Heated hand grips... Do they work...?

[jamoka3]

I'm looking for a set of heated hand grips for my bike. (Something cheap and easy to install of course!) I just wanted to know how effective they are at speeds of about 50-65mph, and riding temps between 25-40 degrees F. Or are they more for slow back woods riding?
Any suggestions, or input will be great!

[KankakeeBenjamin]

I have heated grips which are nice. I also have heated glove liners which I think provide more/better heat. If I had to choose between the two I would go with heated glove liners. My 2cents

[TheWorstKind]

The best I have found so far is: heated grips combined with Hippo Hands. I wear summer gloves year round now.

[Jim K.]

You becha! The backs of your hands may still get cold, but I've used "Hot Grips" on my last 3 bikes (18 years) & wouldn't have a bike without them. The speed is immaterial, they heat up in minutes & keep your palms & fingers warm. I've never felt the need for a heat controller, if the switch is conveniently placed, it's easy to just flip it on/off when they get too hot. The beauty is that they are always on the bike, just a flick of the switch away, unlike the warm winter gloves that are still hanging on a peg back in the garage because it was so warm when you left this morning! As mentioned here, they work even better, in combo with hippo hands.

[SnowMule]

Every bit helps.

I replaced the grip warmers on my sled with high-output elements, then took the OEM ones off my sled and put 'em on the bike. It's not gonna keep your hands toasty-warm, but it certainly offsets the cold weather and lets you ride longer than without warmers.

Other thing to consider is power requirements - it's all my electrical system can do to support a headlight on low-beam and the grip warmers.

[ihatefalling]

I'll never have another bike without heated grips

[kdo58]

i have these they work for snowmobiles and work great on my bike and they are cheap
http://www.pollyheaters.com/ph200.htm

[Peirre O`Bollox]

Originally Posted by kdo58

i have these they work for snowmobiles and work great on my bike and they are cheap
http://www.pollyheaters.com/ph200.htm

+1
I just wish I was able to get them shipped across the pond to Europe

[Buuurrrt]

Originally Posted by Peirre O`Bollox

+1
I just wish I was able to get them shipped across the pond to Europe

I am looking at these Pollyheaters.. Does anyon know if they will insert into a stop KTM bar. They say they will go into a 5/8" bar and my bars are right at that. Just wondering.

I like the fact that I can use my own grip and the wires run inside the bars. I want less wires on the outside.

[kubiak]

i use them in the winter even in california. i use them anytime the temps get below 40 otherwise my hands go numb without them.

[Yakima]

Just put on my first pair. Terrific. Now with winter I added a pair of ATV "mitts". The combination is perfect. I use my standard summer weight armored gloves and my pinkies stay toasty warm on the lower of two grip heater settings.
Installation involves a relay, taking off your grips, some thorough cleaning and that's about it. Not at all difficult.
I bought Symtec. Shop around for best price.

[DestinationUnknown]

I have been using Hotgrips for several years. It makes cold weather riding more enjoyable.

[MrBob]

Originally Posted by DestinationUnknown

I have been using Hotgrips for several years. It makes cold weather riding more enjoyable.

I've installed Hot Grips on about 5 of my bikes, including my current ride. They keep my hands warm into the mid-20 degree F. range wearing leather work gloves and on the low setting. I rarely use the high setting.
The simple high/low switch that comes with the grips is adequate and there are waterproof housings that will thread onto the toggle switch if it's in an exposed location.
The best price was on Amazon but Twisted Throttle can be good also.
This farkle is a no-brainer.

[tshelver]

I've used several types, but for me it's a no-brainer. Heated gloves are good, but not as nearly as comfortable as standard gloves, and they often pick up wiring faults over time.
My impression after two sets of Gerbing gloves is that they are built to a price, not the best quality glove on the market.

Heated grips are always on the bike, and I've found no issues with keeping my hands warm in temps well below 30 with decent all-weather gloves.
As another poster mentioned, hippo hands or similar do an excellent job in combination with heated grips.

Finding the right glove also makes a huge difference, as the backs of your hand can get cold while the palms get toasted. A good quality snowmobile glove (not the cheap junk sold most places) has much more insulation on the back of the hand and fingers, and a thinner palm / inner to allow the heat to be transferred more efficiently.
They are also designed to allow warm air to circulate better to keep the entire hand warm.

If you are short of electrons, the 'in-grip' type (grip with embedded elements) like the Hot Grips (the branded product) or Oxfords are far more efficient, as the bar wraps leak substantial heat into the bar. One downside of the Hot Grips I've used in the past is that they are relatively bulky, the Oxfords are much less so, but probably don't insulate as well.

For me, I far prefer having an electronic controller (the Warm n Safe are my favorites) as it is much easier just to set to exactly the temps you want and then focus on the ride. Plus the electronic controllers are much more efficient than a simple 2-setting switch or rheostat type, which usually bleed off the extra electricity into a resistor.

FWIW.

[gixxersteph]

just finished installing Oxford Heaterz about 30 minutes ago. Fair price on Fleabay - 4 temp settings. We'll see how they work but I've had one form or another on most of my bikes. I prefer grips to gloves 'cause they are always there.