Electrical Heat
Now, if you really want to be good and toasty, James recommends getting wired. Electrical clothing, which uses your bike's electrical system to power heating elements, make a huge difference by not just insulating you, but adding heat to the whole equation. Gloves start around $100. Vests, depending on the style, can go from $100 to $200. Socks can range from simple D-cell powered items that'll go for around $25, to $90 systems that hook into the rest of your electric riding gear. For $400 to $500, there's even an electrically heated saddle -- the ultimate in tush warmth. "For around $700," James says, "you can pretty much outfit yourself neck to toe." The key is to make sure your charging system can handle the load that electric heat draws from your bike. Check your owner's manual, or stop by your local dealer to confirm you have enough electrical reserves on your bike to handle the load. Still, many riders find that just heating their hands, or their torso with a vest, makes a huge difference. next-->
A sampling of cold weather gear suppliers © 2001, American Motorcyclist Association |
