Semi-DIY Hot Grips

[DR650gary]

Really easy to do and the wiring is easier to route than the heavy Oxford stuff. We have bought and installed 6 sets so far between our bikes, my sons and a few mates. We got them from the USA but the Ebay ones look fine to me. The hardest part was deciding where to put the switch. My son bought a nice flash rocker switch from Dick Smith and then drilled a neat hole in his FZ1 fairing beside the tank. On the others we have done we have usually mounted the switch on a small plate either on the bars of inside the fairing blade area. As long as it is accessible when riding it is fine. The grips come off easily if you use an air nozzle and reinstall the same way. If you have alloy bars put the heat shrink on first to reduce heat loss through the bars, or use duct tape or electrical tape. Have been able to install then remove and replace when we got new bars. Used a bit of heat gun glue to re stick the edges but not really necessary. We liked them so much that we have just bought 5 sets of the Ebay ones for $NZ10 delivered. Tight arse maybe but I have Oxford ones on the DR and I prefer these ones as you can have whatever grips you prefer. Had them on one bike for over 12 months without mishap. Can email instructions that came with one set if you wish as these have none printed in the pack. PM if you want.

[DR650gary]

The Virtual Village grips from China via Ebay arrived today. They seem fine and the heatshrink is a nice addition. The Dual Star supplied kit does has a better switch and these appear to be on/off only whereas Dual Star has on/off/low. Will get around to fitting in the next few weeks but they look fine to me for the money.

Cheers

[tracyprier]

they would be the go for the floor boards on my bike

...or get them put under your seat cover and warm your bum

[rian]

i just put a set of chinese heat pads as above under my grips last week , they have been good so far.
install was relatively easy, insulation tape around clutch side handle bar to prevent a bit of heat loss thru the bars. i used the compressed air duster gun to remove and install the grips, real easy. i also put some insulation tape over the wire to heat pad contact point to prevent electrical shorts.
heat output is good considering the cold temps we have been getting down here on the 30 min commute to work.
i havn't used the oxford hot grips, but this is a good alternative if money is tight.
www.canyonchasers.net/shop has fitting instructions with pics that really help out.
also mounted switch with supplied bracket under the clutch side mirror, the hole in the bracket is a perfect size.

[CookMySock]

Best place to put heat pads will be up your jumper.

Steve

[crash99]

Hrm, they mostly work. I hope they have their shit sorted with recent controllers. The old controllers were junk.

Steve

I've had Oxfords for about a year - work well with no probs.