• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

Heated grips - Advise?

oddfire

oddfire

Master Malcontent
Joined
Jan 28, 2006
Location
east bay
Moto(s)
"...we dont need no stinkin' bikes!!!"
Name
Oddfire
Im looking to install heated grips on my wife's and my bike.

I have seen complete setups like Oxford / Hot grips to kits that you glue on the handlebar/throttle, under the existing grips like Dual Star / Symtec.

I have a left over heat controller from Gerbing that I can use instead of a simple on-off switch.

Any recomendations or advice on the complete grip set ups and the under the grip type kit?
 
I recommend the under the Symtec grips because you can use any grips you like. I have had poor customer service experiences with DualStars so I'd recommend California Sport-Touring or any other vendor for the Symtec grips.

I've had the Symtec heated grip elements on three bikes and loved them. My experience has been that the high setting is too hot for temps above the mid-30s. I usually just leave mine on the low setting and have never used a Heat Troller.
 
Love my heated grips, especially in the spring and fall. Nothing like cranking those puppies to high while you're getting geared up. by the time you throw your leg over the bike the grips are nice and toasty...
I don't remember the model, but I believe they're made by Heat Demons. They have heaters (not listed on their site), that are foam grip covers that just slide over your existing grips. Makes for quicker warm ups and higher heat range, vs. heating the entire metal bar under the grips.
 
Best decision I ever made--my fingers used to get numb and white in the evenings (few too many MN winters), and now they're toasty warm. Got the KTM kit for $26, runs under the existing grips. The only downside is that your right grip is thinner than the left, which means the right gets noticeably warmer. I think some kits have a smaller resistor for the left, which helps even it out.
 
dooooo eeeeeetttt!

The symtec (?) has different resistance heating elements right and left for ballanced heat

actually has 2 different circuits of heating element in each grip for the hi-lo

pretty easy to install. Use a powered relay

Makes it easier to tollerate a wider range of temps, especially when you find yourself underdressed for success ... and they are always on your bike so you cant forget them somewheres.

Another pro-tip is that radio shack offers an assortment baggie of doubled / trippled spade male/female connector adapters (in a variety pack of different configurations,) so as to tap power from the parking light (or other switched power) without needing to physically splice wires
 
GPzPop said:
dooooo eeeeeetttt!

The symtec (?) has different resistance heating elements right and left for ballanced heat

actually has 2 different circuits of heating element in each grip for the hi-lo

pretty easy to install. Use a powered relay

Makes it easier to tollerate a wider range of temps, especially when you find yourself underdressed for success ... and they are always on your bike so you cant forget them somewheres.

Another pro-tip is that radio shack offers an assortment baggie of doubled / trippled spade male/female connector adapters (in a variety pack of different configurations,) so as to tap power from the parking light (or other switched power) without needing to physically splice wires
Click to expand...

Yep I second this. Get a Relay from your local auto parts and the install is cake. I love my Symtec. I have the button toggle and not the rocker switch and it looks factory installed. Low is perfect for those chilly mornings. High is good for those days below 35.
 
What everyone said about Symtec is correct. Best upgrade I have made, will not have another bike with out them.

Bill
 
had heated grips for a couple years, then i went to heated gloves. What a difference. :teeth

Skip the heated grips and get heated gloves like Powerlet and be happy. Heated grips on the bike only heated the inside of my hand, leaving my fingers to freeze....especially if you are a two finger braker like me. Heated gloves fix that problem and allow you to adjust the temp.
 
I installed my 4th set yesterday (I keep changing bikes). As you can tell, I'm a big fan. Make sure to wire up a relay or you'll find yourself with a dead battery pretty often. I bought some generic Trackside ones from Cycle Gear that go under the existing grips. Never had a problem with them. But you'll need extra wires, crimp connectors, and probably a soldering gun.
 
tlsmikey said:
had heated grips for a couple years, then i went to heated gloves. What a difference. :teeth

Skip the heated grips and get heated gloves like Powerlet and be happy. Heated grips on the bike only heated the inside of my hand, leaving my fingers to freeze....especially if you are a two finger braker like me. Heated gloves fix that problem and allow you to adjust the temp.
Click to expand...

Smart man :thumbup
 
I also vote for the gloves. I have a Widder vest with the glove harness, I agree that the gloves keep the backs of your fingers, the part the wind is beating on, warmer than heated grips. Hmm, maybe I'll just try running a battery cable up my ass......
 
Kimpex Snowmobile grip heaters

Hella cheap, pretty easy to install.

I advise wiring them through something like your front running lights, switched power will reduce dead battery angst.

They only draw about 15w or so a far as I can recall, so they don't impair your charging, unless you ride an older Ducati..:)
 
I have heated grips. Having never had them before, I thought I was in heaven at first but then when the weather got really cold, (30ish) no glove I could find would keep my hands warm enough, even with the grips set on high that wasn't too bulky.

So last winter I went to heated gloves and found that I now laugh at cold weather.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top