Modern Vespa

Glow guy, didn't know you might be interested in a jacket liner as well, but if you are, I've really been searching for a long time around the net for the pros/cons of the different sets, and after all that, I think I like the new Corazzo line.
http://corazzo.net/node/299
Here's why:

1. I've had Corazzo gloves for over a year now and they're great for cold. Like any glove(like Randy mentioned), they're good down to about 40 degrees. But they're very comfy, leather, and very stylish and they were comparable in price to most motorcycle gloves. So why mention this? To me a good track record with normal products is important before I start shelling out dough for heated stuff.

2. I've met the Corazzo folks and talked to them on the phone. They're scooter people. Not motorcycle or car or heated this or heated that...they make scooter stuff.

3. With all that in mind, I was interested in their heated gear. Well, it turns out it's made by GERBING. So it's like one of the most respected heated gear people companies with the nice Corazzo scooter style and quality. No, I'm not either's pitchman .

4. The thing that finally sold me on their gear is this: JUST noticed that their heated gear COMES WITH THE BATTERY KIT(lithium walk around battery power) FOR FREE. That's pretty amazing considering the extra dough it costs on other sites.

5. They just came out with the heated element in some of their jackets. It's like having a nice, stylish, ARMORED jacket that is also heated. I know you can put the liner in any armored jacket, but I like the idea of having a GERBING one that is just made for it, and is backed up by Corazzo.

6. I'm also seriously considering the heated scooter apron they have as well, just because it would mean that when I arrive at a place, a quick tug and into the topcase instead of the cumbersome ordeal of unzipping and taking off oversized pants. Also, it's waterproof, so it's my rain gear for the waist down as well. It says it's not "recommended" for highway speeds, but I've chatted with folks that tell me with a good leg guard, all's well.

7. The only drawback to the Corazzo stuff is that they don't make a glove...yet. BUT, BUT...the GERBING gloves WILL FIT to the Corazzo jackets.


Well, I'm just trying to say what I think I'm going with. I like all the Corazzo stuff and the heated stuff with batteries to boot just sold me.

To those interested, my older design Gerbing gloves have elk leather and really well insulated interiors, to the point I don't need the electric part turned on too. But I have used the electric feature and then my hands get too warm ! You can get a thermostat or on/off switches for your Gerbings. My Gerbing gloves, tho thick, are still very pliable.

I also have heated grips(Hot Grips) on 1 of my MCs which I like too with 2 heat settings. With the Hot Grips I use cheap winter gloves so the grip heat get's to my hands. The heat is the same on both grips.

I also bought some cheap($20) ATV hippo hands which work, but I don't like having to remember where all my controls are from 1 rig(7) to the next when I can't see my hand controls. ......so my Gerbings are my favorite from 1 rig to the others.

I don't need any other heated clothing to stay warm. On my MCs I get heat off the motor to keep my legs, feet happy. So far on my scooters, since my legs are out of the wind, I only need thick socks, longjohns, or rain pants to keep my body happy if the ride is over 1/2 hour. As long as my hands are not cold, I'm good to go. If it's REALLY cold, I have a snowmobile insulated bib overall setup.

For my upper body, I wear a modular Nolan helmet, a textile jacket with a real good neck cover, and an insulated shirt under it for enough body warmth.

For simplicity, I would say hippo hands for only 1 rig are the way to go.

EDITED to add photos

Yesterday I installed the Oxford Hot Grip over-wraps with slightly modified wiring. Since I had already installed a 12v receptacle on the dash that is engine-on controlled and I wanted these hot grips to be easily removed for warm weather riding, I simply modified a 12v plug to be low profile and used zip ties to install the system. There are long lengths of wire included and given these are resistance type heating elements I was reluctant to shorten it by much - plus there are prefabricated interconnecting plugs on them as well. The space beneath the handlebar center mount (under the Piaggio badge) worked ideally as a spot to stuff the extra wire, neatly wrapped and held in place with a velcro strap. The simple on-off switch with 'on' LED I placed on the handlebar in easy reach of the left hand.

I reinstalled the bagster handlebar muffs as well, although I opted to install them with the mirror stems and rubber covers on top instead of inside as jimc had suggested. I tried that and was not comfortable with the result.

Anyways, the end result of all this is very good, and may be an option for you glowguy. The over-wraps get plenty hot and quickly too, are easily switched off and on, and the muffs help retain the heat in the handgrip area. The nice thing is this whole arrangement removes easily so for the warm weather I go back to just hand guards.

Pictures below.

The Oxford Hot Hand over-wraps were $60 delivered. A review of them is here as well: http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/heated-motorcycle-grips/

Photo showing the heated wrap on the throttle side; no problem with the wiring to it. I removed the 'Oxford' stitched on labels.


The power tap on the console. I added and modified the plug for a low profile to help clear the handlebar muffs. Also my turn signal reminder LED can be seen.


Another view of the power plug and wiring.


Here is the simple on-off switch, mounted on the handlebars and easily accessible.


Lastly this photo shows the bagster handlebar muffs installed over the hot hands.

Bravo, thanks for the review. The reviewer liked them and you do too which is what counts. 2 things other purchasers must keep in mind: Control is only on / off so frequent switching to regulate temperature. Web Bike World measuered the temperature at 123F which is too hot for a bare hand. I know my Oxford grips will get hot enough through leather gloves on third setting that I cannot hold the bars tight and have not even run them on highest of 4 settings.

There are advantages to both, just be aware of the trade offs making the decision that is right for you.

Thanks for that review Bravo.

I got to meet up with a local rider (I am not disclosing who as they haven't identified themselves on this thread) and checked out his Tucano Urbano handlebar mitts. For those that might read this thread and are interested, they do not work with Jettin bar ends. They have a rubber section that slides on the bar end and seals the outside edge, but the Jettin bar ends are longer than the standard bar ends and pushes the whole mitt further out which makes it difficult to reach the control switches that are outside of the mitts. He did not have them installed on his MP3, so he let me temporarily install them on mine and drive around the parking lot. They worked well and look pretty good, but I think they are too pricey for what they are. I am going to check out the ScootR Logic Hand Mitts at my local dealer this afternoon. If those seem to do a reasonable job, then adding grips of one sort or the other will become my Christmas project.

You could drive a car and put the heater on...

Exactly what I have to do... first we had a week of temps in the teens, then the rain and ICE, and now just heavy rains - with a lot of pea gravel on the roads left from the icy weekend. <sigh>... gonna be a while before it's reasonably safe to ride out there.

Also, I added photos to my post above.

ScootR Logic mitts will fit the 500, but no good for the 400. The extra plastic around the handlebars prevents them.
But my dealer did have a deal on something. I asked them to hold it for me and told my SO about it. I will update this thread when I have the item in hand and get to put some miles on it.