Harley-Davidson dropped some new and updated gear for 2015 to make the ride on your favorite Twin more comfortable. The Motor Company released details on its rain gear, heated gear and a new FXRG jacket that promise improvements in warmth, dryness and function.
A month prior to the release, MotoUSA sampled some of the new H-D gear offerings with a short press ride in the Los Angeles area. Usually the there isn’t much need for a heated jacket or rain gear in Southern California, but somehow H-D managed to get Mother Nature to provide the proper conditions to test the High Tail Colorblocked Hi-Vis Rain suit and a Men’s Heated Dual-Source Jacket Liner. Unfortunately, the FXRG Switchback jacket was not available for review.
Staying Dry
Harley-Davidson has improved all of its existing rain gear with the same features found in the new Rutledge Hi-Vis Rain suit. The High Tail Colorblock ($195) gear we tested sports improved water resistance with more than three times more water proofing. In addition the seams are double tape sealed in high stress areas to battle leaks. Breathability is increased to allow more moisture out of the suit. Each suit is covered by a one-year warranty.
The product reps for Harley-Davidson said correct fit and proper usage is key to getting the most out of rain gear. Riders often buy rain gear a size larger, thinking it needs to be bigger to go over their regular gear. But HD rain gear is made to fit over the size it states, so if you wear a size XL jacket then a size XL rain jacket will be the correct choice. When rain gear is too larger it makes for flapping material in the wind as well as neck and arm openings that can’t be cinched tightly enough. My XL High Tail Colorblock set fit perfectly over my gear.
As soon as we hit the road the skies opened up and let loose with a steady rain throughout our ride. After a couple of hours behind bars at speeds that varied from city crawling to freeway blasting, I was pleased to find not one drop of water found its way inside the suit – a first for me. Breathability was OK. It was still a bit humid inside but not unbearable or uncomfortable. Overall I was impressed by the improved rain gear’s ability to keep me dry and comfortable.
Staying Warm
Harley-Davidson has added to its existing 7-Volt line of heated products with new Dual-Source and 12-Volt styles giving more choices to fit your ride and needs. The 12-Volt options give more heat for colder temps and last as long as the gear is attached to the motorcycle’s 12-volt power source tether. The Dual Source system can use the same tether as the 12-Volt system as well as a 12V lithium battery. The $80 battery pack can last up to four hours depending on the usage. Both systems use a new built-in temperature control in each garment.
Under my leather jacket and rain gear I tested the Dual-Source 12V Jacket Liner ($295) attached to the motorcycle tether. The 86% polester, 6% spandex and 8% polyester fleece shell looks more like a sport jacket than a liner and could easily be worn as a casual jacket with the battery providing the warming electricity. The battery pouch folds out from the bottom left side of the liner, and the built-in temperature controller is located on top of the pouch. There are three levels of heat (high, medium, and low), which correspond with the red, yellow and green lighted color codes. A total of five heating panels (two sleeve, two chest and one back) can go from seriously toasty on high to just taking the chill off at low. While the temps dipped into the 50-degree mark on our ride (basically an arctic freeze for us fair-weather Californians), I could see that the liner would keep your teeth chattering at truly frigid temps. Hook up a pair of Dual-Source gloves to the wires in the sleeves for even more heating goodness. In the last month, I’ve been using the liner on the bike quite a bit and it is also seeing use camping in the desert to stay warm at night. Two warm thumbs up.
Do-It-All
If you want to stay warm and dry but also need to be cool when the temps ride, Harley-Davidson’s FXRG Switchback Jacket would be a good choice. This all-season jacket comes in leather ($795) and textile ($595) versions and both function identically. While we didn’t get to test this jacket, it looks like very versatile with a removable full-sleeve waterproof liner as well as a full-sleeve warmth liner to keep the elements at bay. When the mercury rises unzipped HD’s Triple Vent System that uses strategically placed vents. And for maximum cooling, the Switchback Panels can be completely removed to change the jacket into a mesh-type jacket. Reflective 3M Scotchlite Material piping, arm panels and back graphics provide lowlight visibility and lightweight armor is sewn into the elbows and shoulders for impact protection. There is also a pocket for Harley’s Tri-Layer Back Body Armor. Finally a snap-out kidney belt and snap tabs keep the jacket from riding up on the road. It’s an extremely feature-rich option for riders looking for a do-it-all jacket.
