Electric Clothing

[RKT]

Alright I admit it, I have turned into a sissy in my old age. After years of riding without giving electric clothing a second thought I am tired of wearing umpteen layers and looking like the Michelin man while riding my RT.

I am looking for something that doesn't require the help of electrician to wire, isn't too bulky and fits under my riding suit, and most importantly, works.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Marc]

http://www.gerbing.com/

Marc

[RKT]

Thank you, I will be checking into it. What about Widder? Anybody have experience with their products?

[Sparky]

The Gr.8 Designs Cassiar Vest uses electrically conductive carbon-fibre fabric heating panels that distribute heat more evenly than the wires in other vests.

- S

[fish]

Originally posted by RKT
Thank you, I will be checking into it. What about Widder? Anybody have experience with their products?

I've had a Widder vest and chaps for years. I know they tend to get a bad rap, and perhaps the Gerbings stuff is way better, but the Widder works for me. Then again, I rarely use it. I mean, this is California, afterall :cool:

[Baldy]

If you live in California and don't ride to the Sierras, Widder is fine. But the Gerbing stuff is so much nicer, especially if you need more warmth.

I love electric clothing.

[fish]

Originally posted by Baldy

I love electric clothing.

Hmmm...something along these lines?



"You're sure to be noticed when you walk into the room in this striking electric blue strapless gown! The gown has a fitted bodice and a ruffle accents the entire top edge of the gown. The waistline comes to a small "V" at the center front and the skirt falls nicely to approximately tea length. The skirt has a handkerchief style hemline with four long points. The gown has an inside label which reads, "Steppin' Out, Los Angeles-New York." The gown is marked a size 7. The gown has a side zipper closure and the skirt is lined. The gown measures approximately: bustline=34"; waistline=25". The gown is in very good condition."

[RKT]

Great suggestion fish. One question, what am I wearing at night if I get the electric dress dirty during the day???????????

[stevenknapp]

The owner of Gr8 designs seems very nice and helpful..FWIW.

Wiring? Plug it into the BMW socket. Duh.

I'm happy enough with my Darien electric liner, tho if I had it to do over again I'd go for the windbloc version of it.

[Rad]

RKT

I have a Widder vest and a thin Gerbings jacket liner. The Widder collects dust in my closed and the Gerbings goes everywhere with me.


If $ is a major issue and you don't need serious heat the Widder will do fine. It did the job for me for a few years. I got tired of cold arms.


I did find my Widder plugs and connections to be more fragile than the Gerbings. I have been stuck on the side of the road in the snow fixing the connections. I must admit that I am rough on them. The Gerbings holds up to my abuse. That is one thing about electric goodies, once you experience them you never go back

[Baldy]

Yeah, BMW makes a good vest, I hear, and users like Aerostich's stuff, but I am yet to meet anyone who wore Gerbing and went back to anything else. Instead they turn into Conrad.

Come to think of it, Conrad, I've had a Widder glove stop producing heat and a Widder thermostat go out. And Widder gloves leak like sieves.

[stevenknapp]

Here is an question. I was reading somewhere that it's bad to rely on your electrics. The idea being that if they failed you would be an ice cube.

Now I've had the wiring pull out of the BMW plug on my liner after a couple years. A quick fix roadside with the leatherman. But had it been dark and really cold (Cheyenne was bad at night) I would have been pissed that I didn't put that sweatshirt on earlier.

Just what crosses my mind whenever someone starts saying "more heat".

[fish]

Originally posted by O-SHEN
GR 8 has great stuff new technology which everyone will soon go to but He's a bit of a flake and blew me off, after I wanted to order two vests so that makes him a no player in my book.

Can you blame him?

[Rad]

"yeah but I don't ever wear black, don't they offer brighter colors and who's Conrad??" O-SHEN


I am hurt, sniff....sniff

Don't wear black! I bet your bike is not even black. You don't really consider yourself a motorcyclist do you?

[Baldy]

Originally posted by stevenknapp
Here is an question. I was reading somewhere that it's bad to rely on your electrics. The idea being that if they failed you would be an ice cube.

If my life depends on the electrics, I put an extra layer of clothes in my top box. Just like I do in my car just in case the heater goes out. But I still use my car's heater, even though I've had far more trouble with them than bike electrics.