Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Jrodizzle07 on March 26, 2015, 01:18:22 PM

Title: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: Jrodizzle07 on March 26, 2015, 01:18:22 PM
So after having the bike for a year, and dealing with cold hands this winter, I finally thought about finding why my grip heaters wouldn't work. Pulled the 'glove box' out and found both wires coming from the heater control were unplugged. Does anyone know why they would have done that? Kinda makes me nervous, but they seem to be working just fine now that they have power >:(... Also realized while I was in there that the bottom of the glove box should have had a bolt in it, no wonder why it was wobbly. The little things you have to deal with buying used, oh well.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: jimmymac on March 26, 2015, 01:26:39 PM
Some people can't fix bikes. Some people  can't fix anything. Glad to hear it was an easy fix.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: Rhino on March 26, 2015, 02:01:08 PM
Did you buy the bike new? It means someone definitely had that left top panel off and didn't put the bolt for the glove box back in or re-connect the grip heater control.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: RBX QB on March 26, 2015, 02:03:51 PM
... Also realized while I was in there that the bottom of the glove box should have had a bolt in it, no wonder why it was wobbly. The little things you have to deal with buying used, oh well.

Or new... Mine still has no bolt in it.


As for the plug... I've had that panel off a lot, so I can see forgetting to plug it back in (tho I haven't yet). At least it was something trivial and not a problem with the wiring.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: JoeRau on March 26, 2015, 02:23:16 PM
Or new... Mine still has no bolt in it.


As for the plug... I've had that panel off a lot, so I can see forgetting to plug it back in (tho I haven't yet). At least it was something trivial and not a problem with the wiring.

Same here. 
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: Jrodizzle07 on March 26, 2015, 07:53:38 PM
Yea, it was used. I'm writing it off as the previous owner or dealer did it on accident. It's working fine now so I doubt there was some issue with it that caused them to purposely unplug them.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: elp_jc on March 27, 2015, 04:54:51 PM
Or new... Mine still has no bolt in it
Yep, another 'no-bolt' owner here, and mine is a 2015. Had a BMW aluminum torx bolt laying around, and it happened to be the exact thread size and pitch, so that's fixed now. Instead of that wobbly mess, the left panel/storage is rock-solid now, like it should be. I highly recommend installing a bolt there folks. When I removed the storage to remove the locking crap, noticed wires were all loose in there, so zip-tied everything neatly as well, including the now unused storage solenoid wire. By the way, it sucks not having a dash light (or ANY light, for that matter) for the heated grips when ON, but that's what happens when a manufacturer does a half-ass job of adding something mid-cycle. Oh well.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: maxtog on March 27, 2015, 05:04:26 PM
By the way, it sucks not having a dash light (or ANY light, for that matter) for the heated grips when ON

That is an annoying omission.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: Jrodizzle07 on March 27, 2015, 06:47:44 PM
But they thought to throw the annoyingly bright high beams light on the dash lol! I had a Kawa bolt that fit in the glove box from buying the wrong one for the battery cover last year so it's nice and tight in there now.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: Rembrant on March 28, 2015, 06:15:35 AM
By the way, it sucks not having a dash light (or ANY light, for that matter) for the heated grips when ON...

That is an annoying omission.

When the grips get warm, that means that they're ON. If the grips are not warm, that means that they're OFF.

Do you guys need an indicator light for that?...LOL.

Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 28, 2015, 06:45:33 AM
 :doh:
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: maxtog on March 28, 2015, 07:15:49 AM
When the grips get warm, that means that they're ON. If the grips are not warm, that means that they're OFF.

Do you guys need an indicator light for that?...LOL.

Yes!  It is just nice to have control feedback.

It is funny how often mine accidentally get turned on when I don't want them... I think it is the pip that sticks up gets caught on clothing or something.  I am riding a while thinking something is wrong, and eventually get the "yikes my hands are hot" reaction.  Since I have the grip puppies, it takes a long time for them to get hot.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: jimmymac on March 28, 2015, 07:22:57 AM
Guys at work will turn on my grips and seat in the Summer. I get out of the parking lot and realize I'm on fire! :o
I try and check before every ride, but get caught out on occasion.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 28, 2015, 07:41:18 AM
Be glad they don't put the plastic puddle of oil or antifreeze under the bike.  Another favorite of mine is turning the kill switch off.  Ah good times.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: Deziner on March 28, 2015, 07:57:41 AM
Or turning the petcock to the "off" position at a fuel stop.  ::)
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 28, 2015, 08:31:55 AM
Glad we don't have one of those..
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: Jrodizzle07 on March 28, 2015, 09:41:56 PM
I guess next people are going to want some kind of flashing light and beeping noise to remind them which way they're turning.  ;D
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: gPink on March 29, 2015, 06:10:43 AM
I guess next people are going to want some kind of flashing light and beeping noise to remind them which way they're turning.  ;D
...and to tell them when they're done.  :rotflmao:
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: elp_jc on March 31, 2015, 11:44:15 AM
When the grips get warm, that means that they're ON. If the grips are not warm, that means that they're OFF. Do you guys need an indicator light for that?
With your smart a$$ comment, you're implying they're only an on/off switch, when they're NOT. If you leave them on by accident, we're talking the minimum level, which you might or might not feel with grip puppies. At least not for a while. It's also quite cumbersome to turn that freaking switch with gloves, especially winter ones. And you certainly can't know where the heck you set them, especially at night. Hopefully with the next iteration they'll do what BMW did, and incorporate them into a menu, where you can clearly see 'low', 'medium', 'high', and see an icon on the dash they're on.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: VirginiaJim on April 01, 2015, 04:53:56 AM
Smart a$$ comments are welcome here..in fact, they are encouraged.  This may be a smart a$$ comment as well.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: jimmymac on April 01, 2015, 03:44:19 PM
I like smart a$$ comments a lot more than dumb a$$ ones. 8)

I also don't want more lights on my dash of more clutter flashing at me. My dash is busy enough the way it is.
I don't want KIPASS, TMS, instant fuel mileage, and don't wish for cruise.
Just give me a fast bike that's comfy.
Title: Re: Fixed my heated grips..
Post by: Jrodizzle07 on April 03, 2015, 07:23:48 AM
Cruise is the only thing you listed that I would like, other than the fast and comfy part haha. It would be nice on long trips, especially ones on the interstate.