Heated Grips?

My plan is to keep riding the bike through most of the winter. With the weather cooling down this week, I realized I need to get heated grips and soon!!! What are you guys using. What works best? Looking for cheap but reliable.

Also, how easy are they to install?

[image: View Post]SilverRocket, on Oct 20 2008, 09:10 PM, said:

My plan is to keep riding the bike through most of the winter. With the weather cooling down this week, I realized I need to get heated grips and soon!!! What are you guys using. What works best? Looking for cheap but reliable.

Also, how easy are they to install?

1. upper right corner - click search
2. fill "heated grips" in the search box.
3. read 322 related posts about heated grips.

hope this helps......

[image: View Post]SilverRocket, on Oct 21 2008, 12:10 AM, said:

My plan is to keep riding the bike through most of the winter. With the weather cooling down this week, I realized I need to get heated grips and soon!!! What are you guys using. What works best? Looking for cheap but reliable.

Also, how easy are they to install?

I use Hotgrips. I thought they were very easy to install. I just wired them with a relay into my license plate light.

"Symtec" and "Dual stars" are pretty much the standard for cheap, aftermarket grip heaters, but they do require a little bit more work to install under your own supplied grips. They perform very similarly, but the Symtecs do have a better looking two way rocker switch that looks at home on a modern bike's instrument panel, while the "Dual Stars" insists on using a primitive looking metal switch. You can upgrade these two kits with "heatrollers" that gives you finer increments of heat levels, instead of the standard hi - lo selection that comes standard.
Slightly more expensive are the ones that have heating elements moulded into the grips such as "Hot Grips" and "Oxford", with "Oxfords" (from UK) coming with a nice rotary heat controller switch standard. these are less fussy to install because the heating elements are moulded into grips that come with the kit. I suppose that they might also be more durable because of less stress on the wiring when you twist the throttle grip.
You can go whole hog and get Honda's heated grip kit for the ST for $200.00 plus. comes with a nice led heat level indicator switch and should look very Honda OEM on a VFR. But you might have to figure out how to wire on to the bike because the wiring harness seems to be made to connect on to an ST's proprietary harness that anticipates addition of a heated grip option.
BTW, Symtec came out last year with an upmarket kit called "Heat Demons" with a nice led multi heat level switch that bolts right on to your brake lever perch and heating elements that sit inside the bar where they don't have problems with wires getting twisted and stressed at the throttle side (the weakness of most heated grip systems). Looks real nice and much more affordable than the Honda kits at just over 100 bucks. Problem is, it looks like they gave up trying to develop a kit for clip ons and mostly now cater to Harleys and standards that have plain tubular bars. I think they got nervous about people drilling their aluminum clipons to install them. There must also be a problem accomodating their heating elements in clipons with internal weights such as on Hondas. I'm still hoping that they will come up with a kit for clipons, so I can replace my standard Symtecs for them.
Good luck in getting and installing a heated grip kit for your bike this season!

Beck
95 VFR

i will be activating my symtecs in about 10 minutes. Installed them in about half an hour and havent been able to use the high setting yet.

Maybe when it gets to below freezing............

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on Oct 21 2008, 09:10 AM, said:

i will be activating my symtecs in about 10 minutes. Installed them in about half an hour and havent been able to use the high setting yet.

Maybe when it gets to below freezing............

I have dual stars in my V-Strom. I like them but so far I can only use them on Low and I have to turn them off even then as it gets to hot. Although I haven't ridden in the 40's yet and I have hand gaurds and that keeps allot of wind off the grips. The switch is ugly but its nothing special you could get a better looking switch.

[image: View Post]VFR_Brandon, on Oct 21 2008, 03:03 AM, said:

[image: View Post]SilverRocket, on Oct 21 2008, 12:10 AM, said:

My plan is to keep riding the bike through most of the winter. With the weather cooling down this week, I realized I need to get heated grips and soon!!! What are you guys using. What works best? Looking for cheap but reliable.

Also, how easy are they to install?

I use Hotgrips. I thought they were very easy to install. I just wired them with a relay into my license plate light.

Why your lisence plate light? Wouldnt that mean you needed to run your wiring all the way to the rear of your bike? or did you just run to the front harness which runs your plate light?

I used Dual Stars. They don't get overly hot for me, I can run them on high with little problem, although I haven't needed them much so far this year. I used my own two position switch, instead of the monstrosity they came with. You can hardly tell they are installed. I tapped into my auxiliary fuse panel for the power supply.

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Oct 21 2008, 08:24 AM, said:

I used Dual Stars. They don't get overly hot for me, I can run them on high with little problem, although I haven't needed them much so far this year. I used my own two position switch, instead of the monstrosity they came with. You can hardly tell they are installed. I tapped into my auxiliary fuse panel for the power supply.

Can we see a pic of your switch please?

My Symtec's melted my grips on high. I don't use high much any more. :dry:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Oct 21 2008, 08:44 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Oct 21 2008, 08:24 AM, said:

I used Dual Stars. They don't get overly hot for me, I can run them on high with little problem, although I haven't needed them much so far this year. I used my own two position switch, instead of the monstrosity they came with. You can hardly tell they are installed. I tapped into my auxiliary fuse panel for the power supply.

Can we see a pic of your switch please?


I mounted my Symtec round rocker switch facing up, so water got in and has corroded the contacts. I really like the switch(or should I say, absolutly hate the toggle switches), but can't find one similar to it that's weatherproof. :(

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Oct 21 2008, 01:44 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Oct 21 2008, 08:24 AM, said:

I used Dual Stars. They don't get overly hot for me, I can run them on high with little problem, although I haven't needed them much so far this year. I used my own two position switch, instead of the monstrosity they came with. You can hardly tell they are installed. I tapped into my auxiliary fuse panel for the power supply.

Can we see a pic of your switch please?
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1159290340/gallery_285_20_390561.jpg
Switch.jpg Here's my OEM Style Grip heater switch install I did to my 4th gen

Beck 95 VFR
Here's a pic of my custom Hi-off -low position switch I installed for my Symtec grip heater system, on my left handlebar switch housing.

Beck
95 VFR

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Oct 21 2008, 07:44 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Oct 21 2008, 08:24 AM, said:

I used Dual Stars. They don't get overly hot for me, I can run them on high with little problem, although I haven't needed them much so far this year. I used my own two position switch, instead of the monstrosity they came with. You can hardly tell they are installed. I tapped into my auxiliary fuse panel for the power supply.

Can we see a pic of your switch please?

Gallery of install pics


http://wiremybike.com/Gallery/albums/Voltgauge/Heated_Grip_Install_005.jpg


Here is what I did to keep the throttle side from rubbing with the twisting:

http://wiremybike.com/Gallery/albums/Voltgauge/Heated_Grip_Install_006.thumb.jpg

[image: View Post]Beck, on Oct 21 2008, 09:28 AM, said:

Here's a pic of my custom Hi-off -low position switch I installed for my Symtec grip heater system, on my left handlebar switch housing.

Beck
95 VFR
Looks like the RIGHT handlebar. :biggrin:

[image: View Post]Beck, on Oct 21 2008, 09:28 AM, said:

Here's a pic of my custom Hi-off -low position switch I installed for my Symtec grip heater system, on my left handlebar switch housing.

Beck
95 VFR

Beck, my '05 has a switch for the 4-way hazards in that spot. Sweet install though, now that I see the pic again, I remember when you first posted that. :fing02:

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Oct 21 2008, 09:54 AM, said:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Oct 21 2008, 07:44 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Oct 21 2008, 08:24 AM, said:

I used Dual Stars. They don't get overly hot for me, I can run them on high with little problem, although I haven't needed them much so far this year. I used my own two position switch, instead of the monstrosity they came with. You can hardly tell they are installed. I tapped into my auxiliary fuse panel for the power supply.

Can we see a pic of your switch please?

Gallery of install pics


Hey Tightwad, got any more of those switches? And do you have any ideas on how to weatherproof it? Could I load it with dielectric grease? In order to relocate the switch, I'd have to get a new plastic inner panel(the empty hole would drive me nuts!), and I'd have to reinstall my Powerlet socket also...

I found toggle switches and rubber "booties" to install over them making them waterproof, but like I said, I hate the toggle switches... sooo... ???

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Oct 21 2008, 09:40 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Oct 21 2008, 09:54 AM, said:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Oct 21 2008, 07:44 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Oct 21 2008, 08:24 AM, said:

I used Dual Stars. They don't get overly hot for me, I can run them on high with little problem, although I haven't needed them much so far this year. I used my own two position switch, instead of the monstrosity they came with. You can hardly tell they are installed. I tapped into my auxiliary fuse panel for the power supply.

Can we see a pic of your switch please?

Gallery of install pics


Hey Tightwad, got any more of those switches? And do you have any ideas on how to weatherproof it? Could I load it with dielectric grease? In order to relocate the switch, I'd have to get a new plastic inner panel(the empty hole would drive me nuts!), and I'd have to reinstall my Powerlet socket also...

I found toggle switches and rubber "booties" to install over them making them waterproof, but like I said, I hate the toggle switches... sooo... ???

I have a couple of those switches left. It sits under the pillar, so no problems with water thus far (over a year of install to date). Of course I don't generally submerge my bike, or even wash it heavily, which might make my results different.

http://wiremybike.co...ee50acda8e1c29d

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Oct 21 2008, 10:40 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Oct 21 2008, 09:54 AM, said:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Oct 21 2008, 07:44 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on Oct 21 2008, 08:24 AM, said:

I used Dual Stars. They don't get overly hot for me, I can run them on high with little problem, although I haven't needed them much so far this year. I used my own two position switch, instead of the monstrosity they came with. You can hardly tell they are installed. I tapped into my auxiliary fuse panel for the power supply.

Can we see a pic of your switch please?

Gallery of install pics


Hey Tightwad, got any more of those switches? And do you have any ideas on how to weatherproof it? Could I load it with dielectric grease? In order to relocate the switch, I'd have to get a new plastic inner panel(the empty hole would drive me nuts!), and I'd have to reinstall my Powerlet socket also...

I found toggle switches and rubber "booties" to install over them making them waterproof, but like I said, I hate the toggle switches... sooo... ???

Seb, you CAN load it with Diallectic grease. Thats what I did with my Fan Switch. I have not had any problems, and no water has gotten in there. Works great and you can't really see any grease.

Seb, I've been using the Carlingtech marine grade switches for quite a while now. The only downside is their size. If you check with marine supply stores or specialty electrical supplies you can find a pretty good selection of smaller switches. After my mishap I never replaced all of my gadgets. I did replace one switch for my grips and mounted it on the inner panel just underneath my left handlebar next to the fork.

Carlingtech Rocker Switches


http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e81/Dutch9090/PazzoLever03.jpg

I have Hot Grips on my bike and the best installation instructions I have found:

http://sfriday.com/VFR800/hotgrips.htm

They were written by Scott Friday (I beleive a few lists have joined him on his guided tours).

I've had this on my bike for over 30K miles w/o a problem

I am also using the Symtec rocker switch that came with the heater elements. I put it on the left fairing, on the horizontal part. During a heavy rain, some water must have closed the curcuit ans turned the grips on. (the blades on that switch are really close together)

so I think its afe to say that the Symtec switch does not hold up to rain.

The problem I had was finding switches with centre off. I'm still looking for aa illuminated centre off rocker.

Should a person not fuse the Symtecs? If so what size fuse, I have read different opinions on what the actual draw is.

[image: View Post]spotthedogg, on Mar 20 2009, 12:23 PM, said:

Should a person not fuse the Symtecs? If so what size fuse, I have read different opinions on what the actual draw is.

Yes, they should be fused. Symtecs websites says they draw a max of 43 watts at 14 volts. That would equal just over 3 amps. A 5 amp fuse would be just fine.

I've been looking into the HOT GRIPS today, and several websites say that they're being discontinued. Anyone know what's up?

[image: View Post]ECX585, on Mar 20 2009, 07:44 PM, said:

I've been looking into the HOT GRIPS today, and several websites say that they're being discontinued. Anyone know what's up?
Maybe because Symtecs and other newer brands are much better??
Hotgrips seem to be stuck with their more "old fashioned" design with the big ceramic resistor and switch that looks like it belongs on an old tool owned by our grandfathers. The grips that come in the Hotgrips kit were also too hard IMO....just as they always were for like over 20 years already.
Forget Hotgrips. There are many other better heated grip kits out there.

Beck
95 VFR