Biketech heated under jacket

[sickpup]

It was cold on Friday, very cold. I'd spent the afternoon riding around town then come 7pm went off to Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and then off to South Wales for a finish at 2am. In total I rode for just over 13 hours and around 300miles. From about 8pm temperatures were below zero, at Membury services the puddles were frozen solid. Add windchill factor from driving at around 70-80mph and we are talking -12+ effective.
By the time I got to South Wales I was frozen, probably an hour or two short of hypothermia. My neck and jaw were numb and frozen. Considering I was wearing 6 layers on my top half and 5 on my bottom it wasn't due to lack of equipment but sheer low temperatures and windchill.

Over the weekend while I was recovering Lozzy (quite rightly) came to the decision that I have to get heated clothing so yesterday I placed an order for a Biketek heated under jacket which turned up today.

The jacket needs to be a tight fit so appears tight for it's size but this is correct. It uses carbon fibre heating elements that are so flexible that you don't notice them at all, in fact what you do notice is the cabling as it's a bit on the bulky side but at least you know it's going to stay in one piece rather than fall apart. There are wires to connect up to the heated gloves and trousers that are also available in the range, the cables for the gloves fit into zipped pockets on the arms which do add bulk but were ok under my Bering coat and the cable for the trousers just hangs with the main power cable. There's a control box that hangs down and straps to your left leg. It has big rubber buttons so easy to use with gloves on and rubber covered LEDs in different colours so you can see which of 3 heat settings you have the jacket set to. The controller will also control the trousers and gloves if they are all connected up together. It also has a two year warranty so should last well hopefully.

Now I didn't work today as I was doing work on the bike and trying to arrange an extended warranty (dismal failure) so I took a little ride late this afternoon to test it out. Now I only went 3 or so miles wearing a thermal long sleeve top, the heated under jacket and my Bering coat and I was amazed. On the lowest heat setting it was hot and heated up within a couple of minutes. On medium it was really hot getting to be uncomfortable and the highest setting was too hot. Keep in mind the temp was 7degrees in London today so not freezing but hardly warm, raining which tends to leach the heat out of you but I would have been quite happy to go along a motorway in what little I was wearing.

I think if you do a lot of motorway work on your commute this piece of kit could well be a life saver to you and for others it would just make the day to day running about in the cold that bit (huge bit) more comfortable. Considerably better than heated grips as it heats your core rather than just an extremity yet the suggested retail is only a little over double the price of a set of Oxford heated grips. Well worth the money.

[benvanwell]

Thanks for the recommendation. Any suggestions on retailers; I can only see these going for about ?150 online....
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Currently Riding: Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous: GSF600s, GS500, BMW F45, CG125

[sickpup]

I can get hold of them but you are unlikely to get them cheap anywhere now.

To put it in perspective trade price on these including delivery is ?111.55 and they are being sold with free postage at ?149.99 o there is very little money made on them for the investment ?38.45 without taking out the postage to customer cost.

If you want cheaper gear I recommend having a look at Gerbing clothing as most dealers are getting rid of it cheap in favour of the Biketek stuff. Try Riderz.co.uk.

[chris-red]

I haven't rode as long as you but regulary ride in those temparates and I never get cold in my body. I only start to feel the cold in my legs face and hands. Feet and body are fine, I usually wear my Triumph jacket and a t shirt, that jacket is amazingly warm, cold just doesn't get through it.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[benvanwell]

I wasn't looking for the cheapest, but figured that if I could get this stuff cheaper then why not. I've heard mixed reviews on the Gerbing stuff though, so wasn't sure whether it was worth it or not. Some people love it but then I've also heard others complaining. Even riderz.co.uk says "After much experience and testing we've found the BikeTek heated clothing range to be more effective more user friendly and of a higher quality construction".

I barely feel the cold (although I'm rarely doing long rides in those sorts of temperatures) when properly prepared; the pillion however is regularly wanting to stop to warm up. I know it's often a girl thing about being cold, but I've never know anyone who gets cold so easily. Getting something like this could be the single investment that makes longer journeys and touring a possibility in anything other than warm sunshine!
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Currently Riding: Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous: GSF600s, GS500, BMW F45, CG125

[sickpup]

[lozzypop1]