Gone Wireless!

Don't ask why I waited this long to setup a FirstGear Wireless Heat Troller on my 08 FXDL. I'm just glad I did. You still have to have wires in your pocket, but it isn't nearly as bad. Is anyone else using heated gear? I'm currently just running heated sock liners and glove liners from Firstgear. You can find those items being sold by following the link to the heat troller above.

Anyways with this winter not having any end in sight and 5 inches of snow coming tomorrow, this wireless troller will just make things simpler. 

Winter Blues

No matter how much gear you pile on, or even if you have heated gear, winter just gives us all the blues. Us motorcyclists that is. For the few like myself that will ride year around except for when that snow falls, it really isn't a big deal. Nonetheless, who wouldn't prefer to ride on a 70 degree day over a 30 below day and that doesn't include the wind chill.

Icy lakes, icy road ways, and not to mention "the salt, the salt, the God Damn Salt". (Yes I went there and referenced Jimmy Buffet) Anyways you get the point, it's just flat out cold. Company no matter the temps always makes a road trip that much better. I'm fortunate to have folks around me that also ride during the winter months. Perhaps we are just crazy, perhaps we are just stupid but no matter what riding is therapy. It helps to cope with the winter blues. Plus I think being in the cold burns calories, which my waist line doesn't mind at all. ha!

Well friends I sure hope that damn ground hog doesn't see his shadow and cast on us 6 more weeks of this crap come Feb. 2nd. If it turns out to be the case, then we'll just take it for what it's worth and hope we see a 40 degree day filled with sunshine in between the colder more gloomier days. Fingers crossed for an early spring! 

Let's here from you now: How do you feel about the winter months in your neck of the woods as a motorcyclist? Winter Blues? PMS (parked motorcycle syndrome)? 

Firstgear Heated Gear Review

A couple weeks ago I had the privilege of trying out the Firstgear heated gear line. I have to say it was a love hate relationship. Here's what I used before I go any further:

• Women's Heated Waterproof-Breathable Jacket
• Heated Pant Liner
• Heated Socks (actually made by Warm&Safe)
• Glove Liners (I believe are also made by Warm&Safe)
• Heat-Troller (made by Warm&Safe)

As you can see I was prepared for a snow storm. Well, at least for a very chilly ride in the 30s down the Atlantic coast from PA to NC. I had tested the jacket with the glove liners a day before my trip to make sure all worked well. The following day I tested the pants and the socks, again all was well. When I started on my journey to North Carolina. I was approaching Dover, DE when the temperature began to drop. I hit the on button and WALLA.....nothing! Nothing at all! I realized the heat-troller I had didn't have enough wattage to run the whole darn suit. I was beyond pissed at that point. At the same time, as cold as I was, I really wasn't. 

(My eyes were closed, but here's a pic of the jacket)

Turns out the gear, even though not advertised, does help with wind protection. I honestly was amazed. When I pulled over to get some gas, I ended up disconnecting the bottom later and just keeping my core warm. Little did I know the jacket would become severally uncomfortable. There is heat around the collar and honestly there really doesn't need to be heat around the collar. I felt like I was going to burn my neck. The heat was so bad I ended up pulling over again and connect the bottom half instead. Boy was I a fool for that one! The pants in the thigh area were getting so freaking hot that it literally felt like someone was searing my leg with branding iron. I think if I had left the pants on I would have had third degree burns. The socks and the gloves were really the best part of the suit. The jacket being worn as a stand alone waterproof light weight riding jacket is pretty awesome too. Just not with the heat. Also, the wires, oh man the wires! There were so many wires in the jacket that they basically took up one pocket. Even in the pants the wires were annoying. The gloves and socks had a different type of technology. Seriously Firstgear or Warm&Safe (which ever you are) you need to work on the technology. Honestly, I would only recommend the glove liners.
What brand do you use? Love/hate? Let's here what you have to say about heated gear?