Does anyone have any experience with Gerbings or Harley Davidson heated clothing?

Question

Gerbings makes the HD stuff. I'm looking for personal experiences, not magazine or online reviews.

Thanks for the answers so far, guys. That is exactly the kind of input I'm looking for. I've gotten too cold too many times in the past. Makes me feel older than I am.

Answer 1

The Gerbing heated gear is very good. It's the highest power output of all the brands I'm familiar with. As for whether that translates into good warmth for you, a good bit of it depends on whether you fit well into their jackets. Their jackets are made relatively loose in the midsection. If you've got a belly, it's probably pretty good for you. In fact, they're generally so warm you have to turn them off and on during your ride or get the rheostat controller. If you have a more athletic build, larger in the chest than the belly, I would also consider the Widder heated vest/armchaps options. The widder are built with a more fitted construction, and tranfer heat better if you're body type fits well, even though it's slightly lower in power. I don't recommend the widder if you've got a belly, bcs undoubtably, you'll buy the jacket larger to suit your belly, and there'll be more room around your chest. The widder insulating materials distribute warmth evenly too. One thing about the Gerbing clothing is that they don't have very high-tech fabric or heating technology. The heating pads are placed in three distinct areas. You'll find that there are cold spots and really warm spots in your arms and around the sides of your body, and But usually it won't be that big a deal. The widder arm chaps are kind of a wierd design concept that some love and some hate. They distribute heat better. But folks who ride Gerbings say it doesn't matter that it's not even, or that there's a cold spot...it's still powerful enough to bake you inside! :)

Gerbing heated gloves are also hot&cold. Hot on the backs of your hand, cold on the palm. If you have heated grips, that doesn't really matter.

As for how cold you can go...so long as you have really good wind protection, I am comfortable going down sub-zero in either the widder or the gerbing. It can be in the teens, and I'm comfortable.

In general, though, I highly recommend getting 2 rheostat controllers per heated suit. It's useful to be able to turn down the vest a little while keeping the legs/arms pumped up (depending on how you have it wired). I've known several folks who say the gloves don't get nearly enough power while the vest is baking them. 2 controllers would help with that.

Answer 2

I have a Gerbing jacket liner. The heated neck makes a huge difference to me.

I have had only one problem with it. Beating myself up for not having bought it sooner. It makes riding in cool weather fun, and riding in cold weather possible. You'll need the optional controller, otherwise it's too hot.

I ride in the high mountains. Heated clothing is just about a necessity on cold mornings.

Answer 3

I am have been using Gerbings Heated clothing for about 4 years...I am very happen with them...I have the gloves, Jacket liner and socks....They work great as long as the temp is 38-40 degrees or above. I rode today..it was 34..I dont think anything is going to work when it is that cold....and they have a lifetime warranty

Answer 4

Both my wife and i have bought heated vests. We find that if you wear the vest as close to bare skin as possible they keep you warmer. The good thing is if you get to warm you can turn it off. After having rode all those years without one I would not ride a mile again without it.Once you get cold on a bike you are done. This is from freezing many times. It has made riding in all sorts of weather a pleasure.

Answer 5

ya this one time, the thermastat on my heated pants hit the fritz.. and my pants turned from heated to chilled... and lets just say, there wasnt a whole lot happening down stairs.