The Yamaha Road Star Warrior Forum

I've done the search on the site for this discussion and most of the posts are several years old.  I know equipment has improved since then.  I'm looking to extend the riding season this year and would like to be able to pull the bike out on those sunny, dry days with temps in the 20-30F range.  Based on the research I've done on the internet the glove option and the grip option will both run around $250 (yikes) so I really don't want to do both and I want to get it right the first time.  I am especially interested in hearing anybodys' experience with the battery powered Gerbing Hybrid gloves (or the Harley knock offs).

Grips: Pro-can't forget to bring them; good to have even later in season for early morning starts and mountain top rides. Con-only heat the bottom of your hands so hands still get cold on top.

Gloves: Pro-warm whole hand. Con-can leave them at home; have to deal with wiring (unless battery option is viable).

Any thoughts, specific brands or stores bought at greatly appreciated.

+1 one wanting to know.

 I too have been wanting to know about heated grips. Only thing that gets cold for me is my hands. I have enough insulation to keep warm.hahaha

-Z

I have used heated grips on snowmachines and ATVs.   I have tried several different aftermarket heated grips.  I have never been pleased with the aftermarket grips.  They get warm, but not warm enough.  The factory heated grips on my snowmachines can get too damned hot but, as you said, they're only good for one side of the hand.   I went with a Widder vest and gloves for the bike ride into work.  I had 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.  I used the vest and gloves most days when the temp in the morning was in the 30s.  The vest was GREAT.  It keeps your core warm so the body won't shut down or slow down circulation to the limbs.  The gloves, as you said, kept the whole hand warm.  Riding at 80 mph I had to turn down the thermostat cuz I didn't need all the heat.  The end of this week I am taking off on a ride to Maine and Canada.  My Wing has heated grips.  I have no idea how good they are though.  Regardless,  I am taking the vest and gloves with me in case the temps drop a bunch.  On a bike I will always choose heated gloves over heated grips.  Toss in the vest and I am comfortable riding with the temps in the 20s, probably even the teens though I haven't tried that yet.    

I have a set of grip heaters ($45.00) that work very well for me, they are unswitched as I use the Battery Tender lead. Just remember to turn them OFF when you get to your destination!

http://tank.aerostich.com/catalogs/spring09/full.php?page=213

I have these and they're awesome.  With those and the jacket liner, I'm comfortable down to about 30 degrees.

Also, when my heater went out last year, I sat in front of the fireplace wearing the heated gear hooked up to an old car battery.  Multipurpose!

+1    I can agree with Damon on the quality of the  "firstgear"  brand.   I have a jacket by them, and the craftsmanship is 1st rate. 

 http://www.firstgear-usa.com/fgweb3.nsf/home?openform

 Last I heard, widder went out of business. I got my wife and I gerbings jacket liners and gloves from the Gerbings outlet store since the factory is close by me and saved quite a bit. With both the jacket liner and gloves, you can extend the riding season to year round as long as the roads are safe. I've ridden in the 20's and been comfy. There were a couple of times I thought about the heated socks because when it's really cold, my toes get pretty cold. I'd recommend gerbings and I'll bet there's not a person that's used them that didn't wish they'd gotten them sooner.

I just got a pair of leather chaps really cheap from https://www.leatherup.com/

They were going for $200.00 and i got them for $70.00. Right now they have a sale up to 50% off. They do have a heated vest but i don't think heated gloves. They also have rain suites more than 50% off.