I've decided I'm going back to commuting year round on the bike and I'm trying to be smart about it.In the past I always got by with layering flannels,hoodies or lined flannels under leather and or rain suit over when it's wet.I leave for work at around 5:00 AM when temps occasionally dip into the thirty's and come back in the afternoon when it's much warmer. It's about a 30min ride and in the past " layering" has kept me alive but not really comfortable.I've also never had a fully faired motorcycle before.I don't plan on any long trips in the winter do you think it's worth it to get heated clothing for a thirty min ride?Also can the Gerbing heated vest or jacket be plugged into my 2013 Limited without adding additional wiring? it looks like there's an accessory plug on the right hand side of the bike.Would would fork mounted wind deflectors and a tall windshield be a better investment? Maybe I'm over thinking this I bought my rain suit before it started raining maybe get the heated vest before it gets below freezing.

 

I bought a heated jacket liner two seasons ago. One of the best investments I've made ! Make sure if you do, you also get the adjustable controller, as they do get quite warm. Also I do believe you will need to add the pigtail to the battery as it is a different plug

 

I have Gerbing but have had to send it back twice under warranty for repairs. Warranty service was excellent. From the reviews I have read Powerlet is currently the best due to a better plug design (Gerbings plugs are their weak point) and Infared heating technology but they are slightly more expensive than Gerbings. A dual channel temp controller is best if you think you may add heated gloves down the road. You'll roast/burn without a temp controller. Skip heated vests as they are not nearly as effective as heated jacket liners in the cold. Jack liners need to fit tight over just a long sleeve T shirt to transfer heat efficiently, too large is bad.

 

I bought Gerbing jacket liner and gloves 7 years ago. They allow me to ride when I probably wouldn't otherwise. They were expensive but they guarantee them for life so shy away from HD brand for that reason. I had a problem last winter and Gerbing sent me new gloves. I couldn't be happier. My only complaint (and it applies to many devices) is that the cords are plastic and as such stiff. I think for the price difference they could make more flexible cords.

 

Love my Gerbings. I have jacket liner, original heated gloves and dual controller. Last New Years on the annual "I don't care what the weather is ride", it was in the 20s in the morning warming up to 38F in the heat of the day. I decided to not ride the Road King with windshield, lowers etc and took my sporty. No shield, no hwy bars hence no lowers. I plugged my jacket liner and gloves into the battery tender plug. I rode all day and I was the only one when we stopped that was warm and comfortable while everyone else was just short of miserable. Frozen hands being the worse. I actually had no need to stop to warm up. I had a fleece balacava and a helmet with a face shield. Neoprene boots with wool socks and leather over pants over my jeans.

As for Gerbings, I personally will stick with the brand. I got my gloves in 2005 and the heated jacket liner very shortly thereafter. With the jacket liner, I wear a very thin fleece over the liner and them my leather jacket. It is really nice to be able to ride lightly layered and still be toasty warm.

You need a variable controller. It would have to be - 40F and me going 70 mph to need it at full heat. You can cook yourself like a lobster. Without the variable controller, you end up flipping it on and off. So much more comfortable to set it and maybe later in the day when if gets above 35, adjust it down a notch, then as you ride home nearing dark, crank it up a bit.

I support Gerbings because that is what I have, but if the support and warranty was as good from another brand and I was just starting out, I might give them a try. Gerbings makes H-D brand. At the time that mattered to me as it spoke to the quality and the warranty. I did not buy H-D brand as I got mine at Eagle Leather, but it was good to know that H-D used the brand as their private label as well.

 

Gerbing jacket liner and gloves here. They can make a bundle up until you feel like the Michelin man ride so much more comfortable and maybe even enjoyable. If they're within budget constraints,I'd say go for it. The dual controller will let you control jacket temp. and gloves separately.

 

YES, absolutely Gerbing's. I have their T5 gloves and boot liners. I have insulated chaps & a super-warm ski jacket so, that's all I needed to ride through the winter. Last year one of the gloves stopped heating. I contacted them, sent them back, and they were repaired & returned within 2 weeks - lifetime warranty. Well worth the money, IMO. Definitely get a dual controller.

 

I bought Gerbing jacket liner and gloves last year after my old vest blew out of the saddlebag. Not very happy with them. The gloves never have really gotten very warm and the liner has hot spots plus it has burned the fabric on the sleeves. Heard there was a recall on the liner? Need to send them both back before it really starts cooling off. But yeah, good heated gear is fantastic!

 

Best stuff I've ever bought for the bike.

 

I have the H-D heated vest and the H-D heated jacket liner and use both (usually not at the same time) depending on the weather and the ride. Best money I ever spent on riding apparel. Picked up the jacket liner on the forum classifieds.