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Someone mentioned in a another post of the need to use their heated grips recently. I wanted to respond but thought it would be a hijack so I'm starting this new thread about heated grips.

I rarely use my heated grips. I have hand guards that I put on when the temps dip below 50 in the mornings. I actually put the hand guards on just a few weeks ago. I think the hand guards make all the difference in the world in terms of keeping my hands warm. I only use the heated grips when temps dip below 35 degrees or so. And then, if I'm wearing winter gloves, which I generally am at those temps, I don't get much of the heat. I always wear gloves, summer and winter. I actually carry about four pairs with me at all times in my system cases, from summer weight to winter as well as waterproof. I hope the writer of the post I am referencing was wearing gloves. Maybe that's why his hands were cold?

So if I were looking at buying another bike, which I always am, I would not let the absence of heated grips sway my decision. I think they are a great accessory but not a critical item. I much prefer to put on a warmer glove then turn on the grips. And I ride as much as I can in the winter. How important are heated grips to your riding?

Jamie:

Are your hand guards designed to be taken on and off or did you modify them in order to be easily removed. I was looking for a pair that I could take on and off easily.

I have already used the grips several times this year but I have also already done some cold riding (below 40) too. It was about 30 when I left this morning. It was also the first time out this year with the handguards on and they definately improve the performance of the heated grips!

I use thinner gloves to get the benefit. The heated grips let me use thinner gloves for longer in the season also.

Are your hand guards designed to be taken on and off or did you modify them be easily removed.

They are the normal GS Handguards. Just a few bolts and they come off easily. I removed the bottom tab which connects to the bar clamp connector. Others have mounted them without any modification. One piece of advise, use Loctite on the threads of the bar end bolt. Don't ask how I know this is useful.

Great advice - thanks.

Some of my worst memories of riding motorcycles when I was younger concern riding with hands that were frozen near solid, so I love the heated grips.

I also use them to wear lighter gloves -- I use a pair of BMW 'GS' gloves that are pretty light but have some reasonable knuckle protection. When I've used the heated grips on cold evenings, I've switched them on high then when I've felt the heat coming through I've switched them back to the lower setting. Might be different when next winter, though ...

Captain K.

I was dying for heated grips today. Got mighty chilly for the last hour or so as the sun went down and I was mostly in the valleys where there was still some of the snow from a squall last week. I have the GS handgards on also. Maybe I got some thin skin too but I was barely able to hold onto the clutch by the time I got home. Now I was out for about 3 hours not just running to work or around town. I didnt grab my heavier pair of gloves but the loss of feel with the thickness is almost as bad as the cold hands feel.

Personally, living in the Northeast I wont ever buy another daily rider that doesnt have heated grips. Need to be able to squeeze out as many cool days as possible.

Craig

Heated grips are a must for me. I've had my hands get so cold I could barely work the controls, regardless of the best winter gloves. Sarah

I rode yesterday morning using nly my deerskin gloves and the heated grips. My hands were comfortable, but cool. It was 31F when I left the house. I hate my winter gloves because they have too much padding in the palm, and do not feel as comfortable as the deerskins.

I've used mine a few times this season. Hey - if I have them, I'm using them! Today it was in the upper 30's/lower 40's and I saw many a rider with only one hand on the bars and the other tucked in. All cruisers, and one K1200GT (he obviously had heated grips).

Hey GJ - come to Southwest VA and visit me. I'll take you on a ride in the mountains that will begin at 60F, and three hours later a cold front comes through as you're riding the ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains and suddenly you'll find yourself riding in 28F. The weather can fluctuate wildly in my part of the world.

Heated grips are a must for mountain riding.

The main reason I like the heated grips is that I can wear a thinner
glove, which allows easier working of the controls (I can actually
feel what I'm doing). Even with thick gloves, my hands always
got cold. Over the weekend, it was under 40 degrees, (and snowing),
and my hands were toasty warm.

One of the motorcycle glove manufacturers (are you listening Olympia?) ought to make a glove specifically for use with heated grips. They would have good insulation on the backside and none on the inside. Grip heaters are much handier than the wiring hassle of electric gloves, but to be comfortable in very cold weather is going to take a special glove. I only use my electric grips infreuently, instead just reaching for the proper set of gloves. - Lee

In reference to the heated grips vs gloves debate, has anyone tried any of the Phase Change gloves that are supposed to store heat and redistribute it. BMW makes a pair as does Lee Parks and Rev It. The theory is the heat from the gloves gets absorbed and distributed to the back of your hand and fingers. If it works, they would be worth the money. If not, well, they cost as much as electric ones.

BMW about $139
Lee Parks $179
Rev It Celcius gloves $149

When was the last time you saw a BMW anything that was the cheapest?

Today...heated grips!

Tomorrow...heated seats....AAAAAHHHHH!

captainK wrote:Some of my worst memories of riding motorcycles when I was younger concern riding with hands that were frozen near solid, so I love the heated grips. ...Might be different when next winter, though ...

Captain K.

Come on Captain ... using heated grips in Sydney ??? I thought that was only for us people from Melbourne.