Mmmm...Toasty...

[Geordie_Biker6]

Hello

Just wanted to see peoples opinions on heated handlebar grips.

Ive had my eye on the Oxford ones for a little while for $100. They say they heat up to 55*C. This sounds rather good, but do they really work? And how long do they take to warm up?

Im moving to Christchurch soon so the idea definately appeals (bieng in sunny warm Whakatane at the mo)

Anyway, let me know what you think if you own them, have owned them or tested them.

Cheers.

[howdamnhard]

Don't have any personally , although sometimes I wish I had but they seem to work in keeping the digits warm and toasty. Just do a search for heated handgrips as the topic has come up often.

[javawocky]

I have had some heated grips installed for a few weeks now and they work really well. Up in Dorkland they are way too hot on the highest setting. Most of the time I have them on the lowest heat setting and only go higher when its really cold on the motorways.

On downside - if you don't install a power cut off relay - is you can drain the battery if you leave them on like I found out this morning when I came to start Thumper and it rolled over like a dead dog. :angry:

So I will be heading off to Tricky Dickies to pick up an automotive Relay (as slofox has suggested) and follow this guide (http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/relay.php) as well as picking up a battery charger to bring it back to life.

Installing was a bit of a pain for me as they didn't slip onto the bars very easily, had lots of puffing and panting but got it done. Its not difficult to wire up directly to the battery like I did, but if you are really really scared you can get your local dealer to install them for you.

But yes, they are like a heated towel rack - if you don't have them you will survive :cold: but once you experience them, you will never turn back.

[Taz]

I prefer the Daytona brand heated grips.

[ckai]

Hello

Just wanted to see peoples opinions on heated handlebar grips.

Ive had my eye on the Oxford ones for a little while for $100. They say they heat up to 55*C. This sounds rather good, but do they really work? And how long do they take to warm up?

Im moving to Christchurch soon so the idea definately appeals (bieng in sunny warm Whakatane at the mo)

Anyway, let me know what you think if you own them, have owned them or tested them.

Cheers.

I installed some on the wife's bike and tried them a few weeks ago riding in pretty cold weather. They take a few minutes to warm up. About the same time it takes the bike to warm up. I had summer gloves with vents, they were on the lowest setting and it was pretty warm. In saying that, I'm not one of them cold blooded people that freeze my ass off in 15 degree's.

They are an asshole to install if you have lips on your throttle tube. I just attacked it with the file. We just wired it up to the battery as well and remember to turn it off. The bracket they come with is quite cool so you can mount them on the handle bar clamp.

For the SI I reckon they would be good. I probably wouldn't have them on the Daytona though. The grips are too big for me. They would be a god send in minus temperatures. But then you'll have to worry about all your other bits and bobs falling off if they're not toasty as well.

The bottom line, if you feel the cold, get them.

[SKIDA//00]

they work really well,and yes they can be a pain to fit...i suggest you wire them up to the ignition switch so that when you turn your key off the hotgrips turn off..get someone who know what they a doing to fit them.

[slofox]

The search function is your friend...lookie here...http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=104807&highlight=Oxford+heated+grips

[javawocky]

...They are an asshole to install if you have lips on your throttle tube. I just attacked it with the file. ...

yeah I have to admit I had to destroy the lip on the throttle side to get mine on :bash:

[mulletman]

Yup get them wired to your ignition is the best. :niceone:
Your gonna need them down here, in saying that my oxford grips hardly go past halfway. One of the best investments especially when you go to the Brass Monkey !! :msn-wink:

[YellowDog]

I don't think us Aucklanders are really able to understand the value of the heated grips. Though any kind of shielding would help with rain.

The only concern I would have is to consider the extra load on the bike's electrical system.

[cc rider]

Heated hand grips are very popular over here in Melbourne. Especially around my area of the Ranges.
Like ckai said they take same time as the bike to warm up.
They can even help keep your hands warm when your gloves are saturated from the rain.

Good luck with which ever brand you choose :niceone:

[Dschubba]

I use the oxford velcro over the top heated grips. First few days it feels a bit odd as they are a lot more bulky than standard grips, I take them off in summer. Make all the difference when its hovering around zero.

I wired up a relay to the battery to provide power for the accessories. I tapped into the running light circuit and use this to turn the relay on. Had a few flat battery episodes forgetting to turn off heated grips before i did this.

[sinned]

Cheapest modification you can do to a bike and an essential item. I reckon the heated grips will be on through summer - if it ever arrives. If I had the heated grips on the Speed Triple I may have kept it - well may be not.

With heated grips running you just don't notice the cold. I have turned them off a couple of times just to check the temperature - then turned them on again.

[CookMySock]

Old thread. Heated jacket works much better, but grips are nice and toasty. I have both, and I had to choose between them, I'd have the heated jacket.

A heated vest underneath a bike jacket would be even better.

Steve

[sinned]

Old thread.
Steve
Some topics never die