Heated handgrips - any good?

[Peach]

Just saw these in a shop, felt awesome! But are they actually worth spending your money on? In theory they would be great in winter, but are they so great that they are worth $150? Anyone bought some?

[FJRider]

There are MANY who will swear by them ... warmth on cold wet rides, if only the hands.

I have good winter gloves ... and summer gloves. So I see no point in heated handgrips.

I have ridden bikes with them fitted, but not that impressed with them ...

[CookMySock]

hehe we just had about 37 seperate threads about hotgrips, and the answer is universally "yep they are bloody good."

Get some!

Steve

[Flip]

I would not ride a bike without them for long now days.

[p.dath]

Yes. Check out my BLOG about my own experience of fitting them to my motorcycle.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1529-Fitting-Oxford-HotGrips

[mainlander]

just got a set fitted. Off to southisland tomorrow. Feel great around town. Will certainly appreciate them on desert road, let alone south island. Get some. I had mine fitted. Most shops charge 200-205 bucks including fitting. I got sports grip. Shop around for a good price. Some of the local prices vary hugely.

[Gremlin]

do a search would ya? most of us have already offered lenghty experiences in other threads... :weep:

[Muppet]

Yes well worth it, used winter gloves, but the cold still gets in, I bought Oxford Hot grips for $90 off Trademe (retail at $130). These were a godsend when I rode to the Burt Munro last year in the icy cold rain.

[Spuds1234]

I'd wait until next winter to fit them. Your probably not going to be doing much riding this winter anyway (being a newbie and all) and you dont need them in summer. The hot grips (oxford ones atleast) tend to be bigger than the normal grips, so it can make it harder to reach all the levers if you have small hands, and you want easy access to all the controls when you are learning.

[Rogue Rider]

Dude, I had some cool mornings on my new speed triple last week which really froze my fingers up. I think the bike is more exposed to elements and wind so copping alot more chill. It's not even really winter or frosty yet so thought I'd take the plunge and get some grips. There are a few types out there, I opted for the new oxford brand ones, they were sturdy and tidy looking as well as looking easy to fit.
I grabbed the box and approached the counter, they knocked $20 off the price and said they'd fit em for me now if I wanted for an hours labour...... Jumped at it and wend and had a coffee and a donut at the bakery while I waited. Walked back to the shop, and presto heated grips.
Tried them out this morning, man they are awesome, never new what a difference they could make, now I can use my summer gloves all year round lol......... For you guys out there saying your winter gloves are fine......... I have had them all, and yes one can tough it up, grin and bare it, but who really needs to go through all that if they don't need to. Good winter gloves are not that much less than the heated grips and man, there is no comparison. Get some today.

[Rogue Rider]

I'd wait until next winter to fit them. Your probably not going to be doing much riding this winter anyway (being a newbie and all) and you dont need them in summer. The hot grips (oxford ones atleast) tend to be bigger than the normal grips, so it can make it harder to reach all the levers if you have small hands, and you want easy access to all the controls when you are learning.

People that don't ride in winter, are like people who don't ride in the rain........ soft man salmon wearing poofters lol. Ride rain hail sleet or snow wherever you go.

[Spuds1234]

People that don't ride in winter, are like people who don't ride in the rain........ soft man salmon wearing poofters lol. Ride rain hail sleet or snow wherever you go.

Yea but its not really a great idea to ride in adverse weather conditions when you have only had the bike for a week and only just learnt to ride. Thats asking for touble.

[Oakie]

Just saw these in a shop, felt awesome! But are they actually worth spending your money on? In theory they would be great in winter, but are they so great that they are worth $150? Anyone bought some?

They are the best $150 (that much now?) you'll ever spend on your bike. I promise. Great for those crisp Christchurch mornings at this time of year. Bloody good safety item actually if you do, like me, do the early morning commute.

[rustic101]

I have heated grips and have used them twice in my bikes life. My gloves are probably the bees knees, not sure but even in the howling rain and cold wind here in welly and riding through National Park I never used them..

[Peach]

Thanks everyone, sorry for not doing a search first.. I think Eliot and I will be saving to fit some on our bikes! Its not that I ride in bad conditions (being a learner) but I am riding on those farrrging cold mornings and 'fresh' evenings, and its hard to ride with frozen hands.. Glad to hear that they actually work and make a difference, I was worried they would be good in theory but not so good in practice! Will start having a look around, flick me a message if anyone happens to come across a cheap set! :)

[rustic101]

Funny thing happened to me the other day in relation to the Hot Grips.

Was parked waiting at the Melling lights, cars either side. Lights turned green and I twisted the throttle and,,,,,nothing...As cars past either side of me I qiuckly gathered my composure and after some rapid mental checks realised that the hot grips were rotating freely on the throttle..

I gripped the throttle as hard as I could, crushing it, popped the front wheel and away I went -

Thank fark I was wearing a helmet as I was glowing with embarrassment lol.

Fixed with super glue ;)

[vindy500]

I heard super glue will slip when the gloves heat up

[Spuds1234]

I heard super glue will slip when the gloves heat up

Never had a problem so far.

[dipshit]

Anyone bought some?

I had a set on my last bike. Didn't like them. The larger diameter of the grip was uncomfortable for my smallish hands. Plus the thicker rubber of the hotgrips killed a lot of the feedback you usually get through the bars.

Will never buy another set unless they begin to make them at a thickness similar to OEM gips.

[AD345]

I retrofitted OEM heated grips to my bike after a ride though the Dome Valley one raining night last winter where I got so cold that I couldn't uncurl my hand to change gear.

Best thing I did since buying my bike

[Corse1]

Timely thread. After yesterdays ride I am looking at a pair. I get a painefule lefy hand with the combination of Duc clutch, heavier winter gloves, short fingers and an old injury causes the left thumb and index finger to get numb pretty quickley in the winter. If hot grips could allow the use of summer gloves and no numbness, all i would have to get then would be some aftermarket levers to bring the lever closer to the bar.

The last 100 kays yesterday I could hardly use the clutch so didn't bother on the upshifts but it did not make for smooth riding.

Boyd Honda have them on Trademe for $109 sports version.

[MD]

I've been a fan of heated grips for years but now I've experienced the benefit of hand guards and reckon they provide much better protection from the cold than hot grips. I intended to fit the Triumph heated grips to the Tiger when winter arrived but doubt I will bother now.

I've got the ugly lookers, well not ugly but not pretty either. The front on look is a bit like you are carrying two garden variety spades across your handlebars. But hey THEY WORK!

Totally keep rain off your gloves and warm calm air sits behind the cover allowing your gloves to do the job of providing warmth without the wind chill factor ruining the party. Early Sunday ride this weekend and commuting today gave me the first taste of this winter's chill, but my hands were warm as. Much better than all the heated grip brands I've tried before. I notice the Tiger 800 and BMW F800GS have those trendy looking slim line guards for those style conscious riders. Pleased I've gone with function over form. And I'm saving on my power bill.

[cynna]

ive got handguards and heated grips - dont even notice the cold riding home at 2am on a frosty morning.

[jazfender]

ive got handguards and heated grips - dont even notice the cold riding home at 2am on a frosty morning.

no shit. not with mum's knitted jumper and booties on ya didn't

[clint640]

I had a set on my last bike. Didn't like them. The larger diameter of the grip was uncomfortable for my smallish hands. .

You can get the Symtec stick on elements to go under any grip you like without adding much diameter. They work great. Not sure if anyone sells em in NZ, got them ex USA off the net, have seen cheap versions on trademe.

Cheers
Clint

[cheshirecat]

On my second generatiopn of Oxford grips. Used them thein the UK whe nDRing, three winters including snow and minus 11 one stage. Had handlebar muffs with them and never sufferd cold hands. Combination meant I was able to use lighter gloves and keep dryer longer plus muffs stopped a lot of damage from stone strikes etc. Never been a fan of heavy gloves.
Use Oxfords on my current. The modual was failed and was exchanged at wholesale cost (out of guarantee) and no problems with it after two years. Easy to fit and similar size to original grips so no issues there. Very useful addition ie in wet weather keeping some inner warnth and those cold mornings. If was riiding in colder weather more often (Welly not that cold really) would fit muffs despiite it looking a bit naff on the vfr.

[PrincessBandit]

hehe we just had about 37 seperate threads about hotgrips, and the answer is universally "yep they are bloody good."

Get some!

Steve

What DB said. I love mine and have already used them (and I live in tropical Aucks!)

I even use them in the winter when I have my thermal glove liners inside my gloves because I'm such a pussy when it gets chilly.

[GPS MAN]

I would not ride, in the Winter, without my hotgrips:yes: In fact I really like the extra diameter that add to the bar.. My KTM's grips are a little small for my taste. The under grip kind don't add much to the original grips....sounds like what you are looking for:bye:

[sgtp]

...and to save anyone from sifting through the 37 other identical threads:

INSTALL YOUR KIT WITH A RELAY EVEN IF YOUR KIT DOES NOT COME WITH ONE!!! FEED THEM WITH POWER DIRECTLY FROM THE THE BATTERY!!!

My bike has grips "professionally" installed for the previous owner. I think I felt them get warm once or twice, before I rewired them. And damn, are toasty warm fingers nice! I tapped into the license plate bulb to operate the relay.

[MrKiwi]

After inventing the motorbike, the next best invention is heated grips, in my opinion. I have hand guards and heated handgrips. Wouldn't have it any other way and I now wonder why I took so long to get them.

[martybabe]

I've been a fan of heated grips for years but now I've experienced the benefit of hand guards and reckon they provide much better protection from the cold than hot grips. I intended to fit the Triumph heated grips to the Tiger when winter arrived but doubt I will bother now.

I've got the ugly lookers, well not ugly but not pretty either. The front on look is a bit like you are carrying two garden variety spades across your handlebars. But hey THEY WORK!

Totally keep rain off your gloves and warm calm air sits behind the cover allowing your gloves to do the job of providing warmth without the wind chill factor ruining the party. Early Sunday ride this weekend and commuting today gave me the first taste of this winter's chill, but my hands were warm as. Much better than all the heated grip brands I've tried before. I notice the Tiger 800 and BMW F800GS have those trendy looking slim line guards for those style conscious riders. Pleased I've gone with function over form. And I'm saving on my power bill.

Seconded, heated grips are fine but they tend to warm the inside (palm) of your hands, your cold wet gloves still get the full force of the chill wind from the front. Hand guards keep 90% Of all the chill and wetness off your hands, recommended.

[fastoyz]

i have a used set of oxford ones $45 including shipping if anyone wants them

[Laava]

Heated handgrips and handguards GOOD! Mine will be getting a thrashing on our Forgotten World Highway tour this weekend!

[awayatc]

and also a windscreen,heater, roof and doors...........

[oneofsix]

and also a windscreen,heater, roof and doors...........

Oh a Goldwing - oops hold on they don't have the doors and roof ....yet
:scooter:

[nudemetalz]

I tried them for the first time on the MG Norge demo.

Found they were frying my hands until Mark told me it has a 3 position setting and I had it on full.
Position 1 was ample. Definitely like them and would recommend them for sure.

[vifferman]

I tried them for the first time on the MG Norge demo.

Found they were frying my hands until Mark told me it has a 3 position setting and I had it on full.
Position 1 was ample. Definitely like them and would recommend them for sure.
Reminds me of when we went snowmobiling near Queenstown; I kept dropping behind to take pictures, then racing to catch up with everyone else. The heated grips had two settings, but the actual heat output varied according to engine revs, so I was continually switching between 'Off', '1' and '2' to get my hands cozy without cooking them (alas - no hand guards, so at minus-whatever-degrees, windchill was huge...)
I'm on my second set of grips on the VFR now, and although the current ones (Oxford) are a bit fat and hard, they're much appreciated. They're wired into a spare connection on the BlueSeas (marine) fusebox under the seat, which has both permanent-on and switched connectors.
The only thing I don't like about the newer hot grips is the switch. The old one was an instant rotary control, whereas the solid-state one has push buttons ('On' /'+') and ('-'/'off'), which you have to depress for a few seconds for 'On' or 'Off', which is a few seconds too long when on the move. I guess it save accidental actuation, but that was never a problem with the old one.