View Full Version : Best heated clothing type?
Hi all,
Haven't been on here in a while! Hope you're all well. I have a 2008 SV650S and I'm looking for heated clothing with adjustable temperature and powered by the motorcycle battery. If possible I would like both for myself and pillion too.
Also, what base layers would work well with any recommended heated clothing?
I would like to use with my current dainese leather so non-bulky heated clothing would be preferred!
Many thanks for your time and I appreciate your recommendations.
for a full range of what you want/need have a look at Keis stuff. it has the same carbon element technology as exo2 stuff. the exo2 bike body warmer has more heating pads but is more expensive and a bit more bulky also the exo2 gloves are pretty crap as it used wire technology.
http://www.keisapparel.co.uk/
http://www.exo2.co.uk/
all the rest of the heated gear is made using wire as a heating element and is easy to make yourself. wire technology also draws more current from your bike.
Thanks for the reply. So does the keis stuff offer everything I'm after without having to make anything myself? Also what base layers would be good for this setup?
Thanks again!
the closer you have heated clothing next to your skin the more effective it is. simple t shirt will suffice for wearing under it. if you want more warmth (which i doubt) put on a wind stopper type of garment over the top.
for best results get the body warmer, inner gloves and insoles. you will more then likely have to go up a size on another pair of good waterproof gloves for a good fit, remember if gloves are too tight then they will starve your hands of blood and make things worse same goes for boots, its better to have a little slack in the foot area to create an 'air pocket' around your foot.
it may look expensive to buy everything but you will have the stuff for years and years so it's a good investment.
one more thing.. why inner gloves? well when you wear out your gloves you don't have to buy another pair of heated ones and when the outside temps start to rise again then you put away the heated gear and use the outer gloves for summer.
That's fantastic, really appreciate the help. If I am connecting to the bike battery which controller will I need to use and will it control all garments? Also, do you have this setup so I can see how you have wired it and where it hangs from the bike?
I really appreciate the advice. What do you do about keeping legs warm, or do you not need it with this stuff?
Oh and one other thing - what about connecting two sets at the same time so that a pillion can benefit?
general consensus is that you don't need to heat your legs as the blood flowing round your body will. it won't stop wind chill on your legs which is a different matter all together, for this you get a good windblocker type base layer.
i don't have the keis stuff but i have some of the exo2 stuff that i'm busy making into something better :-). i just hang the connector out of the side of the seat which reminds me about the exo2 stuff, the connector is on the wrong side as you have to get on the bike to connect it. better having it on the left side of the garment so you can connect before you get on the bike which i think the keis stuff is.
having never tried the keis stuff i can't say how good it is but they use the same heating elements as exo2 which is fantastic and draws very little current from the bike once heated as it 'pulses' (sort of) to keep the heat.
heat wise its nice and warm while moving but can get a bit 'stuffy' while sitting at lights and in town. the exo2 gloves burn the bloody fingers off you in town and at lights but are fine while on the move. the keis stuff is all modular so less wires to route and is controlled by one controller so if you turn it down you turn everything down.
getting the gear on.. it's a pain in the bum routing all the cables but once done and everything on then its all good. you will learn a few tips and tricks to it once you have done it a few times :-)
Oh and one other thing - what about connecting two sets at the same time so that a pillion can benefit?
no problem.. just get another battery connection and route it for the pillion. be very careful about drawing too much current from the bike though. pillion might be better with just gloves and insoles as they don't tend to get as much wind blast as the rider.
Brilliant will look into it, thanks for your help!
warmshed
30-10-11, 12:00 AM
Not endorsing keis clothing (as I use the old wired ones,) but they seem cheaper here, though check what you get first, ie does it come with controller p;ostage etc. http://www.buybits.com/product/7638.aspx
Brilliant thanks! Just one more thing, should I use the heavy duty controller or temperature controller with the setup advised above?
Also, would you recommend using the provided power lead to the vehicle or installing a cigarette lighter socket and powering through that?
warmshed
30-10-11, 09:31 PM
I use the on/off switch with my BMW heated vest, it seems to work well. Just try it out with the lead that comes with it and buy a adjustable temperature control if you think it will be beneficial after you have used it for a while
yorkie_chris
31-10-11, 10:01 AM
all the rest of the heated gear is made using wire as a heating element and is easy to make yourself. wire technology also draws more current from your bike.
But it will be hotter if it draws more.
No way you can generate more heat with less power, not really any losses in direct heating.
SUPERSTARDJ01
31-10-11, 10:25 AM
Gerbing is the best, also most expensive but come with a lifetime warrenty on the element.
I have the hybrid gloves and I'm never cold.
http://www.gerbings.co.uk/gerbings_heated_gloves.html
I think I have decided on the Keis. I just spoke to the garage who said the main thing I would have to be careful of is running too many things off the battery when riding through town. I currently have a Sat Nav mount, a datatool alarm and Oxford Sport Heated Grips (Sat Nav and Heated Grips set to only work when bike is turned on).
I don't think there will be any problems adding the Keis stuff - my bike battery has always handed it all very well. But if this did start affecting the bike, is there an additional battery available or a way to get round this?
Thanks for all your help! Also - I've been advised to get those hand guard things (can't remember what they are called) what ones are any good and don't look too bad on the SV?
Cheers :)
Dicky Ticker
02-11-11, 05:11 PM
You must rember that bikea like BMW have a bigger power output than the SV and if you intend running that lot plus headlights you may have to upgrade the alternator and increase the battery size
You are going to have quite a substancial power draw with two sets and heated grips plus any other bits and bobs
I no longer have an SV so I can't remember what the output is-----no doubt some one will be able to tell you so do your sums first.
Nobbylad
02-11-11, 05:18 PM
The handguards you are looking for are the V-Strom DL650 ones.
If you get those, I doubt you'll need the heated grips AND the Keis stuff.
In my experience, the handguards are OK, as are heated grips, but the issue is with the cold air getting underneath the bars to your finger tips, which the grips won't cure and neither will the handguards. The best warmth I've had to date is with a cheap set of hand muffs which allowed me to wear my summer gloves in some pretty cold temps. If I had the Keis heated gloves and the bar muffs, I reckon that would be about it sorted.
Cool thanks for the tips I'm only going to power one set of heated clothing for now but least I know there are some options!
yorkie_chris
02-11-11, 07:24 PM
You must rember that bikea like BMW have a bigger power output than the SV and if you intend running that lot plus headlights you may have to upgrade the alternator and increase the battery size
You are going to have quite a substancial power draw with two sets and heated grips plus any other bits and bobs
I no longer have an SV so I can't remember what the output is-----no doubt some one will be able to tell you so do your sums first.
Personally I wouldn't worry to increase the battery size, if it's flattening the battery it will just flatten slower.
You shouldn't be running a load of amps without it running anyway, IMO.
I'm not sure there are any alternator upgrades for SV, but I would not be surprised if uprating the reg-rec from stock helps, as the modern units perform better in other ways.
And what would that mean? Sorry I'm not incredibly technical!
yorkie_chris
02-11-11, 07:39 PM
So which vest? I'm looking at some heated stuff but don't want a fully heated jacket.
Gerbing vest has a massive collar which may get in the way. Lite vest has a big V down the middle which will probably get cold.
EXO2 stormrider bodywarmer looks the right shape but is £180, ouch.
Keis vest is £100 with an adjustable controller, looks promising.
Any thoughts? Who's got Keis one?
Nobbylad
03-11-11, 02:12 PM
Vest? Surely you could just use a base layer (like some of the running stuff you get in Lidl/Aldi) underneath normal clothes? That, plus your textiles should keep your core temp up, I really only find my fingers get cold in the depths of winter, everything else seems to be quite toasty with normal gear.
timwilky
03-11-11, 02:32 PM
Anyone recommend heated socks? Seriously for the past year I have suffered badly from freezing feet, even when squeezing a second pair on
yorkie_chris
03-11-11, 02:56 PM
Vest? Surely you could just use a base layer (like some of the running stuff you get in Lidl/Aldi) underneath normal clothes? That, plus your textiles should keep your core temp up, I really only find my fingers get cold in the depths of winter, everything else seems to be quite toasty with normal gear.
I was going up and down to Birmingham ish setting off at like 5am last month, was cold by the time I got there even with liner in jacket, thermals, fleece, etc. Just slowly get chilled which I've always found. No adrenaline to warm you up on the XJ!
And I'm off to Scotland next weekend, sod being cold for 300 mile at a time. Going soft in my old age!
OK, so I have ordered the X5 with free temperature controller. Haven't ordered soles or inner gloves yet as I won't require these straight away. Will let you know how the battery handles it and how good it is!
Anyone recommend heated socks? Seriously for the past year I have suffered badly from freezing feet, even when squeezing a second pair on
I noticed a decent pair on Amazon for £100. But for that money I would say getting a heated setup, vest, soles and gloves would be far more worth the money. I am getting the Keis stuff hopefully in the next few days and will give my verdict then :)
yorkie_chris
04-11-11, 10:01 AM
OK, so I have ordered the X5 with free temperature controller. Haven't ordered soles or inner gloves yet as I won't require these straight away. Will let you know how the battery handles it and how good it is!
Do the same charging test as described on here, tickover and 5000rpm with lights on and see what battery voltage is. With one vest it will be fine though.
hindle8907
04-11-11, 10:10 AM
Vest? Surely you could just use a base layer (like some of the running stuff you get in Lidl/Aldi) underneath normal clothes? That, plus your textiles should keep your core temp up, I really only find my fingers get cold in the depths of winter, everything else seems to be quite toasty with normal gear.
+1 but on long distances i bet it can get a but nippy after a while
Do the same charging test as described on here, tickover and 5000rpm with lights on and see what battery voltage is. With one vest it will be fine though.
Cheers, will get a voltmeter and see how it goes!
MartinT
07-11-11, 10:35 AM
Anyone who would like an EXO2 stormrider but finds it too expensive might want to consider one of these Triumph vests.
As I understand it they are essentially a rebadged stormrider with the same heating panels all over the front and back, though you may wish to check with the dealership to be sure, a bargain for £100.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Motorcycles-Heated-Vest-M-L-1050-955-45-OFF-/370322300833?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Clothing&hash=item5638eddfa1
Anyone who would like an EXO2 stormrider but finds it too expensive might want to consider one of these Triumph vests.
As I understand it they are essentially a rebadged stormrider with the same heating panels all over the front and back, though you may wish to check with the dealership to be sure, a bargain for £100.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Motorcycles-Heated-Vest-M-L-1050-955-45-OFF-/370322300833?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Clothing&hash=item5638eddfa1
Bargain that, cheers for the link! Just got one and the bloke I spoke to said that it comes with a bike connection lead and 5 level temperature controller which is stupid cheap especially as it's based on exo2 kit. They still have XL sizes left.
yorkie_chris
09-11-11, 08:10 PM
Bargain that, cheers for the link! Just got one and the bloke I spoke to said that it comes with a bike connection lead and 5 level temperature controller which is stupid cheap especially as it's based on exo2 kit. They still have XL sizes left.
Got mine today, no sign of temp controller though.
Hi. I took the Keis X5 out today. Don't have the insoles or inner gloves yet. Medium heat seems suitable if pottering about town however you really do need it on high when riding above 40mph. It kept me pretty warm however, my arms did get cold which is something I was concerned about before purchasing. All in all it is pretty good once I figure out how to keep arms warm!
thinone
14-10-12, 11:02 AM
that was helpfull
Ive had it for a little while now. The soles are great, but the soles get warmer than the vest when on high and can be too hot (whilst sometimes you require high for the vest and not necessarily for the soles). Didn't rate the inner gloves so sent them back. Had just ordered the large battery for the vest for use when on another bike or for non-motorcycle related stuff. I would say the heated gear is great, but would recommend having some proper winter stuff to help keep the heat insulated as you lose a fair bit when wearing leathers.
thinone
14-10-12, 02:02 PM
MANAGED TO GET a Karrimor micro fleece and a long sleeve base layer as well as A pair of Nike trackies below the leathers today - was well warm - but then again the sun was out too!
I am looking at December in Textiles
Sounds good, have you tried winter temps yet? I just thought I'd try make it as comfortable as possible.
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