H-D Dual-Source Heated Jacket Liner Review
And other heated, wet-weather and multi-function gear in H-D's 2015 MotorClothes closet
Harley-Davidson’s 2015 technical MotorClothes line features a variety of new and/or upgraded apparel. We recently spent some time in the rain wearing Harley-Davidson’s two-piece High Tail Colorblocked Hi-Vis Rain Suit, and have been enjoying the warming massage of the Dual-Source Heated Jacket Liner. There’s also two new versions of the FXRG Triple Vent System Switchback jackets – one leather, one textile – a standard FXRG leather jacket, and FXRG Dual-Homologated and modular helmets.
Harley-Davidson Dual-Source Heated Jacket Liner
| Aesthetics | 8.5/10 |
| Protection | 9.25/10 |
| Value | 8.75/10 |
| Comfort/Fit | 8.5/10 |
| Quality/Design | 8.5/10 |
| Weight | 9.5/10 |
| Options/Selection | 8.0/10 |
| Innovation | 8.75/10 |
| Weather Suitability | 9.5/10 |
| Desirable/Cool Factor | 8.25/10 |
| Overall Score | 87.5/100 |
Considering the cooler temperatures of winter are upon us, the Dual-Source Heated Jacket Liner has been seeing a lot of use. What is Dual-Source? In this case it’s the ability of the heated jacket to receive a 12-volt electrical current from either a motorcycle wired with the Battery Connecting Harness or a 12-volt current from the accessory lithium-ion battery ($99).
Big news for 2015 are the built-in temperature controllers for all of H-D’s heated gear. Each item features a four-level (Off, Low, Medium, High) temperature setting via a color-coded controller mounted directly on the garment’s sleeve, cuff or pant leg. Heated Dual-Source Jacket Liners feature a fold-down flap located on the interior, left front of the garment.
The fold-down flap on the jacket liner houses both the temperature controller as well as the wiring for connecting the liner to the bike or the lithium-ion battery. The flap makes for easy access to see what setting you’re currently on, as well as switching settings.
If you’re wearing the heated liner while riding in the rain, the flap will be inside the rain suit, negating its usefulness. When off the bike, with the battery installed, you can continue enjoying the liner’s warming sensation. The fold-down flap looks a little goofy, but you can fold it into the jacket using the velcro closure. It’s not as comfortable and you lose some pocket space, but the tradeoff for staying warm is worth the inconvenience. Speaking of pockets, some electrically heated pocket warmers would be a nice touch.
The rechargeable battery allows a wearer to use the jacket liner while riding a motorcycle without being connected to it, or in a casual setting off the bike. The battery fits inside a zippered, internal pocket behind the flap housing the temperature controller.
The jacket liner weighs 2.3 pounds, 1.3 pounds more than a similar, non-electrical windbreaker from BMW. Add in the battery weight of 0.8 pounds, and you’ve a three-pound jacket. That’s the tradeoff for manufactured warmth. The jacket boasts a comfortable fit, a silky-soft collar and a thumb cuff that keeps the arms of the liner in place underneath the outerwear.
All told, Harley has 11 new offerings in the heated-apparel department: eight garments for men and three for the ladies. Each comes with a new three-year warranty.
| Men’s | ||
|---|---|---|
| Heated Waterproof 12V Dual-Source Riding Jacket | S-3XL | $450 |
| Heated Waterproof 12V Dual-Source Riding Pants | S-3XL | $350 |
| Heated 12V Dual-Source Jacket Liner | S-3XL | $295 |
| Heated 12V Dual-Source Gloves | S-3XL | $235 |
| Heated 12V Plug-In Jacket Liner | S-3XL | $295 |
| Heated 12V Plug-In Gloves | S-3XL | $225 |
| Recumbent Heated 7V Soft Shell Jacket | S-5XL | $250 |
| Stimulate Heated 7V Vest | S-5XL | $200 |
| Women’s | ||
| Heated Waterproof 12V Dual-Source Jacket Liner | XS-2XL | $275 |
| Heated Waterproof 12V Dual-Source Gloves | XS-XL | $230 |
| Heated 7V Soft Shell Jacket With Battery & Charger Kit | XS-3W | $235 |
According to the wire on the motorcycle battery connector, our heated jacket liner was manufactured by Gerbing for Harley-Davidson. So, if you’ve been happy with heated Gerbing stuff in the past, there’s no reason you shouldn’t also be happy with some H-D-branded Gerbing stuff.
We briefly sampled H-D’s new High Tail Colorblocked Hi-Vis Rain Suit ($195). It wasn’t raining much during the photo session, but the ride home was torrential. Not only was it falling from the sky, water was pooling on The 405, so much that cars in the opposing carpool lane were sending sheets of spray over the center divider with enough force to give me pause. I made it home safe and dry, which, considering the circumstances, was quite impressive.
A former Motorcycle.com staffer who has gone on to greener pastures, Tom Roderick still can't get the motorcycle bug out of his system. And honestly, we still miss having him around. Tom is now a regular freelance writer and tester for Motorcycle.com when his schedule allows, and his experience, riding ability, writing talent, and quick wit are still a joy to have – even if we don't get to experience it as much as we used to.
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