Gerbing microwire comparison

[gblawler]

I have an F650GS Dakar. Rode 10 hours last weekend to Return to Shilou rally and started thinking about heated clothing on the early morning side of both the to and from trips. My BMW dealer has a 40% off clearance sale on the pre-microwire Gerbing jacket liners. The Gerbing ads highlight the advantages of 1) can't feel the wire, 2) harder to break, and 3) warms up faster (seems I read 8 seconds somewhere). I am wondering how fast the pre-microwire jacket liners and glove liners warm up by comparison. I would be willing to pay the extra for the microwire if they are really a lot better than the old technology. On the other hand, if there is not much difference, I'd like to save the 40%.

Has anyone tried both the old and new jacket liners and / or glove liners who can give me a first hand comparison?

 

[hojoinsc]

Sorry, I haven't tried the new technology, but my old technology jacket warms up VERY fast, no real need to get it warm any faster, I always tell non-riders that I get warm on my bike faster than they do in their cage.

That being said, I would add a good reason to get the new one would be for the less current draw on a bike with a smaller alternator. The problem I see on smaller bikes is when you come to a stop sign and watch the digital voltmeter drop waaayyy down while your waiting for the red light to change.

 

[dancogan]

...That being said, I would add a good reason to get the new one would be for the less current draw on a bike with a smaller alternator. The problem I see on smaller bikes is when you come to a stop sign and watch the digital voltmeter drop waaayyy down while your waiting for the red light to change.

Do you know that the new Gerbings clothing draws less current than the old? Last time I checked their website I couldnt' find specs on the new stuff. I'd really like to know if you found that information. Thanks.

 

[glwestcott]

I have an F650GS Dakar. Rode 10 hours last weekend to Return to Shilou rally and started thinking about heated clothing on the early morning side of both the to and from trips. My BMW dealer has a 40% off clearance sale on the pre-microwire Gerbing jacket liners. The Gerbing ads highlight the advantages of 1) can't feel the wire, 2) harder to break, and 3) warms up faster (seems I read 8 seconds somewhere). I am wondering how fast the pre-microwire jacket liners and glove liners warm up by comparison. I would be willing to pay the extra for the microwire if they are really a lot better than the old technology. On the other hand, if there is not much difference, I'd like to save the 40%.

Has anyone tried both the old and new jacket liners and / or glove liners who can give me a first hand comparison?

Haven't tried the new, but the old Gerbing jacket I bought last Fall is fantastic. I can ride in freezing weather feeling warm and toasty. Interestingly, with the sleeves heated since its a jacket and not a vest, it seems like my hands stay warm without need for the grip heaters. This was true last winter one day in 33 degree rain even though my gloves were soaked. I have it hooked up through a fused tap direct to the battery. Also, it seems to heat up plenty rapidly.

 

[MLS2GO]

New Gerbing Glove

I bought the new microwire glove from Gerbing this weekend at the Falling Leaf Rally. I boughtthe new T5
http://www.gerbing.com/Products/Gloves/T5.html

It has more comfortable than my old Gerbing Gloves because you can not feel the wires. The seller thought they drew the same amps as the old ones. I rode home today to KC from Potosi MO using them and they felt fine. They are $30 more than the G3's and more flexible out of the box.

I am still using my old liner so I can't help there.

 

[GREGFUESS]

I have the older style Gerbing jacket and pants liner, and have only appreciation for them. Heat comes on without noticing a need for increased heating speed. I do not feel discomfort from the wires. A good product that I am not considering upgrading.

Greg

 

[12907]

For 40% off I'd go with the old tech. I have the old style insulated jacket liner and love it. Once you ride with electric clothing you'll ask yourself "why did i wait so long??" I live in NJ and ride 12 months, won't think twice about going for a ride when it's 20. People look at me like I'm crazy. I have no experience with the new stuff and I'm sure it will work every bit as good as the old, but a 40% discount is a nice piece of change. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

 

[kgadley01]

We just bought our heated gear last March. I've only wore my jacket liner once,and it heated up quickly. I would save the 40% on the older style. they have been keeping riders warm for years....

 

[KPINVT]

I have an F650GS Dakar. Rode 10 hours last weekend to Return to Shilou rally and started thinking about heated clothing on the early morning side of both the to and from trips. My BMW dealer has a 40% off clearance sale on the pre-microwire Gerbing jacket liners. The Gerbing ads highlight the advantages of 1) can't feel the wire, 2) harder to break, and 3) warms up faster (seems I read 8 seconds somewhere). I am wondering how fast the pre-microwire jacket liners and glove liners warm up by comparison. I would be willing to pay the extra for the microwire if they are really a lot better than the old technology. On the other hand, if there is not much difference, I'd like to save the 40%.

Has anyone tried both the old and new jacket liners and / or glove liners who can give me a first hand comparison?

I only have the old style that I bought here:

www.heatedclothingoutlet.com

I have the jacket liner, pants liners and glove liners, they work great. Waiting 30 seconds for them to heat up is no hardship for me.

 

[TALLPAULS]

I cannot answer for the new style, but I've used the old style for several years and have been 100% satisfied...
jacket liner: Gerbing's Heated Jacket Liner (6.4 amps/77 watts), gloves (2.2 amps/27 watts), socks (2.2 Amps/27 watts), and Pant Liner (3.6 amps/44 watts).
I have always had plenty of power on my 07RT to run all my electrical needs: heated clothing, seats, grips; gps; cell phone

Yesterday I rode in 29??F weather and the jacket/pant liners kept me quite warm. I also carry the socks and gloves, but haven't found much use for them unless the temp gets below 20??F.

 

[hojoinsc]

Do you know that the new Gerbings clothing draws less current than the old? Last time I checked their website I couldnt' find specs on the new stuff. I'd really like to know if you found that information. Thanks.

Perhaps I was misinformed, this is what I heard by way of mouth. I emailed Gerbing over a week ago and never heard back from them.

 

[nevada72]

I have the new microwire jacket liner. Yeah - it's great. But at 40% off I would definitely buy the old stuff which is the standard.

As far as 8 second warm up - Maybe you feel the 1st sensation of warmth somewhere (in my case the collar), but the entire jacket takes about 30 seconds or more (probably more - haven't timed it) to get up to temp.

I have the non microwire G3s. I think there would be a significant improvement having the microwire technology in the gloves. I can definitely feel the wires. Not too bad, but still there. I would hold out for those and pay the extra $$. The old tech G3s are, for the most part, pretty warm. But frankly, I feel they could be warmer. Also, they don't seem to be warm enough in the thumb area for me.

For me the very best thing about Gerbings is the totally custom fit. I'm a medium/large with 38 sleeve length. Not to many manufacturers cover that size.

 

[tommcgee]

Do you know that the new Gerbings clothing draws less current than the old? Last time I checked their website I couldnt' find specs on the new stuff. I'd really like to know if you found that information. Thanks.

Both old and new Gerbings jacket liners draw 77 watts. The advantages of the microwire have nothing to do with power savings.

New: http://www.gerbing.com/Products/Liners/heatedJacketLiner.html

I don't have a link for the old, but I do have an old liner and know the specs for it since I don't have unlimited power on my bike.

 

[dancogan]

Both old and new Gerbings jacket liners draw 77 watts. The advantages of the microwire have nothing to do with power savings.

New: http://www.gerbing.com/Products/Liners/heatedJacketLiner.html

I don't have a link for the old, but I do have an old liner and know the specs for it since I don't have unlimited power on my bike.

My situation exactly, Tom. I thought they both might draw the same amount of power. They use the same technology, just different kind of wire. And the old style works awfully well. I've never felt the wires caused any problem or discomfort of any kind.

 

[LRider]

I as well have the old liner and the new gloves. I find the heat dispersion a little more even with the new technology, but probably not enough to pass up a huge discount!

 

[pfiedler]

New Gerbing's (microwire)

Just bought a jacket liner and gloves yesterday from Max's in North Hampton, NH. The jacket draws 77w or 6.42 amps and the gloves pull 22w or 1.83 amps for a total draw on the system of 8.25 amps. Put a 10 amp blade fuse in the wiring harness and you should be good to go. (You of course carry comprehensive insurance on your bike right?)

I plan to run the Gerbing harness back to my Centac AP-1 and tap a 10 amp circuit. Unfortunately some other BMW snob picked up the LAST dual controller Max's had just as I was reaching for it! Rose assures me that she will have a controller to me by end of this week so next weekend won't be a bust or at least really cold.

The jacket and gloves have the new microwire system. You can't feel the wires in either article, but I haven't yet had a chance to fire them up to see how quickly they get warm. I'm told the heat time is almost instantaneous.

Very, very well made gear and I'm excited to test them out. I plan to ride with a thermoshirt under the heated jacket liner under my regular riding jacket to also include a balaclava under my helmet. Since the K12GT's fairing is generally very good at blocking wind, plus I ride with an Aeroflow windshield and fairing guards, I'm going to go with just regular thinsulate liners in my pants and turn on the heated Sargent seat and see how that works.

I'll try and add another thread to the forum once all is hooked up and ready for cooking and I've ventured outside the garage to see how it all comes together. Can't wait!

Please ride safely!

Peter

 

[mark from maine]

GBLAWLER, could you tell us where Gerbings is available for 40% off? All I can find is gerbings for 20% off. $200 jacket at 40% off is $120 and a $200 jacket at 20% off is $160.

Thanks,
mark

 

[FredRydr]

Since I have a lifetime warranty on my jacket, I wonder if I will ever buy the new version.

Fred

 

[newstar]

On our return home from West Virginia this past Friday, all I can say is THANK YOU, MR. GERBING!!! My jacket and socks were the only thing that made 300+ miles in rain and snow bearable.

This thread is timely as I am now considering pants and gloves. Are the old styles and new styles compatible with one another? Also, are they no longer making socks? My husband's one sock seems to be malfunctioning. We were surfing the Gerbing website and couldn't find them offered anywhere.

 

[ichavis]

Picked up a new Gerlbings jacket liner and G3 gloves at Cliff's in CT Saturday. I got to use them this morning on the way to work...below 30 and was warm and toasty. I wanted to get the T5 gloves but they were out of stock and i was told the G3's are less bulky than the T3's. Did notice they gloves were a little stiff so im hoping they break in a bit....Jacket liner fit well, i went slightly larger because the medium was a bit tight in the shoulders, so i got a med/large, so the jacket is slightly bulky in some areas. Its not way large so it should be fine. I was told they should fit snugly but the smaller size was way too confining. i need to figure out a good spot to keep the controller clipped on. Anyway, im a happy warm rider now.