Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: willowstreetguzziguy on January 01, 2016, 05:26:20 PM
-
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...
(http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/q675/jeff1200s/Moto%20Guzzi%20Heated%20Grips%20Wiring%20FRONT_zpscklzf0vt.jpg) (http://s1353.photobucket.com/user/jeff1200s/media/Moto%20Guzzi%20Heated%20Grips%20Wiring%20FRONT_zpscklzf0vt.jpg.html)
(http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/q675/jeff1200s/Moto%20Guzzi%20Heated%20Grips%20OVERVIEW_zpsejhjrmg8.jpg) (http://s1353.photobucket.com/user/jeff1200s/media/Moto%20Guzzi%20Heated%20Grips%20OVERVIEW_zpsejhjrmg8.jpg.html)
(http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/q675/jeff1200s/Moto%20Guzzi%20Heated%20Grips%20Left%20clutch%20grip_zpscilkjwgi.jpg) (http://s1353.photobucket.com/user/jeff1200s/media/Moto%20Guzzi%20Heated%20Grips%20Left%20clutch%20grip_zpscilkjwgi.jpg.html)
(http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/q675/jeff1200s/Moto%20Guzzi%20LEFT%20Heated%20Grip%201%2016_zpslqedft9p.jpg) (http://s1353.photobucket.com/user/jeff1200s/media/Moto%20Guzzi%20LEFT%20Heated%20Grip%201%2016_zpslqedft9p.jpg.html)
(http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/q675/jeff1200s/Moto%20Guzzi%20Heated%20Grips%20Right%20Grip_zpshzmi280a.jpg) (http://s1353.photobucket.com/user/jeff1200s/media/Moto%20Guzzi%20Heated%20Grips%20Right%20Grip_zpshzmi280a.jpg.html)
-
Nice job! Nothing like having warm hands. There's so many cool mornings in late spring where they are really appreciated.
-
I always thought heated grips were Kinda foo foo..
Until I had some. :smiley: 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
The right grip gets hotter than the left one.
I think that's caused by the insulation provided by the throttle tube.
-
Makes sense
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.