear a thin fleece over it, still, equally a textile jacket by itself will lose heat in the wind. I ride a 'Strom backside a Cee Bailey's screen."
Editor's Response: Thanks for the electronic mail, RGB. One electronic mail I received today brought up a good signal that I hadn't considered.
We're now thinking that perhaps the motorcycles we used to try the heated liner over the final several weeks do not have a big enough alternator to power the liner. The bikes just accept 200-250 Watt alternators.
I checked Gerbing's site again and institute that the liner takes 77 Watts, which is a very big ability draw. Someone wrote to tell united states of america that a bicycle with more than output is probably necessary.
Gerbing doesn't warn about this on their site, and so I never really thought nearly it. A friend is coming over this weekend with a BMW touring bike, so we'll try it with that bike, which I think has 400 Watts output.
Nosotros'll post the results, perhaps we'll have to swallow our words!
From "B.T.": "Rick deplorable but I have to be amid the ones disagreeing with you on the Gerbing. I have been totally satisfied with mine for the by 2 years. I ride belatedly model BMW'due south which have loftier output alternators which may make the difference.
Unless it'southward really cold, I have to plow mine off at times. I only use an on/off switch though. I currently ride an R1150R with a Cee Bailey'due south windscreen."
From "R.F.": "I just purchased a complete fix of Gerbing heated clothing (jacket liner, pants liner, gloves, and socks) to use when riding my 2004 Harley Ultra Classic. I also purchased the dual thermostat/controller.
To date, I have used everything except the socks and have been satisfied with the performance.
I tend to be a bit anal regarding safe then I vesture leather chaps and leather jacket regardless of the temperature.
Wearing the heated garments under the chaps and jacket does make one much bulkier and less agile but the trade off in being warm far outweighs the inconvenience.
Yes, information technology is a pain and takes actress time to "gear upwards" to go riding but once again I feel being warm and comfy is worth the effort.
My opinion of the pros and cons are every bit follows:
Cons
- I concur with you regarding the pockets beingness next to useless.
- I very strongly concord with you about the outer layer of the garments needing to be more durable and wind & water proof.
- I found that all the associated wires are "stiff", hard to work with and store.
- I found that the storage pockets for the accessory plugs to connect the gloves and socks are all but useless.
- Finding a place and means to mount/store the control unit is a existent problem. Information technology has to be in an area that is easily accessible also as visible so that the passenger can run into the LED indicators. I finally wound upwardly clipping mine the pocket of my chaps but don't know what I volition practice when I have to put my rain suit on.
- The two control knobs on the controller are a bitch to apply with gloves on!
- Some means of fastening the gloves to the jacket or jacket liner would be nice so that when you lot needed to remove the gloves you did not have to mess with unplugging them or leaving them dangle from the string.
- They are rather expensive.
Pros
- Used every bit directed (under air current proofing), they do piece of work.
- Gerbing seems to exist responsive to their customers and provides a expert warranty.
- Garments tin sustain beingness wet without shorting out or zapping the passenger.
- Wired every bit directed, the wires and arrangement are protected by an inline fuse.
- Each garment comes with all required wiring & switches (including fused lead from the scoot and a simple on/off switch), optional thermostat/controller available.
- Idiot proof, well labeled connection plugs.
My Observations
I have found that when using the jacket liner and the pants liner past themselves, worn under a wind proof outer layer, and each controlled by their own separate aqueduct on the controller they both produce more than adequate oestrus on the lowest thermostat setting.
I am very sensitive to common cold merely found that if I turned the thermostat upwards, I was before long roasting.
I did detect that when I plugged the gloves into the jacket liner, therefore controlling both garments via one channel of the thermostat, the quantity of heat produced by either garment was dramatically reduced.
Even turning the thermostat total hot did not seem to make any deviation.
This has the potential to exist a real problem when information technology gets seriously cold and I feed the jacket liner and gloves from one channel and the pants liner and socks from the second aqueduct.
The only other choice I can meet is to run a separate wiring harness from the scoot to 4 dissever thermostat/controllers to supply each garment independently.
Gerbing provides the harness with each garment but running 4 sets of wires and 4 thermostat/controller's is a bit much.
I also had/however have a problem in where to mount or keep the thermostat/controller.
It needs to be in a place that can be reached hands and past touch on as well as being visible then that the LED indicators tin be seen.
Taking your eyes and concentration off the job of riding to adapt the heat is simply asking for 1 of those "OH Due south**T!" moments. Trying to "experience" and conform the thermostat with gloves on is about an exercise in futility.
I retrieve some of the clumsiness of the system could be alleviated by using wire that is more pliable and less stiff too as providing adequate storage pockets and wire fasteners on the garments to store excess wire and secure unused plugs.
In conclusion, even with the faults and negatives I observed, I would still opt to purchase the garments. I can say this because they do work. I tin can put up with a lot of inconvenience every bit long as I can stay warm."
From "S.": "Heated clothing – hmm – been playing with that for some time now and here are some gems of data that may help y'all along.
The Gerbing liner, especially puts out heat but as note has no insulation.
That'southward OK if you are wearing your REV'IT! winter jacket — the same philharmonic I am using not when wearing the Darien jacket — unless yous are wearing the liner also, the heat simply escapes and must be trapped.
That said, brand sure that your connections are ok and that the rut controller is working.
A friend bought a Widder temperature controller then rode the iron barrel. I nigh froze to expiry (not literally but you get the idea) because the controller was malfunctioning. Endeavor wiring with an on-off switch.
I've been out in 0 (degrees) F using heated wearable. Information technology's stupid-fun peculiarly when I had a CB and the trucker's were talking about me and my riding buddy.
Without it I'd exist dead. Endeavor again — the stuff works -0 just some bug in the ointment there with your set up.
BTW, I have the Darien heated liner too. It'due south dainty but a waste product of money since it doesn't go on yous way hot like the Gerbing does (or should)."
From "D.D.": "Just a note to say I apply this while riding my GL1800 and love it. I accept to keep it turned down to avoid sweating. Mayhap the liner was defective?"
Editor'south Response: Nosotros checked it out, D.D., and information technology does work. Evidently the heated jacket liner needs to exist worn under an insulating garment and also under a garment that blocks the wind (according to Gerbing).
This defeats the goal of having fewer layers. And if this is the case, we're not sure why it wasn't originally designed with it an outer insulating layer and current of air-blocking fabric?
From "R.&C. T.": "I have owned and used Gerbing Heated riding gear since 1978. I purchased 2 heated riding vests and then and nonetheless have both which are worn but the electrics (oestrus) piece of work perfectly.
My married woman and I both currently use Gerbing heated jackets and gloves, which have worked perfectly for years.
We put them on over a long sleeved shirt then our riding jacket. We both have thermostats to control the amount of heat.
Our motorcycles are a fully faired BMW R100RS, Moto Guzzi V11 Sport (with only a very pocket-sized bug screen!) and our touring Vespa P200E (which will run _one_ heated belong).
Ii up on the BMW in any kind of weather with the heated gear is very comfortable. I normally ride the Guzzi solo and have no issues with the heated jacket keeping me very warm.
I take met Gordon Gerbing and tin can say he has worked very hard to build quality products and if there are any problems they stand backside their gear.
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Source: https://www.webbikeworld.com/gerbings-heated-jacket-liner/
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