Super Tenere Heated Seat

[MotorcopBBQ]

I was just looking though some S10 options for a larger windshield and found a heated seat kit by California Scientific.
Just wanted some opinions about the heated seat option. From what the add says, you pull out some of the staples on the bottom of the seat and slip the heat pad in and re-staple the seat cover back on. It doesn't say anything about on/off switch. Looks like its plug in and play.
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Heatedprod.html

 

[Koinz]

I had heated seats on my BMW, I had it so I used it (as a novelty mostly), but they way I look at it is, If I'm riding in the frigid temperatures, I'll be dressed for it with thermals. My upper body, hands and toes are more important to keep warm so I use a Gerbings jacket for that and heated grips for my hands. For the toes, I double up on the socks.

I found that the seat would get too warm or not warm enough and my butt never got cold even without it, it's the chest and extremeties that need that extra little heat.

The price does look reasonable though, but with limited charging resources its a "nice to have" but to me not worth it. YMMV. 8)

 

[markjenn]

I was just looking though some S10 options for a larger windshield and found a heated seat kit by California Scientific.
Just wanted some opinions about the heated seat option. From what the add says, you pull out some of the staples on the bottom of the seat and slip the heat pad in and re-staple the seat cover back on. It doesn't say anything about on/off switch. Looks like its plug in and play.
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Heatedprod.html

Should work Okay, although I'd be skeptical 20W of power would be enough to make a huge difference. You'd definitely want to run the element off of switched power (which means you probably need to add a relay of some sort) and you definitely want some way to turn the damn thing off.

You might want to shop around - this outfit's price for the Symtec grip heating elements is 35% higher than the identical kit elsewhere:

http://www.casporttouring.com/cst/motorcycle/SYMT/16025.html

- Mark

 

[colorider]

You might want to shop around - this outfit's price for the Symtec grip heating elements is 35% higher than the identical kit elsewhere:

http://www.casporttouring.com/cst/motorcycle/SYMT/16025.html

- Mark

Hmmm, I've bought a great deal of parts from Kim and always found his prices to be VERY competitive. Just curious where you found the Symtec item for 35% LESS. BTW, he also contributes a LOT of items for our WeSTOC event each year. Great outfit.

 

[markjenn]

Just curious where you found the Symtec item for 35% LESS. BTW, he also contributes a LOT of items for our WeSTOC event each year. Great outfit.

No comment on whether the vendor is a good guy or not; no experience whatsoever. As to your question, ah, did you think of clicking on the link I put in?

- Mark

 

[colorider]

No comment on whether the vendor is a good guy or not; no experience whatsoever. As to your question, ah, did you think of clicking on the link I put in?

- Mark

Whoops - sorry. I misunderstood your post and thought that you were saying that California Sport Touring was 35% higher than other places.

Again, Kim Leong (the owner of Californai Sport Touring) is good guy and a great vendor, IMHO.

 

[markjenn]

Whoops - sorry. I misunderstood your post and thought that you were saying that California Sport Touring was 35% higher than other places.

Again, Kim Leong (the owner of Californai Sport Touring) is good guy and a great vendor, IMHO.

No problem, I misinterpreted your reply. It's funny, but I recall someone over on the FJR board (perhaps Warchild) has some vendetta against CA Sport Touring and its owner. I don't recall the details.

I've always gotten good service from CA Sport Touring. Prices for the Symtec stuff have gone up a lot since I started using them (I think they were $20 originally), but they're still a screaming deal compared to the typical $250 price for most OEM kits and the absolutely ridiculous $400 price for the S10 grip kit. And I like being able to choose my own grips to put on over the heating elements. But you do have to deal with fiddly wiring - they're definitely not plug-and-play.

When I get the bike and have time, I'll do a DIY for the Symtec heated grips including spec'ing a plug-and-play harness that uses the bike's stock grip connector. Might even do a batch of harness kits if there is sufficient interest.

- Mark

 

[colorider]

No problem, I misinterpreted your reply. It's funny, but I recall someone over on the FJR board (perhaps Warchild) has some vendetta against CA Sport Touring and its owner. I don't recall the details.

I've always gotten good service from CA Sport Touring. Prices for the Symtec stuff have gone up a lot since I started using them (I think they were $20 originally), but they're still a screaming deal compared to the typical $250 price for most OEM kits and the absolutely ridiculous $400 price for the S10 grip kit. And I like being able to choose my own grips to put on over the heating elements. But you do have to deal with fiddly wiring - they're definitely not plug-and-play.

When I get the bike and have time, I'll do a DIY for the Symtec heated grips including spec'ing a plug-and-play harness that uses the bike's stock grip connector. Might even do a batch of harness kits if there is sufficient interest.

- Mark

Dale (warchild) goes WAY back to STOC days when he still rode a ST1100, so I know him quite well.

As for CA Sport Touring, they have had a few problems over the years, and I know they were notorious for a period of time of never returning calls or letting people know of out-of-stock items. They took a lot of heat on the STOC forum as well. Kim has worked hard to put all that behind. As you, I have dealt with them for many years. Never had a problem. Actually, I think when I first heard of Symtec was through them when they told me Symtec was who made the "Dual Star" heaters that I first purchased. Been using Symtec's ever since.

I would be interested in what you come up with for a plug-n-play harness!!! Post something up here as I know others would be interested as well!