looking for feedback on some gear

[SVRACER01]

So im thinking about buying some new gear and im looking for some opinions.

Ill start with some heated gear. Im thinking about a jacket and maybe some glove liners. Not sure if I want to do pants. So far the options ive come up with are as follows:

Gears Canada-- http://www.gearscanada.com/products/...ket-liner.html and http://www.gearscanada.com/products/...ove-liner.html

First Gear-- http://www.firstgear-usa.com/heated_jacket_liner.html and http://www.firstgear-usa.com/heated_glove.html (just looking at the liners (D))

Harley Davidson-- http://motorclothes.harley-davidson....uct/98217-12VM or http://motorclothes.harley-davidson....uct/98230-12VW


Im also thinking about replacing my riding gear for something a little more “flexible”.

Icon-- http://www.rideicon.com/products/?productGroupId=153 and http://www.rideicon.com/products/?productGroupId=250

Firstgear-- http://www.firstgear-usa.com/kat.html and http://www.firstgear-usa.com/kat_pants.html or http://www.firstgear-usa.com/tpg_escape.html

Tourmaster-- http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/prod...ctid=272&cat=3

Alpinestars--I haven’t been able to sift through ALL of the stuff that they offer but just a quick browse has brought up: http://www.alpinestars.com/shop/cate...rystar-jacket/ and http://www.alpinestars.com/shop/cate...drystar-pants/ or http://www.alpinestars.com/shop/cate...re-tex-jacket/ and http://www.alpinestars.com/shop/cate...gore-tex-pant/

[Rossco]

I don't own any heated gear, but I have been very happy with every firstgear product I've ever bought.

The d30 armor is awesome, it feels sturdy yet is comfortable. I don't have the TPG or the Kat, but I do have the Kilimanjaro and it's awesome.

[dankatz]

I think one thing to decide is what is your budget for jacket and pants. As for heated gear, Gerbing (http://gerbing.com/) has been around and stands by their products. I have a jacket liner (not used often) and gloves (used more often) that are indispensable when temps go below 35. If you are not too particular about having the latest styles, shop around for last years models and you can save quite a bit. For example http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street...le_jacket.html is a terrific jacket

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Well I know the harley stuff will be overpiced and unreliable, but you're a guy who uses chain lube from a company that makes belt-drive bikes, so who knows how you make your purchasing choices. ;-)

[fineout]

I'd second gerbings, I have the older versions and the new "microwire" ones. The new ones are AWESOME, they heat up really fast, and they get really warm too. The older ones are good too..but the new microwire ones are without a doubt worth the money.

[Puppet]

I didn't look at all the links you included, but I'll give you some general feedback from personal experience, from what I can see in the URL titles.

The Gears Canada stuff is junk. It's all knockoff and I hear it doesn't hold up very well. I've worked a bunch of Canadian bike shows over the past few years and talked to our customers about it. What I've seen more pertains to their luggage, but I can't imagine the gear takes a magic jump up.

A* drystar stuff is pretty sweet. I have one of the jackets from a few years back and not a lick of water (or air for that matter) gets in. Been a great winter jacket. Would have the pants too if they fit me properly. I've heard great things about the gore tex stuff as well. This was the jacket I bough when we moved to Seattle.

Gerbings kicks absolute ass for heated gear. The new micro wire stuff is sweet. They stand behind it and they've shifted all production back into the US...if that stuff matters to you

Check out the Macna gear from TwistedThrottle.com depending on your budget for outer ware (c'mon, you knew I had to pitch it). Talk to Gino for an eval from a non-twisted affiliated source. He picked some up before his trip to Washington a few weeks ago. Now I think about it, I haven't even heard his feedback...Gene, let me know what you thought!

[oVTo]

Not on your list, but I've been using a Warm 'n Safe jacket liner for years and I'm very happy with it.

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (HTC EVO "DROID" )

Well I know the harley stuff will be overpiced and unreliable, but you're a guy who uses chain lube from a company that makes belt-drive bikes, so who knows how you make your purchasing choices. ;-)

Harley heated gear is made by gerbings that's why I listed it. Since I work at a hd dealer I would obviously not be paying full retail although the price difference is only $10 more because it says hd on it.
And HDs didn't always have belts degsy.

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Just busting your balls. Harley sell some very high end clothing. Their rain suits are the bomb.

Gerbing is my choice for heated gear.

[nhbubba]

I haven't owned any of that gear, yet feel like throwing an opinion out there.

Some of that stuff looks great, especially the icon gear. Looks more like skiing/boarding stuff than MC gear (which is a good thing). Looks comfortable and functional.

But I wonder how good it is when it hits the pavement? A lot of that gear seems to be unspecified nylon. They don't even give the cordura weights on much of it.

I bought a Joe Rocket Atomic jacket a few years back. It is claimed to be 100% waterproof thanks to its 600 weight cordura shell. It wasn't. I mean it was good, but not great. The cheap poly over suit I have now is way better. Also the fabric near a seam failed after barely 1.5 seasons of light use. I always wonder what the jacket would look like if I went down in it.

That First Gear jacket dankatz linked looks better to me as it has kevlar reinforced panels in some key areas.

Most of my closet is now Tour Master or Cortech. I like their stuff so much better than the JR jacket that is falling apart I can't even begin to explain.
I hear that First Gear is on the same tier. My opinion from afar is that Icon is kind of in the same boat as JR... which makes me hesitant.

If you do get some of their stuff and find it to be solid, please post back up and set me straight.

[oVTo]

For heated gear, there's a company Mobile Warming that makes gear with rechargeable Li-on battery packs. They claim up 10 hours of heat from one charge @ 25% power, which is 90 deg surface temp. The biggest pita with most electrics is the plugging/unplugging, plus this stuff can be used anywhere - skiing, a football game, wherever. If I was replacing electric gear I'd at least check the stuff out. I can't say whether it is good or bad quality but I like the portability. Motorcyclegear.com is selling it, and I have had great experiences buying gear from them in the best. Link

[Falko]

Normal gear, I've been buying Dainese on clearance when I can get it. Can't really be happier. But my tourmaster over pants have been in service for 8+ years and can't rag on them. I also have a summer meshy Alpinestars jacket I bought used and wear that alot in the heat, it's showing some wear but has held up well. I find when you are buying slightly pricier gear, it isn't really what you see at first but over time with the hardware like zippers and snaps and such. I like to think that translates down to good materials and construction god forbid you ever need it to do its job.

[nhbubba]

Anyone used battery op heated gear? I can't imagine that is worth it. Plugging in a cord doesn't seem like that much of an inconvenience. I've seen several of you guys pull up to a group ride with the coords. Even on a sport-bike, it doesn't seem like a problem. Way simpler than worrying about batteries.

[xxaarraa]

Here is my opinion if it matters. When it comes to heated gear, "you buy cheap and you buy twice" very much holds true. I would recommend going straight to Gerbing and getting the real deal. Heated clothing that doesn't quite heat exactly the way you want it is a total waste of money and makes riding more cumbursome. Things I like about my Gerbing gear:

1. Microwire - as pointed out, it heats up in seconds and stays very warm.
2. Design - jacket liner plugs into gloves, pant liners plug into sock liners. The whole outfit is seamless and you don't feel any wires or even know they are there.
3. Temperature controllers - you will want the dual temperature controller. You may start without it, but eventually you will need it, especially if you have more than one piece of heated gear. It is very useful to moderate how much juice you are pulling off the alternator with all the different pieces of heated clothing you have on.
4. Choice. There are many types of gloves, vests, jacket liners, pants etc. to choose from. I have the Nubuck gloves, jacket liner, pants liner and will soon be getting their sock liners. Their stuff keeps you relatively warm even without plugging in and many times, I use them as just liners with no juice flowing through.

Good heated gear is a good investment in my opinion. It opens up the riding season a month ahead of time and lets you ride a month after everyone has stopped. Two extra months is priceless for some people.

[Garandman]

I'd second gerbings, I have the older versions and the new "microwire" ones. The new ones are AWESOME, they heat up really fast, and they get really warm too. The older ones are good too..but the new microwire ones are without a doubt worth the money.

+1.

I do have a First Gear controller, they're compable with each other.

Buy the jacket, not the vest. I wear insulated pants and prefer heated grips to gloves.

[nhbubba]

The electric jackets have a wind proof nylon shell, right? This means they'd buy me a couple extra months in that really nice perforated leather jacket I have, right?

I find that is half the battle: cutting the wind. I find tossing the bottoms of my 2-piece rain gear in the AM is often enough to get me out the door on those colder early/late season rides. Once it warms up you peel them off and get your ventilation back.

[SVRACER01]

ill probably end up getting the HD/gerbings gear.
still not sure what to get for riding gear, i think the tourmaster may be out though.
they are all so close in features and price...makes it tough.

[SVRACER01]

Check out the Macna gear from TwistedThrottle.com depending on your budget for outer ware

i checked out the macna stuff. it looks like good stuff. the price point is good. not sure if it has all the features im looking for but i am in the market for some luggage. i might have to make a trip down to RI and check it out in person.
sucks that theres a pic of a 690SM on the web page but no parts for it....

[KnuckleBallz]

I'd stay away from Tourmaster. Had a cortech backpack last year- came apart at the seams mid summer. Bought tourmaster saddlebags this year & the handle came off on the second use. Their gloves seem fine, but I've only had them about a month.

They're pretty good about accepting returns though, I'll give them that.

[nhbubba]

Have you looked at Olympia. motorcyclecloseouts.com has a bunch of their gear for a lot off. The Phantom 1-piece suit has my eye. $300. Wifey points out I don't need it.

[oVTo]

Have you looked at Olympia. motorcyclecloseouts.com has a bunch of their gear for a lot off. The Phantom 1-piece suit has my eye. $300. Wifey points out I don't need it.

I have a Firstgear jacket and pants that I like a lot, but that Phantom suit is an smokin deal. I don't need it either, but I wish I did. I had a Motoport jacket (they became Olympia) for years and it was an excellent jacket.

[nhbubba]

Motoport became Olympia? Since when?

http://www.motoport.com/
http://olympiamotosports.com/


Having a hard time not placing an order for that suit. That is exactly what I wanted to buy (next year) for commuting.

[oVTo]

Motoport became Olympia? Since when?

http://www.motoport.com/
http://olympiamotosports.com/


Having a hard time not placing an order for that suit. That is exactly what I wanted to buy (next year) for commuting.

Yeah, my bad. Motoport started as a company named Difi in 1965, and went global with the name Motoport in 1987 ('88 in the U.S.). It might have been that transition I was thinking of, but it has nothing to do with Olympia. I agree about the suit. If I wasn't so happy with my Firstgear stuff, one of those Olympia Suits would be in the mail.

[nt650hawk]

Ah yes.
Bri wish I had time to write a proper write up.
my gear.
Scorpion commander jacket (Can get for around $150 on closeout)
macna Alpine pants
Tour master heated liner. (Is Scotty still trying to sell his?)
tourmaster heated gloves.
tourmaster Tour Master Solution Boot I got for $30
aerostitch glove rain covers


All day rain in Washington on Saturday. Only real rain they had in 91 days I was told and I found every piece of it. Touring around on the BMW R1200GS with the little fairing up front and bark buster bars to brake the wind and rain.

What got wet? My feet were soggy and my hands were absolutely soaked.

Why were the hands soaked. With the angle of my arms (Downward) the water obviously goes down the arm thus back filling the areostitch liner with water. I go to a point where I just took off the liner and rode with my Kobe Leather gloves and let them drip. The other thing that got wet because of this action was my forearms. I was wearing underarmor winter layer and the tourmaster heated liners and it was wicking the water up my forearm.

Now to resolve the hand and forearm wetness. I Believe that Macna has a Jacket to glove combination that eliminates the water rundown into the hand by having a small gauntlet area at the cuff so the jacket rain liner goes over the cuff so the water does not roll down into the glove.


Overall the rest was absolutely dry. My head to my elbow and to my ankles were absolutely dry. I love the weather collar on the Scorpion. This fits right under the chin part of the helmet and keeps the wind and water from even touching you. My neck and chest were absolutely dry. The Scorpion jacket and rain liner each overlap themselves to eliminate the possibility of wind sneaking thru the zipper seams. 1 overlap is good 2 is definitely the cat’s meow.


Pants
I have the tourmaster overpants with the insulation and have great success with them until it rained out. If I knew it was going to rain out I would wear an EMS or Marmot rain pants. I would tend to stay dry by my butt/ crotch would always get damp. Hence me taking the trip to TW after talking to Jeanine and Brian.

The Macna Alpine pants. I was ultimately looking for a water proof, insulated, overpant. I ended up with the water proof, insulated, pant. The over pant Macna offers is not insulated but waterproof. Knowing I will ride in 10 degree weather I felt I needed the insulation that could easily zip to for the warmer weather and I can squeeze in my dress pants with no problem. Just have to run the underwear in the winter time. I was weary of my but getting wet based on past experiences. After this Washington trip. That $ I spent was worth it! Completely Dry. It comes with suspenders and is a 3 layer system. Shell, Rain liner and insulation.

[SVRACER01]

found some nice stuff in the new KTM power wear catalog:
http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/ac.../accessories12
http://www.ktmworld.com/products/467...ktm-rally.aspx
http://www.ktmworld.com/products/467...adventure.aspx