Heated grips anybody?

[tootal]

I've been using heated grips on all my Harley's for years and get them from Custom Heat. They only make them for 1" handle bars and I believe the Ulysses is 7/8". I have seen a brand called Heaterz but have no experience with them. Is anybody using Heated grips and what brand did you get?
Inquiring minds want to know.

[Red_Chili]

Polly Heaters fit inside the 7/8" handlebars, and heat the bars themselves. They are quite effective, and allow you to use any grip you want, and no wires get twisted when you twist the throttle.

Dave Stueve at Appleton H-D has them in stock I believe, High/Low range for less than $30. Mine are still in the package- it's cold, but my time has no slack!

[tootal]

Thanks for the reply I'll research those. I've never heard of them although I wonder how long it takes to get heat all the way to the grip surface? Interesting idea though, definately worth checking out.

[GrahamNZ]

I've fitted heated grips to my various bikes for many years. Mostly Daytona brand with 2-position control but recently gone to British-made Oxford brand which are very robustly constructed and come with full rheostat control. While in-bar heaters allow any grips of choice and no wires to cope with, heated grips are very direct-acting. The right always heats quicker than the left, indicating that direct contact with the bar slows heat buildup. If fatter, softer grips are wanted, slip-over foam grip sleeves can be fitted over the heated grips.

[tootal]

I've fitted heated grips to my various bikes for many years. Mostly Daytona brand with 2-position control but recently gone to British-made Oxford brand which are very robustly constructed and come with full rheostat control. While in-bar heaters allow any grips of choice and no wires to cope with, heated grips are very direct-acting. The right always heats quicker than the left, indicating that direct contact with the bar slows heat buildup. If fatter, softer grips are wanted, slip-over foam grip sleeves can be fitted over the heated grips.
Thanks Graham, I haven't heard of Oxford brand either. I'll check them out soon. We had an ice storm here and I'm wearing out my chain saw instead of the rear tire on the Buell!!:(

[tootal]

Ok Graham, I did some research and the Oxford brand might be British but they are also known here as Heaterz. They are made in China unlike Hot Hands which are made in USA. The Hot Hands are made of hard plastic which I don't think I would want on the Buell. I understand the Oxford Heaterz are made from rubber which is more like it. Is this true? If this is what you have I'm curious on where you mounted the heat controller?
Thanks,

[GrahamNZ]

Hi, tootal

The Oxford grips are definitely rubbery and quite comfortable to hold. The controller is fairly large but comes with the items necessary for mounting on a tubular 'bar or for sticking to a flat surface. I haven't fitted heated grips to my Buell, but if I did I'd mount the controller on the left 'bar beside the clutch lever unit. Being a person who likes to make things, I'd probably fabricate a sheet-metal folded plate to stick the controller to and mount the plate under the mirror-stalk sleeve-nut.

[mandriu]

I installed hot grips on my bolt last week and it rained alot after. Then on friday I did rode for about three hours in the hills out here with no problems. The temp was low 40's and I was wearing mechanix wear gloves. Then I took the interstate back. The grips worked great on the hills, but the interstate was a little uncomfortable. I don't have any wind deflectors so the wind was working on my middle fingers which stick out a little more than the other fingers.
I have the adjustable rheostat. There really is not a lot of room on that bracket. so the position is not very practical. I have to let go of the throttle then lower my hand to near the guage cluster to adjust the control. This could be really dangerous. over all I am satisfied.

[GrahamNZ]

Oxford heated grips. British design and IMHO very well constructed and effective in use. Made in China? Probably, but then what isn't these days, anyway, that doesn't mean poor quality if made to a sound specification.

I've been fitting heated grips to my bikes for as long as they've been available but for best effect they need to be used with wind-deflecting hand-guards as well or your finger tips get cold. My preference is for thin-ish gloves too, for better control-feel and to allow the heat to reach my hands better.

mandriu, the controller should be placed where your left hand operates it.

[MartyMax admin]

Warmer gloves and save on electricity. =)

[GrahamNZ]

The problem with thick winter gloves is that it's like wearing a condom 1/8" thick.

[tootal]

Graham,
I guess since this old thread has been resurrected I would show you what I ended up doing. I took your advice and they work quite well!;)

808

[GrahamNZ]

tootal

Do you find the Oxford (or Heaterz or whatever they're called in your area) comfortable enough? I've ProGrip soft gel grips at the moment and am hesitant to fit Oxfords in case they're a bit hard.

[tootal]

I don't find them hard at all but for me to compare to a gel grip, I'm afraid I've never used a gel grip before so my opinion wouldn't be very good. I do like them and since I always wear some sort of glove I like that the rubber surface has a lot of grip against leather. I've ridden some 8-9 hour days before and my hands were never a problem but everybody's different.

[xblights]

On my old bike I had the Oxford wraps, I thought they were the best ever! until i bought and installed these.....................

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=PRC_12-170_G&tier2=20


they are the BEST!!!!! no big annoying thick wrap around the grips. just a couple little wires that you can hide easily

thses with the Buell traction grips get alot hotter then the oxford did

[RFLIVES]

xblights I have those same grip heaters they work great!

[GrahamNZ]

Those sure look the goods and would work just fine with gel-grips too. Thanks for the link.

[mandriu]

I had to jet-epoxy the hot hands to my clip-ons so they are permanent. I like the way the ones in the link look.

[RFLIVES]

The package says they are snomobil grips they get hot on the hi. I have alum bars so they act like a giant heat sink for the first 5 mins they they even out