I was just reading the latest input from Mr Lonewolf ( and looking at those great pictures ) about his bike trip up the mountains, and despite several layers of clothing he was still freezing ... well Mr Wolf... read on ...
I have recently purchased some heated bike kit and simply wish I had done it ages ago.
KLAN is the make I got ..a waistcoat and a pair of gloves.
The wiring is simplicity its self.. battery.. to lead.. to plug in ... to switch on .. to warm up.
The waistcoat is grey cotton and sits nicely over a thermal base layer. It feels like the wiring from an under floor heating job, probably is ...
Just plug it in and switch on, mind you don't wear it if its not really cold otherwise you feel too hot and wont like it. I have had it on at 0500 hrs on some very cold morning rides along the A3 into London on the dual carriageways on an un faired bike at 80 ish and it has kept me " just right ".
The gloves ? Well very much of the same really .. nice neat rubber plug connecters at the back of the hand and wires up your sleeves ( a bit fiddly but worth it I think ) and the rest is the same. I have the liners, so have purchased a pair of mittens to go over the top ( waterproof ) and they have been so good. The double connecter was an extra £8 or so but enables me to use both at the same time.
As stated I have the liners but I am sure you can buy, other makes do them, the entire glove .. leather and gortex etc either with a little battery on the back of the glove itself or wired in .. I would go for the wiring and then you know you are never going to run out of power and get cold.
Just a thought for all of you out there who brave the cold .... remember .. if you need an excuse ... Father Christmas is coming.
Father Christmas has just bought me an Autocom anything else might be pushing my luck! :'(
I could do with some decent clobber though, its one part of biking I struggle to see the necessity to spend large amounts of cash on but I know I could not be further from the truth. I quite like some of the clothing range BMW do, it seems very good quality but with BMW prices to match.
I'm going for the exo2 (http://www.exo2.co.uk/exo2.html#stormrider).
Its available in a shop in Liverpool so may pop over this weekend
http://www.brmc.co.uk/exo2.htm
NB, your bike is going to end up with that many gadgets on the bike Kawasaki are going to be coming to you for future inspiration. ;D
I think French Biker has that record!
NB .... let me know what the EX o2 is like ... I looked at that myself and it seems to be top drawer stuff.
I have just ridden home from London .. 1 1/2 hours and although obviously bloody cold my heated vest and gloves were just great .. my hands and fingers were fine when I got in .. no more defrosting in the bath !! Strangely enough I didn't see many other bikers out there !! i think the snow is about to reach the south coast. Oh dear !
Biker ware is sooo over priced.
It would be great for some techy dude to post some easy to follow TUTs on how to make your own heated clothing. It's not hard, I just don't know how exactly. I have 75% of the know how :-\
Quote from: Nygie on November 27, 2010, 02:51:44 AM
Biker ware is sooo over priced.
It would be great for some techy dude to post some easy to follow TUTs on how to make your own heated clothing. It's not hard, I just don't know how exactly. I have 75% of the know how :-\
It is expensive and they are catering for a niche market. You'll see some clothing at £800 in the winter and come summer its down to £400 or less and they still make a profit.
You're right, I don't think its rocket science to make your own heated clothing. Its just a question of getting time to experiment
Quote from: Lord Rusty on November 26, 2010, 10:28:45 PM
NB .... let me know what the EX o2 is like ... I looked at that myself and it seems to be top drawer stuff.
I have just ridden home from London .. 1 1/2 hours and although obviously bloody cold my heated vest and gloves were just great .. my hands and fingers were fine when I got in .. no more defrosting in the bath !! Strangely enough I didn't see many other bikers out there !! i think the snow is about to reach the south coast. Oh dear !
My friend has the EX02 and he's the one that's recommended it to me. I'll write a review once I've got one. In fact, may even order today