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View Full Version : OEM Heated Grip Install

snakyjake
07-14-2009, 09:03 PM
Does anyone have a nice article with pictures that detail the installation of the OEM heated grips on the V-Strom 650?

I need some good visuals.

Thank you,

Jake
KZDon
07-14-2009, 10:05 PM
Geez, I wish I could help. I seem to be one of the few around here who likes the OEM grips. Unfortunately I didn't keep my camera handy when installing them. And I can't seem to scare up my earlier thread on the topic anywhere here.

I did a search on VSRI and ADV Rider without much luck either. It may come down to patience and carefully following the instructions. I spent about four hours installing the grips, and handguards, probably about twice as long as necessary as I took the time to clean the cobwebs out of the fairing, and do other mucking about.

The included instructions weren't too bad to follow. The most difficult thing was getting at the connector behind the rad. I had the fairing off already, so I removed the two rad mounting bolts, allowing the rad to tilt forward a few inches. It made getting at the wires back there much easier. Once I found the connector the rest of the install flowed relatively well.

If for some reason you didn't receive the OEM instructions, PM me with your email and I'll send them to you as a PDF.
Xavier6162
07-15-2009, 12:20 AM
Does anyone have a nice article with pictures that detail the installation of the OEM heated grips on the V-Strom 650?

I need some good visuals.

Thank you,

Jake

Can you return'em?
nerol996
08-07-2009, 09:17 PM
Make sure you have the metal heating plate in the same spot on both handgrips. I almost had the left grip heating plate twisted 180 deg compared to the right! Maybe this is the reason why i have seen reports of uneven heating with the OEM heated grips. It took me a while to install mine as well. The electrical wires are just barely long enough for the install. Good and bad. Good because there is no excess wires to secure, but bad because it complicates installation. I had trouble bolting on the thermostat to the handlebars, I ended up using a wormgear clamp.
Big B
08-07-2009, 10:11 PM
First step in the instructions.........THROW THEM IN THE TRASH.
joe camarda
08-16-2009, 04:02 AM
Xavier and BigB...What is wrong with the OEM heated grips?

Yes they are pricey, but that aside is there a problem with them? I'm going to install a set of heated grips and am weighing all options, including the OEM.
Big B
08-16-2009, 10:49 AM
Xavier and BigB...What is wrong with the OEM heated grips?

Yes they are pricey, but that aside is there a problem with them? I'm going to install a set of heated grips and am weighing all options, including the OEM.

They are cheaply made overpriced garbage.
snakyjake
10-04-2009, 07:35 PM
What did you use for "grip grease" and "grip cement"?

Anything easy to pickup at Napa?

Thanks,

Jake
StromTech
10-04-2009, 09:32 PM
What did you use for "grip grease" and "grip cement"?

Anything easy to pickup at Napa?

Thanks,

Jake
Never heard of grip grease...that's a scary thought

I glued my Oxford Hot Grips on with my wifes latest brand of hairspray. Thirty years ago I was using her hairspray and it seems any brand still works.
snakyjake
10-04-2009, 09:51 PM
Never heard of grip grease...that's a scary thought

I glued my Oxford Hot Grips on with my wifes latest brand of hairspray. Thirty years ago I was using her hairspray and it seems any brand still works.

The grease is for the throttle grip. The glue is for the left (i.e. clutch) grip.
2tall
10-06-2009, 05:23 PM
They are cheaply made overpriced garbage.


Overpriced, maybe, but garbage? Mine were fine on my '02 VEE and same set now on my '06 VEE.
greywolf
10-06-2009, 05:29 PM
They are reported to malfunction often compared to after market grips. Stories of heat from only half or less of the grip area are common.
2tall
10-06-2009, 06:54 PM
They are reported to malfunction often compared to after market grips. Stories of heat from only half or less of the grip area are common.

No problems with mine, and have had them on the 2 bikes since 2003. As likely discussed many times, the heating element does not go all the way around the grip, but if postioned properly, they work great.
Land
10-07-2009, 06:15 PM
They are cheaply made overpriced garbage.

Would you be so kind and tell us of some good alternatives?
StromTech
10-07-2009, 06:37 PM
I fiited Oxford Hot Grips on my Wee using the Eastern Beaver connector harness to the factory OEM option plug. The Oxfords work great and have an electronic controller with 4 power settings. The heat is even all round the grip. The Oxfords are significantly cheaper than the OEM grips but you will have to use a dremel or a grinder to remove the plastic ridges off the throttle tube.
LowAndSilent
10-07-2009, 06:48 PM
Would you be so kind and tell us of some good alternatives?

Oxford hotgrips, or Symtec / Dual-Star heated grips. It is suggested that you purchase a heat troller for them as well. Even adding the cost of a heat troller, both choices are generally cheaper AND more reliable than the OEM heated grips.
snakyjake
10-07-2009, 07:21 PM
Feel free to post or PM to me in the next few months if you want my performance/reliability on my OEM heated grips.

So far build quality appears excellent. And I don't need to dremel. The only thing I wish for is the kit to contain a tiny tube of grip glue and grip grease.