Heated grips for GSXR 750 - good idea or massive faux pas?

[londonbiker]

Hi all,

I am going to be using my GSXR everyday through this winter and wanted to know if heated grips are OK to be fitted on a GSXR? Anyone know of any issues with fitting them?

Also, is it a massive faux pas to fit heated grips to a sports bike? Just would be good to know if I am about to make a biking world clanging error

[Pete]

Ey?! If you're going to be using it through winter then balls to the faux pas, get them on there! Suzuki use a lot of "standard" parts for all their bikes, including the bars so you won't have any bother fitting them.

If anyone takes the piss, it's just because they're scared to go out mid-week or in the rain (i.e. solar powered riders)

[Guest]

Like Pete says - if you're an all weather rider you'll know how damn cold your hands (and other body parts!) can get - sod fashion.

Only problem with heated grips is they only warm the inside of your hand. Your finger tips and the back of your hand remain cold. They're great for taking the chill off on short journey's, or chilly autumn/spring mornings, but in the dead of winter when you wish your ar*e was in a car - they're only about 50% effective at best.

If you can afford them get heated gloves (or liners). That way your entire hand is warm, and it does not ruin the bike's asthetics if you're worried about it.

The "EXO" kit also comes with a harness allowing you to hook up other garments if you have them.

£40-ish buys you heated grips. (eBay prices)

+ Cheap warm hand solution, if not 100% warm.

+ Easy to fit

+ You can wear any gloves (good for chilly summer evenings)

- Only warms one side of your hand

- Cheapo versions don't battery sense and can run your battery flat (use a relay, or buy decent ones)

- Friends can see your after market heated grips and WILL take the pi**.

£125-ish buys you heated gloves.

+ All of your hand is warm

+ Not bike specific

- Some still need wiring back to battery (some are battery powered)

- Expensive

I opted for the heated grips (Oxford Hot Grips) - and a friend fitted them in via a relay for me. Took him less than an hour, including eating a bacon sarnie and drinking a mug of tea while doing it.

[Guest]

Aye, i hear the oxford heated grips appear to be the best all round option. I was thinking about it the other day whilst riding, and though, maybe when my finger tips get cold, i could change my hand position when on long straights e.t.c.

And its really no trouble, to just arch the hand slightly and touch the grips with finger tips.

I'd go for the oxford grips, buy from eBay and fit them yourself

By the by, does anybody have to hand a simple guide of installing a relay? And the grips? I imagine the grips will come with instructions, but might not come with relay instructions. Cos i'm also looking to install one of them 12v sockets (on my next bike, current bike isn't worth the bother )

[Guest]

Relay Wiring

Pin 30 -----[use fuse from hot grips]-------- Battery Pos Terminal

Pin 85 ------------------------------------ Battery Neg Terminal

Pin 86 -----[5A Fuse]---------------------- Live feed source when ignition is on

Pin 87 ------------------------------------ Positive feed to Heated Grips (no fuse needed)

Negative feed to heated grips goes to Battery Neg Terminal.

Pick up a live feed from the ignition wiring, or the rear light etc.

Relay from Halfords or Maplins etc.

[Guest]

cool. thanks Does all this wiring and stuff just sit under your seat?

[Guest]

if you dont want grips or gloves then Oxford do over grips they velcro on, so you can remove in summer...

some more info and how to fit, here...

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=429236

[Ash]

I spotted the other day that oxford have just bort out some heated grips that are specifically designed for sports bikes, might be worth checking out

[Pete]

J&S do heated grips for £40 all year round. Cheapest place I've ever found them

[londonbiker]

Just thought I'd update you all on my heated grip decision.

I decided to go for the Oxford Sports heated grips and they are brilliant. OK, so they took 2.5 hours to fit and required use of Dremmel, files, sealing tape, most of the contents of a good toolbox and a saint load of patience, but we got there. i say we, because I procured the help of a mate and would definitely say 4 hands is better than 2 if fitting them to a sports bike. I have them fitted, hidden all the wires and they work like a charm. Can't recommend them enough, but just remember to set aside a patient afternoon for fitting.

Rob

[Guest akey]

mate never mind that, I had those handle bar muffs on my gixer 750 when i rode it all winter (would have had heated grips to but i got rid of it before i had the chance). They worked really well, as they keep some of the wind chill off your hands.

they were removable though.

[Pete]

Nice one Rob, glad it worked out for you. If anyone takes the Mickey just get them to show you their hands after a nice long ride in the cold