Recommendations for winter riding gear.

[mangocrazy]

Mrs Mango is very exasperated with me, because I won't give her a clue what I want for my birthday/Christmas (the two occur in the same month). All I can think of is some winter riding gear that will keep my core body and arms/hands toasty warm when the opportunity arises to go for a ride on those rare occasions when the roads are salt-free in the middle of winter.

So - waddya got? I'm leaning towards electrically heated stuff, but haven't got a clue what I should be looking at.

I should state that I'm not interested in bar muffs or heated grips. I've used both in the past and am not greatly impressed by either.

[KungFooBob]

Late 2010's Jaguar or Volvo saloon, more likely to have a heated steering wheel than most other manufacturers.

[mangocrazy]

Late 2010's Jaguar or Volvo saloon, more likely to have a heated steering wheel than most other manufacturers.

I'm seriously thinking of a V70 D5 estate. Heated seats sound like da Bizz...

[KungFooBob]

Late 2010's Jaguar or Volvo saloon, more likely to have a heated steering wheel than most other manufacturers.

I'm seriously thinking of a V70 D5 estate. Heated seats sound like da Bizz...

My 2019 S90 D4 has heated seats, steering wheel and windscreen... I can also schedule it to start ten minutes before my commute so it's all warm when I get in it.

When I was looking to buy a nice executive saloon the only other models that the majority had heated steering wheels were Jag XF's.

I think Mazda 3/6's often have heated steering wheels too, if you want a low rent option

[Cousin Jack]

Lexus IS300h

Heated seats AND cooled seats for the summer. On a hot day your seat blowing cooled air up your jacksi is very refreshing.

[mangocrazy]

The V70 estate appeals because of its cavernous load space, reputation for longevity and steep depreciation. A ten year old vehicle would be a Johnny-come-lately in the Mango household.

[KungFooBob]

The V70 estate appeals because of its cavernous load space, reputation for longevity and steep depreciation. A ten year old vehicle would be a Johnny-come-lately in the Mango household.

The V70 D5 will be the last of the Volvo designed 5 pots.

Around 2016 they started fitting all the models with the VEA engine (before that they either had the four pot Ford/PSA motor or the 5 pot Volvo, iirc).

All the VEA's are 2.0 four pots, regardless of petrol/diesel. D2 vs 3 vs 4 vs 5 was just the power output/turbo size.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

RST Paragon Heated Gloves, they run off rechargeable batteries that come with them, the charge lasts about 4 hours

[Dodgy69]

Heated gloves are a life saver, especially if without heated grips.

[KungFooBob]

IIRC you have multiple bikes.

Ultimate Addons do clip on USB powered heated grips.

https://ultimateaddons.com/collections/ ... ated-grips

Obvs you need a USB port on any bike you want to use them on (or a powerbank).

[mangocrazy]

IIRC you have multiple bikes.

Ultimate Addons do clip on USB powered heated grips.

https://ultimateaddons.com/collections/ ... ated-grips

Obvs you need a USB port on any bike you want to use them on (or a powerbank).

Blimey. Never knew about that. Thanks.

[mangocrazy]

The V70 estate appeals because of its cavernous load space, reputation for longevity and steep depreciation. A ten year old vehicle would be a Johnny-come-lately in the Mango household.

The V70 D5 will be the last of the Volvo designed 5 pots.

That's the one I'm looking out for. With a manual gearbox.

[KungFooBob]

I only know about Ultimate Addon's because I was looking for heated grips that didn't have a big bulky controller.

They sell grips with the buttons built into the grip, like the official Yamaha OEM ones. Bit spendy tho'

[Horse]

Heated waistcoat. To save me typing, see Noggin's gloves thread

PS don't get one with a high collar unless you're sure it will fit inside your jacket.

[Rockburner]

Heated waistcoat. To save me typing, see Noggin's gloves thread

PS don't get one with a high collar unless you're sure it will fit inside your jacket.

That.

I'll repeat what's been said many times before: keep your core warm and the extremities will not lose their supply of warm blood.

There's several manufacturers who make the things, just do some looking around, they're all pretty similar offerings. Some can be powered by an optional battery pack, but when you consider that they're all basically a resistance based thermal output device, as long as you can wire the connections together, you're going to get heat.

Some are bulkier than others: eg the Keis fleece gilets/"jackets" are quite thick fleece so they're warm even without the elements turned on.

There's one manufacturer (can't remember which) who make the things from a thermo-electric plasticised sheet, instead of simple resistance wire, and they're supposed to be pretty good, IIRC those are also (more) washable.

The slight outlier is "Warm-n-safe" who make their stuff much, much thinner, they're base layers that you wear either next to your skin, or as the 2nd layer, and then something insulating on top, then the outer jacket. The thinking is that since the thermal output is closer to you, and within a layer of insulation, the power draw can be reduced for the same overall effect.

I've had several items over the years (because I used to commute all season). Currently have a Keis Gilet, and a Warm-n-safe top. Both work well, both work perfectly off the (iirc Keis) controller I have mounted to the bike, they have the same wiring connections so I can pick and choose depending on the ride.

What Horse said about the collar is relevant because some garments have heating elements in the collar so the collar is bulkier which means your outer jacket might not do up comfortably. That certainly happends with me, I find my adam's apple gets constricted. The easy solution is simply to fold the collar down inside one of your layers (or more), simply to tuck it out of the way (sounds bloody obvious but until last year this had never occurred to me).

Personally, if you're riding for "pleasure" and don't need to to be dressed smartly at the other end, I'd go for the Warm-n-safe stuff, it's basically thermals with heating, so you can hide it away under your regular gear. (it looks gash tbh, but works well). If you want something easy to wear over work clothes for commuting, then any of the fleece gilets will do the job. If it's for a much longer journey though (eg London - Edinburgh) then I'd be looking at the long-sleeve tops, because they often have heating elements on the upper arms, and a fully-faired tourer with bar muffs.

[Count Steer]

I wouldn't dismiss adding a seat heater if the bike doesn't have one. There's a lot of blood flows through the ol' groinal area, adding a few watts can make a big difference.

Interesting about heated grips, my last 5 bikes have had (manufacturer fitted) ones and I wouldn't have a 'cold weather bike' without them. (Although, having read about some of the comments on aftermarket ones, they'd be manufacturer fitted).

[Horse]

Heated waistcoat. To save me typing, see Noggin's gloves thread

PS don't get one with a high collar unless you're sure it will fit inside your jacket.

That.

yeah, that ∆

[dern]

The V70 estate appeals because of its cavernous load space, reputation for longevity and steep depreciation. A ten year old vehicle would be a Johnny-come-lately in the Mango household.

The V70 D5 will be the last of the Volvo designed 5 pots.

Around 2016 they started fitting all the models with the VEA engine (before that they either had the four pot Ford/PSA motor or the 5 pot Volvo, iirc).

All the VEA's are 2.0 four pots, regardless of petrol/diesel. D2 vs 3 vs 4 vs 5 was just the power output/turbo size.

The v70 T5 I had was one of the least reliable cars I've had. Broke down because of coils and thermostat. Not a gradual failure, dumped on the side of the road failure. Also ate front wishbones like snacks. Also expensive parts. Wouldn't buy one again.

OP - bar muffs and heated grips... no gloves will be better that that combination. Properly decent base layers to keep your core warm over laid with fleece or whatever and whatever textile jacket you favour and know to be water proof. I've heard heated vests are very good at keeping your core warm but haven't tried one.

[mangocrazy]

Thanks for all the replies - they've certainly given me something to think about/chew over.

I should state that the usage scenario is probably very similar to Skub's - taking advantage of salt-free roads when they occur in winter to go out for a bimble on a 40+ y.o. stinkwheel (no tax/MoT requirement for a historic vehicle so it's available all year round). If the roads are salt-free temps will normally be approaching double figures, so I'm not riding through arctic conditions.

I don't really want to start bolting heated grips or handlebar muffs to an old bike; I did all that commuting 90 miles a day on my first VFR in the early nineties and have no desire to revisit that. I just need an extra heating boost to keep me warm and alert while I explore the byways of Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. So anything that can be run off a USB Powerbank would fit the bill perfectly, probably heated gloves and heated waistcoat/gilet.

[Horse]

Properly decent base layers to keep your core warm ... I've heard heated vests are very good at keeping your core warm but haven't tried one.

I really can't over-emphasise how good they are.

I'm a wuss and feel the cold. But heated gear is replacing the warmth that will leech away.

First time I used my heated waistcoat plugged in was a 120 mile ride in 2-3C temperatures, drizzly.

OK, I was behind an RT fairing - but I switched the heated grips off.

One T&P stop. Arrived home with cold toes.