Heated clothing is something you’ll wish you’d bought ages ago once you’ve tried it. It really does take away the winter pain associated with year-round riding. Warming your core and helping to pump pre-heated blood to your extremities means cold weather riding becomes much more enjoyable, it’s like sitting in a hot bath. There are some links at the end of this piece for previous heated kit reviews.
I own one of the earlier Keis heated jackets and it’s a fantastic bit of kit, with a heated body, sleeves and collar. This latest J501 brings it bang up to date though.
What’s new?
For starters the J501 is lighter and thinner than the older ones, so can be worn under close-fitting riding kit. The heating is provided by the latest micro carbon fibre panels, which spread the heat around the chest, kidneys, arms, and collar. The carbon panels are thinner and more flexible than traditional wired heating elements and are more reliable. In fact they’re covered by a lifetime warranty.
Other features include two external pockets, as well as dedicated zipped pockets for the cables and heat controller. The elasticated cuffs have been lengthened to allow them to fit under riding jackets and gloves more easily as well. The actual jacket is made from a lightweight and breathable softshell fabric with elasticated panels to give a snug fit and doesn’t leave the rider feeling trussed up. It comes in black, with stylish red panels and is available in chest sizes 36″ to 50.”
How much?
It retails for £199.99, and for a limited time comes with a free heat controller worth £34.99.
Connecting it
This Keis jacket is the ‘hard-wired’ type, designed to be connected directly to your scooter’s 12v battery using the simple fused loom supplied (just connect the two wires, Positive/Earth). Then plug in the connector when you want to use the jacket. It’s easy to hide the wiring on most scooters, I run mine up through the frame hole at the front of the seat on a Vespa GTS.
Classic scooter owner?
If you own a classic scooter, (even running a 12DC system) your stator won’t be powerful enough to cope with charging stuff like this (even though the jacket only draws 7A) so you’re limited to heated clothing designed for use with an external battery pack (Keis and Oxford both do battery-powered heated clothing).
Contact: You can find the Keis range at Keis Apparel
Earlier heated clothing reviews
Check out the latest offerings from the SLUK Shop
Heated clothing is something you’ll wish you’d bought ages ago once you’ve tried it. It really does take away the winter pain associated with year-round riding. Warming your core and helping to pump pre-heated blood to your extremities means cold weather riding becomes much more enjoyable, it’s like sitting in a hot bath. There are some links at the end of this piece for previous heated kit reviews.
I own one of the earlier Keis heated jackets and it’s a fantastic bit of kit, with a heated body, sleeves and collar. This latest J501 brings it bang up to date though.
What’s new?
For starters the J501 is lighter and thinner than the older ones, so can be worn under close-fitting riding kit. The heating is provided by the latest micro carbon fibre panels, which spread the heat around the chest, kidneys, arms, and collar. The carbon panels are thinner and more flexible than traditional wired heating elements and are more reliable. In fact they’re covered by a lifetime warranty.
Other features include two external pockets, as well as dedicated zipped pockets for the cables and heat controller. The elasticated cuffs have been lengthened to allow them to fit under riding jackets and gloves more easily as well. The actual jacket is made from a lightweight and breathable softshell fabric with elasticated panels to give a snug fit and doesn’t leave the rider feeling trussed up. It comes in black, with stylish red panels and is available in chest sizes 36″ to 50.”
How much?
It retails for £199.99, and for a limited time comes with a free heat controller worth £34.99.
Connecting it
This Keis jacket is the ‘hard-wired’ type, designed to be connected directly to your scooter’s 12v battery using the simple fused loom supplied (just connect the two wires, Positive/Earth). Then plug in the connector when you want to use the jacket. It’s easy to hide the wiring on most scooters, I run mine up through the frame hole at the front of the seat on a Vespa GTS.
Classic scooter owner?
If you own a classic scooter, (even running a 12DC system) your stator won’t be powerful enough to cope with charging stuff like this (even though the jacket only draws 7A) so you’re limited to heated clothing designed for use with an external battery pack (Keis and Oxford both do battery-powered heated clothing).
Contact: You can find the Keis range at Keis Apparel
Earlier heated clothing reviews
Check out the latest offerings from the SLUK Shop
