Heated vest

[biggums]

Will the BMW heated vest plug into other makes of bike outlet? I want the vest for my R but would like to use it when on my Harley. Will it plug into the lighter outlet or is there a way to get it to work?

[kbc68]

I would say no !
I use a BMW plug for my vest and the plug
is too small for a car accessory socket...sorry

[Boxer]

...But there should be an adapter you can use. Try cyclegadgets.com

[pjbmw]

you can get one of these and use it in a cigarette lighter outlet

Adaptor Plug

[Boxer]

Or this might work.

http://www.bestrestproducts.com/celesti ... m?recno=32

[Cask23]

you can get one of these and use it in a cigarette lighter outlet

Adaptor Plug

Isn't Sierra BMW's website just great for getting accessories?

[biggums]

Thanks for the fast reply. Great site as usual!

[pjbmw]

you can get one of these and use it in a cigarette lighter outlet

Adaptor Plug

Isn't Sierra BMW's website just great for getting accessories?

Though I have never bought a thing from Sierra BMW, they sure seem to have any part you can think up! I wonder what they pay Google? They are always near the top of any BMW parts search.

[jonothan]

Are these heated vests good, then? Are they really effective?

It's my birthday on Sunday and Elaine's bought me a heated vest.

Cheers

J

[GryphBlues]

Has anyone tried the BMW Phase Change Functional Undersuit jacket? I was speaking to the mechanic at my local BMW dealer who recently bought one. He claims it does a better job than his heated vest, which he has since stopped using. I just thought I’d throw that out there in case you wanted to consider an alternative.

I’ll most likely be buying one myself. One, because I’ve heard (though not researched) that electric clothing, like electric blankets, has been linked to a higher incidence of cancer. Two, though my electric vest does a fine job of keeping my chest warm, it does nothing for my upper arms, which are exposed to a lot of wind on our bikes. Rather than buying an electric jacket (e.g., Gerbing, Aerostich Kanetsu), I’ll likely be buying a Phase Change jacket for the winter.

[GryphBlues]

BTW - up here in Canada I tend to ride until the mercury drops below -5 C, if that helps.

[mcrides]

Are these heated vests good, then? Are they really effective?

They certainly do work and they are very effective. Once you experience heated clothing, it's hard to go back.


Bruno
Montreal, Canada
Gerbing Heated JACKET LINER Review
http://pages.videotron.com/mcrides/prod ... /liner.htm
:

[mcrides]

Has anyone tried the BMW Phase Change Functional Undersuit jacket?

The principle of phase change material is good ie in cooling vests. That's because there is a sufficient thickness of it.

Phase change material absorbs and releases heat. How much it can absorb depends on how much material there is. For a given thickness, once it absorbs all it can, it's done. It can do no more.

The limitation in riding clothing is that the amount of PC material is very thin. So in practice, it really acts as a limited buffer. It would be ideal for an activity where you go through repeated cycles of body temperature. For example when downhill skiing. During the descent you generate heat that is absorbed by the PC material. On the way back up the chairlift, the PC releases heat back to you as you begin to cool.

But sitting on a motorcycle for extended periods where your body is exposed to continual cooling will quickly exceed the PH capacity.

I've yet to speak to an extended cold weather rider who has found remarkable results with PC. For the amount charged for PC, you can buy heated clothing that IS effective.

I was speaking to the mechanic at my local BMW dealer who recently bought one. He claims it does a better job than his heated vest, which he has since stopped using.

This tells me that he is not a cold weather rider. Or that the doesn't ride for extended periods of time in the cold.

I just thought I’d throw that out there in case you wanted to consider an alternative.

Again. On all the lists that I'm on I've yet to hear good results for extended riding. For short periods. yes.

One, because I’ve heard (though not researched) that electric clothing, like electric blankets, has been linked to a higher incidence of cancer.

Over the years, we've gone over this many times on many lists and forums. If you have some research to point to, I'd be the first to want to read it. Othehrwise it seems to be an unfounded fear.

Two, though my electric vest does a fine job of keeping my chest warm, it does nothing for my upper arms, which are exposed to a lot of wind on our bikes. Rather than buying an electric jacket (e.g., Gerbing, Aerostich Kanetsu), I’ll likely be buying a Phase Change jacket for the winter.

I look forward to your feedback on this. Let us know what you find.

BTW, I ride extensively in temps similar to yours. But for many hours at a time ie overnight for 12 hours or more at highway speeds.

Bruno
Montreal, Canada
Gerbing Heated JACKET LINER Review
http://pages.videotron.com/mcrides/prod ... /liner.htm
:

[rdsmith3]

jonothan

Yes, they do work.

I rode to work yesterday, and it was just above 32F/0C when I left. My commute is 50 miles each way, mostly highway. I had on a BMW heated vest, fleece liner, and First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket. I was very warm and comfortable.

[MikeCam]

They work.

But on occasion I have forgotten to plug in and the subsequent part of the ride is not too much worse- so layering has a big impact even without artificial heat.

[RiftonRoadster]

Yup, Yesterday was a good day for a ride in the northeast. Left in 28 degree weather with aerostich vest, windblocker shirt and textile 3/4 jacket. Silk balaclava really helps under a helmet. Just wish I had some of those handguards. Right now that's my only weak spot. In fact the vest was turned down to 2/3 about 10 miles into my commute.

[Guest]

One, because I’ve heard (though not researched) that electric clothing, like electric blankets, has been linked to a higher incidence of cancer.

Over the years, we've gone over this many times on many lists and forums. If you have some research to point to, I'd be the first to want to read it. Othehrwise it seems to be an unfounded fear.

I've heard that I will go blind (and thus the gauntlet was thrown). What was once an enjoyable pasttime became an obsessive desire to once-and-for-all lay to rest the old wives' tale. Assumed the challenge and ramped up my testing. It's been half a lifetime now, and my very first visit to the eye doc yielded this diagnosis: I will not need glasses.

[dragonmojo]

I feel as though I would be an expert on this, having owned electric tops and gloves for about a decade now. And what timing... I am sending them in for repair and I run across this thread.

I have both the Gerbings jacket liner and gloves, and more recently Widder's System2 vest and gloves. The Gerbings developed a tear in the seam at the right underarm (on the inside of the jacket), and I lived with it until the hole got to the size of a billiard ball. But I sent it in due to lack of heat getting to my right sleeve and glove. It quit working in Spring '05 and was only yesterday I sent it off.

Bought the System2 because it was a vest, thinking that the sleeves added extra complexity (because of my experience with the seam tear on the Gerbings). From Spring '05 until just recently, the vest and gloves were enough. However, on a ride a few weeks ago I noticed a lack of heat, but fortunately the temps were mild enough that I did without.

That evening, I took a voltmeter and tested things out. Seems there was an intermittent break somewhere near the connecting node (sewn between the outer shell and inner liner). I could not pinpoint it exactly, but can on occasion get the voltage to drop entirely. I will be sending this for repair also, but I will need it for the lovely weekend we're having.

The Gerbings served me well. The heated sleeves are very nice. The outer shell is a heavy nylon like those found in windbreakers. The cuffs and waist are knitted. I bought the adjustable thermostat, which works fine. The gloves are leather with a close fitting cuff resembling motorcycle gloves. --(to be continued)--

[dragonmojo]

The Widder System2 vest's outer shell is a nice weight Cordura nylon, as found in ballistic apparel (and some luggage, etc.). Since it is sleeveless, the Cordura worked out well. At the back of the shoulders are 2 snaps on each side that allow you to connect an arm's length harness for gloves. I generally leave them connected, since my hands get cold easily. I put on the vest, grasp the end of the wire while putting my arm through my leather jacket's sleeve. Gloves resemble snowmobile gloves; nylon/fabric that's been treated (and thinsulate-lined). The cuffs are a wide, gauntlet style. I plan to wear these for the coming weekend, before sending them off for repair (due to the intermediate voltage).

Gerbings has an unlimited warranty on their electrics (and will be charging me $20 for the hole repair). Widder only a one year warranty, but a response in my inquiry from Pat Widder was very accommodating, which made me quite happy. No ?s asked! I believe Widder will work with the customer. Thumbs up for both companies on customer support (so far).

I got some "arm chaps" for the Widder in the mail but have yet to try them out. They will snap to the vest in place of the sleeve harness. Each chap has velcro at two locations along its length, and are literally chaps for your arms. This will provide additional heat to the arms where a vest alone will not do. Can't wait to try them out, either this weekend or after I get the vest sent off for electrical inspection and repair.

For me, it's a tossup (esp the great support responses I received). The Gerbings is bulkier due to the sleeves. I like the Cordura material in the Widder. The sleeves on the Gerbings is more convenient than putting on chaps. The Widder gloves have a longer, wider cuff to fit over your riding jacket's cuffs. Your riding jacket sleeves will be better worn over the Gerbings' cuffs.

Hope this helps!

[dragonmojo]

OBTW, the usual response I get about me riding with electric apparel is that (the other rider) just throws on several layers of clothing. Since my leather jacket fits nicely during fair weather rides over a nice long-sleeved cotton T-shirt, I'm not sure I want to spring for another jacket 2 sizes larger to accommodate the add'l insulation! The electric stuff are thin enough to add little bulk... too much and it is not comfortable for me to manuever my bikes.

Reminds me of Ralphie's little brother in "A Christmas Story".