Aftermarket grip heaters for those of us without the stock ones

[SVonhof]

I know a few people have installed them. How easy is it? Motorcycle Gear.com has a kit for $50 that seems like a good deal and has me wondering if I should do it:
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts/accessories/grips__heated_grips/symtec/motorcycle_grip_heaters_with_round_rocker_switch.html

I typically don't ride when it gets under 45 degrees or so, but this morning I rode in and it was over 46 at the house, but on the way to work, it got colder and my hands were feeling it. I hate the winter gloves as I loose all feel of the grips because of the thinsulate that is in the gloves.

[lather]

I dumped my symtecs in favor of these http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Rider/heated_grip_kit.htmbut your link looks like Symptec has improved theirs. Still, the DualStars are 15 cheaper.
10 years on my VFR and 5 on the C14 and still working. Easy enough to install the heaters but you will also want to install a relay to avoid a dead battery should you forget to turn thrm off.

[BruceR]

I put the dual stars on my bike.  It was a perfect time to install new gel grips as well.  I also splurged on the Heattroller controllerer that gives me a lot more adjustability.  Most likely I'll upgrade to HotGrips this winter.  I think they'll put out more heat, and heat umore quickly, than the dual stars do.

[SVonhof]

Thanks for the info guys. I don't mind the stock grips, but obviously would replace them when installing the heaters. I don't mind going with the Dual Stars if others report back positive results with them. I have never had heated grips and have always just dealt with the cold even though other riders I know swear by them!

[SVonhof]

Easy enough to install the heaters but you will also want to install a relay to avoid a dead battery should you forget to turn thrm off.

Don't we have a switched circuit that would turn off when the bike turns off that we can use?

[SVonhof]

O.K., I have more questions after reading the installation instructions on the link I gave (no PDF of instructions on the Dual Star web site that I could find).

First, it says that if the throttle sleeve has ribs, they will have to be cut or ground off. Do the C14's have ribs? I know my TL1000R did.

Second, it says to use JB Weld or some similar high-temp adhesive to install the grips, did you guys do that or just do the old hair-spray or liquid soap install method?

[lather]

O.K., I have more questions after reading the installation instructions on the link I gave (no PDF of instructions on the Dual Star web site that I could find).

First, it says that if the throttle sleeve has ribs, they will have to be cut or ground off. Do the C14's have ribs? I know my TL1000R did.

Second, it says to use JB Weld or some similar high-temp adhesive to install the grips, did you guys do that or just do the old hair-spray or liquid soap install method?

I don't remember any ribs, if they were there they were not a problem. I did not use any glue at all the grips I use are a snug fit and don't move. If you are twisting your grips on the tubes you are holding on way to tight. " Hold on loosely, but don't let go" 38 Special

[lather]

Don't we have a switched circuit that would turn off when the bike turns off that we can use?

You could but it would be better to use it to trigger a relay.

[roadie]

anyone know the name of those grip heaters that just pop over your existing grips and plug into your utility plug?

[So Cal Joe]

I had the Dual Star on 2 of my Gold Wings, I never would have bought them, I received them as a present. They take a long time to warm up and if your in COLD weather your palms are the only thing that gets warm, your fingers, and the back of your hands are still cold.

[martin_14]

first of all, sorry if already somebody said this, but I just read the original post and not the answers.
In my opinion, a more important accessory to protect from the cold are wind deflectors. Those from Motax or anything else, doesn't matter. Once those are on, you can complement the effect with grip heaters. It's awful to toast your palms while the outer side is frozen. And the deflectors do a great job in the rain too.

[lather]

The real cold weather solution is heated clothing. I used the grip heaters for years and they are convenient to have but no comparison to good heated gloves. I used wind deflectors along with my heated grips and my fingers still went numb below 40 F.

[MikeERideWNC]

I just installed these on several of my bikes.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200651961882?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Fairly simple install. About an hour per bike.
They have a high and low. High gets very hot.

I just bought six of these to install on my friends bikes, basically to get them to stop whining about their hands being cold.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120783134118?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
They should be just as good minus the low heat setting. But the price it definately right.


I have these on my C-14 and I have put them on several other bikes with a good outcome.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110762254973?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
They are a bit more.
The heat range is fully adjustable.
You can mount the switch in the left Aux outlet hole.
The grip itself has a wider diameter and is a bit more comfortable over the stock grips.

The seller FlyNCycle is a decent Ebay vendor. I buy a lot of stuff from him and I have never had an issue.

[jjsC6]

I had Symtecs on two different bikes.  If you gave me another set for free I'd throw them in the trash and spend my own money for something different.  I'm pretty good at electrical stuff and I thoroughly tried to figure out why the heat came and went (mostly went on long rides).  I tried to figure out how to contact them and never did.

In the future I would not buy the kind of goes on under the grips.  I'd buy heated grips themselves.

[basmntdweller]

I have been thinking about this for a while but rather indecisive. MikeERideWNC's ebay link got me to pull the trigger. If I don't like them, I am only out $65. I always worried that my palms would be warm but my fingers would still be freezing. Now I will find out first hand!

Matt

[MikeERideWNC]

FYI - Get a BFH to install the grips and NEVER plan on removing them.
They go on tight and will need to be cut off.

Also if you plan to install a throttle lock, now is the time. This way you can slide the grip right up to the lock and leave a perfect gap.
I used this one with sucess.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-VF1100C-V65-Magna-Cruise-Control-Throttle-Lock-/200518145368?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2eafd01558
It can be found much, much cheaper.
I found two on a V45 Magna website for 12.00 each.
You just have to search around.

[jjsC6]

I have been thinking about this for a while but rather indecisive. MikeERideWNC's ebay link got me to pull the trigger. If I don't like them, I am only out $65. I always worried that my palms would be warm but my fingers would still be freezing. Now I will find out first hand!

Matt

Everyone who has not had heated grips wonders how they will keep you entire hand warm hanging out there in the cold.  Trust me, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

[jaclaw]

Can you add the newer heated grips from the '10 and newer models to an '08 or '09, anybody got a part # for them?

[basmntdweller]

I wished I would have had my heated grips installed friday! I took off for a short ride after work. I only had my regular thin summer gloves with the lining in my Tourmaster mesh jacket. I only expected to be gone about an hour but three hours later the sun was setting and I was still an hour from home. I'll never take off like that again without my cold weather gloves and the rain liner for my jacket. I hate the rain liner since it doesn't breathe but it cuts all wind.
I was kind of afraid to take off my gloves when I got home. My fingers had been numb for well over an hour from the cold. No permanent damage though.
It was a great ride till the sun went down and it got really cold for how I was geared up!

Matt