Re: [ST] Heated Grips (User report)

["Kevin Hoskins" <Kevin.Hoskins@xxxxxxx>]

> I've done some googling to see what is available, there is a variety
> of options:
>
> Triumph heated grips: $180
> http://www.triumphnet.com/rs/acc/heated_grips.htm
>
> Hot Grips: $110
> http://www.hotgrips.com/triumph-motorcycles.html
>
> Dual Star: $30
> http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Rider/heated_grip_kit1.htm
>
> Somewhere I saw a sort of external grip sleeve, I guess for a
> temporary installation?

I have the Triumph heated grips on my '00 Sprint ST, installed by the dealer
before I took delivery. They work great. Advantage: Wiring harness is ready for
them. Disadvantage: Cost. And punching a hole in the fairing for the control
switch.

I also have a '00 Kawasaki ZX6R, on which I installed a set of Hot Grips after
the first winter of ownership. After installation, I wished that I had not
waited. That first winter was very painful. The grips made that pain a thing of
the past. They work as well as the Triumph grips. Advantage: Cost. And, if you
enjoy tinkering, you get to create a wiring harness for them. This includes a
three-position switch (MORE THAN WARM - OFF - NEARLY TOO HOT), a current
limiting power resistor (for the MORE THAN WARM setting), and the wire necessary
to connect it all together and to a (ignition switched) power source. I took my
time, created a nice custom wiring harness, found a unused switched terminal on
the fuse block, laid in the harness and tied it down, mounted the switch on the
fairing brace and mounted the resistor near the top of the left fork leg. All
told, it took about five hours altogether.

On the hottest setting, the Hot Grips are hotter than the Triumph grips. They
can actually become uncomfortable to the point that I have to open my hands to
allow for a little cooling air to flow through. The right grip is a little
warmer than the left, probably because the throttle sleeve provides some
insulation between the grip and the handlebar.

Overall, either systems works well. I have experienced zero malfunctions in
either. With the waterproof Held gloves that I use in cold weather, either grip
is good down to below 30F on the hottest setting.

Kevin


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