I'm in Florida and only need heated hands about 2 months a year. Question is do I go through the trouble to wire and install heated grips, if so whats best or get some battery powered gloves [liners] for the short time I'll be using them? thoughts and recommendations on brands and your experience would be appreciated. Thanks!
Heated Gloves Or Grips?
60 posts Started 5 Jan 2016 Last recovered post 15 Apr 2016 Wayback Machine snapshot 12 Jul 2017
I wear a pair of Dainese D-dry riding gloves when cold. Not Electric. 40 deg. F is my limit for riding. My hands do not get cold in these. You will lose a bit of throttle feel however. Wear layers to keep the blood warm when it gets to your hands, feet, etc.
burnes45I'm in Florida and only need heated hands about 2 months a year. Question is do I go through the trouble to wire and install heated grips, if so whats best or get some battery powered gloves [liners] for the short time I'll be using them? thoughts and recommendations on brands and your experience would be appreciated. Thanks!
Grip heaters:
1] You're not going to forget them at home.
2] Turn them on whenever you need them without stopping.
3] Buy gloves for protection, heaters for warmth.
I'm using some cheepo ATV heaters over the OEM grips and under grip puppies. The most useful thing is a good controller. A pulse width modulated controller is the way to go here, and can be made cheap if you're handy. Maybe that's a post I need to write.
Glenn
I haven't tried either but have been thinking about it.
If I buy, it will probably be be gloves.
It's cheaper and easier than putting grips on 3 bikes. :smile:
I've done both ... I live in the heart of Canada and it's not uncommon for me to ride in sub-freezing temperatures.
Heated Grips are my personal preference - like rdguy said, you never forget them at home, and they're ready when you need them if the weather turns while you're out and you forgot your warm gloves at home.
Get yourself a FuzeBlock FZ-1 and a set of Oxford Heaterz ... it's super easy to install. You can install a set of heated grips and the FZ-1 in about 2 hours total or less.
Gloves will keep your hands warmed better in colder conditions but agree with the points above so I'd vote for heated grips; they're easy enough to install.
I bought a set of Powerlet "Rapidfire" glove liners; at postision 3 of 5 it gave me burn blisters...
Powerlet sent me a new/better? set and no problem since.
Advantage is the heat on top of your hand/fingers as well, but is it a bit more cumbersome.
Each time when you fire up the bike, you still need to press the "on" button on the controller which sits inside your jacket.
Putting your jacket on you need to pay attention that both wires run towards your cuffs.
In a next life I'd probably go for heated grips...
But heated gear in Florida??? :unsure:
[image: post-8974-0-85678100-1451995583.jpg]
I've never tried heated gloves, but I do love my grip heaters. You'll need a good pair of winter gloves to go with them to keep the wind off the back of your hands. Like the others have said, you'll never forget them at home. You can switch them on mid-ride if the weather changes. I've been known to use them in the rain when my summer gloves are wet and cold. They last longer than a pair of gloves.
I have both, and prefer the gloves. The grips are handy for taking the chill off on-the-fly, but are only good down into the mid 40s. So far the gloves work down into the mid 20s.
I have both. Use the grip heaters when I get stuck out in the cold or when in the mountains when things cool off. The gloves provide less feedback and are more of a pain to put on and hook up. For really cold weather though, they are much better than grip heaters.
I want to say the grip heaters are only about $30 and gloves can be $150, so there is a big difference in cost.
DutchyBut heated gear in Florida??? :unsure:
[image: attachicon.gif]Capture.JPG
I was thinking the same thing .... Florida is a humid sub-tropical environment. :)
DutchyI bought a set of Powerlet "Rapidfire" glove liners; at postision 3 of 5 it gave me burn blisters...
Powerlet sent me a new/better? set and no problem since.
Advantage is the heat on top of your hand/fingers as well, but is it a bit more cumbersome.
Each time when you fire up the bike, you still need to press the "on" button on the controller which sits inside your jacket.
Putting your jacket on you need to pay attention that both wires run towards your cuffs.
In a next life I'd probably go for heated grips...
But heated gear in Florida??? :unsure:
[image: attachicon.gif]Capture.JPG
Dutchy, where did you get yours from? Over here or the States. Looking for a new set of gloves but didnt want a specific pair of heated gloves and these look like i can use them in conjunction with the new gloves. Have got heated grips but they only warm the insides of my hands. At my age with thin blood :goofy: i need overall warmth. My right hand thumb and first two fingers are numb anyway due to a trapped nerve in my shoulder and even after 15 mins of cold they turn white, very painful.
I have installed these on more bikes than I can remember.
I bought a bunch of them when they were 6.00.
If someone was at the house and complaining about cold hands, I would just throw these on their bike.
With relay and fuse it is under 20.00 and the rider is extremely happy.
Under a half hour to install.
[image: s-l500.jpg]
adeyrenDutchyDutchy, where did you get yours from? Over here or the States.
Bought in the US, shipped APO (=cheap) to an AFB in Germany, close to where my mother-in-law lives.
So visiting her was a win-win :goofy:
This way, also Dutch customs would not slap a bill on them.....
So visiting her was a win-win :goofy:
Mmm, you obviously never met my ex mother in law.
I went with gloves -- Warm & Safe, controlled with their heat-troller -- because I cover the brake lever with two fingers when I ride. (I ride until they salt the roads; typically it's below freezing by the time I put the bike away.)
They're a bit of a pain to hook up at the begining of a ride, but they do the job, and they're thin enough that they don't impair the feel.
Dutchy[image: post-31913-0-99699800-1452012252.png] Averages can be highly misleading because they distill away so much information. My wife is pleasant "on average". That doesn't mean I don't spend a few uncomfortable nights on the sofa.But heated gear in Florida??? :unsure:
That's not even below freezing. ;)
I typically ride into November/December before putting the bike away and then riding again by the end of March .... just depends on when the permanent snow actually hits.
[image: winnipeg-average-temperatures-chart.gif]
[image: December 6, 2015 Ride to Lac du Bonnet]
PS ... just giving them Southerners a hard time. I realize that if you're acclimatized it makes a big difference. Edited January 5, 2016 by JNBarrettFavourite song whike driving to your mother in law probably acdc
Highway to hell..... :-)
Grips for short trips, gloves for long. I have bad circulation in my wrists/hands so I often use both.
Given that it doesn't get that cold in FL, grips should be fine.
Data Point = My last REV chassis Ski-Doo was fine with grip heaters and decent winter gloves in -10 to -30degC at 80 to 140km/h for hours at a time so for a motorcycling I'd go with:
- adjustable, heated grips with
- wind resistant/proof gloves (my Knox Handroids don't cut it below 50degF/10degC)
San Diego has some pretty fair weather but I have heated grips on three bikes .....cause I do tour and even get a bit chilly in mountains here during the winter. Grips are the ticket most times unless your are doing a sustained very cold tour. Plus you can never forget them.
Sometime you need both so I slip-on the heated glove liners to complement the grips. I was returning from a Big Bend Winter tour and at about 9,200ft in Arizona.
[image: med_gallery_2144_2760_1093730.jpg]
Thanks for the tips had not thought of not having them when when you need them. Think I'll go with the grips. I know I'm a wimp can't take the cold. And I am in "North Florida!!" Occasionally lows in the 20'F with highs in the 40'sF Thank God it don't last long. Don't know how you guys ride up north you got to be tough.
Thanks again,
You can always get some Oxford Hot Hands they are temporary grip heaters !
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/oxford-hot-hands-heated-grip-wraps-review.429236/
Scottish Weather, its auld but guid
50F degrees --
New Yorkers turn on the heat.
People in Scotland plant gardens.
40 degrees --
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Scotland sunbathe.
35 degrees --
Italian cars won't start.
People in Scotland drive with the windows down.
20 degrees --
Floridians wear coats, gloves, and wool hats.
People in Scotland throw on a T-shirt.
15 degrees --
Californians begin to evacuate the state.
People in Scotland go swimming.
Zero degrees --
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Scotland have the last bbq before it gets cold.
10 degrees below zero --
People in Miami cease to exist.
People in Scotland lick flagpoles.
20 degrees below zero --
Californians fly away to Mexico.
People in Scotland throw on a light jacket.
80 degrees below zero --
Polar bears begin to evacuate the Arctic.
Scottish Boy Scouts postpone "Winter Survival" classes until it gets cold enough.
100 degrees below zero --
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
People in Scotland pull down their ear flaps.
173 degrees below zero --
Ethyl alcohol freezes.
People in Scotland get frustrated when they can't thaw their kegs.
297 degrees below zero --
Microbial life start to disappear.
Scottish cows complain of farmers with cold hands.
460 degrees below zero --
ALL atomic motion stops.
People in Scotland start saying "chilly, you cald an aw?"
500 degrees below zero --
Hell freezes over.
Aberdeen win the Scottish Cup.
I am in So.CA so pretty mild cold winters but ride every day. Installed el cheapo hand grip warmers two years ago. Trouble free and i rarely turn turn them off this time of year. Bought a cheap set of winter gloves to go with them. I put the liners in my Tourmaster jacket and riding pants and I am good to go. I think if I lived in a much colder climate then the expensive electonic heated garments would make sense. But i like to save my money these days.
I left Florida yesterday. It was 60 degrees, and people were wearing ski masks and jackets. I was wishing that I had my bike with me while I was down there.
DutchyScottish Weather, its auld but guid
50F degrees --
New Yorkers turn on the heat.
People in Scotland plant gardens.
40 degrees --
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Scotland sunbathe.
35 degrees --
Italian cars won't start.
People in Scotland drive with the windows down.
20 degrees --
Floridians wear coats, gloves, and wool hats.
People in Scotland throw on a T-shirt.
15 degrees --
Californians begin to evacuate the state.
People in Scotland go swimming.
Zero degrees --
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Scotland have the last bbq before it gets cold.
10 degrees below zero --
People in Miami cease to exist.
People in Scotland lick flagpoles.
20 degrees below zero --
Californians fly away to Mexico.
People in Scotland throw on a light jacket.
80 degrees below zero --
Polar bears begin to evacuate the Arctic.
Scottish Boy Scouts postpone "Winter Survival" classes until it gets cold enough.
100 degrees below zero --
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
People in Scotland pull down their ear flaps.
173 degrees below zero --
Ethyl alcohol freezes.
People in Scotland get frustrated when they can't thaw their kegs.
297 degrees below zero --
Microbial life start to disappear.
Scottish cows complain of farmers with cold hands.
460 degrees below zero --
ALL atomic motion stops.
People in Scotland start saying "chilly, you cald an aw?"
500 degrees below zero --
Hell freezes over.
Aberdeen win the Scottish Cup.
Lol. Funniest thing I've seen today. Thanks Dutchy.
C
Still have some PX cask Laphraoig left to keep me warm.... :-)
I always say 50F is freezing in L.A.
Never mind I grew up with Chicago winters.
Trust me, you can de acclimate. Brrr..... :cool:
Just put on a set like this over the last two weeks. Rode for about 5 hours today and they worked so well that I only used the low setting.
[image: Screen%20Shot%202016-01-10%20at%206.33.0]
Yup. They do work. And they are cheap.
C
My Oxford Heaterz premium grips arrived today. I was going to get a relay but the controller for the grips has an automatic cut off when it does not "see" any noise in the system or battery voltage drops below 11.5 volts. Its there only if you forget to turn it
off, which I don't see myself doing. Should I Get a relay anyway?? It's starting to get crowded around the battery with the Powerlet and VFRness This will be one more thing connected to the battery. Is there a better way? Who knows what I'll find to put on next.
Thoughts, suggestions should I be OK for now? Thanks.
burnes45My Oxford Heaterz premium grips arrived today. I was going to get a relay but the controller for the grips has an automatic cut off when it does not "see" any noise in the system or battery voltage drops below 11.5 volts. Its there only if you forget to turn it
off, which I don't see myself doing. Should I Get a relay anyway?? It's starting to get crowded around the battery with the Powerlet and VFRness This will be one more thing connected to the battery. Is there a better way? Who knows what I'll find to put on next.
Thoughts, suggestions should I be OK for now? Thanks.
It sounds like you need a relayed fuse block to support your added farkles.
You still need a radar detector and heated gear.
First of all hallo to every one !
New guy here, owned 3 vfrs so far, the advice found here was invaluable when I ran into technical difficulties, big thank you.
The heated gloves / grips issue:
I use both.
When temp is above 5 degrees C I use the grips and a relatively good pair of winter gloves.
Not sure about other models but my heated gloves are a bit thicker and they don't give me a very good feel for the controls.
When the temp is below 5 and going for a longer ride then I tend to use the heated gloves.
Personally I'd try first the heated grips and if you want more heat then try the heated gloves as they tend to me more expensive also.
Hope this helps.
Ps
I've really enjoyed reading the Scottish winter post, funniest thingies read today :)
I've used heated grips and heated grip wraps (does Aerostich still sell those?) for many years, but I do not usually (intentionally) ride when it's really cold any more. My problem with heated grips is that they are only of use if you can keep your hands wrapped around them most of the time. However, when I ride in town, I almost always cover both clutch and brake levers with four fingers--four fingers that are thus unable to benefit from the heated grip!
So, faced with the prospect of riding to work a few days a week, I recently purchased a pair of Tucano Urbano "Hot Road" gloves. One reason I chose that brand was that they were the only ones I could find that had a "conductive finger" thing in the forefingers, necessary to use a non-motorcycle-optimised touch screen (my Zumo doesn't need this, but my smartphone does). The gloves are very nicely made, and can be powered by Li-ion batteries hidden in the cuffs, but I didn't buy the batteries.
Ciao,
rdguyburnes45I'm in Florida and only need heated hands about 2 months a year. Question is do I go through the trouble to wire and install heated grips, if so whats best or get some battery powered gloves [liners] for the short time I'll be using them? thoughts and recommendations on brands and your experience would be appreciated. Thanks!
Grip heaters:
1] You're not going to forget them at home.
2] Turn them on whenever you need them without stopping.
3] Buy gloves for protection, heaters for warmth.
I'm using some cheepo ATV heaters over the OEM grips and under grip puppies. The most useful thing is a good controller. A pulse width modulated controller is the way to go here, and can be made cheap if you're handy. Maybe that's a post I need to write.
Glenn
:1: :1: :1:
Plus 100.
gr8vfrburnes45My Oxford Heaterz premium grips arrived today. I was going to get a relay but the controller for the grips has an automatic cut off when it does not "see" any noise in the system or battery voltage drops below 11.5 volts. Its there only if you forget to turn it
off, which I don't see myself doing. Should I Get a relay anyway?? It's starting to get crowded around the battery with the Powerlet and VFRness This will be one more thing connected to the battery. Is there a better way? Who knows what I'll find to put on next.
Thoughts, suggestions should I be OK for now? Thanks.
It sounds like you need a relayed fuse block to support your added farkles.
You still need a radar detector and heated gear.
A relayed fuse block?? I have not seen one before. Anything brand specific, pictures.
burnes45gr8vfrburnes45My Oxford Heaterz premium grips arrived today. I was going to get a relay but the controller for the grips has an automatic cut off when it does not "see" any noise in the system or battery voltage drops below 11.5 volts. Its there only if you forget to turn it
off, which I don't see myself doing. Should I Get a relay anyway?? It's starting to get crowded around the battery with the Powerlet and VFRness This will be one more thing connected to the battery. Is there a better way? Who knows what I'll find to put on next.
Thoughts, suggestions should I be OK for now? Thanks.
It sounds like you need a relayed fuse block to support your added farkles.
You still need a radar detector and heated gear.
A relayed fuse block?? I have not seen one before. Anything brand specific, pictures.
I've liked and used the FZ1 on all my bikes! Kind of pricey at around $100, but nice compact units.
[image: post-301-0-61343700-1452908898.jpg]
burnes45A relayed fuse block?? I have not seen one before. Anything brand specific, pictures.
BaileyrockI've liked and used the FZ1 on all my bikes! Kind of pricey at around $100, but nice compact units.
+1 on the FZ1
It's a quality bit of engineering and facilitates smart design for powering multiple accessories. Every time you add a powered accessory, there are two recurring considerations:
1. Should you find a way to used switched power?
2. Should you add an inline fuse?
Once something like the FZ1 is installed, answering yes to either or both becomes very simple.
Related discussions:
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/81813-talk-to-me-about-fuse-blocks-and-relays
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/66140-fz1-fuseblock-installation
If you're super lazy (i.e you are me), the company also makes a wiring harness that should allow you to do a quality install without need for additional trips to the electronics store.
http://www.fuzeblocks.com/index.php?pid=10#fzwiring
As BR said, it's not cheap, but once it's done you've laid a proper foundation for all your farkle power needs.
While I have a BlueSea aux fuse box + relay on my VFR, I put in a FZI on my KLR. Great setup and it would be my choice for another install.
MihaiFirst of all hallo to every one !
New guy here, owned 3 vfrs so far, the advice found here was invaluable when I ran into technical difficulties, big thank you.
The heated gloves / grips issue:
I use both.
When temp is above 5 degrees C I use the grips and a relatively good pair of winter gloves.
Not sure about other models but my heated gloves are a bit thicker and they don't give me a very good feel for the controls.
When the temp is below 5 and going for a longer ride then I tend to use the heated gloves.
Personally I'd try first the heated grips and if you want more heat then try the heated gloves as they tend to me more expensive also.
Hope this helps.
Ps
I've really enjoyed reading the Scottish winter post, funniest thingies read today :)
Agree. Heated grips just don't cut it for me when temps are below 40F (~5C) and the ride is longer than 30 min. Heated grips are way better than nothing, but below 40 for any length of time I use my Warm&Safe (aka FirstGear) gloves, love them. Heat all over, not just on the palms.
So you'd go for heat gloves ad not grips? had heated grips on my lst bike but rarely if ever used them, could have done with either the last weekend!
BikerJoeSo you'd go for heat gloves ad not grips? had heated grips on my lst bike but rarely if ever used them, could have done with either the last weekend!
If I had to choose I'd get heated gloves. The gloves I have offer better heat than my grips and still have decent protection and pretty good feel along with other features I like. They work better in very cold conditions, yet are still waterproof, breathable and comfortable when not heated...up to about 60F. That said, I'll use my better armored uninsulated gloves and grips from about 50F and up. Having both heated grips and heated gloves with the set of gloves I have gives me more options.
Marsman99MihaiFirst of all hallo to every one !
New guy here, owned 3 vfrs so far, the advice found here was invaluable when I ran into technical difficulties, big thank you.
The heated gloves / grips issue:
I use both.
When temp is above 5 degrees C I use the grips and a relatively good pair of winter gloves.
Not sure about other models but my heated gloves are a bit thicker and they don't give me a very good feel for the controls.
When the temp is below 5 and going for a longer ride then I tend to use the heated gloves.
Personally I'd try first the heated grips and if you want more heat then try the heated gloves as they tend to me more expensive also.
Hope this helps.
Ps
I've really enjoyed reading the Scottish winter post, funniest thingies read today :)
Agree. Heated grips just don't cut it for me when temps are below 40F (~5C) and the ride is longer than 30 min. Heated grips are way better than nothing, but below 40 for any length of time I use my Warm&Safe (aka FirstGear) gloves, love them. Heat all over, not just on the palms.
Warm n Safe gloves heats only on the finger nail side ( top of the hands where you're exposed to all the wind. If you have wiring on the palm area, it would eventually break and leave you with no heat. Just came back from a 1 hour ride on my scooter -7C here in Seoul, Korea. I have both heated gloves and grip and I was toasty warm. If I use heated grips only, my hands will freeze due to the exposed parts of hand in the wind but with heated gloves it's all good.
Road with heated grips this morning About 30'F. Soooo...nice to have warm hands. I just wired the controller as directed works perfect. Going to get the FZ-1 fused relay and rewire when it warms up. Looking at 30'F again tomorrow and 26'F Wednesday. Those things get hot had to turn them down to 50% after a couple of minutes and that was through my thick winter gloves. Thanks for every ones help
2 heat settings
4 euro
1 week TAT
Will post up once installed.
Will not try and decipher the instructions.... :-)
[image: post-8974-0-90451600-1453466626.jpg]
Will not try and decipher the instructions.... :-)
Why not? :laugh:
I bought one of those kits. Quite straightforward to install. Cost me something like $7 CAN a few years back. So about 4-5 Euros.
C
DutchyI bought a set of Powerlet "Rapidfire" glove liners; at postision 3 of 5 it gave me burn blisters...
Powerlet sent me a new/better? set and no problem since.
Advantage is the heat on top of your hand/fingers as well, but is it a bit more cumbersome.
Each time when you fire up the bike, you still need to press the "on" button on the controller which sits inside your jacket.
Putting your jacket on you need to pay attention that both wires run towards your cuffs.
In a next life I'd probably go for heated grips...
UPDATE:
Used the Powerlet Rapidfire gloves today (on postion 2, 3 still gives red marks on my hands) and all was well. Untill I had stopped for some lunch....
Hmmmm... as I press/hold the on button on the controller, if briefy blinked "3" and went blank...
As I disconnected and reconnected, the display blinked "8." and went dead again.....
So I just dropped their customer service a note.
I bought the set in January 2012, so their 3 yr warranty has expired. But having used them maybe 30 days in total I am a bit underwhelmed.
I've asked them for a solution, will keep yous posted.
Put an OHM meter across the liners themselves. If they match it's likely the controller that's gone tits-up, and that's an easy fix if you know how to solder.
I had a sleeve wire go bad on my Gerbings jacket liner recently. Since they no longer do free warranty repairs I did it myself. Took about a half hour to replace.
Measured the gloves with my Fluke, 12.7 and 13.2 Ohm, so close enough no?.
Hoping Powerlet will tell me what the 8.1 -that flashes briefly upon connecting to 12V- signifies, but if they are not stepping up to the plate, I gladly hear what I could do myself then.
The controller looks like this:
[image: post-8974-0-77781300-1459240557.jpg]
[image: post-8974-0-82802300-1459240562.jpg]
DutchyMeasured the gloves with my Fluke, 12.7 and 13.2 Ohm, so close enough no?.
Hoping Powerlet will tell me what the 8.1 -that flashes briefly upon connecting to 12V- signifies, but if they are not stepping up to the plate, I gladly hear what I could do myself then.
The controller looks like this:
[image: attachicon.gif]IMAG3669_1.jpg
[image: attachicon.gif]IMAG3670_1.jpg
I'd take that circuit board and wash it with a small brush and lots of alcohol, (yes, the kind you drink but drink it while you use isopropyl for the circuit board). I can see some of what looks like corrosion which can affect the IC. Rinse well and let dry, you may find it works again. It looks like it got wet.
Worth a shot worse that can happen is it still doesn't work. Lots of replacement controllers out there.
Nope....
[image: post-8974-0-85707000-1459327497.jpg]
Powerlet have yet to respond to my querie what 8. on the display means and what they propose.
Not ready to fork out $50+shipping on a Powerlet product that so far has been a bit of a let down.
for that the price of their controller kit.
You probably didn't use (drink) enough alcohol.
Worth a try.
I would wire up a simple varister controller, and ride on. ICs are for computers.
I will google varister and if I get stuck will PM you.
Gave Powerlet a call since I didnot get a response to my question via their contact form.
As expected, great customer service (it is an USA-based company), they will send out a spare controller.
Googled Varistor/VDR but euh........................ if there are any links out there how I can build one for my gloves.............. :goofy:
Kudos to Powerlet (part of Coliant Group) customer service!!!!
A replacement controller arrived yesterday from across the pond.
End of thread · 60 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 12 Jul 2017