Oxford hotgrips - not hot

[davebullet]

I've previously installed 2 pairs of standard (not sports grips) to a VTR250 and SV650. Both get hot (run via relay, direct off battery, using tail light as trigger).

Installed some sports grips on the Speed Triple (same wire-up as above) and the grips don't get hot. I can run them 100% for as long as I like and it doesn't get uncomfortable to hold. The other 2 bikes, you couldn 't use 100% unless in the middle of winter and a biting wind.

Charge voltage is just on 14v - a little lower than the other bikes. This is across the battery terminals an 14V is being supplied to the connectors where the grips themselves attach - which rules out faulty wiring, bad controller. Wonder whether a lower running voltage is the cause?

[SMOKEU]

I've heard that quite a few people have been having issues with Oxford hotgrips. I think it's the controller or something like that which often gives up the ghost. I don't have any experience with heated grips, but maybe you could connect it directly to the battery with a variable resistor in an easily accessible place to control the heat.

[mulletman]

When my old dial-up type controller died i repalced IT with the push button one and its not as hot as original, in winter i can ride with it on 100% on as well.

[p.dath]

I think 14V should be just fine.

If both the grips are failing to get really hot then I think you might have a dud controller.

[Owl]

I had the "Sports Grips" Dave and can't say I was all that impressed. Since replaced them with standard and I think they're much better heat wise.

[DR650gary]

Another issue can be alloy bars, they suck the heat more efficiently than steel/chrome so it doesn't get to the grip. If the controller is not buggered, insulate your bars with a metal based tape.

Probably the unit though.

Cheers

[mazz1972]

The original, sports and cruiser hotgrips are all supposed to heat to 50 degrees.

Northern Accessories in Auckland are the distributor for Oxford products. Suggest you give them a call as they are usually very helpful with product support/knowledge.

As suggested it could be a dud controller. We've had two crap out, one was replaced under warranty (which was two years back then, not sure what it is now). At the time the cost to replace the controller was only about $20 less than a whole new set of grips.

As for the controllers, dunno what anyone else thinks of them but the old style dial is far easier to use - just tap and turn without having to press and hold anything which I had trouble with as I have bulky gloves. My cruiser grips still have the old style dial controller....sweet.

[davebullet]

thanks for the tips people.

I also hadn't thought about the different conducting ability of alloy vs. steel bars. I don't think it is significant, since the right (throttle sleeve) grip is the same temp as the left.

I wish I had a way to reliably measure temperature.

I have managed to scrounge (thanks to Geeen on here) an old set of grips and old controller.

I'll marry the old controller to the new grips and see if that makes a difference. If so, I'll put a claim in on the new controller... or just live with the old one!

Cheers.

[Old Steve]

I hade them fitted to my GV250. They worked fine for a couple of months then quit. I took the bike in to BCM here in Tauranga who had fitted them, and they said it was the controller. They said they'd send the controller back to the distributor, but the Oxford rep just happened to walk in at that moment and said he had a set in the boot and I could have the controller off it. Unfortunately, the plug which connects the controller to the switch had changed, so he replaced both the controller and the switch with new units. They're fine now - though the season for hot grips is rapidly drawing to a close.

I usually ran them on 30%, occaisionally on 50%. Once in a downpour, coming home through the Old Te aroha Rd and over the Kaimais, I had them up to full bore and they probably saved my hands.

[FJRider]

Instead of fitting "hot grips" ... why not spend the money on a decent set of gloves ...

I dont have ANY issues with the cold (NO hot grips fitted) down here in Otago ... and I ride year-round ...

Seems a standard fitting for softie norfies though ...

[BASS-TREBLE]

I've also had a controller shit itself in the past too. I just used an on/off switch and got rid of the controller.

And when turned on they just went to 100%, which is what I usually had them on anyway.

[p.dath]

Instead of fitting "hot grips" ... why not spend the money on a decent set of gloves ..

By the time you get such a huge set of gloves you wont have any feedback from the motorcycle left while riding.

[sinned]

By the time you get such a huge set of gloves you wont have any feedback from the motorcycle left while riding.

Agree - I now wear summer gloves all year round. Far better than bulky gloves.

[mattsdakar]

I'm on my second controller after first dial up crapped out.
My second one after maybe 10hours use is now permanently stuck on 100% and I can't turn them off, could have been caused by me pressing down to hard thru numb fingers and bulky gloves, so far I have just put up with it and are using summer gloves, it's a bit of a sissy thing to have on a XR650R anyway (were fitted when I bought bike)

[baffa]

Instead of fitting "hot grips" ... why not spend the money on a decent set of gloves ...

I dont have ANY issues with the cold (NO hot grips fitted) down here in Otago ... and I ride year-round ...

Seems a standard fitting for softie norfies though ...

There are two types of riders; Those who have hotgrips, and those that dont.
Once you get them it's hard to go back. Rocking summer gloves at 12 at night with warm fingers is a good feeling.
Everyone knows how miserable it is to ride when you're freezing from head to toe, especially if it's wet, but if you have warm hands and dry warmish boots, it makes life far easier.