I was going to meet a couple of other riders for a day of off road riding in the mountains north of Busan for a little relaxation. With the StormRider vest and StormShield gloves hooked up and the StormRider controller dialed to “level 5”, and the HeatSole heated insoles added to my riding boots I was ready to go. I departed Uijeongbu around 8 am on the 20th at a temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that would only increase to 33 degrees by day's end. That means that taking the wind chill factor into account, I spent the day in temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Being a Minnesota native, I am accustomed to the cold, and only recently have decided to try and increase my winter activity pleasure through the addition of heated clothing. It could be the 14 + years of active military service, much of it spent in colder climes. So when I initially began my search for potential heated clothing products I spent a lot of time looking for something that wouldn't be like my old heated blanket. For me personally, I wasn't interested in a "wired" product. I have never been happy with the hot and cold spots that this style produces. So when I came across the exo² line, I thought it might be the answer. The FabRoc™ technology peaked my interest enough to give it a try.

The StormRider vest is a solid standalone product. Perhaps it is a bit on the bulky side, or certainly more bulky than the StormWalker, but not so much so that it won't fit underneath a riding jacket. I wore it for my ride to Busan under a Klim jacket and over a compression armor suit with no problem. I have used the StormRider now both on the bike and off and like the flexibility it offers. Of course, while hooked up to the 990 Adventure via the StormRider controller I can be sure to find that perfect temperature, on both my back and chest. Utilizing the battery alone, only allows the heat to reach the kidneys, which can be perfectly adequate for a variety of activities. Riding at temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit, however, virtually requires utilizing a power source beyond the optional battery pack. The ability to dial-in a “perfect” temperature makes the additional expense of the controller a good buy.

The StormShield gloves are built with the motorcycle rider in mind. They offer full protection and claim to also be waterproof, windproof & breathable. I cannot vouch for the waterproofness of the gloves as I have managed to stay out of the rain while wearing these particular gloves thus far. I might take slight issue with the windproofness of the glove, since unfortunately one of the gloves stopped working on an equally cold return trip. They are fantastic, however, when heated. I was able to keep my hands perfectly happy when hooked up to the StormRider vest and the controller. I am unsure whether it was the breathability of the material or the controller, but I managed to keep my hands from sweating, which has been an issue for me previously when spending all day on the bike.

The HeatSole heated insoles were the final piece of heat gear added and they worked flawlessly. I was happily surprised that the batteries attached to the HeatSoles continued working throughout the entirety of an eight hour ride. I have also had the misfortune to use the HeatSole with my exposed right foot, currently living in a walking cast; the misfortune being the fact that I have to use the cast. The beauty of my predicament has been that now my foot stays warm even while spending the day outside in below freezing temperatures.

Without a doubt, I received more enjoyment on my motorcycle trip to Busan, due to the addition of the exo² products, than I would have without. During the entire weekend, both on and off road, I was able to stay warm. More importantly, I was able to control the warmth, or the cold, and thus remain more relaxed. I ride for the peace of mind, and with exo² I am certain that the number of days during the year I am able to achieve “peace of mind” has now been extended. Regarding costs, I think the product well worth the expense. Of course, I was able to utilize the very generous military and law enforcement discount. Overall, exo² is a great product with great service.

He Said:
Tense shoulders, tight neck, shivering... All things we want to avoid while riding our motorcycle. I have found the secret to making this a thing of the past. Studies have shown if your core is warm it will radiate heat out to your extremities, keeping them warm. To keep your core warm grab some exo² heated gear, like the StormRider Bodywarmer. We hooked up the thermostat to my bike and wired Cindy's vest direct with the quick connection. Recently there were many days I rode when the temperatures dropped down to 33 degrees. On those days I left the controller temp all the way up. A couple of days it was only in the mid 40's and I ended up turning the controller down to about level 5 of 10. Even on the cold days my whole body managed to stay much warmer. I was wearing insulated chaps from Fox Creek Leather which helped keep the lower half warm. One day we both rode on my cycle and went 100 miles in about 40 degree weather. The 1st half we rode with no heated vest. I could feel my shoulders getting tense and a bit of shiver coming on. For the 2nd half we put on the vests and turned the heat up about ½ way. With that we could have kept riding all day in comfort. Besides being totally functional it looks good as a basic black vest.

When I was learning about this technology I was told the great benefit was that you do not have to worry about breaking any fiber optics that power most all the other heated gear. This vest has no fiber optics. I have been cramming it into my saddlebag when not in use. I was even told if you end up putting a hole in it the heat will still work. If you have seen what I put in my saddlebags you would know this is a test.

As far as connections; there are many ways to get it hooked up. You can use the included battery connection with a quick plug. We tried that and the thermostat with 10 levels of comfort. It wires to your battery and runs up to your clutch perch. With a “Y” connector you can hook up many heated items. There are numerous ways to connect or you can even get a rechargeable battery. Make sure to check out their web site for more options.

She Said:

This time of year with the temperature outside down in the 40's and 50's, many riders just decide to stay home because of the chilly weather. I know I think twice about getting out in the wind when it's 45 degrees outside! In order for me to be warm enough to ride in the colder temperatures, I have to wear my thermal underwear and stuff as many layers of sweatshirts inside my coat as I can. And no matter what I do, my fingers and toes get cold. By the time I get dressed and ready, I am so stiff from all those layers that I can hardly get on my bike! Then I think, is all that hassle really worth it just to go for a ride? I want to ride as much as possible before there is snow on the ground, because the winters here in the Midwest are ridiculously long. So, imagine how excited I was when I found the line of heated gear made by exo² The Heat Inside. We decided to try the StormRider Bodywarmer vest, knowing that if you keep your core warm, your whole body will stay warm. The first day that we tested these vests out, it was about 45 degrees outside, windy, and rainy. We set out without wearing the vests, wearing our jackets and a sweatshirt. I was freezing. We stopped and put the vests on, cranked the heat up as high as it goes, and were comfy for the rest of the ride. As the vest warmed up, I could actually feel my fingers and toes warming up! Then, another time when I used it on a 50 degree day, I noticed that it only took about 3 minutes for the vest to get warm. I wore the vest for the whole day out riding and eventually had to turn the temperature down because it was cooking me out! I wasn't chilly at all on that ride. Check out www.exo2theheatinside.com to see what other awesome heated motorcycle gear they have available.

Conclusion:
Staying comfortable will help you enjoy your riding season and get more time on the seat. Not having to put on 15 layers of clothing to stay warm just to have to find room to pack it when it gets warm outside makes this heated vest worth it's weight in gold.