Triumphrat

webBikeWorld · 01-26-2008

Battery heated clothing has come a long way, but how about socks?

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Gohm · 01-26-2008

that's why I don't use any heated gear. Good regular gear in layers is all you need even during the coldest winter riding.

02redbird · 01-27-2008

really works, and when it doesn't, you know it.

AK955 · 01-27-2008

I just picked up a KLR650 a year and a half ago so I could ride with some buddies on dirt roads. Then I heard about studding up tires to ride on the street during the winter. I did it and it worked great! And I'm NOT talkin about screws or spikes like the ice racers use (been there, done that) because they don't work on pavement.

Anyway, I had to explore and experiment for riding in REALLY cold weather. I'm talkin below 0f here. I suppose the 'ol army surplus style "bunny boots" or some kinda cold weather snowmachine boot would keep your feet warm enough but I prefer a more supportive dual-sport motorcycle boot for when I crash. ATGATT and yes, I ascribe more to the "when" rather than the "if" you're gonna crash way of thinking. Especially in the winter, even tho I made it all thru last winter without crashing once! Amazing, I still can't believe how well the studded tires worked! Yeah, I laid it over a few times goofing around with 360's and such but no "real" crashes or front end washouts.

So anyway, I even found over-sized Sidi Crossfires were too constricting causing my feet ro get cold. Now, I didn't even know Gerbing's made electric socks as no vendors up here want to deal with the goofy company. I'd been wearing an electric vest for years and have had gloves but now prefer heated grips for the hands. But plug in electiric socks?!?! OMG Let me tell you, my feet have never felt so good in all my born days up here in Alaska! Awesome! They're pretty simple construction being only thick wool Wigwam socks that have some wires running thru some pulled loops of yarn. But they work. They also use a coaxial cable for very easy connecting.

If you think you'll be walking much I'd recommend their "Comfort" model that only has the wires on top and sides but none on the bottom of the foot.

I also wouldn't recommend the battery powered socks as they don't get very warm or last very long and each one takes a "D" cell. If you got a lot of money, there are some nice rechargeable sole type inserts that skiers use and they get pretty warm. They run about twice as much as the Gerbing's socks tho.

Works for me. Good luck, Mark H.

zam70 · 01-27-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gohm

that's why I don't use any heated gear. Good regular gear in layers is all you need even during the coldest winter riding.

But how do you layer your hands?
I ride in some colder weather, here in Illinois, it might be 20 in the morning but 70 in the evening...my problem is always my hands (I ride 35 minutes of freeway)
At interstate speeds, even the heated gloves have a hard time...I don't see heated grips helping much since it is the back of my hands that freeze...

Any ideas?

pmedeiros · 01-27-2008

the review about the socks says they haven't found any effective battery heated gloves. I got a pair from Herrington catalog as a Christmas gift this year. My fingers would be in pain after 15 minutes of riding (60 mph in 30 degree or colder weather) The pair of $70 winter riding gloves and $30 liners I'd been using in my oppinion were close to useless.
Now with my new pair of battery heated gloves, no pain. The ride is great. I get about 6 hours of riding time and the batteries are rechargeble. Just by pressing a button on the battery you choose between 3 levels of heat. i don't know who makes the glove but the name on the glove is Venture and there's a red cross on the flap covering the battery. Herrington is also on line.

Silverado57 · 01-28-2008

Unfortunately, the battery-powered gloves are not motorcycle-specific. No armor.

Hippo Hands that cover your grips do a good job of keeping wind off the backs of your hands. A decent windshield can help too.

Bottom line, once it gets much below the freezing mark the risk of ice on the roads overrules my need to ride.

02redbird · 01-28-2008

They look goofy, but they work. I have a pair from an old tiger and used them on a tbird. A little mod mounting but before the electric gloves they helped a bunch.
Are studded tires for bikes legal on the street? They should be.

zaner30 · 01-29-2008

These look just like the socks my Dad and I tried for a late season Giants/Eagles game back in 1993 or so. They didn't work too well then, so I guess sock technology hasn't improved much in 15 years....

Zane

Gootch · 01-29-2008

I had some battery heated socks way back in the mid to late 80s that worked ok. They were the grey wool socks with the red strip on top but also had a D battery holder at the top. There was a heating element that ran under the base of the toes. It tended to drain the battery in about an hour but I usually used them on a 2-hour run; that first hour was very important on keeping the toes unfrozen. I have no idea of the brand. I think I bought them at Yeagers in Bellingham, WA.