Gerbing Dual Temp Controller Warranty

My Gerbing dual temp heat controller failed last winter. It has two knobs: one grey and one black. The grey knob failed; it just kept spinning. It also wouldn’t provide heat. Fortunately, I wasn’t using my Gerbing heated gloves since the hot grips were more than enough, so I was able to run the coat through the other side.

Preparing for Winter Riding – Part 1

I learned a lot the hard way last year trying to ride my Ural through the winter. This year, I decided to start getting ready much sooner, so I would have time to finish before the snow flies (instead of after like last time). However, It seems a bit funny to be working on winter stuff now since the temps are back into the 60s and low 70s.

First, I got a replacement pair of Tourmaster Venture Pants. (Thanks Zach!) The pair I wore last year worked really well, but I melted part of the leg on the old pair on the Ural’s exhaust. While I was still learning to ride it, I put my feet down at a stop (totally unnecessary) and it melted quite quickly. Lesson learned? No need to put a foot to the ground until dismounting. It’s also easy to stand on the pegs to get access to pockets.

I washed my coat, pants, and clava in Nikwax Tech Wash. The tech wash works to safely clean and restore wasproof textile motorcycling gear. It’s very easy to use. Just toss some into the washing machine along with your gear. Hang dry and done. The tourmaster Epic 2 and venture pants worked very well last year, but I wanted to make sure the waterproofing was ready to go. The extra waterproofing helps with the wind too. 

I used the Camp Dry on my Sidi On-Road boots and my gloves. Just spray it on and let it dry. It works best to clean the boots and gloves first. The treatment is recommended by Gerbing too. I put two coats on my boots and gloves.

When riding in the cold, it is very important to stay dry. Getting wet will get you into hypothermia territory very quickly.

I bought a box of these Little Hotties hand Warmers and Toe warmers as a backup to the electrics for this winter. As tested on a recent ride, they work very well!

I also wanted something “better” than my tourmaster “winter” gloves. The tourmaster didn’t fit well, and they were only ok on the warm front. Zach @ MotoPrimo had showed me the Knox Zero gloves this past summer. I immediately wanted them. I finally got myself a pair on Monday. They are great! Lots of armor, insulation, and waterproof. They should do well as a backup to my electrics and for the days that don’t quite warrant all the extra wires.

My Gerbing electrics are working well as tested this past weekend. I need to check out my winter helmet and clean it. I think I now have my gear sorted for the winter riding season. There is still a lot of bike prep left to do on the Ural!

 

Related Posts:

• Preparing for Winter Riding – Part 2 – The Bike
• First Snow Ride of the Season 

Gerbing Heated Glove Warranty

My left Gerbing heated glove quit working a few days ago. I tried playing with the wires and changing power sources, but it seems the glove has gone bad.

I called Gerbing today to get some advice. They told me if the left glove has failed, that it will need to be replaced. They also said they would put a rush on my glove repair considering my current winter riding situation. The rush will take the normal three to five weeks down to one week.

I sent the left glove in today via Priority Mail which I was told would make it there in two days. If everything goes according to plan, I should have my glove back by the 14th!

I am quite impressed with the Gerbing customer service experience versus Tourmaster which quoted me six to eight weeks with no option to speed things up. I am still waiting for my Tourmaster gloves to be repaired.

Uraling Around – January 28

The sun was shining and it warmed up to 4F, so I had to go for a ride today. I needed to run a few errands, and was very pleased to find free motorcycle parking as shown in the photo.

I had a good time riding around enjoying the snow, sun, and blue sky. I tried to visit a couple frozen lakes, but found the first one with a large snow drift covering the entrance. I didn’t want to get stuck, so I went to Lake Johanna again. A group of kids waves as I roared out onto the lake in 2WD. Ok, so Ural’s don’t really roar or go fast, but you get the idea. :) 

Immediately after leaving the shore, I could hear ice cracking. I made a very fast u-turn, which isn’t easy in 2WD, and went back. This past weekend it was in the mid 30s with freezing raining. I didn’t expect that little bit of rain to make a difference, but the loud cracking sent me to shore. Better to be safe than frozen under a lake.

My left Gerbing G3 heated glove has been acting up lately. I can’t believe that I’m having trouble again. The left glove is not really warm at all and the right glove is quite warm. I got smart today, and wore a thin liner glove under my left glove and was finally comfortable. I think I will try that again tomorrow without any heat.

Fortunately, my heated vest is still working great. I still plan on getting a Gerbing heated jacket at the motorcycle show next week. It will be warmer, and I will get to wear less wires! I also hope they can just swap my gloves for a pair that works, so I don’t have to send them in. I haven’t heard any update on the Tourmaster gloves I sent in for warranty last month either.

The above is a picture of the Minneapolis skyline with the metrodome taken from just south east of I35W and Washington Ave.

Commuting & Heated Gloves – December 28

My left heated glove failed and the temp was 18F. Over the last few days my left heated glove hasn’t been working consistently. It has been producing far less heat than the right. I tried swapping cables, but that didn’t seem to help.

They finally quit, and I pulled out my unheated winter riding gloves instead. My hand was cold by the time I made it to work, but not nearly as cold as it would have been wearing the failed heated glove. The Tourmaster heated gloves only have 40gm of insulation, and they get cold very quickly without heat.

From previous experience with my vest, I knew I had to return the failed item to the place of purchase to use the three year warranty. Unfortunately for me, I purchased these gloves from Motorcycle Superstore. I called them to see if we could speed up the process. Like a broken robot, they kept repeating it would be six to eight weeks -- I ship them the gloves, they ship them to Tourmaster, Tourmaster sends them back to them, and then they ship to me.

Their solution for my current needs was for me to purchase another pair of gloves. I told them I would, but it wouldn’t be from them. I had been researching other heated gloves over the weekend in preparation of the impending failure. I decided to get Gerbings this time around (lifetime warranty directly with Gerbing).

I called around and found a local place 35 miles away that had gloves in stock and in my size. The sun had finally come out by the time I left work, so I was able to enjoy the blue sky as I rode down on I35. Since the sun was low, every time the road twisted to the southwest, everyone on the road was momentarily blinded and slowed down. The frequent slow speeds helped my unheated hands make it.

I finally settled on a pair of medium G3 Gerbing gloves. They are all leather with a microwire heating element. I almost purchased a small pair of the new T5 gloves, but the G3s fit my hands better. The sizing on the Gerbing gloves is a bit off compared to other major brands (I normally wear a large), but the sizing chart is surprisingly accurate.

In the parking lot, I tried to install the battery harness in the 16F dark, but I forgot to bring my 8mm wrench for the battery posts. I tried my leatherman and some pliers, but it wasn’t working – I couldn’t properly grip the nut and the bolt separately. I rode home with the new gloves on, but without heat (my vest was on high).

My feet were more cold than my hands by the time I rode the 35 traffic-free miles. The new gloves have 100gms of insulation and seemed warmer than my regular winter riding gloves. I need to get some Nik-Wax to treat the leather of the new gloves.

I enjoyed my riding today, and am looking forward to the –6F predicted in a few days! I have added two 8mm wrenches to my on-bike tool collection.