WARM & SAFE'S Generation Waterproof 65 Watts Heated Jacket Liner 
& Seat Heater

Product Review by Jeff Lewis, VCOA Vice-President

As we get into the colder months, those of us that are not ready want to keep riding. When I was younger, I thought heated seats in a car was just a useless luxury. As I grew older, I realized that the more comfortable I was, the more I enjoyed myself.

One of the guys from my scooter club bought a BMW scooter. It was big and fancy, and I wasn't jealous until I found out it came with heated grips and a heated seat. This year I decided to make myself more comfortable. I want to let you know my thoughts on a new heated jacket that I just tried out.

Warm & Safe's, Generation Waterproof 65 Watts Heated Jacket Liner ($229.95, currently on sale $159.95). I have used other heated liners that use a battery pack but wanted to have a unit that used the scooter’s battery. I have found that battery packs are heavy and tend to run out when you need them. Warm & Safe uses a "heat-troller” to control their liners and seat covers. This high-end controller seems very well made and was surprisingly easy to install. The instructions for this unit were reasonably easy to follow, and their website  (www.warmnsafe.com), has videos for those of us visually oriented. They also have a very friendly technical support department. I recommend that you get the dual controller ($139.95) even if you don't think you will use more than one unit.  I think it's better to pay $40 more now rather than $99 and regret that later. After installing the controller, I checked out the liner. Compared to other liners, I found Warm & Safe's liner to be well constructed. The seams were consistent, with excellent attention to detail. The fit of the liner is comfortable, though I found that I would have preferred one size larger in my shirts.

The Warm & Safe liner provided room for my shirt (or shirts) and still fit snug enough for excellent heat transfer. The liner heated up rather quickly, and after getting used to the controller, it was comfortable. The receiver was more significant than I expected but still lighter than battery packs. I know some think heated gear is unnecessary or for wimps. Please don't let that keep you from being comfortable and getting the most enjoyment from your ride. If you are relaxed and comfortable, you will not only enjoy your ride, but you will be more aware and, hopefully, safer. Safety and fun are essential year-round, but cold weather can be especially challenging. Set yourself up for success by considering easy ways to make your ride more comfortable. When you're satisfied, you can focus on just having fun on the road.

For those of us that need more heat, Warm & Safe makes an excellent heated seat cover, called the Cyber Hot Seat - regularly priced at $149.95, currently on sale for $99.95.  Not only does this cover keep you warm, but it also adds extra cush to your seat. I found the added cushion was just as welcome as the heat. As an added benefit, the seat cover is fully adjustable to make a more comfortable ride. I found the added cushion was just as welcome as the heat. As an added benefit, the seat cover is fully adjustable to make a more comfortable ride.  The connector was very easy to install - like adding a battery tender. The full-color installation directions had clear photos and simple instructions. I also really appreciated that I could leave the cushion on all winter, allowing me to enjoy the added comfort all season long. Remember, if you have any problems with installation, check their website for videos or call customer service. Warm & Safe has been generous and set up a club discount code. Use “VCOA28” to get a 15% discount. Thank you, Warm & Safe!   The added heat from the Cyber Hot Seat made the test ride in the cold Michigan weather much more comfortable. I used the Warm & Safe 65-watt waterproof jacket liner (reviewed last month) along with the Cyber Hot Seat during the recent Cold snap, and it made my ride nice and toasty :)   Just a word of warning, if you are going to combine more than one of these excellent products or add multiple accessories (lights, etc.) that will be drawing power from your scooter or motorcycle. Be aware of the power drain on your system. You do not want to drain your battery and delay the next ride. I have a newer Vespa 300 and a new battery, so I didn’t have any difficulty. If you have a smaller or older machine or are unsure, I would check out the capacity of your charging system or check with your local dealer before stranding yourself or shortening the life of the battery.

Remember, ride safely and respectfully, and have fun! Warm & Safe's, Generation Waterproof 65 Watts Heated Jacket Liner allows you to keep warm on cold days and to ENJOY YOUR RIDE!!

Jeff Lewis Vice President Vespa Club of America