OEM heated grips - switch question

[kosick]

I am in the market for heated grips and am considering the OEM heated grips for ease of install. I was wondering if the controller is variable, or does it have a L-M-H setting? It's difficult to tell from the picture.

For those of you using the OEM heaters, do you feel they're worth the money? I was also considering the Eastern Beaver heated grip adapter with an aftermarket heated grip.

Thanks

[kosick]

I am in the market for heated grips and am considering the OEM heated grips for ease of install. I was wondering if the controller is variable, or does it have a L-M-H setting? It's difficult to tell from the picture.

For those of you using the OEM heaters, do you feel they're worth the money? I was also considering the Eastern Beaver heated grip adapter with an aftermarket heated grip.

Thanks

I forgot to add: Do the OEM grip heaters work well with grip puppies?

[greywolf]

OEM heaters would be my last choice. They are ridiculously expensive, often heat unevenly, and are not easier to install. They are the only solution that requires removing the stock throttle tube. Grip Puppies work nicely with any heated grip. If you are planning on using them, I would go with a wrap around heater like Symtec or Dual Star used with a controller. A controller from http://www.warmnsafe.com/motorcycle_handgrips.php would be a good choice and follow their wiring diagram. Use an ATV heater such as http://www.symtec-inc.com/Store/tabid/1174/ProductID/30/List/1/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName

Ignore the "not for motorcycles" warning. That's about ATV heaters being the same on both sides whereas motorcycle heaters have a higher output on the clutch side to allow for heat drain by the handlebar if the heater goes under the grip. You want ATV heaters if you place them over the grip as they are nicely insulated from the handlebar. Then apply the Grip Puppies over the heaters. That setup will put more heat closer to the hands and use less electricity for the same warmth than if they were under the grips. A controller is necessary to keep the grips from getting too hot.

I installer Hot Grips brand heated grips before I thought of the above and they work nicely under large Grip Puppies for more money. Oxford Heaterz are good too. Really, avoid Suzuki's.

[KZDon]

I installed the OEM heated grips, and a set of OEM handguards, early this fall. They've been great. Everything fits where it's supposed to. Everything connects where it's supposed to.

The heat conroller is a rheostat - infinitely variable - if I was to complain I'd say the dial need a little more resistance when it turns as it is very easy to set it too hot or too cold, or even to turn it on by mistake.

The biggest hassle is finding the connector behind the rad. Take off the fairing first, then undo the mouting bolts on the rad so it can tip forward a little. The connector is taped to the main wiring harness back there. The heated grip kit wiring connector clips right into it. Be careful with your wire routing when putting everything back together.

A number of Stromtroopers have complained the OEM heated grips aren't particularly durable. My Strom riding friend has had his on since 2005, used them regularly and had no difficulties.

They are way too expensive!. Before ordering the OEM grips, take a look at the Oxford Hot Hands, or any of several others, at half the price. Some of them have V-Strom specific kits. Search the name of the particular grips you're looking at here on the forum to see how others have done with them. For aftermarket grips, you may have to be a little more creative with the wiring.

I have no experience with grip puppies. However, as they are essentially a neoprene-like covering over the grips, I can't see why they wouldn't fit on. Clearly they would reduce the amount of heat being transmitted to your hands. However, even on the coldest rides, I rarely turn the grips on more than half way, so you should be able to compensate.

I'll disagree with Grey on the wraparound grip heaters. They slip and slide, and make for a lumpy and thick grip. The wiring went everywhere and there was simply no good way to route it. I didn't find them to be even in their heat distribution either. I tried the Oxford brand of wraparounds on my last bike.

Last, if you're not installing handguards, you might consider heated gloves rather than grips. Gloves clearly do a better job at warming hands. Grips are more convenient. But without something to protect the backs of your hands from the wind the grips leave you with icy knuckles.

[kosick]

Thanks for the response guys. You confirmed what I believed was the case. I'll go the aftermarket route and use the money saved for a new seat.

Greywolf - I replaced my stock grips with Pro Grips that are a bit larger in circumference. Should I replace these with stock-sized grips before applying the ATV heaters / Grip Puppies?

[greywolf]

If you like larger grips, you may be able to keep them. I have large Grip puppies over my Hot Grips. If your grips are larger in the middle than at the ends, you will have problems wrapping the heaters around them evenly though.