heated grip kit

[atavar]

I thought I saw a topic about heated grips recently but I can't find it now.  I did stumble across this cheap ($15) heated grip kit that may fit in with the DIY propensities here.
http://www.dinodirect.com/motorcycle-modified-electric-12v-electric-hand-heating-hands-gloves-generic-high-speed-hot-cold-p41290967.html
I know nothing about these except that they will ship slow from China.

They also have a cheap HID conversion kit that may work for some driving/fog lights ($35)
http://www.dinodirect.com/hid-xenon-slim-ballast-kit-h1-h3-h4-h7-h8-h9-h10-h11-9005-9006-9007-p42232948.html

Remeber, Caveat Emptor and YGWYPF

[rboe]

I went cheap on the Griso, Clutch side never got warm as the handle bar sucked up all the heat. Found BikeMaster heated grips; molded into the grips and has a four-five level heater with a button you mount. $50!

Oh man, should have done this long time ago. The grips have a better feel than stock, a wee bit thicker too. I tapped off the power going to the headlight bucket so they are only one when the key is turned to on.

Same item is marketed else where under a different brand (Kozo or something). Made in, where else, China.

Works so well I'm looking at putting a set on the CB.

[molly]

Get proper grips the ones recommneded above should do the trick. They are more difficult to fit but well worth it. You usually wire them direct to the battery which can cause problems if there is no voltage cut off built into the design or again has mentioned tap into a light feed so the ignition turns them off.

[dan_s]

The idea of adding heated pads under the grips is not bad. I'd stay away from cheap no-name heaters, grips or pads. If they are not made properly they may not warm enough in the better case or heat the wires to fire in the worse case.

[john fish]

Used the cheapish Dual-Star heat elements on the V11Sport.  You have to put a layer of duct tape under the clutch side for insulation.  Work well.

[airone]

I had spent $100 for for a set of Hot Grips but never like them. One side failed in a year so I tried the Bike Masters bought on EBay for $50 shipping. When I got them I was amazed at how well they are made and the fact that they turn off with the key and don't come back on until you turn them on again. Highly recommended!
Item#281490741752

Mac

[racasey]

Heated grips make an enormous difference by extending the riding season, and you will ride longer and further.  But if they fail, it will be a long ride home, with freezing fingers. Skip the cheapies and get proper gear.  

Semtec heated grips have served me well on half a dozen bikes over the last decade or more.  I've never had one fail!  As I favor retaining the stock grips on all of my bikes, their thin "dual heating circuit" ribbon cable self adhesive heaters are my first choice.  The Symtec grips draw a tiny 36 watts on high, and less on low. That is slightly more than a GE 1157 stop light bulb.  Unlike many cheap heaters, which use a resistor to waste electricity when turned to low, Symtec uses two separate circuits, drawing only the energy required.

It will be the best $50 you have ever spent.

I generally start on the high setting, they will be come noticed inside of a few minutes, and then run on low for the remainder of the day.  None of that screwing around cycling the grips off and on with cheap single element grips.

An additional design element is the different heat requirements for clutch and throttle sides.  Symtec designed that into their product.

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/symtec-heat-demon-heated-grips

Look at the choice of switches offered.

I have no personal or business interests in Symtec or any vendor selling their product.

Ride warm,
Dick Casey

[ohiorider]

Used the cheapish Dual-Star heat elements on the V11Sport.  You have to put a layer of duct tape under the clutch side for insulation.  Work well.

Yep, you have to insulate the clutch side, else the handlebar acts like a heat sink.  I used Dual Star on my Triumph Bonnie, and currently have a set on the 1200 Sport.  I know several on here have used aftermarket heaters linked into the BNS12 dashboard, but being the overly-cautious person I am, and not wanting to 'disturb' the dash, I wired in a relay triggered via a switched connection (license plate lamp wire,) which then passes powers to the grips direct from the battery.  The Dual Star switch seems a bit fragile, but their system does eliminate installing a shunt for hi/lo.

[Wayne Orwig]

I put cheap foils on mine. I put a layer of thin egg carton foam on the left side to insulate the bar. It works well.
The factory EV grips don't have anyways near the heat output, so I'm waiting for them to fail just so I can upgrade them to the better cheap foil heaters.

[rboe]

I wish I had known about the foam or duct tape trick before I installed mine. However; I was never happy with the switch arrangement and reinstalling the grip proved very tough, I think I cracked a rib pulling on the sucker. After the fact I was made aware of the insulating advise and pondered pulling the damn thing off and reinstalling. But after the BikeMaster kit came on my radar it was a no brainer for me. Switching was molded in and very clean. The only hard part was pulling off the old grips; by then I was aware of the brake cleaner trick so that was pretty easy.

If the elements only kits came with a sealed switch that all you have to do is mount it up I think I would have stayed with it. As it was it was left to the installed to mount a rocker switch and somehow seal the back side (both for looks and the weather - easy if you have a fairing).

I took the easy way out.  ::)