Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Helmets and Gear Heated gloves vs. heated grips

Rode into work this morning (26 degrees F). Even with what I thought were pretty good cold weather gloves, the ends of my fingers were killing me by the time I got to work. I think I need something for those chilly mornings, and have heard about heated grips and heated gloves. Which do you guys prefer, and how difficult is it to wire up these kinds of things?
Thanks,
Will

I have ehated glove liners, which are a bit of a pain, but do the trick!! I'd suggest getting the gloves vs the liners tho... Can't speak for grips, but I have some temporary, velcro on headed grip covers, might be a happy medium.

The Gerbing stuff gets good press - if a little expensive.

I considered getting some and possibly socks too.
I don't stop riding if it's cold but cold extremities can distract from concentrating on the job in hand (and no that's not another cold extrimity! )

I tried 'Coldkiller' glove liners but they're awkward under my Triumph Sympatex gloves - too bulky - and, for me, they didn't work too well anyway.

Anything is worth considering if it means continued riding.

Hey Ray

Have a butchers here for your local people.

I think my nearest one is in Coventry.

A bit pricey but I've heard such good reports about it.

Take a look at these:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/heated-motorcycle-grips/

I've used Gerbing gloves and socks down to 27f ambient. Also have Gerbing jacket and pants liners. If you intend to try to ride through the winter, man do the electrics! It makes a world of difference! I have 5 pairs of gloves and when the temp gets below 40, the Gerbings are it! They're the warmest gloves you'll find even before you turn them on. The socks are warm enough that I rarely use them because they get too hot (I only have a single rheostat wired for both socks and gloves, I need the 2-line that's available). As for wiring them in, it's simply hooking the provided connector to the battery. They come with an on-off switch, but a 'heat troller' (another $$$ item) is the way to go. The gloves have a waterproof liner so when it rains, they get pretty heavy with water, but it doesn't come through.
Yes, the stuff's not cheap, but when your fingers and toes are toasty on a bone freezing day, you'll know they're worth it.

I had the heated glove liners. They worked well. I sold them after I bought the latest heated gloves from Gerbing. They are indeed warm even before you plug them in.
I considered the grip heaters, but when I read the install instructions, it seemed like a pain in the patoot, not to mention the additional pain if they should ever fail.

The Gerbing clothing is expensive, but the electrical part of their stuff is guaranteed for life, or ever, whichever comes first...

I also have the jacket liner, the pants, the socks, and the single controller. It is expensive stuff, but I spread my purchases out over a year's time to lessen the sting....

I like this stuff!

Just an additional note, Aerostitch has 3 types of grip heaters starting around $29. One wraps under the grips (cheap), one wraps over the grips (more $), and replacement grips with heaters (still more $$).

If I lived in an are where such things were needed, I think my main considerations would be,
1. Grips wear out and need replacing less often than gloves.
2. The grips are always there and won't ever be forgotten or left at home because it seemed like such a nice day.
3. You don't have to remember to plug in the grips when you start riding and you don't look stupid when you stop in front of a lot of people who know you and try to walk away from the bike while your gloves are still plugged in.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I'm going to try the Gerbing heated liners to use inside my Triumph Sympatex gloves. The kids just ordered me a pair for Christmas. After I get them hooked up, I'll post results. Thanks again for help.

Will

Gerbing gloves and vest. Set you back around $400 if you also get the thermostat.

Ok, anybody have experience with these:

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Warm-Wrap-Grips-p-16731.html

?

They seem ideal -- don't need to pull the grips off, they're inexpensive... but i worry that they might slide around if they're just velcroed on over top the rubber.

Ideas/suggestions?

Also, how difficult are they to wire up?

--Jaeger

A quick google turns up several reviews, positive. It appears they have a standard SAE plug. Wire the pigtail to the battery and then just plug them in as you need them and unplug them when you're done. You can use the SAE plug for other things (Battery Tender, heated gear, etc).

Have ridden for a few years with heated grips (BMW OEM), & found that they're not as effective when you wear winter weight gloves. I started wearing lighter weight (deerskin w/ thin lining) gloves, & I could then feel the heat !!

Some of the best cold weather stuff I have ever used is called Damart. They are great extreme cold weather gear. THeir liner gloves are fantastic.

My next ride will have heated grips and a partial fairing for sure. Some of the Guzzi touring line come with all the goodies I'm looking for. Then I can ride my TBA in the warm months and the MG during the not so good weather. If I can keep my hands and feet warm I can pretty much layer up the rest of the body. The real bear is early spring when you freeze your tail off in the AM and by noon you're cooking. You strip as the day rolls on.

Based on the last few weeks, it would have to be both warm AND waterproof!! Fortunately the Cascade Mtns on your side of the basin soak up the majority of wet and we only get the "leftovers. Thanks

I was looking at the Cabela's site a couple days ago, they have both UnderArmour and heavy silk tops and bottoms. I have heard good things about Underarmour, probably a step below being plugged in, but a step above dressing like the Michilin man.

The UnderArmour is great as a first layer, but, I really worry about the old Mothers advice regarding underware, it fits so tightly that it may remind rescue workers of something other then thermal protection......