Heated hand grips question...

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by derstuka, Jan 29, 2007.

  1. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    Hello all,

    I am in the midst of deciding whether or not to install heated hand grips on my viffer 800. My question to experienced VFR owners is this...because of the regulator/rectifier problem on some bikes, could installing heated hand grips (which will be drawing amps of course) cause more of a R/R problem? Have any of you installed them and encounted any problems? I know that they do not draw much more than 2-4 amps, but I just wanted some feedback prior to installing them. Also, any favorite brand of heated hand grips?

    BTW, my bike had the R/R replaced around 16,000 (before I purchased it).

    Thanks,
    Jason
     
  2. cruzinaz

    cruzinaz New Member

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    Jason, I just had heated grips put on mine, they are great, does seem like the right one gets warmer, or maybe its cuz I take my hand off the left more often.

    I wish I would have done the install myself, when the grips were glued on there isnt enough rom for a throttle lock. The other thing I am not to nuts about is they are longer and the bar weights dont fit now, didnt seem to make any big difference to me with or without on handling.

    Don't know what brand he put on but I can check if you want.
     
  3. flameface

    flameface New Member

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    Aerostich/Riderwarehouse has velcro wrap-ons that work great. And you can use them in the morning when its cold and then take them off as the day warms.

    My understanding of R/R function is that excess energy is "dumped" as heat in the R/R. So devices that consume energy are not detrimental to R/R, as they give the R/R less to do. Also it will be cold out when you are running your heated grips...heat is what destroys R/R units.
     
  4. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    Thanks for the info. It is much appreciated. I will have to check about the bar weight fitment, because I kinda like those to damper that vibration down.
     
  5. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    Very logical explanation on the R/R function. I should have thought of the new energy drain being a good thing for the R/R, instead of a bad thing. Thanks!
     
  6. Spike

    Spike New Member

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    Had the Hot Grips on my '98, they worked quite well. Went with the "only availible overseas Honda ones for my '04" -- haven't installed them yet.
     
  7. VFRHOCKS

    VFRHOCKS New Member

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    Fitted Oxford heated grips on mine a few years ago to my 1994 VFR, been great and so glad, did it myself and very easy.

    John CARRS at Alfreton, Derby do them at half price for £30.

    Well worth getting but wouldn't touch any other make as a waste of time with not getting warm.
     
  8. northernrider

    northernrider New Member

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    just fitted oxford heated grip today and have to say it could'nt of been easyer ! i didnt even have to look at the instuctions , red wire to the red post , black to the black post and hide the wire . hell the even put different conectors to the grips so u cant plug in to the wrong wire . the only concern i have is i watched a video on utube how to install them and the guy used a rubber mallet where these slid on the bars with out pounding them in so i hope the "plastic weld " apoxie that i used holds up . they have a factory look and feels great . the control unit fits right on the clutch perch i really do recomend if u are looking for a set of heated grips "oxford herterz " is the way to go
    as soon as a i get a chance will be posting pics
     
  9. TheSkeeter

    TheSkeeter New Member

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    Spend the money on heated gloves instead... my 2 pennies...
     
  10. Yakima9

    Yakima9 New Member

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    This past winter, I installed a Dual-Star heated grip kit on my '96. I did use the shrink tubing on the left bar. I've used them on every ride this spring so far. They seem to work great and are really easy to install (no inline resistor for left bar). I think I would like these better than heated gloves because you clan flip them on anytime, and you aren't tied to the bike by them. Definitely worth the money no matter which brand you choose...
     
  11. Spectre

    Spectre New Member

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  12. namaishi

    namaishi New Member

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    I got the TRACKSIDE ones being sold at CycleGear for $54 and absolutely love them. I have had them installed for the past 3 months and haven't had any problems. I didn't like the idea of the controller on the handlebars since it kind of sticks out and I didn't think I'd be changing it constantly. So instead, I bolted it onto the left part of the dash instead. This has worked out very well for me.

    Cycle Gear - TRACKSIDE: Deluxe Heated Grips

    [​IMG]
     
  13. hondawolf

    hondawolf New Member

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    I have the Enduro Engineering kit, they are a simple and cheap ($30) kit. I have had them for almost 1.5 years, ride rain/shine, and they have been on the bike for 16,000 miles. Of those miles, at least half of them have been with the grips turned on. They get more than hot enough on high. I have never had an issue with them or blown a fuse. I'm on the third set of grips on them. I would recommend them to anyone looking to save a few dollars, and you can still replace grips as they wear out.
    Link: Enduro Engineering Grip Heaters
     
  14. soundmaster31

    soundmaster31 New Member

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    +1 on the Dual-Star heated grip kit. Cheap yet effective, and it's only the heating elements and switch so they work with whatever grips you already have!

    I take great pride in saying that they work wonderfully as a true WINTER RIDER up in Michigan. You Californians are so funny!:ninja:


    DUAL-STAR HEATED GRIP KIT
     
  15. HondaTech

    HondaTech New Member

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    Some of this is correct and some not. Basically, the voltage regulator is an electronic switch that turns current on and off in the primary windings of the generator based on load. The rectifier part is what makes all the produced voltage pulses in phase. It doesn't act as a battery or depository for excess produced voltage. Excessive heat is very hard on all electronics and can certainly lead to failure. Just thought i would add that bit.

    As for heated grips, I think I may need some before next winter- I have some really good gloves, but at 26deg. my throttle hand thumb gets stingy after 20 minutes and my commute is 30.
     
  16. Mac

    Mac New Member

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    Hot Grips, I love 'em. One of the best things I can imagine hanging on your bike. When caught in the rain, they make a world of difference.

    Mac
     
  17. hondajt

    hondajt New Member

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    I use stock Honda Heated grips that are made for the ATV's. They rock. I swear the ATV hand grips get warmer than the bike hand grips.
     
  18. Spectre

    Spectre New Member

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    Forget about the R/R issue for a moment. Now, look carefully at the shape and contours of your bike's stock grips, and you will see that they are sculpted to best fit the anatomy of your (gloved) hands, palms, and fingers.

    OK, now imagine replacing the stock grips with ones that will feel like you're gripping two thick wooden dowels, without any anatomical contours to fit your hands whatsoever. This is rather like trying to wear a pair of shoes that are not contoured to fit your left and right feet.

    Your hands are really no different. If you choose a set of aftermarket heated grips that are thick and not shaped and contoured to closely approximate the stock grips, the end result may likely be a quickly developing sense of pain and misery in your hands and wrists, since the bones and ligaments in your palms and fingers will be unnaturally splayed and will therefore likely be aching like hell within a short period of time, especially on a motorcycle such as the VFR which has a more sport-oriented riding posture.

    I speak from experience here. Pay close attention to the shape of any aftermarket heated grips, because if you choose a set that quickly proves to be uncomfortable and painful, no matter how well they heat up, you will regret it, and it will cost you some money and headaches to eventually get it right.

    I've done the research, at a considerable cost-- I've made the mistakes and found what I believe is the best solution: HotGrips Ergo-2. (See my photo gallery for a picture of the HotGrips Ergo-2 contoured grips.)

    YMMV.
     
  19. yogiman

    yogiman New Member

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    How long did it take you Hocks?
     
  20. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Heated?

    Heated?ITS 106 OUTSIDE! I need to know where to get A/C grips!
     
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