gerbing heated gear experience, in a few weeks
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 7:59 pm
I finally decided to take the plunge and order some heated gear (I'm
an all-weather commuter with no car in the DC Metro area). My only
bike is a 2001 KLR650.
I chose the heated liner and gloves, and both arrived two weeks ago.
The nice person who took my order on the phone sized me based on a
few vital statistics. The fit for the liner was a little off (way too
short -- waistband above the belt, and the neck was way to tight when
the standup collar was fully zipped, even for a pencil neck like me.
My adam's apple was almost fully compressed.)
I called Gerbing to advise them of the fit problem with the liner, and
was given some specific instructions for the return -- Gerbing stocks
long sizes, which will fix the fit problem with the too-short torso of
the jacket liner and, as it turns out, for the same price as stock,
they are altering the neck to a larger dimension to accomodate my big
old gulper.
I was told that it will be a three-week wait or more for the
alteration. I will let you know how it turns out.
The gloves fit just fine, but we've had a warm snap here, so I've yet
to use them.
The one big "if" is if the KLR's electrical system can accomodate the
liner and gloves, when used together. I have read widely varying
opinions and observations about this on this group board.
I returned an Aerostich Kanetsu heated vest recently because I could
barely feel any warmth from it; I'm hoping the Gerbing gear will be
warmer without drawing so much power I'm net draining the battery (I
am aware of the requirement to turn it off when idling or otherwise
running low rpms for extended periods.)
If you have any new stories about Gerbing's equipment, please share.
Be safe out there!