Heated Grip opinions

[Basso]

I was all set to go with hot grips, but my brother in law has a set he can donate to me. Here is what he has:
http://www.bigbikeparts.com/images/Productimages/17-950.jpg

17-950
HEATED GRIPS OPEN END
Hi/Med - Hi/Med/Lo/Off 5 Position
Honda GL1800 w/o Stock Heated Grips
7/8" Bars with 5 3/4" Grip Length
Pair


I know I don't want the temp controller, since its a rheostat, but should I go with these and wire them through a heat troller, or stick with my original plan of buying hot-grips? I don't know anything about this brand, but it looks a LOT like the OEM grips. Anyone have any opinions? Product_Link (http://www.bigbikeparts.com/Inventory/Navision/17-950?catalogNo=1)

[greywolf]

Those appear to be Oxford Heaterz with the old controller. It's a good name and comparable to Hot Grips which I believe have recently been bought out by Oxford as I'm seeing ads for Oxford HotGrips now.

[10guy]

Those really look like the ones they sell at cycle gear sold under the trackside label. I've had two sets, the first one the wires in one of the grips pulled out right away, didn't look like they were connected properly or at all. The second set is on my vee right now but I'm planning on taking them off and returning them. They take forever to heat up and then it is only a bit warm even on high.

They are going back and I'm going to get a set of Oxfords.

[greywolf]

I hadn't seen the Trackside grips in the first picture before. They look just like the Oxfords with the old controller in the second pic. That would be a shame. I've read the Tracksides are as bad as the Oxfords are good.


http://www.cyclegear.com/images/offroadacc/trackside_dlx_heated_grps_MD.jpghttp://www.bikebone.com/miva/graphics/00000002/heaterz.jpg

[Warhammer]

If they were Oxfords, they would have "Oxford" molded into the grips. Instead, these have a blank bar in that location. These look identical to the Trackside Live grips. I can verify from personal experience, the Oxfords are great and the Tracksides are unmitigated crap.

[randyo]

Hot Grips (http://www.hotgrips.com/heat_controller.php) is an american comany right here in good ole New Hampshire

Many OEM grips are manufactured by Hotgrips, their controler even though it looks like a rheostat, is not, it sends timed pulses lowering the energy usage and not reducing the voltage with a resistor

Oxford HotGrips are known as Oxford Heaterz in the U.S.A. The Hot Grips brand named is owned by the Hot Grips company in the U.S.A.

[greywolf]

That clears things up. Between seeing ads I didn't know were from out of country and Twisted Throttle having HotGrips listed as discontinued items, it looked like they were going away. I've had them on two bikes and like them. With Tracksides looking like a copy of Oxfords and having a low heat output, I've got to wonder if the internals were copies of Suzuki's grips and need to be wired in series to get the proper output. That is assuming the instructions are to wire them in parallel. I've seen reverse engineering stunts that were dumber.

[Basso]

Hot Grips (http://www.hotgrips.com/heat_controller.php) is an american comany right here in good ole New Hampshire

Many OEM grips are manufactured by Hotgrips, their controler even though it looks like a rheostat, is not, it sends timed pulses lowering the energy usage and not reducing the voltage with a resistor

Oxford HotGrips are known as Oxford Heaterz in the U.S.A. The Hot Grips brand named is owned by the Hot Grips company in the U.S.A.

The one I linked to says it IS a rheostat:

Heated Grips are a perfect way to keep your hands warm while riding during cold weather conditions. Comfortable,warm, durable non-slip grips allow the rider to vary the degree of warmth with the variable position Hi/Med/Lo/Off rheostat switch. (bolding added by me)

So what I've gathered is that they could be really good, or horrible. Should I take the free gamble, or just order the hot grips and do it right the first time? My inclination is to just order something I know will be good, and not mess with potentially having to do it twice.

[TooTall]

I just installed the Oxford Heaterz. My advice? Lots of people reported problems with the original controller. However, the free stuff is tempting.

Here's something you have to realise. Putting the grips on is not that big of a deal, but there's things that could go wrong. Especially with the throttle tube etc, I wouldn't risk putting a set on, then having to take it off and replacing, etc.

Here's my review, very fond of them!

http://www.stromtrooper.com/showthread.php?t=35972

[randyo]

The one I linked to says it IS a rheostat:
.

the one you linked to are not Hot Grips brand

link to controller (http://www.hotgrips.com/store.php?crn=201&rn=166&action=show_detail)

Fully Electronic - produces no noticeable heat. This controller is NOT a variable resistor or rheostat but an electronic control unit, technically classified as a pulse width modulator. Over 98% efficient.

[Warhammer]

... Putting the grips on is not that big of a deal, but there's things that could go wrong. Especially with the throttle tube etc, I wouldn't risk putting a set on, then having to take it off and replacing, etc.

Yep!!! I ended up having to buy a new throttle tube when I took the POS Trackside grips off. When I took them back to Cycle Gear and told the guy at the counter that they were complete crap, he just nodded and said he hears that a lot from customers returning them.

[Fozzyber]

Trackside = that where you should leave them, or roadside, or trash can.
I should have returned mine...

[BuckTwenty]

My Suzuki heated grips look much like the ones pictured.

The left side grip/heater does not get as hot as the right.

The stealer said it must be because the left grip is glued to the bars and transfers more heat to the steel than the right side plastic throttle tube/heater.

The manual warns of burns to ungloved hands so I expected some real toasty hands. What a JOKE!

They are not worth what Suzuki charged ME for them.

The stealer offered to sell me hand guards to deflect the wind and an additional in-bar heater. :confused:

[marine dad]

Go with the Hot Grips and enjoy. I installed 'em 2 weekends ago, using the Eastern Beaver harness plug, and couldn't be happier. It takes them maybe 2 minutes longer to completely heat up than my beemer OEM grips did, but after that they are AWESOME. I really like the way the heating elements are insulated from the handlebars, so more heat stays in the grip, not the bars. I went from having frozen fingers after a 30 mile ride to work, to nice toasty hands:D
mike

[Basso]

the one you linked to are not Hot Grips brand

link to controller (http://www.hotgrips.com/store.php?crn=201&rn=166&action=show_detail)

Fully Electronic - produces no noticeable heat. This controller is NOT a variable resistor or rheostat but an electronic control unit, technically classified as a pulse width modulator. Over 98% efficient.

I thought you were talking about the ones I posted. No biggie. Sometimes I'm easily confused :D

I'm going to order some hot grips. Now I just need to figure out which ones! I think the Model 525-875 - kit (http://www.hotgrips.com/store.php?crn=203&rn=132&action=show_detail) with the open ends and no spacers is probably the right one...5 1/4" length. Is this the one others are using?

[greywolf]

Not that one. You need the 7/8" bar size, 4-3/4" long type with open ends.

[randyo]

Not that one. You need the 7/8" bar size, 4-3/4" long type with open ends.

it's easy to drill out the ends, when I put Hotgrips on my SV, all my local dealer had in stock were closed end grips

[Basso]

Not that one. You need the 7/8" bar size, 4-3/4" long type with open ends.

Thanks. So This (http://www.hotgrips.com/store.php?crn=203&rn=121&action=show_detail) one then: Model 475-875 - kit - for 7/8" Handlebars. I appreciate the advice everyone!

[greywolf]

I needed to open up the end hole a bit on both of mine. 475-875 is the one.

[v wolf 1000]

I should put some hand warmers. on mine as those spring days can be quite cold on the hands. i will this has kept my bike at home on a cold day . if i did not have them on my sled .i would not have gone out today as it was 18 with 25mph winds .got to do it.:)

[garandman]

Hot Grips (http://www.hotgrips.com/heat_controller.php) is an american comany right here in good ole New Hampshire

Many OEM grips are manufactured by Hotgrips, their controler even though it looks like a rheostat, is not, it sends timed pulses lowering the energy usage and not reducing the voltage with a resistor

Oxford HotGrips are known as Oxford Heaterz in the U.S.A. The Hot Grips brand named is owned by the Hot Grips company in the U.S.A.I want to get some with the variable controller. But they don't seem to show which model fits the V-Strom? I've emailed them, haven't heard back yet.

[Basso]

I want to get some with the variable controller. But they don't seem to show which model fits the V-Strom? I've emailed them, haven't heard back yet.

This (http://www.hotgrips.com/store.php?crn=203&rn=121&action=show_detail) one fit my bars with no modification: Model 475-875 - kit - for 7/8" Handlebars. (Assuming you are asking about a wee and not the thing in your pic.) I also used their epoxy. I ended up doing a bit of a dremel job on the OEM throtle tube to get rid of the ridge on the end and the cone on the inside also.

[skyway_rider]

My Suzuki heated grips look much like the ones pictured.

The left side grip/heater does not get as hot as the right.

The stealer said it must be because the left grip is glued to the bars and transfers more heat to the steel than the right side plastic throttle tube/heater.

The manual warns of burns to ungloved hands so I expected some real toasty hands. What a JOKE!

They are not worth what Suzuki charged ME for them.

The stealer offered to sell me hand guards to deflect the wind and an additional in-bar heater. :confused:

Actually, I hear it's common for heated grips to be hotter on one side than the other. Read some report, might have been in Rider mag, not sure. I've had Dual Star heated grips and I know one side heated up more than the other as well as Hot Grips. But it shouldn't be that one side is steaming hot while you can barely feel the other side.

Warren

[garandman]

This (http://www.hotgrips.com/store.php?crn=203&rn=121&action=show_detail) one fit my bars with no modification: Model 475-875 - kit - for 7/8" Handlebars. (Assuming you are asking about a wee and not the thing in your pic.) I also used their epoxy. I ended up doing a bit of a dremel job on the OEM throtle tube to get rid of the ridge on the end and the cone on the inside also.
There are several options for grip ends style:

Unmodified
Open ends flat spacers
Open ends no spacers

"Open ends no spacers," is what I should order, isn't it?

[awmasparky]

My Suzuki heated grips look much like the ones pictured.

The left side grip/heater does not get as hot as the right.

The stealer said it must be because the left grip is glued to the bars and transfers more heat to the steel than the right side plastic throttle tube/heater.

The manual warns of burns to ungloved hands so I expected some real toasty hands. What a JOKE!

They are not worth what Suzuki charged ME for them.

The stealer offered to sell me hand guards to deflect the wind and an additional in-bar heater. :confused:

I have the factory heated grips as well. I've installed several different brands on different bikes and these Suzuki grips are by far the worst I've used. I am thinking of placing a resister or rheostat in line to turn down the heat on the right grip.

[garandman]

There are several options for grip ends style:

Unmodified
Open ends flat spacers
Open ends no spacers

"Open ends no spacers," is what I should order, isn't it?Anyone?
....

[Basso]

Anyone?
....

I ordered open ends no spacers and it went on fine with no need to expand the end.