The DR-Z400 thread

[nzspokes]

. Oxford has a great reputation for reliability

Did the Oxford rep tell you that?

[NordieBoy]

I had an Oxford bike thermometer.

It responded to changes in temperature in geological terms and being waterproof, died the first time it rained...

[rigley]

There are mixed reviews with this style of heater, Transalper runs them on his WR and seems to give them the nod. I personally find installing them a pain in the arse

Keep in mind that some brands have a reputation to die prematurely, I certainly wouldn't be inclined to try the ones you mentioned at $5.95. There is cheap, and then there is utter cheap crap.

These ones are $32 but even then the staff at Cycletreads mentioned the return rate is quite high and often suggest the Oxfords. Oxford has a great reputation for reliability

Here where you are coming from, point taken, if it looks to good to be true, it probably is.

[rigley]

I had an Oxford bike thermometer.

It responded to changes in temperature in geological terms and being waterproof, died the first time it rained...

So which way would you go then Fran? I have heard some premature failure problems with Oxford grips, already on my second Stator, don't want to overload the already fragile electrics.

[ADVGD]

Did the Oxford rep tell you that?

I get $8.50 every time I endorse their product

Maybe the term "better reliability" from their higher priced range would be more suitable than "great reliability"? I understand there are some fail reports out there and personally I don't use Oxfords as the outside diameter is too large for my liking, but from the half dozen riders I know using them, the feedback is mostly good.

I did purchase and use the Oxford Hot Hands as a first substitute for the Polly Heaters when I first installed the 1 1/8 bars but they came off straight away, they are truly an awful, awful awful product.

Here where you are coming from, point taken, if it looks to good to be true, it probably is.

I avoid mixing cheap stuff with adventure bikes, it normally ends in tears. To me adventure riding is getting away and having a blast, using cheap shit that fails or breaks half way through a ride or a long way from home is a pain in the arse and defeats the purpose. Spending a little extra to get the good stuff is worth it.

[Oscar]

So which way would you go then Fran? I have heard some premature failure problems with Oxford grips, already on my second Stator, don't want to overload the already fragile electrics.

Heated grips?

New fangled, new age...hurrumph......kids today...maybe you could harden up a bit...

[Transalper]

There are mixed reviews with this style of heater, Transalper runs them on his WR and seems to give them the nod. I personally find installing them a pain in the arse....

I use the Symtec brand of grip heater and they cost more like $75.
Have had no trouble installing them, have them on the WR and transalp now.
They are possibly not as hot as some other arrangements but good enough for me.
J's got newish Oxfords on her DR650 and we reckon they are not as good as the older model with analogue button/dial switch.

[rigley]

Heated grips?

New fangled, new age...hurrumph......kids today...maybe you could harden up a bit...

Did I not tell you I am a big Jessie when it comes to the cold

[NordieBoy]

I've had 2 sets of Oxford heated grips and have thrown both away.

I can't stand the size, or compound of the grips.

I didn't buy them, they came on both DR's.

[Night Falcon]

I've never had abike with heated grips and don't see the point of them. Once all feeling is gone in ya fingers who cares how cold they get after that

[Oscar]

Frostbite is nature's way of telling you to stay in bed...

[clint640]

These ones are $32 but even then the staff at Cycletreads mentioned the return rate is quite high and often suggest the Oxfords.

Those look identical to the Symtech/Dual Star ones at a good price. I've fitted 3 sets of those to different bikes & the only problem in a combined 100k+ km of on & offroad use has been the rocker switch supplied with the first set. A toggle switch like in the kit pictured is the way to go.

Cheers
Clint

[Box'a'bits]

I've had the Oxford Sports grips on the KTM 640a & R100GS. Both sets have been good. they run through a relay, which turns them off when the ignition is off.

The only issue has been physical damage from throwing Gus upside down. This chewed up the clutch grip on rock. I cut off the rubber portion of the grip & replaced it with another grip. There is a plastic sleeve underneath the grip with the heated element (wire) running in a similar patten to the Symtech one, but 'spot-melted' into the plastic sleeve. If the grip can move, then the wire will end up breaking.

The range of adjustment (heat) is nice. You need to be careful when fitting that the wiring won't interfere with throttle / brake / clutch action.

I was like Nightfalcon originally, but wouldn't ride without heated grips now.

[ADVGD]

Heated grips?

New fangled, new age...hurrumph......kids today...maybe you could harden up a bit...

I've never had abike with heated grips and don't see the point of them. Once all feeling is gone in ya fingers who cares how cold they get after that

I'm a big fan of being comfortable when riding, it maintains the fun factor. I ride all year round and find that through winter, grip warmers are essential especially when going over the Main Divide passes in temperatures around or below 0. Cold hands suck, frostbite sucks even more. The pic below is one of many trips I have done in the cold/snow, this one was over 10 hours riding through snow all the way from Lake Kaniere to my doorstep in Chch. I was kitted in the right gear and my grip heaters kept my hands toasty warm all the way, the ride was outstanding, Arthurs Pass is a stunning place when laced in snow.


Stopping just out of Otira to fit the snow chains to get up and over through to Arthurs Pass

I was like Nightfalcon originally, but wouldn't ride without heated grips now.

+1

[rigley]

Those look identical to the Symtech/Dual Star ones at a good price. I've fitted 3 sets of those to different bikes & the only problem in a combined 100k+ km of on & offroad use has been the rocker switch supplied with the first set. A toggle switch like in the kit pictured is the way to go.

Cheers
Clint

Had a reply from Cycletreads this morning, they have sold out and the supplier is not making any more