Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: JerBear on December 17, 2013, 07:39:32 AM

Title: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: JerBear on December 17, 2013, 07:39:32 AM
For those of you out there that are lucky enough to have either of these things (or both) what seems to work best.  I am not a winter rider, snow and ice sends her to purgatory but I do like 40 deg driving and Iv'e been looking at both of these farkels.  My hands turn to blocks of stone if I don't keep them warm so I always wear at least a light leather glove year round.  I v'e never had heated grips but use Grip Puppies for the larger size and cushion and like the way they feel.  What works best for you and why?
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: Son of Pappy on December 17, 2013, 08:04:56 AM
Baker hand wings first, then it becomes how comfortable are you in regards to wiring.  I started with the grips, used the el cheapo trackside laminated element.  Still in use today 5 years later.  I also have the gloves, which I rarely use, I just do not like bulky gloves and the issues taking them off and putting them back on.
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: udoggie on December 17, 2013, 08:31:12 AM
I have both.

Heated grips are easy and quick to use, without any real planning in advance.  They work, although on a 0-10 scale I would give them a 4 for warmth.

Heated gloves are a bit more work, and require planning.  (You have to put them on before you ride, and connect them to some sort of power.)  They do a lot better job (the wind hits the outside of your hand, not the inside) at keeping a more steady, comfortable temp, and on the 0-10 scale I would give them an 8 for warmth.

A "10" isn't anything that I'd post publicly, but it involves a fireplace, bearskin rug, and my wife...

  -UD




Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: Roger.m on December 17, 2013, 08:35:35 AM
I have aero wing from projektD to keep the wind away and heated gloves by tour master. The heated gloves put the heat on the back of the hands and grips place the heat at the palm. I plan on adding heated grips during winter maintenance.
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: Conrad on December 17, 2013, 08:39:30 AM
I can't comment on heated gloves or grips but since you have a first gen bike you really need to address the issue of the wind on your hands first. I have Motax hand air deflectors and they work great.

[smg id=414]

ProjektD makes air deflectors that are similar to Motax and are much easier to get. I can't comment on the Bakers.   
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: Rhino on December 17, 2013, 08:45:51 AM
Heated grips are inexpensive and are always there when you need them. That said I agree with udoggie, they help, but as the temp get colder they can blister the palms of your hands but the tops of your hands will still be cold. I only have 7v battery gloves and they are not enough when the temps get below 20 or so.
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: stevewfl on December 17, 2013, 09:33:19 AM
both.

heated grips from China (knock-offs, same quality, made in same plant) are around 6 bux.

heated glove liners from warmnsafe or gerbings can be had new on ebay around 80-90 bux

stay warm  8)
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: ZG on December 17, 2013, 09:42:43 AM
Both.


Heated grips for down to about 40 degrees, heated gloves for down into the teens.  :)
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: stevewfl on December 17, 2013, 09:44:40 AM
Both.


Heated grips for down to about 40 degrees, heated gloves for down into the teens.  :)

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: Conrad on December 17, 2013, 09:49:16 AM
Both.


Heated grips for down to about 40 degrees, heated gloves for down into the teens.  :)

Yeah but you have air deflectors too.
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: PH14 on December 17, 2013, 11:25:49 AM
For 40 degree riding I really don't need heated anything. Good gloves are fine, so with that in mind I agree with everyone else, take care of the wind first with some sort of deflector, and then go with grips.
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: mvjr1904 on December 17, 2013, 11:45:12 AM

If you are on facebook you can see some additional pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/FlatheadWings/photos_stream (http://www.facebook.com/FlatheadWings/photos_stream).You'll notice in the pics that the spacers are white but I have changed the spacers to black.

The wings are $55 paypal gift and include the black spacers and stainless steel screws and shipping.
No affiliation, just a plug.
I bought a set of these air deflectors from a member in Oct 2012.  Work great, no issues up to 125 mph. 
Don't know if he's still out there, or if still making them or the 2012 price.
They do deflect air over your hands.
Coldest temps here in SoCal 43 degrees at midnight at 80 mph.
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: clogan on December 17, 2013, 12:50:42 PM
I ride in temps down into the 20s, as long as roads re dry...use both heated grips and heated gloves, at at times wish I also had Hippo Hands gripmuffs, or the equivalent. They are ugly, but perhaps the most effective of all. Many's the time I've had grips and gloves both set to max, and then wishing for more heat! Sometimes I even wear a pair of those blue nitrile mechanics shop gloves inside my heated gloves, to help block wind.

Santa, are you listening?
Grip muffs!
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: ZG on December 17, 2013, 01:08:51 PM
Yeah but you have air deflectors too.


True.  :) :thumbs:
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: ZG on December 17, 2013, 01:12:03 PM
For 40 degree riding I really don't need heated anything. Good gloves are fine


I've survived flying coach before and got to where I needed to get, but if you have the choice why not fly first class and be in comfort...  :-\ ;D :thumbs: :chugbeer:
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: stevewfl on December 17, 2013, 01:33:06 PM

I've survived flying coach before and got to where I needed to get, but if you have the choice why not fly first class and be in comfort...  :-\ ;D :thumbs: :chugbeer:

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: maxtog on December 17, 2013, 04:59:40 PM
I can't comment on heated gloves or grips but since you have a first gen bike you really need to address the issue of the wind on your hands first. I have Motax hand air deflectors and they work great.

Agreed.

I don't have heated gloves OR deflectors.  But the logic is there, in priority:

1) Deflect cold air
2) Grip warmers
3) Better gloves
4) Heated gloves

I skipped 1) and 2) is included... so adding 3) was all I ever seem to need.
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: PH14 on December 18, 2013, 08:42:29 AM

I've survived flying coach before and got to where I needed to get, but if you have the choice why not fly first class and be in comfort...  :-\ ;D :thumbs: :chugbeer:

True, but I am comfortable with deflectors and good gloves at 40F. I was just saying that grips would probably be enough in those conditions provided you have deflectors and good gloves.  :chugbeer:
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: PH14 on December 18, 2013, 08:44:02 AM
Of course this begs to question, if you have truly good Winter riding gloves, not heated, how well does the heat transfer to your hands from heated grips?
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: MGvaleri on December 18, 2013, 11:04:23 AM
Wind deflectors on MY 2007/2009 / GTR 1400 do not need, never heard of wind hit the hands, air.

MGvalerio. ;D
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: Spanky on December 18, 2013, 11:51:02 AM
I agree with the general consensus. I have the micro wire gerbings gloves and they are great. Not bulky at all and will roast your hands if you turn them up. I added the wind deflectors and they made a big difference in the cold. Even with electric gloves, I feel the deflectors are worth the money and they are very easy to install. Heated grips are nice too and I install them every winter. If I could only pic one out of the three, the heated gloves would get the vote. They are the cats meow in cold weather.
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: jimmymac on December 18, 2013, 11:59:10 AM
I sold my heated gloves after getting my '10 Connie. I didn't need them anymore.
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: Boomer on December 19, 2013, 05:26:29 AM
I run heated grips on my C10 and they are good down to 32F with winter "lobster-claw" gloves.
Much colder than that I am in the car as have ridden on ice and snow and have crashed on both,... and have no desire to ever repeat the experience.
On the C14 I have the deflectors and with my winter gloves I am good down to 40F.
I don't have heated grips on my C14.
Title: Re: Heated Grips or Gloves
Post by: koskn8r on December 26, 2013, 08:23:05 PM
I've had both.

On my Sprint, I rode solely with the Gerbing heated gloves and they worked great until I got to 10F and below.  At those temps, the tips of my fingers typically got numb by the time I got to work (about 40 min. ride on busy mornings).

Since I got the new Connie, it came standard with the heated grips.  I can't believe them.  They are awesome.  I've ridden to work down to 9F and my hands have not gotten numb.  They were cold but not terribly so.  If I had the deflectors, they'd have been toasty warm.

Keep in mind the size of the gloves you buy.  Don't get them too tight.  A little bit of wiggle room allows the heat to flow around the fingers and keep them warm all around.  I have the Tourmaster Winter Elite gloves (have had them for several years).

Of course, both would be ideal.  I haven't installed an outlet for the Gerbings yet.  That's gonna be sweet for the really cold days....

Just my .02.