Heated Grips

[Danielle]

With the colder nights ( and days ) approaching, my husband talked me into fitting some Oxford heated grips.
He'll fit them sometime today. Has anyone fitted these before ? and is it worth it ? Kev had them as standard on his BMW K1100 and he swore by them, but I've never used them before.

Changing the subject, there are quite a few parts to be had on eBay for my Transalp, but did you know there are parts to be had also on the American eBay ( www.ebay.com ) ? Kev buys tons of stuff from the States, just got a good quality rear brake caliper for his Goldwing 1200 for just £15. The bike clothing and helmets sold there are really cheap. Shipping ( as they call it ) can be expensive though, depending on the weight, but smaller or lighter items are not bad. We're as poor as church mice ( that being the case for the defence ) but my brother is a pilot and I can send heavier items to New York for him to collect and bring back, I've had him bring a set of Honda VT 1100 mag wheels back ( £64 including both front discs ) before today. I recently bought an Arlon Ness bike jacket on the American eBay, brand new with body armour for just £19 too.
Regards
Danielle.

[fatowl]

Heated grips are a real luxury in winter. Once you've had them you won't want to be without !

[apple3]

Heated grips work very well and even better with handle bar muff's, I also used to have heated boot in-soles. I did Courier work so that sort of kit was a life saver as it kept your hands and feet warm so you can stay in control on the coldest Motorways. I was told not to wire them into the ingintion but to the battery, also turn them off before you turn off the engine. You have to clue the right hand grip on really well as it can slip after a hour or 2.
Enjoy the bliss and it also saves you from needing Cod Liver Oil when you get Old.
Regards A3

[jussita]

I fitted Oxford grip heaters earlier this year. They work very well and are nice even in a wet summer like we had this year. Wet and warm hands feel so much better than wet and cold hands.

Some points about the installation:

The fitting instructions suggest that you can connect the heaters directly to the battery, as the control cuts the heating off when the battery voltage sinks below X volts (don't remember exactly). I installed a relay which feeds power to the heaters only when the ignition is on, to prevent leaving them on accidentally. Now it seems that this was perhaps an unnecessary precaution. With ignition on and engine not running the control always cuts out in a few seconds so I don't think it would be possible to drain the battery even with a direct connection.

If you do decide to use a relay, put it under the storage box under the seat. I first put it under the RH side cover, but rain water and dirt were a problem. The brake light wire is good for the relay control current.

The grips come with open ends. I bought two slightly different sized rubber caps for 60 cents total and glued them on.

The old grips came out easily. If not, then use a carpet knife and kill them. The heated grips went on easily, too. Check the desired position of the wires before you apply glue because it sets very fast, after a few seconds the grips won't move anymore. I did allow them to dry full 24 hrs before riding. Had no problems with loose grips.

The control unit I put on the bracket and fitted on the LH side of the handlebar with a bicycle bell type bracket. All the wiring connectors I put in one tight package, wrapped black duct tape over it and tucked away from sight under the handlebar.

[Slimie]

Heated grips are a real luxury in winter. Once you've had them you won't want to be without !

Seconded, gotta get a pair before the winter sets in.

I've been looking that the Symtec ones from Winding Roads that fit under your own grips. Good reports from ADV on the Orange Crush dept!!

http://www.windingroads.co.uk/catalo...roducts_id=138

-Simon

[V Saarela]

Seconded, gotta get a pair before the winter sets in.

I've been looking that the Symtec ones from Winding Roads that fit under your own grips. Good reports from ADV on the Orange Crush dept!!

http://www.windingroads.co.uk/catalo...roducts_id=138

-Simon

Yes, the Symtec ones(mostly for snowmobiles) are great

I use them among others:

Keeps my hands warm



Keeps my feet warm



Keeps my face warm

[mickr]

i fitted a pair of oxford heated grips to a suzuki freewind for a lady customer last winter, wired through fuse directly to battery and shes had no power drainage problems at all. you must glue them to the bars though as they do tend to slip after a while.
they must be good as i am currently rebuilding her fellas 750 tenere, and after riding her bike he now wants some fitting.


"GOOD,FAST AND CHEAP, PICK ONLY TWO. IF ITS GOOD AND FAST IT WONT BE CHEAP, IF ITS FAST AND CHEAP IT WONT BE GOOD, AND IF ITS GOOD AND CHEAP IT WONT BE FAST" HERE ENDETH THE LESSON!!