It’s easy to get a little confused about heated gear—what item does what and how do they all work alone and together. This week, we’ll try to answer those questions as they relate to Gerbing brand gear. Think about the old campfire song about the toe bone connected to the foot bone connected to the leg bone and so on.
Start with the motorcycle itself. A battery harness connects to the bike battery and to the temperature controller. You can buy the Battery Harness in the Eagle Leather store.
The Dual Controller for Gerbing products includes two circuits. The gray knob pairs with the white, taped plug to control the jacket liner. The black knob pairs with the glove plug in the jacket and handles the rest of your heated gear. Use the dials to set the heat in ten-percent increments. It can take up to 16.5 amps; more will cause the equipment to overheat and will ruin the controller. The controller carries this warning: Do not try to put more than one set of heated-clothing items on the same battery harness and controller.
Gerbing’s 12-volt heated jacket liner starts with a durable, wind-resistant chassis, then adds seven Microwire™-powered heat zones: one at the collar, two each on the chest and back, and one in each sleeve. You wear it between a thin, polyester base layer and your outer jacket to get the fastest and warmest heat. It takes just seconds for the Microwire™-powered zones to come to power, so the liner will warm you fast once you turn it on. Use either the Dual Controller already described or the Dual Bluetooth Controller. The liner is made with a mini-rip nylon shell and a taffeta lining. The drop tail keeps your backside covered while you ride. The jacket liner has pre-wired connections for gloves at the ends of the sleeves as well as connections for pants, pant liners, or chaps. The sleeves have low-profile cuffs, so they fit easily under your jacket.
The 7-volt, battery-powered, Torrid Vest Liner uses four-way stretch soft material for the shell and a bonded fleece back. Four Microwire™ heating zones powered by Gerbing’s Gyde 7-volt lithium ion battery keep you toasty. The battery is sold separately and is rechargeable.
Keeping your hands warm when the windchill is low is crucial to your safety and comfort. Gerbing’s Men's 12 Volt Glove G4 connects to your Gerbing jacket or jacket liner, or they can be connected directly to your temperature controller using the Gerbing Y-Harness, which is sold separately. The premium aniline cowhide fits well and give you all the protection other gloves provide with impact-protected gel pads at your palm. The gloves have an AQUATEX™ breathable, water-resistant membrane and Thinsulate™ insulation. The Microwire™ heating goes right down to the tips of your fingers. The index finger is touchscreen compatible. The wrist closure uses Velcro, which is adjustable for a good fit.
Heated chaps or pants connect to the jacket or liner. Milwaukee Leather’s Men's Heated Chaps are shown here in black. They’re made with premium naked cowhide that's drum-dyed to give that “lived-in” look. The chaps have zippered pockets on the thighs. The thermal lining snaps in and out for added warmth. Heated panels on the thighs are powered by the battery pack carried in its waterproof pocket.
To keep your feet warm, use either heated sock liners or heated insoles. Check out these heated socks for men. The 12v socks use microwire™ technology and can be attached to heated pant liner or used with a controller and Y-Harness (both sold separately). The sock liners are made of stretch Lycra for comfortable fit and to both insulate and wick away moisture.
Our expert sales staff at Eagle Leather, both in the store and via phone, can help you decide what heated gear best suits your needs.
Yet, there’s no denying it: Unless you plan to ride exclusively around the Southern United States, you’ll face some chilly winters. And even before it...
