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California Heat 12V Heated Motorcycle Gear | Gear Review

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California Heat heated motorcycle gear 12V

If you live in a colder climate (as I do) and are wondering (as I was), “What could a California company possibly know about heated motorcycle gear?” you should know that “California Heat” is something of a misnomer. The family-owned and operated company is based in Maryland and presumably named after how you should feel riding in sunny California.

I don’t live in California, so as I geared up for my February trip from my home at 6,000 feet in Southern Utah to Las Vegas for the AIMExpo show, I was excited to try out California Heat’s 12V Jacket Liner ($230), Pant Liners ($190), and Gauntlet Gloves ($175), all covered by a lifetime warranty. [Note: Make sure to check the info for each product to see what’s included and what you must purchase separately for operation.] 

California Heat heated motorcycle gear 12V jacket liner
California Heat heated motorcycle gear 12V Dual Dial Controller
The Dual Dial Temp Controller allows you to control two heat zones independently.

The windproof and waterproof gloves are made of nylon and leather with a tricot lining and Thinsulate insulation. They feature heating elements on both sides of the hands from the wrist to the fingertips. There is a rubber squeegee on the left thumb, and the index fingers are touchscreen compatible, but given the thickness of the fingertip, it’s a little clumsy.  

A great feature I haven’t seen on some other heated gloves is the 90-degree L-plug. California Heat could take it up a notch by adding an L-junction or plug on the cords that come out of the jacket liner as well, which would make it less cumbersome to slide the gloves over the cuffs of your riding jacket after the gloves are plugged into the liner.

California Heat heated motorcycle gear 12V gauntlet gloves

Otherwise, as to the wind-resistant, water-repellant ripstop nylon jacket liner, I have no complaints. It has zipper pockets for the wires when not in use and other regular pockets, including two outer pockets and three inner pockets (I especially appreciated the zippered one). The pant liners are the same composition as the jacket, also with zippered pockets for the wires, and speaking of zippers, the pants have zippers halfway up the sides to make boot management easier. 

California Heat heated motorcycle gear 12V jacket liner
The 12V jacket liner has zippered pockets for the wires when not in use.
California Heat heated motorcycle gear 12V pant liners

When I left my house for Las Vegas, it was in the low 40s. I was on the interstate with an 80-mph speed limit, so I had the added wind chill factor, but I also had my windshield, and it was sunny, which helped. I run a little warmer anyway and am pretty used to colder temps, so when I started, I set both the jacket and pant dials on the Dual Dial Temp Controller ($100, sold separately) just barely above “off.” The website says the controller has “20 variable stages up to 135 degrees.” There are tactile soft “clicks” on the dials, and I counted more than 30 clicks, so I just used a visual reference. I was plenty comfortable at the lowest setting, but even on the ride back when temps were in the upper 30s, I didn’t need to turn it up much past a third of the dial.

With my job, I don’t have the luxury of only riding during my area’s warmer season, and with the California Heat gear, not only is my job easier but I now look forward to extending my riding season. If they could just bring some California heat to all the snow on the roads…

For more information, visit the California Heat website.

See all of Rider’s apparel reviews here.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Motorcycle News, News

Winter Motorcycle Riding: Finding Big Warmth on a Small Bike

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If you refuse to be deterred by the weather when it comes to winter motorcycle riding (but are perhaps stymied by the tech – or lack thereof – on your small bike), check out this Exhaust Note feature from “Moto Mouth” Moshe K. Levy that originally appeared in Rider‘s February issue.

Winter Motorcycle Riding Honda Trail 125
Winter doesn’t stop the author from getting out on his 2021 Honda Trail 125.

Sales of small motorcycles have been booming in the U.S. Their low prices, excellent fuel economy, playful aesthetics, and sheer riding pleasure make minibikes irresistible. My 2021 Honda Trail 125 is so addictive that I find myself hopping aboard its spartan solo saddle not just for local chores but for longer weekend trips as well.

Related: 2021 Honda Trail 125 ABS | First Ride Review

However, all that fun eventually collides against the limitations Mother Nature imposes on those of us who suffer cold winters. Normally, on my big bikes, I just plug in my 12-volt electric jacket liner and gloves and keep on going. But on small bikes like the Trail, there simply isn’t enough electrical capacity to run a full suite of heated gear.

Since parking the bike for the season is never a serious consideration for me, I developed a solution that is relatively low cost, readily available, functionally effective, and applicable for virtually any motorcycle with a marginal electrical output.

First, you need some battery-powered heated gear, which is abundant in today’s marketplace. I’ve had excellent luck with Warm & Safe’s Long Sleeve Heat Layer Shirt, which is powered by a 7.4V, 7.8Ah lithium-ion battery. For gloves, I like Klim’s battery-powered Hardanger HTDs, which operate on 7.4V, 2Ah lithium-polymer batteries. Both products feature multiple heat levels that allow the rider to adjust temperature as necessary, and they have held up well over multiple seasons of abuse.

See all of Rider’s new and reviewed gear here.

Indeed, heated gear is the only thing permitting your faithful, winter-hating Mediterranean columnist to survive arctic riding – at least until the batteries deplete! And therein lies the rub: To stay out all day in the cold, we need continuous power. Here’s how to get it.

First, we need spare batteries for all the heated gear we use. Manufacturers generally offer spares, as does Amazon. Always try to get at least as high an Ah (amp-hour) rating as the original battery – preferably higher. The higher the Ah rating, all else equal, the more run time you will get.

Next, we need to keep these spares continuously charging so they can be swapped in when the original batteries run down. We can accomplish this with a basic square-wave DC-AC inverter and a wiring harness to connect the inverter to the bike’s battery.

My typical setup inside my Trail’s top box is shown in the photo below:

Winter Motorcycle Riding

1. Sinloon waterproof cigarette lighter harness, available on Amazon for $9.99, which connects directly to the motorcycle’s battery

2. BMK 200W square-wave DC-AC inverter, available on Amazon for $25.99, which plugs into the Sinloon harness and converts the 12V DC from the bike’s battery to 120V AC

3. AC-DC battery chargers, included with the heated gear and plugged directly into the inverter, which convert the 120V AC output back to 8.4V DC to charge the spares

4. Spare lithium-ion battery for my W&S Heat Layer Shirt

5. Spare lithium-polymer batteries used in my Klim heated gloves

Both the harness and inverter are generic, and it really doesn’t matter which brands you use. (Some riders might already have the wiring harness in place, e.g., for a Battery Tender.)

Everything is secured in my Trail’s top case so things don’t shake around too much. All I need to do is flip the inverter to “on” to continuously charge the spare batteries while riding. Yes, it’s inefficient to convert power from the bike’s 12V DC to 120V AC and then back to heated gear’s 8.4V DC charging voltage, but this setup gets the job done with common, inexpensive components and requires no fancy wiring. 

Total draw on this setup is only about 32 watts, including inverter losses. That’s only about one-third of the draw of my 12V DC Warm & Safe jacket liner, so minibikes and even many older bikes with limited electrical capacity should be able to handle this load with ease. Mission accomplished!

Depending on the ambient temperatures and settings of the heated gear, I typically pull over every one to four hours to swap the dead batteries for freshly charged ones, allowing me to stay out all day in the cold – long after most other riders have parked for the season. For a true addict, there is no other choice!

To see a video about this setup, check out the Moto Mouth Moshe YouTube channel.

The post Winter Motorcycle Riding: Finding Big Warmth on a Small Bike first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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Klim Resistor HTD Gauntlet Gloves | Gear Review

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Klim Resistor HTD Gauntlet Glove

With Arctic blasts of frigid air gifting us single-digit ambient temperatures here in New Jersey, most motorcycles are parked for the winter season. However, there remains a small but dedicated band of polar bears who insist on riding in spite of the cold, and for them proper gear is critical. Klim Resistor HTD Gauntlet Gloves (HTD stands for “heated”) are specifically intended for this type of application.

(Resistor HTD Gauntlet Gloves are part of Klim’s snowmobile apparel line. The Hardanger HTD Long Gloves are designed for motorcycle use and offer more crash-protective features.)

The Resistors feature subdued, but contemporary styling. The black polyester exterior shell is punctuated by additional padding and a swatch of 3M Scotchlite reflective material across the knuckles, with tightly seamed stitching throughout. The palm and fingers are a grippy black leather treated with 3M Scotchgard. A large strap keeps the gloves tightly secured at the wrist, while a bright yellow shock cord at the gauntlet clamps down against the jacket’s cuff. The gauntlet itself opens to a generous 5 inches and can be stretched further if necessary, which is more than enough space for most riders. Each glove has a 1.5-inch-long rubber face shield wiper on the index finger, which was moderately useful in rain and light snow conditions. A large pull loop on the bottom of each gauntlet allows excellent leverage to cinch the gloves on tight.

Check out Rider’s other motorcycle apparel reviews

Inside, a Gore-Tex windproof/waterproof membrane is sandwiched between the outer shell and the soft moisture-wicking “comfort fleece” inner lining, supplemented with generous 3M Thinsulate insulation (200g on the backhand, and 100g on the palm.) Overall construction of these Vietnamese-made gloves is excellent, with no loose threads, blemishes, or defects detected.

Klim Resistor HTD Gauntlet Glove

Power for each glove comes courtesy of a 7.4VDC Atewa Li-Po battery, rated for 2Ah. The 2.1- x 0.5- x 1.8-inch cell slips neatly into a Velcro-sealed pouch within the gauntlet. A small backlit button on the gauntlet allows the rider to turn the glove on, off, and toggle between 3 different heat levels. Holding the button down for 3 seconds turns the power on to the High heat setting as default. (If left there, the setting will automatically step down to Medium heat setting after 10 minutes, to conserve battery life.) Tapping the button allows the rider to select between High (red,) Medium (blue,) and Low (green) settings as necessary, and holding the button down for 3 seconds will turn the gloves off.

Check out our Klim Ai-1 Airbag Vest review

Run time on battery varies according to ambient temperature, but in the low teens (the bulk of my testing regimen,) I was consistently able to get nearly 8 hours on low, nearly 3 hours on medium, and about 1.5 hours on high. (This was all after cycling the batteries a few times.) One can expect more time in warmer ambient temps, and less in colder. An AC-DC charger which handles two cells simultaneously is included.

Out on the road, these gloves were supremely comfortable thanks to their plush, well insulated interiors. Indeed, even unheated, they were warm enough to ride in the high 30s without the heating function activated. In colder conditions with the heating turned on, they reached peak temperatures in about 5 minutes, and were more than a match for sustained rides in the single digits. Likewise, the waterproof claim was verified by submerging them in a bucket full of water for 20 minutes, without a drop leaking inside. Overall, these Klim gloves represent a superlatively functional choice for my fellow polar bears who brave any temperature a sane motorcyclist would dare venture into.

Klim Resistor HTD Gauntlet Gloves retail for $249.99 and are available in sizes XS-3XL.

For more information: See your dealer or visit klim.com

The post Klim Resistor HTD Gauntlet Gloves | Gear Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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Highway 21 Radiant Heated Gloves | Gear Review

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Highway 21 Radiant Heated motorcycle gloves review price

This is the first time I’ve purchased heated gear and only my third time ever using a heated accessory on a motorcycle. That has more to do with the fact that I live in Florida than with me being immune to cold. Here in the Sunshine State we’ve had an unseasonably cold winter, and living so far south, my blood is thin.

Being a compulsive “farkler,” my inclination would be to add heated grips. But I own more than one motorcycle, so that gets complicated and expensive, especially when I won’t use them much. Heated gloves offer more versatility, but which kind: wired or battery-powered? My bikes have pigtails for maintenance chargers, but wired gloves still require being wired to the motorcycle, and they need to be connected to a heated jacket and a controller. Battery-powered gloves are the easiest and cheapest solution, but they don’t provide as much heat for as long as wired gloves, and having a battery embedded in each gauntlet makes them bulky. Life is about trade-offs.

I ordered a pair of Highway 21 Radiant Heated Gloves, which use 7-volt rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to power the heating elements. I opted for size large based on the sizing chart, but they didn’t fit right so I exchanged them for mediums. As winter gloves, the Radiants are thick and bulky due to a layer of 100G Thinsulate thermal lining and a Hipora waterproof membrane. The fingers are pre-curved and I was able to operate the bike’s controls, but not with the same dexterity as with summer gloves.

The gloves’ outer is made of leather, with a double layer at the heel of the palm, a hard knuckle protector, a stretch panel at the wrist and a hook-and-loop closure on the gauntlet. I’d like to see a more robust slider on the palm and the bulky gauntlet is difficult to get over the cuff of my jacket, but I appreciate the compatibility with a smartphone touchscreen. Highway 21 says the Radiants are breathable, but due to their thickness I didn’t really notice much.

Two large buttons on the gauntlet control the three levels of heat, identified with an LED indicator. Felt heat did the job, but it can depend on size so make sure they fit properly. Battery life was 4 hours on low, 3 hours on medium, and 2.5 hours high heat. Overall, the Radiant gloves offer the warmth and versatility I need for a reasonable price. They’re available in sizes XS-4XL for $209.95.

For more information: See your dealer or visit highway21.com

The post Highway 21 Radiant Heated Gloves | Gear Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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Gerbing Gyde S7 heated gloves tested

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Riders in the current cold snap should check out these American Gerbing Gyde S7 Gloves which are heated via two lithium-ion batteries.

These comfortable gauntlet gloves are not cheap at $US249.99 (about $A370) plus postage, but they should keep your hands toasty and dry in the most extreme conditions.

They come with a dual mains charger to charge both batteries at the same time, but it’s an American parallel two-plug connection.Gerbing Gyde S7 heated gloves

You can twist them to Aussie mains 45-degree angles with pliers or use a convertor. It takes about three hours to charge them to 100%.

The Gerbing Gyde 7v lithium-ion batteries slip into zippered pouches on the back of the gauntlet section.Gerbing Gyde S7 heated gloves

With the batteries tucked away discretely, each glove weighs about 250g. That might seem heavy, but once they are on, you don’t notice the weight.

Unlike some other heated gloves, there is no need to plug them into an external power source so there are no messy wires. Gerbing Gyde S7 heated gloves

And because they are electronically heated, they don’t beed to be as thick and cumbersome as a lot of non-heated winter gloves.

Even so, they have Primaloft insulation that is thinner on the palms allowing plenty of feel on the throttle and levers.

Heated elementsGerbing Gyde S7 heated gloves

To operate, plug in the batteries, turn them on, slip them inside the pouch and zip them up.

They are now in standby mode which will last all day long.

You can easily turn the heat on when needed via the big silicone button on the back of the gauntlet.

Press again to turn the heat up and down in three stages represented clearly by green, yellow and red lights.

The hottest (red) setting is 57C (135F) and almost unbearable.

However, it would be most welcome if you happen to be crazy enough to ride in a blizzard.

In the hottest setting, battery time is only two hours, but who rides more than two hours in such conditions?

They will last six hours in the lowest heat setting (green) which is 25% heat and plenty warm enough right down to 5C. Medium setting (yellow) lasts about four hours.

If your hands get too hot, turn them off and the insulation traps and holds the heat for ages, depending on the ambient temperature and your speed which determines the wind-chill factor.

The heating elements are right throughout the gloves, which means on the backs of your hands, the palms and right down to the fingertips.

If you have hand grip warmers on your bike, you simply won’t need to turn them on.

CompositionGerbing Gyde S7 heated gloves

The gloves feel extremely comfortable with a soft, felt liner.

There are two fastening systems at the wrist and end of the gauntlet to make them secure and keep out the cold wind.

They come with handy touch-sensitive pads on the first fingertips of both gloves to use on your GPS or smartphone screens.

The second fingertips and the palms have a grip pad so your hands don’t slip on the bars.

There is also a convenient chamois on the back of the thumbs to wipe your visor.

However, there seems to be no impact nor abrasion protection.

But if you want to stay warm and dry on your ride, they are perfect.Gerbing Gyde S7 heated gloves

I held the gloves under a tap for several minutes and got no water penetration.

Water just beads off the AQUATEX breathable water-resistant membrane.Gerbing Gyde S7 heated gloves

The unisex gloves come in black only in sizes small to XXL with a sizing chart available.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com