Heated grips for Wellington wuss

**kaz** · 6th September 2007, 11:32

I'm a wuss and I ain't ashamed: I hate getting chilly fingers in a Wellington southerly.

Although I have some nice gloves (Revit Fahrenheit), I'm wondering about getting some heated grips for next winter.

Do these work just the same on a scooter as on a motorbike? Does anyone have them? thanks

**007XX** · 6th September 2007, 11:46

Hiya Kaz...

Mate, there is no shame in getting protection against the environment...otherwise, we'd all be wearing leathers!

Anyway, I just got myself some heated grips and they are bloody marvellous

...Rode all the way to the Cold Kiwi with them and it made a world of difference.
For comfort as well as safety as my fingers were not numb anymore

I don't see why there should be a difference between a scooter and a bike for the fitout. All you need is good access to the power supply.

Good luck.

**magicfairy** · 6th September 2007, 11:50

Hay Kaz - I just had some bar heaters fitted to my cruiser. I opted for heaters that go inside the bars - "warmfit" brand as the external ones all made the bars fatter and I have little hands. That way I could keep my original grips.

I bought them from Wellington Motorcycles (they had lots of choices and styles) and got them to fit them as the bars needed drilling to run the internal wires. There is a little switch that goes on the bars, 2 heats, high and low. If the key is turned off on the bike the circuit is cut and they won't drain the battery if left on.

AND THEY ARE THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD !!
I love them, well worth the $$ (cost about $85, plus fitting) I recently had to work in Waiouru for a week, made the ride up so much more comfortable.

When you are cold and miserable, they are little haven of happiness, a warm spot in a cold universe.

Not sure if what your options are for a scooter, the warmfit heaters work with 6v and 12v batteries, 7/8 or 1 inch bars.

**Coldrider** · 6th September 2007, 11:57

I got Daytona heat grips and good gloves.
I went to the brass 8 times without heat grips, and my fingers used to throb like hell, even with good gloves. When I bought the ZX I fitted hot grips, and now even in the most icy/frosty conditions my fingers are warm and I enjoy the ride much more and only have to stop for petrol, not thaw outs.
Being a motorcyclist does not mean you have to be cold.

**kaz** · 6th September 2007, 12:35

Originally Posted by 007XX

Mate, there is no shame in getting protection against the environment...otherwise, we'd all be wearing leathers!

**kaz** · 6th September 2007, 12:40

Hey thanks 007XX, Coldrider, and magicfairy for the advice. It sounds like heated grips are a goer. Now I understand that all that's required is a battery and a scooter has that and the electrics are very easy to get at in the GMax (a separate little compartment with extra space for...whatever).

magicfairy, thanks the Warmfit bars sound good coz I've got smallish hands too. Good to know you can't drain the battery (which I regularly do leaving the car lights on).

**Coldrider** · 6th September 2007, 12:50

I hooked mine up to the indicator fuse, not used too often, hot grips are about 24watts on full, which ever circuit you use, make sure it is deactivated by the key switch.

**kaz** · 6th September 2007, 12:52

Originally Posted by Coldrider

I hooked mine up to the indicator fuse, not used too often, hot grips are about 24watts on full, which ever circuit you use, make sure it is deactivated by the key switch.

Ah hah, I will make sure of that then. I do have a very special talent for finding ways to drain batteries (it used to be burning out the elements in kettles

**Hitcher** · 6th September 2007, 18:43

Heated grips can make the difference between riding pleasure and hypothermia. They're great with wet gloves -- wet, warm hands are infinitely preferable to wet, frozen hands.

**Hawkeye** · 6th September 2007, 19:06

As my bike is a UK import, it came with heated grips already fitted. Never realised how much I would miss them until they stopped working. Subsequently pulled the wiring apart until I found the problem. As Hitcher has said. There is no choice between wet/warm and wet/cold. Warm wins every time.

**James Deuce** · 6th September 2007, 19:40

We've had two cold days this Winter. It has been incredibly mild.

I've tried heated grips once and I have to say that the sensation is hideous. I'd rather have cold wet hands thanks. I can't feel the controls at all with the heated grips running

**Dodger** · 7th September 2007, 14:35

I had some Oxford "Hot Grips" fitted during my last service (a few weeks back).

They have been great for the morning commute from Lower Hutt although my finger tips still get cold sometimes.

**Coldrider** · 7th September 2007, 14:41

Originally Posted by Dodger

I had some Oxford "Hot Grips" fitted during my last service (a few weeks back).

They have been great for the morning commute from Lower Hutt although my finger tips still get cold sometimes.

Are yours the variable heat type or two heat Hi for start and low for normal.
I have the 2 heat ones and I've had them on Hi all day, stink of burning rubber but last the distance, more than toasty warm though.

**Dodger** · 7th September 2007, 15:26

4 heat settings on the Oxford grips

**kaz** · 7th September 2007, 15:30

Originally Posted by Jim2

We've had two cold days this Winter. It has been incredibly mild.

I've tried heated grips once and I have to say that the sensation is hideous. I'd rather have cold wet hands thanks. I can't feel the controls at all with the heated grips running

I agree, it's been very mild this year. But I'm such a wuss I'm actually still using my electric blanket

(in bed, not on the bike)

I am curious: what was so horrible about the heat sensation? You can't feel the controls with the heat on???