Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

Does anyone own Tourmaster Heated Vest or Jacket liner or gloves?
I'm planning to buy a heated vest to ride in winter.
Does our bike produce enough power to use both vest and gloves?
Which is better heated grips or heated gloves?
I recently came across battery heated socks, Nordic brand I believe, but not sure it will work.
Currently I've Tourmaster Polar Tex gloves, Swiss gear hiking waterproof boots, winter socks, Joe rocket leather/textile jacket, Jafrum textile pant with liner.
These are good only up to 45F (7C)+, anything below they don't seem to perform well.
I don't want to garage my bike during winter. I want to keep riding unless its snowing or raining.
Please share what kind of gear you are using to ride in winter if you ride in winter.

I use Held Freeze gloves - pretty good at warmth tho not the greatest for fine control. I doubt even they would be good enough for your winter temperatures. If you opt for heated grips, suggest you use brush guards as well - they work well together and stop the outside of your hands from freezing - allow the grips to do a better job. Dunno where you would find brush guards to fit a GSX - but someone will know.

I've had a Widder vest for years. Similar to the Tourmaster one, doesn't seem to be a problem on the GSX. Hooks to the same plug as my battery tender with an inline fuse. The trouble I had with the electric gloves is that you have to run wires down your sleeves. I had heated grips on my old bike, which helped except the backs of the fingers still got pretty chilled (I use heavy Olympia winter gloves with glove liners). I'll check the draw specification and the GSX output when I get a chance to see if they are a problem.

I ride year long, but my commute is max 30 min. My biggest issue was always hands and what really solved it for me were the Gerbing gloves. I had the cheap Tourmaster Cold-Tex gloves and the spent three times as much on BMW proWinter gloves which were better. But, below 40 degrees my hand would freeze unless I had the Gerbing. Liners for my textile jackets and pants with a zip up fleece worked well for me.

Can someone specify how much is the alternator output for our bike and how much is used by bike?
I'm trying to determine how many heated gears I can use without overdrawing the power.
Thanks

I researched the power available on our bikes once, but I don't remember the details. I do know that it is plenty to power all the clothing you want. I use electric TourMaster vest and gloves. And I much prefer the heated gloves over heated grips. The TourMaster gloves fit small, and I had to order them two sizes larger to fit right.

Oh, I just re-read your original post. I ride all winter and I use the TourMaster Transition Series 2 Jacket, TourMaster Caliber Over Pants, and the TM heated vest and heated gloves. I also use a Under Armor balaclava for my face. The coldest I've ridden in here in GA is 17 degrees F, but I have a short 20 minute commute.

Thanks Kris.
Does Heated gloves make enough heat for high speed ride at below freezing temperatures?
Is it comfortable to wear for long distance? I got the vest but still thinking about the gloves because its very expensive.
What you wear to keep your feet warm?

The heated gloves are the warmest of any gloves I've tried, and they do a pretty fair job of keeping my hands warm. Only the thumbs get a little cold, but if I move them to the top of the bar next to my index finger that helps. My ride to work is 50-65 MPH, but like I said, it only lasts about half an hour. I've not ridden long distances in below freezing temps. For my feet, I just use some warm socks in my regular leather harness boots. The leather keeps the wind out, and the socks make an insulating air pocket. My feet are never a problem.

I must say, I am disappointed with the fit of the TourMaster Textile gloves. I don't know if the leather ones fit better or not, but they do cost more! I've tried a lot of different gloves, and these heated ones I have are GREAT for keeping your hands warm. The best I've tried so far. I do think there are better ones out there, but you will pay a lot more for them.

Great thanks. I guess I will go for the TM leather heated gloves.