plug in heaters?

[funkamongus]

Does this rig have enough juice to run heaters or extras? I ask because the 82 virago does not.. in fact, the charging system on the Virago is doing good just to run the bike... This could be a nice winter bike with a faring and heated grips/seats/ plugs for vest,etc... I just dont know about the juice..

[QBS]

I think you've got about 220 watts to play with. 

[funkamongus]

nice..

[Rick G]

In cold weather , I use "hippo hands"  similar to the ones sold by Vetter ,in the seventies. Mine are intended for ATV use, but work great on the bike, they keep your hands warm at temps where you start to worry about black ice.

[funkamongus]

hippo hands?? never heard of it....like bark busters?

[Rick G]

I just checked Dennis Kirk's catalog and they don't carry any.  I don't know what part of the country (I think you said Tahoe, so there should be dealer near you) your in but most ATV/ Snowmobile dealers (in the colder parts of the country will have them)
There's a L shaped bag that goes over the end of the bars , held on by velco straps. You insert your hands in the the open end  and the insulated bag keeps your hands out of the wind and they stay toasty warm. If you can't find any reference to them locally, I'll post a pic.

[funkamongus]

great Idea!!

[QBS]

I've used Vetter Hippo Hands for years.  Negatives are that they represent a large aerodynamic area and thus cost fuel, they make the bike more susceptible to cross wind impact, and removing or placing your hands on the controls is not done spontaneously.  The positives are that you can ride in extremely cold temps with light or no gloves for long times.  Riding cold weather without gloves is a big plus.

[Rick G]

You can see this type of product at chaparralmotorsports.com its on page 315 of their print catalog, under controls. Quadboss  hand mitts  and ducks unlimiteds hand warmer. They run  17.00 to 25.00. Polar hands run 44.99.

There is some drag from the Hippos , but but I find it minimal , and this is the crosswind capital of the universe, but I find little change with or without the hippos.. You become accustomed to  putting your hands on the controls with out seeing them, it does require a bit of thought tho.

[The Prophet of Doom]

I once went to use my brakes and my hands were so cold and wet I couldn't make them move.  Ever since I've had heated grips, including the vision.  Heated undies would be nice

[Rick G]

I tried heated grips , but in my case  they didn't help my arthritic joints as the gloves got cold on the outside.

[funkamongus]

yeah,, mine is arthritis too..

[inanecathode]

You can make your own heated gear too. All it is is a long wire of a specific diameter running under a specific current load.