Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

It was freezing this morning when I left home, and I know it was probably about 6 degrees, but I braved it and layered up and rode like the good lil KSRC soldier that I am.

I took off and it was cold, yup really cold and my hands were frozen within 20 minutes. No amount of wiggling fingers in my funky new all star winter gloves was helping me.

Now I'm researching heated hand grips. I've only ever known one person who's ever had them and they rocked apparently.

If you know anything about them or have any opinons or advice I'd be very interested to hear it, and I'm sure I wont be the only one.

I love my heated hand grips!! Sometimes I wonder what I ever did without them.

You getting soft Kaz ??
Try some latex gloves under your normal gloves

Don't listen to him Miss ZZR!!! They are well worth the investment, and with winter coming on, are going to be the very next purchase I make!!!! Look for better quality ie-more expensive brands. They have little niceties like temperature control, and better quality heater elements and grips etc. Most people who have them swear by them. And loads of guys have them covertly fitted to their mega dollar crotch rockets too!!!

I am going to do some investigation soon so will post up some ideas when I have.

I'll deal with you later Marz.

Thanks for the useful info Strika.

Anyone else?

Feel free to include brand names and approx prices.

i thought u can only get them on bmw bikes

mrmina wrote:i thought u can only get them on bmw bikes

. . . My mummies gpx 630 hass them lol but i supose u get that when u get a bike from tasmania

oh well. u learn something new everyday

650*

ST1300's have them, unless they were added later..

i think they are an awesome idea, but i wanna know where i could hide the wiring and bits and pieces 1st.

Lurve my heated grips- $40ish from Vince Strang Motorcycles in Inverell. (mail-order) Easy enough to fit- two types available- the ones I got are OK- they are a single element, and are supposed to use a resistor to drop the heat for a 'low' setting- that idea works well, BUT the resistor got so freakin hot that I gave up on that idea- couldn't work out where to mount the hot little sucker. Instead I wired a switch so that the grips are either connected in series or parallel. Parallel is full power, while series connection gives a quarter of the full power- just warmish which is a compromise- flip the switch a bit to get the right temp. Be careful if you use the high setting without gloves on- you can blister and burn your hands badly if you do. I did on my trip to Canberra last year. So cold I didn't feel the elements burning my hands.
There is a better element you can buy for your heated grips- one with dual elements, switched by a switch- better temp options. I had these on my ZZR1100, and I got them off a guy in Canada who I talk to on the net. He still has several sets for sale, but I'm not sure how much he charges- he gave me mine. (in return for a ZZR part I sent him) They are kimpton brand.

ZZRCHIKKY wrote:

mrmina wrote:i thought u can only get them on bmw bikes

. . . My mummies gpx 630 hass them lol but i supose u get that when u get a bike from tasmania

do u need 4 handgrips on bikes from tasmania?? or just 4 helmet holders?? (for when u take ur wife/sister for a ride)

i was gunna get sum heated grips..i bought an electric blanket & started modifying but i couldnt find a long enuf extension cord that didnt get tangled round the mirrors....



ok..a bit of seriousness....u can get em for any bike..u can buy generic type ones & fit em urself...sum bikes (bmw etc) do come with em standard...but remember nething that comes standard on a bike these days is ussually not far away as an optional accesorry...

I just put a set on my 14 tonight.

I got the Oxford Hot Grips which have an OFF/LOW/HIGH switch which mounts on the handlebars right next to the left switchblock. The switch itself is operated by my left thumb.

I got my powersource from the wires for the front running light which isnt used on Australian models. The wiring and connector are there, but theres no light. So I plugged the power and earth wire into the standard connector. I then tucked all the superfluous wiring into the headlight dish, ziptied (zipties were included) the wires coming from the grips to the 'bars. I thought the front light was a good idea as it turns with the handlebars, so there is no tugging on the wires.

Just make sure you leave a bit of slack on the right grip to allow for the turning of the throttle and make sure nothing gets in the way of the brake and clutch lever when you squeeze 'em against the bars.

James wrote:, ziptied (zipties were included) .

ahh zipties...is there nething they can not do??

Well, this is a topical topic

Just bought the Saito brand heated grips. They're pretty schmick kit with a four position switch high/low/off/start.

The '02 9R cockpit is a little cosy for installing the switch... I think I can mount them off a home made bracket bolted onto the left dash mounting bolt... well, that's the current plan.

Anyone got a better place??

Can't wait to have heated grips. Riding on a sunny brisk autumn/winter is awesome except for the numb fingers...

Cheers

Rob