Oxford Heated Grips: My installation and product review

[willowstreetguzziguy]

First off, THANKS TO EVERYONE who replied when I recently posted questions on:
 
Which heated grips/ installing them?
How to take off the gas tank and disconnecting the *** elbow connection?
How to remove stock hand grips?
12 Volt outlets?

I LOVE to ride as much as possible. So extending my riding season on my 1200 Sport has been helped with the V-twin cylinders pumping out some nice heat on my legs while the gas tank & wings give good wind protection to my knees & shins. Stelvio hand guards, Laminar lip, and heated vest all add up to being able to "comfortably" enjoy riding down into the 40's.

After your help and careful thought, I asked for and received Oxford Heated Grips for Christmas. So here is my review...

Ordered them online from Revzella - excellent service, came in one day.

Once opened, I realized the "Touring" grips surface seemed hard to the touch and a bit short in length. After some online evaluation, I called Revzilla, explained my situation and I ordered the "Sport" grips which have a slightly softer feel with more of a textured grip surface as well as being slightly longer in length. I also arranged a "free" return ship back of the "Touring" grips. The new ones came in 1 day and they paid the 6% state sales tax, again, on the $89.99 price!

I love the look of the 1200 Sport and that includes the handlebar/dash area. So my intent was to install both the Heated Grips and a 12V / USB outlet as a "clean / stock" appearance. I didn't want to look like Thor on a 5-year adventure around the globe with brackets and gadgets bolted everywhere.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
Oxford Heaterz are attractively packaged &  instructions well written.
5-levels of heat with up and down buttons.
Power goes on sleep mode after 2 minutes of inactivity and turns completely off after 5-minutes   of inactivity.

INSTALLATION STEPS  for Heated Grips & 12Volt/USB outlets (took about 8-hours,  never having done it before)

Siphoned out as much gas as possible to lighten the weight of the gas tank.

Took out 5-srews holding the front black grate.

Disconnect 3-gas lines & 1- electrical connection etc. This was the hardest part because of the elbow connection under the gas tank.

I primed and painted the mounting bracket satin black to go with handlebar hardware.

Figured out where to position the grips so the protruding wiring would not interfere with brake & clutch levers as well as the buttons for changing computer readouts and for flashing high beams.

Removed right Stelvio hand guard and small fairing.

Cut & filed down smooth the plastic throttle grip because it had protruding plastic.

Super glued grips into place (no need to wait the recommended 24 hrs., how about 1 minute!!!)

Fished BOTH wiring harnesses above the headlight and back past the steering and along the top frame to the battery. Wired both grips & 12V outlet directly to battery.

Both work! Put all stuff back together. Added gas back into tank and it started up


Went for a test ride after turning grips on 100% high. It was 45 degrees and after only a 4 minute ride, I stopped to wish a riding buddy neighbor Happy New Year. As soon as I shook his hand with my glove on, he commented, "Boy, your hands are warm!" Enough said.

FINAL REVIEW:

Grips start feeling heat in 15 seconds
5-heat settings, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75%, 100%
100% High settinggets HOT even with cold weather gloves. Lowest setting puts slight warmth.
All is first-rate including instructions. Installation looks stock.
Able to reach heat control buttons without taking left hand off of grip.
Grips are a little harder than stock but offer more texture/grip.
Shuts off after 2-minutes of inactivity.

12volt outlet is zip tied on left fairing bracket.

This product ranks a 10 on a 1-10 scale. Could not be happier with the price and the way it warms my hands! THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR HELP! Here are a few pictures...


 








 

[ohiorider]

Nice job!  Nothing like having warm hands.  There's so many cool mornings in late spring where they are really appreciated.

[Chuck in Indiana]

 I always thought heated grips were Kinda foo foo..
Until I had some.  Thanks for that. Needed them a few times on the Mighty Scura this trip. 30s and 40s when leaving the beach in the morning sux without em.

[charlie b]

I liked the Oxford grips too.  But, that's how I found out that I rarely wrap all my fingers around the grips. Went to elec gloves.

[jlburgess]

Nice review!  I had a set installed on the Griso about a 2 years ago and they are holding up well.  I'd have to rate themas a 10 also.  I love the way they were able to mount the controller to the left grip area.

[dan_s]

Thanks for the review.
My .02
Installed the "oxford hotgrips premium touring heated grips" on a honda cb500f a few months ago. The interconnectors are low quality, the plastic outer doesnt hold the end bullets properly. There's a wire there straight from the battery +. The rolling bit of the throttle is not smooth on the honda and I had to file it to let the grip onto it. The right grip gets hotter than the left one.
All in all, does what it's supposed to do. Once I find the time I'll connect the power to a wire  after ths main switch, with all respect to the autoswitch in the controller. Hand guards will keep the hands warmer from the outside too.

[rss29]

The right grip gets hotter than the left one.

I think that's caused by the insulation provided by the throttle tube.

[dan_s]

Makes sense

[charlie b]

At one time some people recommended wrapping the clutch side bar with tape or some such to help insulate that side a little.  I didn't bother since I figured the grips have a bit extra rubber on that side (but, maybe I am giving the mfg engineer too much credit :)  ).

When I had my grip heaters I never noticed a difference between sides.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

In addition to my original post...I just went for a 40 minute ride in 46° temperatures. I kept the Oxford grips on The highest setting, wearing my winter gloves. I believe the Stelvio hand guards help tremendously in keeping your fingers warm. Your palms definitely get more heat, with the fingers getting about 70%. After getting home took off my gloves and pushed my motorcycle into the garage and in putting my bare hands on the heated grips, they were so hot, I could barely keep my hands on them!! I also really love the textured grip as compared to the original Guzy smoother grips. I probably wouldn't want to ride barehanded with them which I never do anyway.

[Buckturgidson]

Nice review!  I had a set installed on the Griso about a 2 years ago and they are holding up well.  I'd have to rate themas a 10 also.  I love the way they were able to mount the controller to the left grip area.

Can you please tell me if you ordered Sport or Touring for the Griso?
Thanks.