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View Full Version : Suzuki Factory Heated Grips


TheTwins
10-31-2005, 11:30 AM
About $115 from Oneida Suzuki. It was a while ago, just got around to installing them

Minimal instructions for a somewhat complex system. The instructions would lead you to believe this was going to be a 30 minute job. And they don't tell you the right order to do ANYTHING, and they also forget to tell you that the LH fairing / side cover and radiator also must come off. For example they tell you to connect all the wires before you even routed them or installed the grips. Not coo. Do it in the order that actually makes sense to you.

Installation time was about 3 hours totally taking my time. You have to take off the front cowl, both LH & RH side covers and fairings, pull the radiator down (leave the hoses on) and remove the handguards (if using them), old grips, and the LH mirror. I played around with a bunch of different wire routings since I wanted it to look really good and not have any wire issues down the road. So I really, really took my time. I used Permatex #16B adhesive for the clutch grip after thoroughly cleaning the bare handlebar end. On the throttle side, I re-greased and cleaned everything prior to installing the new RH grip assembly.

Nice looking parts bag and good product presentation. Comes with everything you will need - all hardware including some black zip ties. There was a mysterious rubber washer that was not named, I don't know where that goes and I don't really care.

Overall installation looks really good. It does look factory. My buddy came over and I asked him to tell me what looked different, and besides my new Cee Baileys he could not find a thing. I had to point out the new wire for the throttle side and he was really surprised how well integrated the whole system looks. I am very pleased with the presentation and installation.

You get a nice rheostatic controller that has the same color & font of the rest of the controls, so it also looks factory and it is nicely placed. I bumped the dial once in a while with my tank bag but it is otherwise in a good spot and it really is nice to have infinite control over the temp settings vs. just low or high or off like on my snowmobile.

Overall fit and finish is really good. Looks totally factory and gives the bike that look of luxury - knowing you'll have warm hands. Everything fit perfectly and looks great.

Performance is very good. The pigtail connector that you plug into is not energized unless the bike is running (it is not on when just the key is on). The grips heat up quick, and the adjustment dial actually works. You can really fine tune the amount of heat you want. The only thing to note is that the throttle side grip is warmer than the clutch side. I think this is due to the throttle tube acting as an insulator, whereas the clutch side, there is some heat transfer into the handlebar vs. going into your hand. I think I will spray some expanding foam in there on the clutch side only to slow down this effect. It does not concern me yet, but it is something to note.

Overall - very satisfied with this product and my purchase. I will play with the expanding foam as noted above, to even out the heat distribution LH to RH sides. This setup is a nice clean fit that leaves me thinking it is factory hardware and it works very well. I am very pleased and for the money and intended purpose, I would highly recommend them.

10-31-2005, 10:12 PM
I agree with The Twins assessment. Although I did not have to remove the left side of the fairing. The wiring adapter could have been about 2" longer, and the factory plug on the bike was actually just behind the horn, not behind the fan as the instructions say.
The instructions do seem to be all backwards. I too wondered what the foamy rubber washer was. Maybe it goes on the handlebar prior to slipping on the left grip?
The grips work very nicely, heat wise, although the throttle side is definatly warmer. This seems to occur with most brands of heated grips.
It would be real nice if the rheostat had a small red light to indicate its position.
They really warm up the palm of your glove nicely, and that heat does spread to the remainder of your hand after awhile.
I live in Canada, and have used the grips in +4 temp with no problem.

cheers

k5 in kanada

rcacs
10-31-2005, 10:22 PM
Oops, forgot to sign in on my last post. I wanted to add that the grip set is rather pricey, 240.00 here in canada.
Took me about 1.5hr to install the kit. After looking at several options, I decided to go with the factory job because of the "factory" look, the factory plugs and the warranty (i hope).
I bought my k5 in march and have 31,000 trouble free KM's on her.

cheers

k5 in Kanada

teddyrob66
11-02-2005, 09:24 AM
alls i can say is wow thats alot of work to put those things on...the fairing and radiator have to come off and handguards too? ridiculous...i guess i dont like tinkering as much as you guys cause i dread having to take the damn seat off the bike because it seems to never go back on right! i will do my own oil changes, but im never getting the valves checked since it seems they are always in spec and im just going to enjoy riding the thing...im really sick and tired of hearing all the stuff that has to come off to do relatively simple tasks...you guys have alot more patience than me. i wonder if you sit at 4 way stops and wait for everyone else to go ahead of you? :?

TheTwins
11-02-2005, 09:38 AM
...you guys have alot more patience than me.

No kidding. It really wasn't that bad, I just like to take my time. Do you drink beer? Cracking one or two while doing a project like this makes it go much smoother and it's pretty enjoyable.

11-02-2005, 10:52 AM
You dont need to remove the Rad, and it can be done without removing any of the side fairing panels. The black underbelly of the fairing has to come off, but that is a simple affair.

cheers

TheTwins
11-03-2005, 03:39 PM
Maybe not, but I did it my own way and took my time. I could probably change my oil without removing the drain plug, but it's too hard for me to hold the bike upside down while the oil's draining :D :D

The Shepherd
11-03-2005, 04:06 PM
After a bit of a fight I got my heated grips installed.

I pulled a big boneheader though. When removing the bar ends I unscrewed the bolt completely as I'd neven changed grips on any of my previous bikes and didn't understand how the bar ends were held in place.

I ended up leaving the little rubber bit and bolt at the very end in the bars on both sides. I also ended up pushing them farther up the bar so I needed a coat hanger with the end hooked right over on itself to pull the one out. The other side I had to use another coathanger like a fish and push far enough out I could snag it with the other coathanger......what a nightmare !!!

Other than my screw-up the grips went on easy, the hardest part was getting my paws behind the rad and hooking up the first clip on the little wiring harness Suzuki supplied.

The grips are real nice though, they get hot set on full blast. I think they are going to be one of my favourite mods ever on any bike.

TheTwins
11-04-2005, 08:32 AM
Shepherd we've all done it, fortunately you got them out. These are one of my favorite mods too. Makes the riding season a few months longer.

11-06-2005, 01:22 PM
Just ordered my heated grips, after a wet ride, home from DC in nearly freezing tempuratures ( 34 in Lynchburg). Glad to hear i'm not the only one to leave the rubber pieces in the bar, while putting on my cruise. Just ordered my heated grips, after a wet ride

GGRJR
11-06-2005, 01:26 PM
OPOPS last reply was mine.

Ghostdog
12-05-2005, 01:01 PM
Just curious if the Suzuki heated grips are a little thicker than OEM grips? I figure they have to be a little bit bigger in diameter to accomodate the heating element molded inside. If so, is it a a comfortable or noticeable difference?

12-06-2005, 12:38 AM
They are noticably thicker, which to me is a nice change. The compound isnt as soft as the original ones though.

cheers

TheTwins
12-06-2005, 08:51 AM
They're a little thicker, and I also like it better. Prevents your gloves from excessive bunching up in your palm. Takes about 30 seconds to get used to it, then you're happy.