A-tonal Apples & Amplified Heat

[djwaudio]

Hi everyone,
I have a few holiday gift checks to liquidate and am considering some sort of electric vest or other technology to keep warm. I'm looking at a few different products, including:

BMW electric vest
BMW phase change under-garment
Aerostitch electric vest
Aerostitch electric vest windblock
Aerostitch electric vest with the Airvantage inflation chamber.

Gerbings are not being considered. They don't fit me well and feel like I'm wearing an extension chord.

I'm wondering if anyone has some real works experience with the above garments and what they like about them, dislikes, etc. Any others I should look at?

If I go with electrics, how are the temperature settings? BMW seems to have hi & lo settings. The Aerostitch looks to have a variable thermostat available which looks appealing. What's the word on phase change gear?

Props to anyone who gets the title of this post.

Best,
Dana

[huffergasen]

Dana, I use the Aerostitch vest and it works well. The only feature I have some doubt about is the collar. It is "wired" so you get heat to your neck, but at the same time it adds bulk in the neck area that makes it more difficult to turn your head. I don't have the thermostat, but there is an on/off switch that's readily accessible so I don't consider it essential.

A very good product.

[Deans BMW]

Dana, I would suggest that you take a second look at the Gerbings "jacket liner" and make sure that it is properly fitted also their variable thermostat works extremely well. Gerbings is the best in the business. By far the best M/C accessory in my 50 plus years of riding.

[djwaudio]

>I use the Aerostitch vest and it works well. The only feature I have some doubt about is the collar. It is "wired" so you get heat to your neck, but at the same time it adds bulk in the neck area that makes it more difficult to turn your head.

Huffergassen, do you have the Aerostitch with the windblock? I believe that is a thicker vest, maybe contributing to the bulk in the neck?

[bmwdave52]

I have a BMW phase change under-garment. The pants. Get 'em. Worth the money.
I use them in conjunction with Gerbings jacket liner. The combo works very well.
You might want to check out Gerbings again. They tend to run a bit small so try a larger size and you might be happy.

[CycleRob]

djwaudio,

I have a six year old Widder vest and it has been problematic with the wire to plug connection and once the wire that goes into the vest itself broke. I was able to repair them all myself. I should mention that most of the problems were prolly caused by getting off the bike with the wire still plugged in (DUH !!). I only have the on/off switch - - - figuring that if it's cold enough to wear the vest, it'll be always on. For the most part that's true until you get into slow moving or stop-n-go city traffic OR if the temp climbs into the 50'sF (10C plus). Then I turn it off for a few miles when it starts to almost burn me.

The Widder also has a very tall neck portion but it doesn't interfere with head turning. The heat from your bike's alternator is fantastic . . . . and you'll discover a whole new world of M/C riding in the cold. It doesn't just keep you warm . . . . it MAKES you warm. My continuous riding threshold is now 38degF (3.3degC). My vest is either on me or in the Systen case if it isn't Summer. I compare the addition of heated clothing's revelation to be nearly as impressive as discovering women (m-a-n-y years ago).

Gerbings are the best.

[skyline]

Pressed Rat & Warthog, Cream
Saw them do it live @ Fillmore East.

[djwaudio]

Just got back from a ride. Even thought it's about 50 degrees, I have that overall cold feeling. Time to order some electrics! Thanks for the input guys. I think I'm going the Aerostitch rout.