New Years Resolution

[Fred W]

Not enough heat output for me from the synergy gear for when it is really cold. I like that the WarmnSafe liner has no insulation as that provides more flexibility. Can be worn alone or with a light insulation layer over it and is still less bulky than a heavy insulative layer would be.

Went without heated gear for a long time. Once I tried it I was kicking myself for not doing so sooner. I really like riding in the cold, much more so than the high heat and humidity of midsummer. No bugs on the face shield and you dont get tired from waving at other bikes.

 

[bigjohnsd]

I got a great deal on Gerbing gear (Jacket, Pants and Gloves) before my jaunt to Inuvik.

I bought the digital controller because the KLR is marginal on power.

I used the Jacket and the Gloves on the trip, I didn't take the pants, too bulky.

The jacket worked fine over my LDComfort top, I tried it over a mid-layer and I wasn't as warm as when it was closer to the skin.

The gloves worked fine in the dry, the KLR has no heated grips.

The day that it snowed after several hours of rain the gloves soaked through despite my efforts at pre-trip waterproofing. Despite soak through i had warm hands when riding while running the gloves at max. My hands did look like parboiled prunes when i took the gloves off.

The Gerbing gear uses wires, there are hot spots and cooler spots. The Warm and Safe gear uses Mesh, the heat is evener.

Were I to do it again I believe I'd buy the Warm and Safe despite the price differential. In fact, with Warm and Safe's trade in Policy, I may change after Sturgis when I have some disposable farkling $$ burning a hole in my pocket.

 

[lunch truck larry]

Damm .. $500.00 Dollars....Went to the dealer today , drop off the FJR for that 25000 mile service thing, Asked how much factory heated grips would cost ,,,, Around ..$ 500. dollars ,,, Decided to pass... One side of me says ... $500.... Bucks is way to much !!! ( really thought they wound be around $300 .or so ) ....I will just go buy some Really good gloves instead. Or go aftermarket ,,, The other side says .. Over the long haul ,I'ts money well spent on something that's really going to make a difference .And its factory stuff ,dealer installed .. What do you think ?

 

[Bounce]

The best new years resolution I've ever made is one I made decades ago and have kept ever since: Don't make new years resolutions.

 

[Fred W]

For the same money (or less) you could get a heated jacket liner, heated gloves, and a heat troller. Jus sayin’

 

[Uncle Hud]

Buy a pair of good quality winter gloves .... they're on sale now, so budget $150. Do the same thing next year. Do the same thing in 2020. You'll still be ahead $50.

 

[Fred W]

Sure, you can save money and buy winter gloves. But when your torso gets no warmth your hands will still be cold.

Those of us who live in cold areas understand that the big reason your extremities get cold is because your core body temp is dropping. Your brain automatically routes blood flow away from your extremities to keep your core temp up.

People who think you can get by riding in the wintertime without heated gear have never tried it.

 

[lunch truck larry]

Good advice ... Next move is to buy some heated gear . Thanks for your wisdom .

 

[SkipS]

There is an old saying for performance " There is no replacement for displacement" Somebody once told me when riding " If its winter and your seated, make sure your vest or jacket is heated" Best advice I ever got. You can't match the performance per dollar of heated gear. Its like sitting in front of the fireplace on a cold winter night.

 

[graler]

My oxford grips were all of about $100 I also looked at the OEM version - yeah they must have gold conductors.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Fred W posted: Sure, you can save money and buy winter gloves. But when your torso gets no warmth your hands will still be cold.
Those of us who live in cold areas understand that the big reason your extremities get cold is because your core body temp is dropping. Your brain automatically routes blood flow away from your extremities to keep your core temp up.

People who think you can get by riding in the wintertime without heated gear have never tried it.

All good advice for those that live in cold climates.

I get by just fine with the Aerostich and a few insulating layers, except for my hands. This past winter -- it's well into springtime here now -- I spent about $120 to purchase good winter gloves on clearance, and have been comfy, comfy, comfy.

 

[lunch truck larry]

Going to try those Koso Apollo grips . Bikes in the shop anyhow . $144.00 to Cleveland .+ install = A hell of a lot less then the $ 500.00 for OEM stuff . Going to find a good liner now . I'll be riding year round before I know it ! FYI ,,The Browns are going to be better this year , Just saying .... I'll give you my Two cents worth about the grips after I try them out

 

[BakerBoy]

Sure, you can save money and buy winter gloves. But when your torso gets no warmth your hands will still be cold.
Those of us who live in cold areas understand that the big reason your extremities get cold is because your core body temp is dropping. Your brain automatically routes blood flow away from your extremities to keep your core temp up.

People who think you can get by riding in the wintertime without heated gear have never tried it.

Generally true, but there are some of us with circulation issues... body core can be warm enough that we're sweating, but fingers are still cold (sometimes numb).

I've heated handgrips and seat, Gerbing T5 heated gloves, microwire jacket, and insoles. And my hands still get cold. But certainly all that heat helps!